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Artist Spotlight :: Rejean Barbeau

Bio

Rejean Barbeau

Born in Montreal, QC, Canada, and moved to Kansas City, KS, in 2007. I first started Dying Dawn in 1999, a Death / Black metal project in which I was a Guitarist and vocalist till 2001 when we disbanded. Then a few years later, 3 out of 4 members re-united to form the black metal band; Spirit Of Vengeance, which lasted maybe two years. I took an extended hiatus which, at the time, I was considering it as a retirement due to some injuries and personal reasons ( big mistake there ).

Fast forward to recent years, my wife bought me a Jackson Warrior, which made me restart playing and explore a whole different genre of music I never thought I'd be playing. Then the guitar collection grew, then the pedals. In 2018 I revived the Dying Dawn name, this time, we are a trio and play instrumental post-metal, post-rock... Quite frankly, I can't really put my finger on the musical genre. And I am also slowly working on an ambient guitar project called Sandstone.

This pretty much sums up my curriculum

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

In 1990, Megadeth released the iconic Rust in Peace album. Dave Mustaine actually inspired me twice. The first time with the release of this album, the second time when he recovered from an arm injury. So I have put myself to work on the guitar despite my wrists rated 75% disabled. (I broke the right one twice and the left once ).

As for musical genres, Chuck Schuldiner ( Death ) was my introduction to death metal and extreme metal genres. Then a Norwegian band called The 3rd and the Mortal introduced me to the ambient and experimental music with their album, painting on Glass

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

Don't do drugs LOL ( not really joking about this, though ). I'd say you don't give up no matter the life events obstacle can get in the way. Also, use that state of mind (you can guess what it is) to inspire you in your compositions. One more thing, don't pawn that Boss Metal Zone; you'll end up buying another one later anyway. LOL

What keeps you excited about playing?

Knowing I can jam 24/7 without any noise complaints. Also that a lot of time, I improvise stuff that quickly becomes a new song. I am fully aware that I am not re-inventing the wheel musically but kind of adding a personal touch. Every practice and band sessions are therapy for me

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

As much as I like distortion/overdrive tones, I'd go with Strymon NightSky and El Capistan, Meris Polymoon. Those three alone and combined can create massive ambiance. For years, I have been focused on the atmosphere of music over the technical stuff. I feel I can compose like 30 albums with those 3

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

Hm, I think my expeditions in the Utah desert breaks it as I come back inspired even though I wish I never leave this huge sandbox I like to call home. At the studio, I pretty much pick up the guitar and keep playing; sometimes, some mistakes lead to something new, and sometimes just playing with my bass for a while helps. Other than that, listening to music and discovering new bands help too.

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

Rush is an all-time favorite. 2112 is their masterpiece. Nowadays, I listen a lot to Nordsind, BMFS (I had to go with the abbreviation on this one), Show Me a Dinosaur, Trna, and many MANY post-rock / post-metal bands. Most of them are instrumental and appeal to me more as the music itself leaves place to a personal interpretation of the story or "spiritually" takes you on a journey to wherever it is. Imagination is a strong thing

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

Whatever comes to mind. Quite frankly, it's extremely rare I play when people are around. I don't know why; it kinda feels like I'm writing a diary or something. And I know that music is meant to be shared with whoever digs the work. I need to work on it

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

My BC Rich Beast along with my Marshall JCM 2000 and 1960A Lead cab, no questions!! They are what I consider the last gift my dad ever got for me. Bought them back in 2002 and still have them to this day. I have to admit that the Beast is extremely uncomfortable, and the neck, like any other BCR feels too much like a baseball bat. My JCM is still in service even though I jumped ship to Hughes & Kettner.

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

A third LEF Custom guitar. I just can't get enough of Luis's work on his builds. Also, the Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKIII would be nice, but that would be the kind of investment I would put on if I was in a touring band or make a living on music which I know won't happen... A man can dream, though

Gear Breakdown

Rejean Barbeau Gear
Amplifier: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII
Cabinet: Marshall 1960A Lead

Guitars:
My 2 main are LEF Custom Guitars EXP.
Also own 2 BC Rich Ironbird, a BC Rich Beast, Jackson Warrior, Jackson Kelly, Jackson Kelly Star, a 1985 Kramer Voyager and a 1985 Ibanez X-Series Destroyer bass.

Pedals:
Earthquaker Devices:
Swiss Things
Warden
Afterneath
Ghost Echo
Gray Channel
Westwood
Avalanche Run
Sea Machine
The Depth
Dispatch Master

Strymon:
Blue Sky
El Capistan
Nightsky

Meris:
Hedra
Polymoon
Mercury7

Old Blood Noise Endavor:
Minim

KMA:
Astrospurt

TC Electronics
Ditto X2

The signal path is too much for me to type LOL

Bands / Projects

Dying Dawn
Sandstone



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