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José De Castro (or "Jopi" to his friends and fans) is an instrumental guitarist from Madrid, Spain. He blends rock, funk, fusion, blues, country, and various other genres into a unique style of his own, which has won him various awards, including important national competitions in Spain. He’s been featured in magazines such as Guitarra Total, Guitarrista, Guitar World, and Vintage Guitar. He worked as a music professor in until 2002, and is a very successful session guitarist, as well as a solo instrumentalist. He’s toured with various pop artists, given clinics for his endorsers such as T.C. Electronic Effects and ENGL Amps, taught masterclasses, and done solo performances throughout all of Spain. He’s released three solo albums, the newest of which, entitled “Conversation”, was released just last year to great critical appraise. Recently José became an endorser of the prestigious Suhr Guitars brand. Now he’s here with me at InstruMentalCase.com for this exclusive interview, which - on a personal note - is really a dream come true for me, because Jopi is one of my all-time favorite guitarists and musicians. So without further ado...
An Interview with José de Castro (Listen to the song "For You" off Jopi's new album!) IC: For the readers who may be unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your music?
Jopi: I play instrumental music, and the guitar is my voice. I like my music to be full of energy, so I feel best playing rock… although I try to learn and use all kinds of styles in my music.
IC: How old were you when you first started playing guitar?
Jopi: I started playing when I was 10-years-old. I was very influenced by Mark Knopfler's music, but as I grew up I discovered all kinds of other great musicians on this planet and I couldn’t stop playing!
IC: How did your influences change over the years?
Jopi: I’ve gone through all kind of influences… Firtly, Dire Straits, and Pink Floyd… then all of the 80's-90's guitar heroes, jazz-fusion guitarists, and afterwards, classical musicians.
IC: What led you to play instrumental music?
Jopi: I was working with different singers at first, but I really wanted to play instrumental music - where I could express my style of composing and the music I understand best.
IC: Could you tell our readers a little bit about your previous releases?
Jopi: I have three instrumental CD’s now… The first was recorded back in 2002, and was very gratifying, because it received good critical appraise.
My second album, “Music Guitar Box”, was released in 2004, and the response couldn’t have been better. That album really brought me to light within the instrumental guitar scene all over the world. Even better was the fact that I got to play with two of my musical idols on the CD – drummer Simon Phillips (Toto, Jeff Beck, etc.) and bassist Melvin Davis (Chaka Khan, Steve Lukather, and Lee Ritenour).
Finally, my newest album, "Conversation", was released last year, and I was once again very lucky because the reviews were even better than before, which has made it easy to sell my CD’s all over the world, and in this way, to play my music.
IC: What projects are you working on currently?
Jopi: Well, I’m constantly working on all kinds of projects with different artists. Some of them are very well-known within the Spanish pop-rock market. This means I am always on tour and recording with other musicians, which helps me evolve as a musician and a person.
But as far as my solo work is concerned, on November 21st-22nd I will be recording my fourth instrumental album – a completely live album in Madrid (Spain). It will be 15 songs from my repertoire. I just think now is a good time to do a live album.
IC: Could you tell us a little about your guitars? Do you have a favorite brand or luthier?
Jopi: I play Suhr Guitars and AFJ. They are the best guitars in the world and I'm really happy with them. Suhr Guitars are simply incredible and their amps are wonderful as well. I just don’t get tired of playing them! AFJ Guitars is the brand of the Spanish luthier Tony Fayos. He is very talented and makes high quality instruments. I recommend both brands!
IC: What instructional material did you use to help develop your technique when you were younger? Did you have any favorite instructional books or videos, or a teacher?
Jopi: I loved all the videos of Paul Gilbert, Gambale, Kotzen, Brent Mason, Scott Henderson, etc... They motivated me a lot to keep on practicing, and I’ve spent thousands of hours with them.
IC: How much time do you spend practicing and playing nowadays, and how does that compare with your practice schedule when you were younger?
Jopi: Well, nowadays I’m always playing, recording, and sometimes practicing. But when I was younger the most important thing in my life was playing the guitar, so I spent the whole day doing it. Now I have more responsibilities, and things more interesting to do than practicing scales all day! But I do feel really lucky to be working as a musician professionally. I mean my job is to PLAY GUITAR… that’s incredible!
