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Alec Benjamin introduces the Martin acoustic guitar that he plans to play his whole life — and reveals the hilarious reason for the black tape on it — in this episode of It Goes to 11.
Arizona-born, LA-based singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin is known for his introspective and lyrically vivid brand of alt-pop, the majority of which is guitar-driven. Naturally, his favorite piece of equipment is his trusty acoustic guitar.
In this episode of It Goes to 11, Benjamin introduces viewers to his prized Martin model. It's special to the singer because it's the first Martin he's ever owned — but it's what the guitar did for his career that really makes him love it.
"This completely changed the way that I performed live, and also, in a sense, the way that I write songs," he details. "It sounds the same when I play it in my bedroom as it does when I play it onstage."
Acquiring the instrument was the product of necessity. He bought it when he was on tour, struggling with the fact that none of his guitars sounded exactly the way he wanted them to through the PA system at his show venues.
"I went to a store called the Chicago Music Exchange, like an hour before the gig, and this was just the base-level Martin that was hanging on the wall," he recounts. He bought it, plugged it in at the venue, and the rest is history.
Though Benjamin plays the basic model, his guitar is modified with some black tape patched across the bottom of the instrument's body — an addition that wasn't necessarily intentional. "I thought it would be cool to draw on it and try to put a logo on it. And it looked terrible," he admits. "So when I got to the stage, my tour manager was like, 'You have to put music tape over it.'"
Bad logo or no bad logo, Benjamin says he's keeping this acoustic guitar for life. Not only does it perfectly capture his sound, but it also reminds him of a childhood memory of his dad singing songs on a Gibson guitar — and one day, Benjamin hopes his Martin will create similar memories.
You can hear Benjamin’s prized Martin in action on his new album, (Un)Commentary , and on The (Un)Commentary Tour , which hits Europe and the UK this summer and North America this fall. In the meantime, watch the video above to learn more about Benjamin's favorite acoustic guitar, and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more episodes of It Goes to 11 .
Watch the video above to learn more about Benjamin's favorite acoustic guitar, and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more episodes of It Goes to 11 .
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In this episode of It Goes To 11, Uruguay-born musician Jorge Drexler introduces fans to his favorite classical guitar and explains why it's the most essential instrument he owns.
Uruguayan singer/songwriter Jorge Drexler 's life path included training as a medical doctor — specializing in otolaryngology, the study of diseases of the ear and throat. Still, he says that music, and specifically, the classical guitar, has been a constant for him ever since childhood.
In this episode of It Goes To 11 , Drexler introduces viewers to the Spanish guitar, the most essential item in his musical tool kit. As he explains, it was made by Vicente Carrillo, a Spanish luthier who made guitars for Keith Richards and Paco de Lucía , among others.
Drexler's instrument has various siblings. some who've landed in the hands of some of the biggest stars in music. What makes Drexler's guitar truly special, he continues, is the wood it's made from.
"The cover is made of Canadian cedar, and the sides and the back are made of palo escrito. It's a type of Mexican wood," Drexler says. He then flips over his guitar to reveal the gorgeous, multi-toned panel of wood that makes up the back of the instrument.
When Drexler was first learning to play the guitar, as a ten-year-old in the mid-1970s, he had an instrument made from a similar type of wood.
"This guitar is made of Mexican wood," he explains, "and the first guitar I ever had was a guitar from Paracho, Michoacán, made with Mexican wood as well. So in a way, I'm reconnecting with the first guitar I ever had that was made with this type of wood as well."
Drexler's life has changed immeasurably since he learned his instrument: He's been nominated for five GRAMMYs and won five Latin GRAMMYs over the course of his career. In the meantime, he's only grown closer to his Spanish guitar.
"I can play it like it's a part of my body, right?" Drexler adds. "It's a beautiful instrument, and the sound is the most beautiful thing about it.
Watch the video above to see Drexler's classical guitar in action, and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more episodes of It Goes To 11.
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Meet the synthesizer that the Crystal Method's Scott Kirkland has used on every album in this episode of It Goes To 11.
Over the course of the almost three decades Scott Kirkland has spent making music as the Crystal Method — which became Kirkland's solo project when former bandmate Ken Jordan departed in 2017 — he has always depended on a great synthesizer to help him create his signature sound.
In this episode of It Goes To 11, Kirkland introduces the trusty synth that has helped the Vegas-based electronic outfit form its signature sound. "It's been in the Crystal Method family for every album," he says.
