Richie Kotzen Interview On The Winery Dogs, Touring, Guitar Tips

I can give advice in what I found helped in my development. Playing live is a big part on how you evolve, it's playing for people. I've always been lucky to be in a position to play for people. But it's not actually really about luck, it's about having an open-mindness to absorb other musicians and trying to develop up to their level. But to learn, and to grow as a musician. It's about getting out there and playing live and playing with musical inspiration. Always playing to listen and to learn.

We actually recorded the second show we ever played. We did that in Japan. So the plan is to release a live video of the show. The band has evolved and gotten so much better. I don't think any band has formed and gone out and recorded one of the first shows. We thought it would be interesting to hear the things that have changed.

Right now, obviously, we're performing live what we have, but we're really interested in development. The records really depend on what happens with the touring opportunities. So when the touring has ended, we'll go back to the drawing board and write the next record. But to say when that is to happen is a bit unrealistic, we don't know how long we're going to be doing these shows.

The lyrics are great. It's kind of about new beginnings, almost a rebirth, and trying to move on from things that happened previously. The song is about, I don't know, for lack of a better term, to start fresh.

Yes, it changed everything. If there's any kind of situation when you are hearing noise harder and louder, and you end up singing louder and losing your voice. In your mind, [the earpiece] makes everything sound better.

The overall response to the band has been really great, and we're all surprised. We are developing and playing in various configurations, but this record is all over the world and getting positive reactions. But we never made the record with preconceived ideas, we had no expectations other than making rock and roll and make music we all care about. But the reactions — we're really surprised and happy about.

I have other interests. I was very into electronics when I was young. I remember I was always going to Radio Shack and playing with the electric equipment and building circuits, so I probably would have gone in that direction. The real thing with me is I love being creative, so I think if it wasn't music, I think it would involve making something else.

What people have been doing that helps is requesting the song. The truth is we have actually done very well on radio in certain regions across the country. Our record label released our album out to stations. We were able to perform it through certain regions. In the end, that's something that we can control with a combination of elements.

We already did our South America run for this year, including show's in Brazil, so there's no plans for South America this year. But we're about to plan on doing more dates here. One thing that people might not understand when asking a band those questions, 'Why don't you come here?' 'Why don't you come there?' If it was up to us, we would play everywhere, but it comes down to where our managers think it will help the most.

When I did my lead vocals, I did a bunch of harmony vocals as well. And we got together, and out of the harmonies that I had done, Billy and Mike were both on the same pages, and then we added theirs to what was been done already.

I really enjoyed the interaction with Billy and Mike, initially got in the room and it was a lot of fun for me and writing too. The whole creative process was very rewarding and effortless.