On 1st August The Kristen Capolino Group will be opening for MSG in Long Island NY. More about that in a minute, but for now please tell us about the first time you played alongside Michael Schenker in September 2004 - at the age of just fourteen!
That will always be one of my most treasured moments. He has certainly been one of my greatest influences in the rock guitar world. It was only the second time that I met Michael, and it was truly an amazing experience. The first time that I had the privilege of meeting him was when he played at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie in 2003. After his performance in Poughkeepsie, we had a brief but pleasant conversation. My father and I decided to give him a DVD of me playing at a local blues jam. At that time, I was not performing my own songs with a band. Of course we assumed my DVD would simply be "circular filed", haha. But a few days later I received a heart-felt email from Michael, in which he spoke well of my playing and offered me useful advice. I was truly inspired by these kind words that were spoken by such a talented man.
A year later, my family and I went to see Michael perform at the Downtown. He was certainly on fire that night. I simply could not believe his amazing playing and his infectious energy. During the show, I befriended one of the biggest bikers in the crowd with whom I would play "air" guitar. By the time Michael played "Armed and Ready", the audience was going wild. But I was probably one of the shortest people in the venue, so I couldn't even see Michael playing his hottest solo of the night! Suddenly, out of kind spontanaeity, my tall biker friend picks me up and puts me on his shoulders. As I'm playing "air" guitar, Michael looks up and smiles at me. Although it's been a year since we met, he still recognized me. He then gives me a signal to come up on stage with him! I simply could not believe it. As I reach the stage, Michael's roadie places Wayne Findley's Carvin over my neck. Of course my Gibson Flying V was waiting in the car for Michael to sign it after the show. Because Wayne's guitar was so low, it reached my knees. I could barely reach my hand around the neck!

Going back a few more years, when did you start playing the guitar, and who inspired you?
I started playing the guitar when I was about five years old. It was my father that made me realize that I was meant to play the guitar. Although he can't play guitar himself, he has always had great taste in music and in guitarists, to be specific. I remember when I heard Gary Moore play for the first time, tears filled my eyes. I never heard someone play guitar with such emotion and soul until I heard this man. I truly felt a deep connection with him. After that, I was in love with the guitar. Every day I would watch and play along with Gary's videos. "Empty Rooms" and "King of the Blues" were some of my favorite songs to learn. When I was seven years old, My father had a left-handed black Gibson Flying V. He had it rebuilt for a right-handed, little guitar player. I still have that guitar. The poor thing has seen better days because I let my little cousins play it when they come to my house. As I got older, I started listening to other amazing players, such as Santana, Al Di Meola, and Earl Slick, to name a few. Although I didn't study them as intently as I did Gary Moore, I feel that they all influenced my playing in some way. When I was thirteen, I really got into Michael Schenker. As with Gary Moore, I would constantly listen to his CDs and watch his videos. My father and I still play air guitar to Lights Out and Rock Bottom in the car, haha. I just couldn't get enough of his aggressive and melodic style. When The Michael Shenker Group World Wide Live 2004 was released, I was in heaven. Having the opportunity to play along 'with' Michael every day was a real pleasure. In recent years, I've been listening to more jazz and fusion guitarists, such as John Scofield, Larry Carlton, and Jeff Beck. I feel that these guys have greatly helped me mature as a player. As time goes on, I would love to start listening to more bluegrass players as well. My goal is to become versatile in many different genres of music.

You are fast becoming well-known and well-respected as a guitarist, and your exceptional talent has led to playing gigs with many long-established musicians. As a result of that, you're meeting people behind the scenes who've been in the business a long time and who have worked with lots of aspiring and enthusiastic newcomers. As a young woman in an area that's mainly male, do you ever feel intimidated? How do they behave towards you?

At such an early point in my career, I am truly honored to have worked with such prestigious and talented people in the music industry. As in any major business, there are individuals that one will connect with immediately, and there are those that one will outright dislike.
I am happy to say that I have had many pleasant interactions with those who wield great power in the music industry.
In regard to the professional musicians that I have had the privilege of working with, I have definitely connected with most of them.
Recently, I just recorded the first part of my second album with David Bowie's touring band, and it was such a pleasure performing with musicians of that caliber.
Musicians at that level no longer have to prove themselves, which allows them to enjoy playing music. That's what it's all about.
I admit that in the beginning I felt a bit intimidated to be collaborating with such seasoned and talented musicians, but by the end of our first day working together, it was as if I knew these guys for years. It was just wonderful how we melded as a group.
Often, people will ask me, "How does it feel to be a female guitarist in the male-dominated world of rock and roll?".
I have noticed that when musicians reach a certain point in their careers, gender usually no longer matters.
Generally, if a musician is talented and plays well, he or she will be accepted and treated with respect.

