NAMM 2014 was once again filled with so many great displays, new gear, artists performing. We looked forward to seeing Brev Sullivan once again and he was awesomely shredding away! We will have to try and get some videos up so you can check him out.
Brev not only is an amazingly talented musician, busy performing with his many bands; Lazy Bonez, FOF, an Snakebite to name a few, but he also shares his passion for music by teaching as well.
This week he had the opportunity to catch up with Brev and are pleased to bring you that interview here:
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Music Junkie Press: Thank you Brev for taking the time out to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press! It was great seeing you once again at NAMM. This year was a great one. How was your NAMM trip?
Brev: It is always an adventure and it gets better every year. I love it!
Music Junkie Press: You have been quite a busy man, what are you currently working on?
Brev: I just finished up a contemporary Jazz CD entitled Brand New Day. It has 8 tracks on it, a variety of contemporary sounding or smooth jazz original compositions. 4 out of the 8 feature my father (renowned jazz musician, Ira Sullivan) playing one of his many horns and he is a multi-instrumentalist so that could be any tune could be sax or flute or both.
Music Junkie Press: That is great! You told me before about how your father was instrumental in getting you into music. How was it working with your father?
Brev: Yes, well, my father is a mentor and a teacher to all, so it is no different him working with his son, than working with any of the many young people he has worked with throughout his careers, starting with Jaco Pastorius back in the ‘70s to now. So he won’t let me slip up either, just because I’m his kid.
Music Junkie Press: How old were you when you first picked up and played the guitar?
Brev: I actually started late. I didn’t really get serious until I was about seventeen, but my earliest memory was playing.. plinking around on the classical around 15.
Music Junkie Press: Do you remember what was the first song you learned to play in it’s entirety?
Brev: Yes, it was “GreenSleeves”. Well, you hear it around the holidays but it is considered a secular tune even though they play it at the holidays. I got to play that quite often.
Music Junkie Press: Do you remember what was your first guitar?
Brev: Yes, I do. That was the classic story, I was kid and I worked all summer cutting grass and trimming trees and I got a Palmer.
Music Junkie Press: Do you still have it? I know many like to keep their first guitar.
Brev: Not that one. Oh No, I don’t remember what happened to that.
Music Junkie Press: How about now, what is your current rig rundown?
Brev: I have two separate rigs that I am trying to combine. I have been currently using a combination of Bogner amps, DV Mark Amps which is still relatively new to the scene and they are wonderful amps. And then, I have been making use of some of the modern digital technology, I have been using the Axe FXs.
Music Junkie Press: Check out Brev and his band FOF as they performed at Sam Ash Music and utilizing the Axe FX II:
Music Junkie Press: In addition to being so active in performing, recording you also teach music. With all the different genres, sub genres, and that seems to be changing and ‘80s style Rock n Roll is definitely making a big comeback! Do you see a rise in young students who want to learn and play more original style rock n roll?
Brev: That is an interesting question. I see a rise in certain musical groups and artists out there that want to play, that are making headlines or headway in different style but, I see with most of my students that I encounter, I see them revisiting the old grassroots techniques of Jimmy Page and Hendrix. They find it new today as I did when I was growing up and as the people before me did. So, I would say in seeking originality, they would have to seek the grass roots first.
Music Junkie Press: Right now, it is so funny to see the young teens out there and you introduce them to other styles of original music, some of them just grasp on to it and they start researching all types of music on their own. Then they can incorporate it into their own style.
If you could go back and talk to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give to yourself?
Brev: That is a good question. At the time I was growing up, all these great bands that as you just mentioned are coming back and are still touring and still surviving, market themselves as a gang or as four great friends and that nothing can go wrong. I think that is a great model because they wouldn’t be able to sell what they are selling, which is great music and cool posters, cool lifestyle, however, it can limit your ability to survive in the real world which is, what I would tell myself, ‘These are great bands but maybe you should learn a few more tunes like the blues, some adventurous tunes, I know as silly as it sounds some Frank Sinatra, because these are the decades of music that people for the last century have listened to time and time again.” That music will allow any musician who can play to work constantly.