That's the Roland Jupiter-6, a piece of gear that Kirland says he originally picked up thanks to LA-based classified ads paper The Recycler — the same legendary paper that once helped bassist Duff McKagen join Guns 'n' Roses and put Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee in touch with guitarist Mick Mars to form Motley Crue .
"There would be, like, 20 to 30 people every morning at 6 a.m. out there getting 'em, ripping 'em open to put 'em on their car," Kirkland remembers. "Some people were looking for free items, some people were looking for cars, and there was a group of us that were always looking for synthesizers. I'm sure that's how we found it."
The now-discontinued JP-6 is well-known for its ability to produce a wide array of sounds. To Kirkland, that's what makes it great. "I always love sounds that seem to be antagonizing each other," he explains, adding that it can easily create texture, sonic juxtaposition and — because the Crystal Method is not a vocal group — create sounds that are ear-catching enough to serve as a main melody.
"It feels like an old friend. Like having a conversation with an old friend. I would never get rid of this old friend. But if I ever had the opportunity to buy a new friend, I would," he jokes. "If any of you out there want to donate your Jupiter-6 to the Crystal Method, I promise you, I will give it a fantastic home."
Hear more about Kirkland's trusty synth in this episode of It Goes To 11, and check back for new episodes.
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SOJA vocalist and guitarist Jacob Hemphill details his initial reaction to his prized guitar — what he describes as "the most expensive thing I own" — and how the instrument changed his relationship with his father
What was your reaction to receiving the most expensive thing you own? If you're anything like SOJA frontman Jacob Hemphill , your feelings probably teetered between shock and a newfound sense of responsibility.
"I had never seen anything that was this well made in my life, and let alone, I was the one who was supposed to hold it and play it and make it sing. I couldn't believe that," Hemphill recalls in his episode of It Goes To 11 .
Watch the three-time GRAMMY nominee explain the soul-bonding relationship between himself and his PRS Modern Eagle II Singlecut — and how it also bonded the singer and his father.
Hemphill and the Modern Eagle II have proven to make a great duo so far. The SOJA vocalist and guitarist has led the band to three GRAMMY nominations for Best Reggae Album, including a nod at this year's GRAMMY Awards for their 2021 album, Beauty In Silence .
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Photo: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage/Getty Images
The fifth anniversary edition of the Madrid music festival was postponed until July 2021 and will feature many of the artists from the original 2020 lineup, including Mumford & Sons, Deftones, Placebo, Faith No More, Foals, Major Lazer and more
Today, July 8, Madrid's Mad Cool Festival revealed the first-wave lineup for their postponed fifth anniversary event. The headliners for the four-day fest, taking place July 7-10, 2021, are GRAMMY winners Red Hot Chili Peppers, Twenty One Pilots, Mumford & Sons, Deftones, GRAMMY nominees the Killers and Faith No More, and Pixies, Placebo and Royal Blood.
GRAMMY nominees Carly Rae Jepsen, Black Pumas, Fever 333, Alt-J, as well as The Rapture, Puscifer, Angel Olsen and Waxahatchee are also among the 94 acts making up the initial lineup. Mad Cool notes that 132 total will make up the final billing, which includes three more headliners, and will be shared "as soon as possible."
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Other artists playing the big 2021 event include London Grammar, Yungblud, Foals, Pale Waves, Alec Benjamin, Glass Animals and Shura. The fest's electronic music stage, The Loop, also reveals a solid offering: GRAMMY winner Diplo and his Major Lazer project, GRAMMY nominees Four Tet, RÜFÜS DU SOL, along with electro heavyweights Floating Points, Octa Octa, Nina Kraviz, Hayden James, Modeselektor, ANNA and more.
Since the event was officially rescheduled to 2021 on June 26, organizers have been working to book as many of the artists from the original 2020 announcement, although headliner Taylor Swift will not be able to play the 2021 edition.
"You have asked a lot about Taylor Swift, unfortunately we are sad to tell you that she won't be able to attend our next edition. We have been working with her agent & management to try to make it happen for our 5th anniversary, but it hasn't been possible. Hopefully we will have her in one of our future editions," today's statement reads.
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Tickets for Mad Cool 2021 went on sale today, starting at €75 for single-day tickets. 2020 ticket holders have until the next lineup announcement to request refunds; those who decide to keep their tickets get 25 percent off of merch and tickets to the Mad Cool Vibra Mahou tour. Please visit Mad Cool's website for more info on tickets and the lineup.
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