At this year's NAMM, you were invited onstage by Al Di Meola... how did that come about, and what happened next?
It wasn't until five minutes before I played with Al that I even knew this was going to happen! I originally went to NAMM to take part in a TV documentary called The Axe Factor. When I entered NAMM for the first time, I was like a kid in a candy store. I just couldn't believe the thousands of guitars, basses, and gear that filled the entire building. With my parents, the film crew, Kosta (my manager) and photographer John Rowlands, I explored the endless maze of booths. Finally we reached the Paul Reed Smith booth, which was displaying some of the most beautiful guitars that I had ever seen. I just fell in love with the McCarty and Al Di Meola's model, the Prism.
As we approached the booth, we saw three large posters of Orianthi, Al Di Meola, and Santana. We then saw these amazing guitarists sitting in front of the large crowd. It was definitely a pleasant surprise to see Al once again. Although we'd only met twice previously, I already felt that we had a deep connection. Last August, Kosta introduced us and I jammed with him, which was simply a blast. Later that month, I shared the stage with Al and many other legendary guitarists at a festival in Shreveport, LA.
At the PRS booth is a small stage where a group is jammin' out on a medley of blues standards. It was basically a professional open mic where guitarists can test out PRS guitars with an awesome band. When the song ended, Paul Reed Smith asked the crowd if anyone else would like to come up to play with the band. Suddeny, my manager Kosta, growls, "Yes! Someone else does want to play!". That will be a famous quote for many years to come, haha. It turns out that Kosta had arranged with Al for me to play - with Al himself!
Al takes the stage and as he finishes his first song, my stomach fills with butterflies, for I know that my introduction is coming near. He calls my name, and I can hardly believe that I'm about to jam with one of the best guitarists in the world!
Paul Reed Smith himself helps me to set up, and Al starts to play a blazing solo taking us back to his early years as a solo a guitarist. Then Al points to me to take over the solo. When the song finished, I heard the lovely sound of cheers and applause from the crowd. Immediately, Paul Reed Smith rushes over to shake my hand and peppers me with compliments, which I greatly appreciated! And then suddenly he announces that Al is going to give me his guitar! I was simply stunned. It was certainly an incredible honor to receive such a beautiful guitar as a gift from Paul Reed Smith himself. A few months later, I received a brand new Prism from the PRS factory. Currently, PRS is in the process of creating my profile as one of its new artists, which is most exciting. Wow! What an experience!

You mentioned a TV show called The Axe Factor (not to be confused with The X Factor!). What's The Axe Factor all about, and who else is featured in it.
This is very exciting! The Axe Factor is a documentary that is about the expanding world of female rock guitar players and how they are reshaping the way we interpret music today. It is truly an honor to be placed alongside some of the most talented and well known female guitarists such as Jennifer Batten and Orianthi.

When do we get to watch it on TV?
The show should air sometime at the end of this year. I can't wait! It's gonna rock!

Another event on your resume was 2009's James Burton International Guitar Festival. How surreal, at 19 years old, to be up there with Elvis Presley's guitarist, using the same dressing-room as Elvis, and being part of the Guinness World Record attempt for the most people playing an Elvis song at one time! How did you became involved with the festival?

Playing at the James Burton International Guitar Festival in Shreveport LA, was a wonderful opportunity. My manager - Kosta - and John Rowlands, a world renowned photographer, made this whole thing possible. In the beginning, however, we faced a great challenge of having to persuade the Burton family to allow a young guitarist, whom they never heard before, to perform at this huge event. At this point, they had the impression that I was a "female shredder" that was going to level the place, haha. As a result, they decided to play it safe and allow me to perform only one of my songs, as opposed to my original three. Even more, I was told to play one of my tamest songs. But my father negotiated with the Burtons so that I could play "Kristen's Blues", which is rocked out but soulful as well. Once I played the soundcheck with the band, the mood completely changed. After that, I was definitely "one of the guys".
I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of the legends, such as James Burton himself, Steve Lukather, Jennifer Batten, Al Di Meola, and Albert Lee. It truly felt as if I was jamming with a bunch of close friends. The most important thing that I learned during this time was to be myself and do what I do, which resulted in the making of quite a few new fans in Shreveport. I can't wait to play there again in 2011!

