Getting to Know...Erik Gundel

Percussion has never sounded so good. Erik Gundel, guitarist for Motel Motel, creates an amazingly unique, instrumentally rich style of music. Gundel’s music is as multi-instrumentally diverse as it gets. Using piano, guitar, percussion instruments¸ and synthesizer, Gundel creates the perfect unification of acoustic and electric surges of sound. Erik’s harmonic voice and perfect balance of notes add to his well blended sound.

Songs like “Houseplants Need Sun” and “Getting in the Raven’s Good Graces” create an abstract tone through their musical continuity for the listener to interpret in their own way. Gundel’s songs feature incredible creativity on guitar and in composition. In “I Shall Come Back Soon” Gundel harmoniously mixes heavy chords and short notes to create a shuttering, repeating sound.

As a solo project Gundel has written and released a multitude of songs, and an EP entitled “EP Gundel”. Gundel’s album is an amazing piece of mutli-genre, independent music, including Ambient and Bluegrass. The EP is now available for download on iTunes and CD Baby.

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http://www.myspace.com/erikgundel

The Exclusive Erick Gundel Interview

How long have you been playing music?

I have been playing music since I was a wee lad, banging away on my neighbor's untuned piano. From there I took piano and guitar lessons, and have been obsessed with making music for about 20 years.

If you could describe your music in any way, how would you?

I would say that my music is somewhat slippery, in that I'm not really trying to work in a specific style or reference a specific influence. Some if it is pretty meticulous, some is improvised. I just go with what sounds refreshing to me.

Which earlier musicians have influenced you the most?

Many, many. As a guitar player, I've always loved Jimi Hendrix. He could obviously shred, but most often he would show restraint and write a beautiful song. No other guitar hero could write "One Rainy Wish". I admire that greatly. Lots of classical, Beethoven's Piano Sonatas were my earliest jams. I really dig Stravinsky these days, "Symphony of Psalms". Miles Davis, Talk Talk, XTC.

How has your music evolved since you began playing?

Well I kinda stunk when I began, as most people do. I went through a long period of wanting to play the blues, then I realized I didn't really have the blues (yet...) I studied jazz for a good while, now I'm kind of wandering aimlessly.

You have a new album out "EP Gundel". Explain the music making process in "EP Gundel".

I did it a while ago when I moved to NY and didn't have anyone to play with. It's a bedroom project, really. I was just messing around with a few computer programs, and I tried to write some songs. I did it compulsively. I just sort of did a lot of trial and error, a good amount of which was done with a granular synthesis program, which chops up samples into fractions of seconds (kind of like Fennesz does a lot). It was pretty fun to make.

What's your ultimate direction for you and your music?

There's no way of knowing the ultimate direction. There's a lot I want to do, including a little acoustic guitar based EP I'll release some time next year. It's done already, or has to be done because my computer and recording programs were stolen (ouch). I want to get some setup to play live on my own, to be able to process improvisations, mixed with songs. Not really sure.

Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge who's helped you get to where you are today?

My parents, family, friends, bandmates, colleagues, love interests, directors of good films, the 1997 Cleveland Indians.

Any last words?

Thanks for listening