An Interview with Joop Wolters 

[Download the song, "Sceptic Desire" by Joop Wolters]

IC: For the readers who may be unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your music?

Joop: Well, instrumental music ranging from pop, to jazz, metal, rock, funk, classical, and so on…

IC: What inspired you to play the guitar, and how old were you when you first started?

Joop: I was 15 years-old when I started, and my biggest inspiration was Alex Lifeson from Rush!

IC: Who are your other big guitar influences?

Joop: Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai, Steve Morse, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Micheal Lee Firkins, Joey Tafolla, Yngwie Malmsteen, DT, Brand X, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson, etc… For me, it’s never changed much, because I still love those guys.

IC: That’s quite a list! I don’t see myself tiring of those players either.

So could you tell our readers a little bit about your previous releases?

Joop: Well I always try to make each album as diverse as possible, if only to keep it fresh and challenging for me. So I like to make a collection of tunes ranging from metal to funk, jazz-rock, acoustic… and all kinds of stuff! All of my albums have these kinds of elements. Plus I love to improvise, and that’s how I write 99% of my material – I just go upstairs and start cracking out music. What I record just depends on my mood that day! If anyone is interested in hearing it you can hear some samples on my website and my Myspace page.

IC: And you just released your third solo album, “Out of Order”...

Joop: Yeah, and once again stylistically I tried a different approach, which kept it fresh for me. Oh, and the next project is “Shadrane”, and it’s set for October, 2007. It has a great cast… Vivien Lalu, Virgil Donnati, Greg and Matt Bissonette, Goran Edman, Martin Le Mar, plus some guest solos from Alex Argento and Marco Sfogli. We had to be very patient with this one! [Laughs]

IC: Wow, I can’t wait to hear it – fantastic players!

But back to you though… could you tell us a little about your guitars? Do you have a favorite brand or luthier?

Joop: Yes, after spending years playing mainly Ibanez guitars – although I’ve owned almost every brand there is, and am always buying and trading different instruments - for the last 20 years or so, but half a year ago I changed over to BO-EL Guitars. They’re a Dutch custom guitar maker… and this guy is a true wizard! Such great and versatile guitars! Be sure to check them out.

(Joop plays his BO-EL "KIM")

I own three models of theirs now, and all of them are really high quality, different, and affordable. Just a real blessing. I’m also proud to announce that BO-EL will be releasing a “Joop Wolters Signature” model, which will take one to one and a half years to develop… and that’s just until the first prototype is complete!

IC: Very cool, I’d love to see it! One of my last interviewee’s, Marcel Coenen, also has a fantastic looking BO-EL signature model. Sounds like a great brand.

So what other gear do you use?

Joop: Live I use two ENGL heads - a Fireball and a Ritchie Blackmore - two 2/12 cabs with a V30, a Korg AX3000g for effects, and BO-EL guitar of course. In my studio at home I use Pod-XT live, Voxtonelab, or a head with Isocab (closed cabinet with a built-in mic), Yamaha 4-5 string basses, a BOSS DR-880 to program my drums, line-6 acoustic, and some other stuff.

IC: Obviously you have pretty devastating technique… what instructional material did you use to help develop your playing early on?

Joop: My favorite videos when I was younger were Paul Gilbert’s, Steve Morse’s, and Scott Henderson’s (and some others, too), but I preferred to learn from records, because they made me think and listen a little bit more. But to me, writing my own music was even more challenging, and I always felt obligated to do that – [Laughs] - to do my own thing.

IC: Well, it’s paid off! You definitely have your own style and sound.

So how much time do you spend practicing and playing nowadays?

Joop: I still practice two or three hours a day… it all depends on what else I have to do. For example, if I have to mix an album then I’ll do that instead of practicing. But most of the time it’s a combination of playing, practicing, and writing new material. Everyday of last week I played for six hours in the evenings, after my regular day-job (which starts at 7:30 in the morning)! But I’ve been doing that crazy routine for 20 years!

