13 QUESTION METHOD: ETIENNE DE ROCHER

To read Etienne de Rocher’s interesting story in his own interesting words, go here.

1. Which was the first record you bought with your own money?
I believe it was a cassette of the Who's Odds and Sods, from a bargain bin at Woolworth's. That or a 45-rpm of Kim Carnes' “Bette Davis Eyes.”

2. Which was the last record you bought with your own money?
The Sun Comes Through, by Kelly Stoltz

3. What was the first solo you learned from a record — and can you still play it?
I tried to learn "Bombs Away" by the Police when I was 13. It was this wicked Arabesque thing by Andy Summers. Sheeesh!

4. Which recording of your own (or as a sideman) are you most proud of, and why?
Probably “Juniper Rose” on my new record because it succeeds in making an acoustic guitar function almost as a thick, rocking electric guitar — something I'm always trying to do.

5. What's the difference between playing live and playing in a studio?
For me it's huge since I'm mostly writing parts and overdubbing in the studio. Live, I'm often solo, so I'm trying to be whole rhythm section.

6. What's the difference between a good gig and a bad gig?
After a good gig I feel like I'm on drugs, after a bad gig I want to do drugs.

7. What's the difference between a good guitar and a bad guitar?
When you come across a great guitar, you get excited like you just met someone new and you can't wait to see them again. You can even get jealous and weird if it's someone else's guitar. For me, a bad guitar is one that leaves no impression or has no personality of its own.

8. You play electric and acoustic. Do you approach the two differently?
I approach them the same. I walk towards them, grab the neck, and lift.

9. Do you sound more like yourself on acoustic or electric?
I use 90% alternate tunings these days, and that's easier to do on acoustics because the strings are heavier, so I would say acoustic.

10. Do you sound like yourself on other people's guitars?
Yeah, if they let me retune them to my tunings.

11. Which living artist (music, or other arts) would you like to collaborate with?
Anyone who is super-rich and famous and easygoing, ’cause it would probably be a great hang with killer food and great gear and engineers.

12. What dead artist (music, or other arts) would you like to have collaborated with?
Probably John Bonham. Who wouldn't want to play in front of that guy?

13. What's your latest project about?
It's a bunch of songs I've been working on forever with producer Dan Prothero and a lot of great musicians from the Bay Area. It's also my debut album. I guess it's kind of a blend of psychedelic folk and California soul. We were definitely going for a sound, and I think we got it!

Web site: http://www.etiennederocher.com/