You weren't born till about twelve years after Elvis died, and probably won't have (m)any Elvis records in your collection... did walking in the footsteps of 'the king' hold much majesty for you at the time?
I feel that this experience is what caused me to truly appreciate the major impact that Elvis continues to have on our world today. All I could say was, "Wow!", as I explored the many rooms of the Municipal Auditorium. From warming up in Elvis' dressing room to seeing his first record deal on the wall, I could not help being engulfed in the great depth and history that filled the building. Oh, and I did not mention the ghost...

Are there any plans to record a follow-up to your first album, All That I Am?

Which musicians inspire you the most to write your own tunes - and why?
Many musicians of different genres inspire me to write songs, such as Michael Schenker, Fuel, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Al Di Meola. I also get inpsired by musicians who are totally different from my style, such as John Mayer, Billy Ocean, and Prince. One never knows what will bring on a new song idea.

Coming back to the show on August 1st, it's part of MSG's 30th Anniversary Tour featuring Gary Barden on vocals and Chris Slade on drums, along with Rev and Wayne who've played on recent MSG tours. Also playing that show is George Lynch's band Lynch Mob, so it looks like it could be a packed house. Are tickets still available?
Yes - tickets can be purchased directly through my family's company website. Buying from there saves paying ticket agency fees!

As a schoolgirl starting out on a career in rocknroll, what was the best career advice you were given and who did it come from - and how has it shaped what you do?
I have met many wonderful people who have given me important advice. For example, John Rowlands emphasizes the importance of being myself and doing what I do in the best way possible. My father always tells me that I need to be determined to win a crowd over. Even if I only make one fan happy per show, I have accomplished something. Many times, I have been told that "nothing worthwhile is ever easy". This has definitely proven to be true. There will be times when I will just want to go out and perform, but I remember the importance of doing the hard work alone so that when I play a show, I can be the best that I can be.

What have been your proudest achievements so far?
Becoming a PRS artist after playing with Al Di Meola for one song was something I never would have expected to happen. Recording only my second album with some of the best players in the world is an exciting accomplishment for me. Playing at the James Burton Festival was absolutely a dream come true. And of course, what could be better than playing with Micheal Schenker at the age of fourteen?!

Any embarrassing or Spinal Tap moments yet?
Although I have been lucky during my performances thus far, I have had a few Spinal Tap moments.
When I played at the Bitter End last year, I broke my first string in the middle of the outro solo of "Left With Nothing". I had to quickly transpose my original solos to a different position because they cued the rest of the band to change to each section of the song.
A similar episode happened at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, when I recorded a music video there. I not only broke my low E string, which was tuned to drop D for the song I was playing, but my necklace sliced open my thumb in the middle of the solo. That was not much fun!
When I went to NAMM last year, Rev Jones, Michael Schenker's bassist, invited me to jam with him and his band. A few weeks prior to

the show, Rev sent me three songs to learn. When we start the first song, I quickly realize that it's being played a half-step down from the original recording that I received. Meanwhile, my appearance on the show is being filmed for the Axe Factor. I basically had to relearn the song as we played it, because it was in drop D! One's gotta love those Spinal Tap moments. Things like that keep us on our toes!

What would be your five 'Desert Island Discs', and why is each of those records special for you?
My first would be Gary Moore's Out In the Fields album because his solos always inspire me, and it takes me back to my roots as a young guitarist. Next, would be UFO's Walk On Water because Michael sounds absolutely incredible on that album. I could just listen to his Lights Out solo for days! The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium would be the next 'Desert Island Disc' because I can't get enough of the special organic vibe of this album. In addition, the Scorpians' Humanity: Hour 1 was definitely one of their best albums. I love how their signature sound was complemented with a modern edge. Finally, I would choose Santana's Supernatural because every song on this album is just amazing. There is nothing better than listening to a really awesome song that is filled with Santana's beautifully melodic and smooth style of playing.

Please sum up Kristen Capolino in five words.
LOVES TO ROCK AND ROLL!

 
Click HERE to go to Kristen's website

© Get Ready To Roll - 14th June 2010