Artist Spotlight :: Matt Guilherme

Bio

Matt Guilherme is a professional Guitarist/Vocalist from DC with over 10 years of experience performing, recording, and teaching in a variety of genres such as rock, pop, blues, funk, and metal. He has performed throughout the U.S. as a solo act and with nationally acclaimed bands including Eyes of the Nile - The Ultimate Iron Maiden tribute, Closing Time, and the Bachelor Boys Band, on renowned stages like The Vixen, Tally Ho Theatre, Mohegan Sun Wolf Den, and Big Night Live. In addition to his solo work, he has released several albums and EPs with original bands Left of Love and SILICA.

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

I come from a family of musicians, so music has always been a strong force in my life. I began singing at the age of 11, inspired by Rock and Alternative bands like AC/DC, Green Day, Iron Maiden, and the Goo Goo Dolls. When I turned 14, I decided to get a guitar, and my life changed when I heard "Eruption" by Van Halen. From then on, I was obsessed with becoming the best musician I could possibly be. Everything else took a back seat, and it's been that way ever since!

What piece of musical advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the beginning of your musical journey?

I was lucky to have had some great mentors throughout my guitar journey. I think I progressed in a natural, organic manner, so it's hard to say. But if I could go back, I'd tell myself to hold the guitar pick the right way. It was a lesson I learned down the road, but it took a long time to correct the bad habit that I initially picked up on.

What keeps you excited about playing?

I love performing music live with a killer band. Having people come together and share our love of music with an ecstatic crowd is the best feeling. For a short while, we all forget about the world, and we become one. I also love learning new music and techniques. It's like a never-ending well of inspiration and personal growth. No matter how much you learn and how good you get, there's still more to do. And I love it!

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

Assuming I have a nice guitar and an amp with a cookin' gain channel, my desert island Pedalboard is: Cry Baby Wah, Spaceman Aurora Flanger, and Keeley Caverns Delay. The Wah is pretty self-explanatory, but I find it to be such a versatile utility tool. It works for everything from funky rhythmic cleans to screaming high-gain guitar solos. The Aurora Flanger is my favorite analog modulation pedal. It is so incredibly lush and organic sounding, and it can cover a wide range of sounds from subtle chorus, and warmly vibrato to swooshing jet plane flanging. The Keeley Caverns earns its spot by being a two-in-one featuring both delay and reverb. Every setting is inspiring, and I love the ability to add modulation to each side. Plus, the shimmer effect sounds out of this world.

When you find yourself in a musical rut, what techniques do you do to break out of it?

I usually try to learn something new that challenges my technical abilities or a song with interesting chord voicings.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band 10 years ago?

As the guitarist in an Iron Maiden tribute band, my answer is pretty clear. I absolutely love Iron Maiden. They were my favorite band 10 years ago, and they still are today!

When you find yourself in a music store, what is your go-to riff when test-driving gear?

I usually rip into Somebody Get Me a Doctor by Van Halen and then proceed to go through the various genres, checking for versatility and playability. What do the cleans sound like? Does the gear fall apart under high gain? Does it react to changes in pick attack and volume knob settings? Things like that.

What is your most prized/cherished piece of gear? And why?

Definitely my 1990's American Strat. I've had it since high school and modded the heck out of it. It isn't the easiest guitar to play, but it sounds incredible and has so much sentimental value.

What is the next big musical purchase you're hoping to save for?

The answer to this is always changing, but I've been thinking it might be nice to have a good Les Paul or PRS to change it up from all the super Strats I typically play.

Gear Breakdown

I rely on my Fractal Audio FM3 for the majority of my tones. I have a Direct out to front of house and a separate 1/4in out going to a Seymour Duncan Powerstage, which powers my vintage Marshall JCM900 4x12 cab with UK T-75 speakers. In my rack, I have a Sennheiser EW-D wireless guitar system and a Sennheiser G4 wireless in-ear system. All of the 1/4 and XLR ins and outs for my rack and amp/cab setup are together in two custom RattleSnake Cable looms, along with the IEC power cable for my Fractal FM 3. Everything is neat, tidy, and color-coded to make setup and breakdown a million times faster and less stressful.  

Bands / Projects

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