IC: Could you describe how you typically go about practicing?
Jopi: I always play to a metronome or a drum machine. It makes no sense to practice something if you can’t play it with a tempo. But if I go for awhile without practice, I tend to play some picking exercises to keep my hands fit and my head together. Above all, playing with good musicians is the best way of practicing for me.
IC: Are you a guitar instructor as well as a musician? If so, do you have any particular philosophies or approaches to teaching?
Jopi: It’s been some years since I gave music lessons… but when I was, I’d always tell my students, “I’m not a teacher. I’m just a musician that helps people play.” I think it’s very important that teachers listen to their students and never try to impose their own agenda on them.
IC: Have you previously released any instructional material, and do you have anything planned in that department?
Jopi: I don’t have any formal instructional releases, but I do have some videos recorded at my clinics and masterclasses on YouTube.com.
IC: I know this is kind of a though question to answer, but what is your creative process like, and what inspires your songwriting?
Jopi: Sometimes I start with a melody and develop the rest of the song from there. Other times it starts with a riff, or what have you… I don’t have a specific way of composing music – it always varies from song to song.
IC: Do you listen to your own music for personal enjoyment very much?
Jopi: I can't listen my CD’s! I hear them for the last time when I’m mastering, and then I can’t anymore – I just can’t stand to listen to myself! I suppose after more time passes I will listen to them again, but at the moment, no…. In fact, sometimes it’s difficult to listen to myself even the day before a performance!
IC: How important a factor is improvisation in your music?
Jopi: Improvisation is very important to my music, and all of my solos are improvised.
IC: Do you have a favorite song of yours to play live, and do you perform any covers?
Jopi: I really enjoy playing "For You" (from my newest album, Conversation) and "Lullaby". I don’t really play covers – I try to stay original by playing my own songs. (José de Castro - For You)
IC: Is there anyone you’d especially like to play or collaborate with someday?
Jopi: I would love to play with some of my idols, such as: Michael Landau, Scott Henderson, Mark Knopfler, and many more... It would be incredible! They are the reason I play music!
IC: Since this is an instrumental guitar website, what instrumental albums are your all-time favorites?
Jopi: I like anything by Garsed, Gilbert, Landau, and Henderson!
IC: Do you have any advice for aspiring young guitarists who want to pursue a career in music or just better themselves as players?
Jopi: Just do what you enjoy the most, go with what you know, and do your best! Everyone has their own unique possibilities in life and music. The best thing to do is focus all your energies on your own path.
IC: For someone at your level of musicianship, what are your technical and musical aspirations?
Jopi: I would like to keep on doing what I do right now! That is, to continue playing and recording with lots of great people. But I’d also like to have more time to record my own instrumental music. So that’s my aim, and I hope to fulfill it! It would really be incredible to be able to record with other people but tour as a solo artist and play my own music… maybe someday…
IC: Are there any guitarists who you still look up to?
Jopi: I admire lots of guitarists... I’m amazed by fingerstyle players, since that is not easy for me, but it is an very important skill to have. Technique and abilities can always improve with practice, but having great touch and tone is something you have to truly look and listen for.
IC: Which newer guitarists have caught your attention?
Jopi: There are lots of new guitarists I like, such as Govan, Hiland, and other people I can’t remember at the moment! In every period of time there are great musicians that drive me crazy!
IC: Do you listen to any non-guitar oriented music? If so, which artists, bands or genres do you like?
Jopi: Sure, I listen to all kinds of music. I spend hours exploring styles like funk, soul, and so on… I don’t need to hear a guitar solo in order to be interested in a band.
IC: If you could visit any musician or group in history, who would it be?
Jopi: The Dire Straits... I would love to see them on tour.
IC: Do you play any other instruments besides guitar?
Jopi: I know how to program drums, bass, etc… but the only instrument I play a little is the guitar.
IC: What are some of your hobbies outside of guitar and music in general?
Jopi: I like to play different sports, but above all, I love to be with my wife and my one-year-old son.
IC: And finally, what’s the one thing you want people to know about you?
Jopi: I just want to thank everyone for their interest in my music, and I want to keep on writing and playing music for the rest of my life!
IC: Thanks again, José!
Essential José de Castro links: |
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