Phoenix Van Der Weyden leverages her love of the guitar as an impressive front-running player and educator to connect with those around her. A highly respected female musician with some major endorsements backing up her prowess, there is no shortage of things to come! Ladies and gentlemen, Phoenix Van Der Weyden… https://www.youtube.com/@PhoenixVanWyden
What was the role of music early in your life?
Music was always present in my life, my mom was a youngster in the 80s and she loved the hard rock bands of the era so I grew up listening to bands like Def Leppard and Whitesnake, then I dove into the rabbit hole of the scene with the help of YouTube. I decided I wanted to be a guitarist when I watched “Live Without A Net”, by Van Halen for the first time when I was 13.
Who were your major influences?
Eddie Van Halen is a force of nature for me, but I also love Reb Beach, Vito Bratta, Steve Lynch, Nuno Bettencourt, Satch, Vai and all the Shrapnel guys like Jason Becker, Darren Housholder … I could talk about guitar players I love all day.
Describe your creative process?
I usually save up ideas for song themes I get from life situations, bands and musicians I love, or classic movies and books I enjoy, then I start humming some melodies and hit the record button.
What is your opinion about covers?
Covers are super fun and I play them occasionally, who doesn´t have fun playing the songs of their favorite artists? I also love watching them, but they must never be the core of what you do. Be inspired by the artists you love and use that inspiration to write your own music.
What is your opinion about the 80’s and 90’s music?
It’s a matter of personal preference but mainstream 90’s music, especially rock never spoke to me. There were many amazing hard rock and metal underground releases during that time which I adore and influence me a lot though. The year gap between 90 – 92 was loaded with some great and underrated bands, I like to joke that the 80’s were so cool they lasted until 1992 ha-ha. The 80s will always be the decade that speaks to my soul, the musicianship is bar none.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and whom did you see perform?
It was Whitesnake back in 2010, it was such an amazing musical experience for my young self, plus I could see my idol Reb Beach on stage with them.
What do you feel is the best song that you have ever released and why?
I am very self-critic and I believe that my “best” wasn’t written yet ha-ha I think that songs of mine like “Bushido” and “Strange Ways” really represent who I was at the time I wrote them though.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
The meaning comes from life situations, classic movies or stories, and anything that inspires me.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I get up and go to my guitar teaching job, then when I come home, I record some ideas and study theory, I can say my days are very guitar-centered.
What are your plans for the coming months?
I recently moved to Europe and started a couple of bands that will have EP releases very soon, I am also working on my instrumental solo EP, and I am excited about the things that are on the way.
If you could trade places with any musician in the world. Whom would it be?
Eddie Van Halen but just for a day, so I could feel the VH magic, especially in a live concert. Then trade places again because there´s no VH without Eddie.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would that be?
I wish we could go back to the days when it was organic, live music was king and there was a whole culture surrounding bands and rock music, it was the best days for being a rock fan.
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans?
I did one with Jennifer Batten not long ago, a song called “All Ain’t Enough” for a project I have with my friend called Roach and Weyden.
What are your interests outside of music?
I love graphic design, I’m also into mountain biking and these types of sports.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It´s a double-edged sword, it gives space for small artists to be recognized but then the same artists have to deal with Spotify and algorithms.
Can you tell us a little bit more about your last release and when your next one will come out?
My last album was “Eyes on the Prize ” released by Shredguy Records , I tried to get some influence from the classic Shrapnel releases with that album. The next one will probably be out in the middle of the year.
What is one message you would like to tell your fans in this interview?
I’d like to thank every single one of them for supporting what I do, they give me the motivation to keep going.
I always end all my interviews with some comic relief, do you sing in the shower? What are your favorite songs?
Who doesn’t ha-ha? I get bold and usually go for Steelheart ha-ha.
Thank you for taking the time out for this interview…
-Georgina Strilakos