IC: For our practicing guitarist readers, could you describe how you typically go about practicing? For example, do you practice to a metronome or drum machine, or with a timer?

Joop: Most of the time I practice to a drum machine, but not always. I’ll also do abstract exercises to gain flexibility. Sometimes I’ll watch a good movie while I practice, which I think helps develop your muscle memory and gives your motor skills more independence.

IC: So are you a guitar instructor as well?

Joop: I used to teach at a music school, and I gave private lessons, but I don’t have time for it anymore because of my music and all the writing I’ve been doing.

IC: You sound extremely busy, but I bet there are a lot of people who’d love to learn from you. Have you released any instructional material or do you have anything planned in that department?

Joop: No, I’ve never released anything, but lately it seems people have a lot of interest in it. Perhaps when the time and budget allows for it, I’ll sit down and do an instructional DVD.

IC: I hope you do!

So when you’re doing a new album, what inspires your songwriting?

Joop: Life itself! Most of my songs reflect events and moods that I’ve experienced. The music helps me give those things a place in my life. I guess it’s kind of a religion to me.

IC: Do you listen to your own music for personal enjoyment very much?

Joop: No, never! When an album is done I never listen it. Done is done - next! [Laughs]

IC: [Laughs] Well, I suppose that’s one way of going about it!

(Joop Wolters - Anthem)

So how important a factor is improvisation in your music? Do you improvise the solos on your albums, or during your live performances?

Joop: Improvisation is everything to me. I always do it in the studio and during my live stuff, because it enables me to be free musically and work fast. On most of what you hear me play both the melodies and the leads are improvised. The only thing I keep consistent is the basic theme of the song, and that’s true for all of the styles I play. I’ve always felt that I had to be able to do that as a musician, instead of just repeating myself every time. But I am guilty of playing that way in the commercial circuit, because that’s what they hire you for – to be the slave! [Laughs] “Hurt me baby!”

IC: [Laughs] So you mentioned a huge list of guests on your next album… Is there anyone else you’d especially like to play or collaborate with someday?

Joop: Yes, with the Johanson brothers; they’re great!

IC: Since this is an instrumental guitar website, what instrumental albums have you heard recently, and which are your all-time favorites?

Joop: My all-time favorite is “Metal Fatigue” by Holdsworth. And as far as the new stuff goes… I liked Kiko Loureiro’s album, “No Gravity”.

IC: Holdsworth blows my mind, but I haven’t heard much of Kiko’s… I know he has a new one out though.

So do you have any advice for aspiring young guitarists who want to pursue a career in music or just better themselves as players?

Joop: Be strict on yourself, and most importantly, be yourself. Play music for the right reasons, and make sure it fits your life. And remember, it’s still an art, not an Olympic event!

IC: Sound advice. But what are your technical and musical aspirations?

Joop: Oh man, I’ll just play until I die! I look up to any musicians who succeed in making a personal statement that makes a difference in people’s lives.

IC: Do you listen to any non-guitar oriented music?

Joop: Yes, most of the time actually. I listen to the regular radio at my day job, and in the car I listen to some old-school jazz and classical music. I practically never hear instrumental guitar albums, merely because of the fact that I don’t have much time in my busy schedule.

IC: On your albums, do you play any other instruments besides guitar?

Joop: Yes, bass, some keys, and programming drums (which takes up the most time).

IC: What are some of your hobbies outside of guitar and music in general?

Joop: Just being with friends and family, watching movies, and I like cars.

IC: Okay, last question… what’s the one thing you want people to know about you?

Joop: That I love to work on my music, and that I’m thankful for all of the support that I get (and that I’ve already received throughout the years)… so thanks for that!

Essential Joop Wolters links:

www.joopwolters.net

www.myspace.com/joopwolters

... and don't forget to buy "Out of Order"!

-- Dave B.