Stage Talk with Rick Koster
Where every show has something to say.
MIKE DAWES: DOES HE REALLY ONLY HAVE 10 FINGERS?!
Halloween is over, but British acoustic guitarist Mike Dawes is still frightening people with the scope, technique and vision of his instrumental prowess.
His performances, which include spiderweb fingerpicking patterns, slaps, taps and whitewater scalular runs folded into effortlessly melodic structures, are the sort that make fans ponder him for a moment, then say, “He CAN’T be that good, can he?”
Ditto for his recordings, which include solo albums Galactic Acid, Shows and Distancing, ERA and What Just Happened? as well as a collaboration with Tommy Emmanuel titled Accomplice Series Vol. 3.
Dawes is no stranger to the Garde Arts Center in New London. He’s played here on tour with Emmanuel and also with the Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward, both as the opening act before joining Hayward’s band onstage as the lead guitarist.
Dawes plays the Garde’s Oasis Room (TONIGHT?) and, though the show is sold out, we’ve learned Garde patrons enjoy reading about the artists and performers who pass through these hallowed halls.
Earlier this week, Dawes answered a few email questions. The tone of his responses suggests that, as concert attendees will discover, he’s a thoughtful, modest gentleman who just happens to be one of the finest guitarists alive.
The Garde: Virtuoso guitar instrumentalists like you and Tommy Emmanuel are breaking through to larger audiences. To me, this isn’t just because of your extraordinary skill but also because you’re both charismatic performers with approachable personalities. Can you see that your concerts are attracting and connecting with a demographic that isn’t necessarily Guitar Freaks?
Mike Dawes: I hope so, honestly. Instrumental music to me is just music and expression at the end of the day, and personally I enjoy the guitar as the medium for that. Given the state of the world and where we could all be heading, I think that concerts and art in general should be viewed as necessary collective human experiences. Anyone is welcome at my shows, and I LOVE meeting anyone who decides to come out.
Garde: On the other hand, plenty of musicians I admire have eloquently made the argument that popular music has become simplified and homogenized to an unprecedented level of, well, banality. How much do you think about your work in that context — or do you just feel like you sorta exist outside of concerns like that?
Mike: I don’t really think like that, if I’m honest. As Justin Hayward would say on stage, “People are falling in love to modern pop music just as they did back in the day,” and I agree with that sentiment. A lot of music I listened to back in my teenage years may not be considered “good” by many people, but it means so much to me.
Garde: At a certain level of virtuosity, do you discover aspects of music that interest you in ways that you perhaps wouldn’t have thought possible five years ago? Certain styles, artists, developing your own innovations, and so on? What are the aesthetic areas that go beyond just technique?
Mike: At the end of the day, any technique used in my tunes should serve the song. I don’t consider myself a virtuoso by any means. As long as there is a good melody and an emotion generated, then I’m happy.
Garde: I consider Hayward one of the greatest songwriters ever. Were you particularly aware of the Moody Blues before you started working with him? I saw an interview where he said of your playing, “I just watch in awe and admiration. I have no idea how he does it.” Do you similarly stand in awe of his songwriting?
Mike: Of course! EVERYONE knows the Moodies, surely. It was such a huge honor to be asked to join his band. We have had so many wonderful trips around the world and of course I’ve learned so much from Justin. I feel completely blessed to have stood beside the world’s best songwriter and the world’s best guitarist (Tommy), and I don’t take that for granted.
Garde: Do you invent your own tunings?
Mike: Ha! Sometimes, but I’m sure everything has been used before.
Garde: Finally, what’s your favorite chord?
Mike: Em11.
FOR THOSE OF YOU PLAYING ALONG AT HOME, GET OUT YOUR GUITAR AND MASTER Em11. SHOWN BELOW ARE THE CHORD DIAGRAM AND CORRECT FINGER PLACEMENT. THIS WAY YOU CAN BE READY IF MIKE CALLS YOU UP ONTO THE OASIS STAGE!
