News

Artist Spotlight: Mikey Demus - Skindred

Skindred are a British Rock band, best described by their guitarist Mikey Demus, as the ‘US Heavy Metal band Pantera, having a punch up with Jamaican recording artist Sean Paul, in a free falling elevator’. 
To the more faint hearted, a more accurate description would be to say Skindred are an exciting, loud, rock band with a host of strong musical influences thrown in the mix including Metal, Dance Hall, Punk, Hip Hop Reggae, Rock n Roll and Electronic.  

Artist Spotlight: Irish guitar phenomenon Simon McBride

For most guitar players, if it hasn’t happened by their mid 30’s it probably isn’t going to happen at all. Irish guitar phenomenon Simon McBride was just 15 years old when he won the ‘New Guitarist Of the Year’ award in ’96, turned professional at the ripe old age of 16 and now is a sell out at large venues around the world as the headline act.

Artist Spotlight: Snow Owl - Bass Player, Virtuoso, Musical Genius

I’m thinking how to start the intro for this article on an amazing artist, after reading my notes it’s becoming clear that one word doesn’t quite fit-all.

There’s ‘virtuoso’ (a person highly skilled in music) or ‘musical genius’ (an exceptional intellectual with creative powers and natural abilities within musical creations) and ‘erudition’ (the quality of having and showing great knowledge within learning and the ability to teach).

Let’s leave it at that then, as they all narrate in fine detail to the extraordinary talents of Colombian born Juan García-Herreos, master of the electric Contrabass guitar. Juan does indeed have it all backed up with numerous prestigious musical awards, including the first electric bassist to receive a nomination for the highest recognition by all major bass and music publications for work with the Contrabass bass guitar.

Artist Spotlight: Chris Storr - Trumpet Player

Chris Storr is one of the most respected and sought after trumpet players in the music business, having played and recorded with more popular artists than you can think of, from Tom Jones, Amy Winehouse, Billy Ocean to Massive Attack. He’s performed and toured with the greats, and still called upon for active duties within a host of main stream bands including King Creole and the Coconuts, Jools Holland’s Rhythm And Blues Orchestra and his own band Fillet-o-Soul.
We catch up with a rather tired Chris Storr after a recent 5 week UK tour as trumpet player in the Strictly Come Dancing Band, a stripped back version of the band in the TV Series, but none the less demanding.

Interview: Lars Mullen

Music for Peace

Fusion Bags to support charity event for Peace #MyUkeForPeace

The atrocities that occurred in Paris last week have made a lot of people feel helpless and fearful. This causes many of us to lose sight of happiness and the good in humanity. 
Parisien ukulele artist and Fusion endorser Adrien Janiak has been deeply affected by the recent terrorist attacks in his home town. He has decided to organise a charity event that celebrates music to help people find hope and show solidarity at this difficult time. The event will take place on:

Sunday 22^nd November 2015 at Pomme en Colimaçon in Paris.

Fusion is donating gig bags and other merchandise to help raise funds.

Artist Spotlight: Derek Nash - One of the Finest Award Winning Jazz Saxophonists

Derek Nash is in the music business, he’s also a respected writer, arranger, record producer, recording engineer, band leader and runs his own Clowns Pocket recording studios. Oh, and he’s been in Jools Holland’s’ band for over 11 years, he’s the leader of Sax Appeal which is still gigging flat out after 35 years, as is his band Protect The Beat, he’s a member of Ronnie Scott’s Blues Explosion and is quite excited about his new album with Acoustic Quartet. Are we proud he uses a Fusion bag... you bet!

 Read the full interview here

Artist Spotlight: Nate Maingard - A Modern Day Troubadour and Award Winning Singer Songwriter

“I started calling myself a troubadour several years ago now”, says Nate, “As I am nomadic and I also play music from the heart for people who care about it. I descend from a long lineage of travelling musicians, so it seemed quite natural to work as a troubadour myself. Originally, troubadours were minstrels who roamed around France during the 12^th and 13^th centuries playing songs in the courts about the people and courtly love. I actually found out quite recently that one of my ancestors called Aimeric Du Peguilhan was one of the last great troubadours of that time in France, so I can say it’s literally in my blood..."

Read the full interview here

Guide to Travelling with Your Guitar

As a guitarist, your guitar is your pride and joy; without it, you wouldn’t be able to play the music you feel passionate about.