Music Junkie Press: Rock Of Ages was an iconic film that we loved. We can’t get enough of the ‘80s! Did you get to keep some of those crazy ’80 outfits from it?
Brev: Well, some of that stuff was my own, so Yes.
Music Junkie Press: What song from the ‘80s era would you say is your theme song or anthem song?
Brev: Well, interesting enough Mari, the music from Rock of Ages, I was aware of it and I loved it but I was more of a progressive guy. I was into Rush and I was into Van Halen, so Panama or Jump or something like that was more my theme song.
Music Junkie Press: That is great. Now do you have any shows coming up with Featured on Fridays or SnakeBite?
Brev: Yes, I do. In fact I have an interesting day tomorrow. I am playing with LazyBonez at Pirate Fest on the Treasure Coast in Florida and then I have a gig in the evening with Snakebite at the Coconut Creek Casino so geographically, I will need a plane to get to both gigs but it will be great.
Music Junkie Press: That is a busy one for you, a weekend of music!
Brev: Yes, and that is how I like it. FOF, Features on FridayBand will be throwing my CD release party in March, I haven’t set the date yet.
Music Junkie Press: So your CD will be released in March?
Brev: The CD is actually available now on Itunes, CDBaby under Brev Sullivan “Brand New Day”.
Music Junkie Press: We will definitely share those links on our site. Lastly, is there anything else you would like to share with our audience?
Brev: What I would like to share is, keep in mind that music played on a guitar, or a piano, or a trumpet, or any type of instrument is an age old tool that has absolutely no microchips, it doesn’t have the screen on it, it doesn’t have any texting on it, it is an age old creation of wire and wood and to this day, it is still the center of our universe as a musician or a fan and that is very powerful.
Music Junkie Press: That is so beautifully said. Music truly can heal them, help them, be there for them through the hardest times as well as be there for all the range of your emotions. I know for myself, it has been all those things. I am glad to see the younger generation finally appreciate that and get to the point where they know the music is there for them and it takes you on the journey of your life.
Brev: Yes, and I get that vibe when I look at MusicJunkiePress.com. It sounds like it is run and orchestrated by very excited people and seems very hip and up to date and very cool. Thank you for having me be a part of it.
Music Junkie Press: Thank you so much Brev. We are so excited to feature you and we will be sharing all your social media links and also where to pick up your new CD. Thank you so much for your time and have a wonderful weekend.
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We are excited to hear about the new CD, Brand New Day. One thing is for sure, listening to Jazz makes me feel so alive and that is exactly what you will feel listening to Brand New Day. It takes you on a musical journey filled with vibrant melodies, lively beats, and guitar tracks that actually sing to you. It is amazing and just after my first listen today, I wouldn’t even be able to tell you my favorites since they all captivate me. Blue City is the first song and sets the perfect tone for the whole album. Get ready to feel invigorated and Coming Home does just that for me. It literally took me back to the late 1970s as I would watch my older sisters sing and dance around in the garage, a time of simple fun and innocence. It has such a fantastic 70’s vibe meshed with amazing guitar and instrumental work. All the songs are magical and captivating and literally tell a tale with each song as the instruments speak to you in such a personal way. I have to thank you Brev, for reminding me of my long lost love of Jazz and congratulations on your excellent album.
I hope you have the chance to pick up Brev‘s new album and also visit his social media sites so you can stay up to date on all his latest news. If you are in Florida, see if you can catch one of his shows tomorrow! I will leave you with some videos of Brev performing.
~ Marisol
Information & Links:
- Website: www.brevsullivan.com
- CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/cd/brevsullivan
- Itunes: Itunes
Solid interview!
Thank you so much Patrick!!!
A reblogué ceci sur fashionmusicianet a ajouté:
I love your musical Blog !
Thank you so much!
A reblogué ceci sur fashionmusicianet a ajouté:
I love your musical Blog !