#ASKALEX


This week, Alex answers listener questions on the very first #AskAlex episode. The questions gathered from fans over the last few weeks range from what inspires him musically to how he comes up with his solos - “write it or wing it?”, as one fan asked; which guitar he would take to a desert island, what spicy foods are on his list, and more. It’s a fun, revealing episode that will bring you closer to the artist himself.

This is the first in a series of #AskAlex episodes, so feel free to ask a question on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for a future episode. (just be sure to use the #)

HEAVY CLASSICAL: NY PHILHARMONIC'S YULIA ZISKEL

A member of the New York Philharmonic’s first violin section since 2001, Yulia Ziskel, who holds The Friends and Patrons Chair, has established herself as a highly acclaimed solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. She has been praised by The Strad Magazine for “the sweetness of her sound.” This week, she joins Alex to discuss her upbringing in Soviet Russia, the evolution of her career, and the intersection of classical, rock, and metal. The two discuss classical pieces that have been translated into modern music, and Ziskel shares some musical influences that may surprise you.


Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Yulia Ziskel began her musical training on the violin and piano at the age of four. She made her solo debut at age seven at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall and at age twelve was a soloist with St. Petersburg Chamber Orchestra. As a teenager she toured extensively, appearing in solo recitals throughout Russia, Germany, Finland, Poland, and the United States. In 1994 Ms. Ziskel’s family immigrated to the United States, where she completed her bachelor of music degree at Indiana University and later received her master’s degree from The Juilliard School.
Listen to music from the episode here.


Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd. If you like what you hear, please share, rate, review & subscribe!

B.I.G. L.I.E. EXPOSED

In this episode of Moods & Modes, Alex takes you behind the scenes of the making of “B.I.G L.I.E”, a tune from his rap duo HU$H MONEY that deals with the events of January 6, 2021. Alex explains how the song came together and shares some of the reaction he’s gotten so far - including some political pushback - and offers perspective on why making a political statement now is very different than it has been in the past. In the second half of the episode, he welcomes his rap duo partner Kimmy G. and video director Frankie Fulleda, who discuss their roles in the making of both the song and the video, the latter of which is currently enjoying some serious buzz around the web.

Hu$h Money is a rap duo featuring Alex Skolnick (Skoly-D) and Kimmy G. “B.I.G. L.I.E” is a take on the events that took place on January 6, 2021.  

Directed by Frankie Fulleda, the “B.I.G. L.I.E.” video was shot “guérilla style” in July 2021 at the Fox News HQ, Times Square and Washington Square Park. “B.I.G L.I.E.” is as much a tribute to New York, it’s resilience and ever present wackiness, as it is a takedown of nationwide right-wing echo chambers.  In a t-shirt emblazoned with the oversized logo of the influential Run-DMC, Skoly skewers Fox News, election denialism and insurrection revisionism. The video also features comic J-Hype (Jonathan Hyppolite) and Karl Lake, best known as “Robot Guy” from Chappelle’s Show.

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

JOE DIORIO & DAVID BECKER

“Joe Diorio, for me - he pushed the envelope of the jazz guitar or the guitar into the 21st century far before anybody else.” - David Becker

In the final episode of 2021, Alex welcomes guitarist David Becker to talk about working with the legendary jazz guitarist Joe Diorio. David tells Alex about attending the Guitar Institute of Technology, where he first met Joe when he was a student, and shares stories of recording and 

touring with Joe over the years. The two discuss Joe’s book, Intervallic Designs, and the influence he had on guitarists like Pat Metheny.

David Becker is a Grammy and Emmy nominated guitarist, composer, and producer. For more than three decades, he has continued to define himself as one of the best and most unique voices in jazz and contemporary music. He has led the critically acclaimed DAVID BECKER TRIBUNE for over 20 years, performing for a worldwide audience.

Joe Diorio is a jazz guitarist who has performed with Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, Horace Silver, Anita O'Day, and Freddie Hubbard. In recent years, he has recorded with performers such as Robben Ford, Gary Willis, David Becker and Mick Goodrick. He taught at the University of Southern California and was one of the first instructors at the Guitar Institute of Technology. 

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

DIVINITY ROXX

This week, Alex welcomes innovative bassist and rapper/singer Divinity Roxx to Moods & Modes. Divinity tells Alex about her transition to writing music for kids and the intention behind the songwriting, and why it's important to introduce children to a high level of music early on. The two discuss her introduction to bass while at UC Berkeley, getting her first tour with bass legend Victor Wooten, and playing in Beyoncé’s all female band. Her latest album, “Ready Set Go!” is a collection of upbeat tracks with positive messages specifically designed for young children but equally appealing to adults. The lyrics of two songs are being released as books by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing company, with illustrations by NaShantá Fletcher.”

Grammy-nominated musician and artist Divinity Roxx has earned the reputation of irrefutable front-woman of her own genre-busting musical journey. After touring with Victor Wooten for five years, she became the bass player and Assistant Musical Director for Beyoncé. Divinity has appeared on countless television shows and she is the current bass player in the Black Girls Rock! Orchestra which airs on BET and has played with such artists as Jay-Z, Nona Hendryx, Will.I.Am, Erykah Badu, Patti Labelle, Ledisi, and Gladys Knight. 

Despite her appearances with so many legendary and iconic figures, it is in her solo performance that Divinity shines brightest. She combines virtuosic bass playing with an eclectic mash-up of hip-hop, rock and funk that she calls ‘Alternative Soul’. Her passion for composition combined with her lyrical prowess and electrifying stage presence captivates audiences worldwide. She is currently performing, teaching, and writing multiple projects including a new album, a stage play, and a children’s book and music series.

FORQ

FORQ is a harder-edge fusion band that Alex describes as ‘Snarky Puppy adjacent’, due to its relationship to founding member Michael League. League formed the band with keyboardist Henry Hey in the early 2010s. On this episode, Henry joins Alex along with FORQ guitarist Chris McQueen to talk about their innovative new album “Four (Remixt)”. Henry and Chris explain the creative process behind the album, which is a reimagining of their album “Four”. The band invited producers and musicians, including Alex, to remix the original tracks from the album and the results are wonderfully eclectic. The trio also talk about the differences of playing in FORQ and Snarky Puppy, and the musical curiosity that keeps their music fresh.


You can hear Alex’s remix “Duck People (No Fly List)” here.


“We kind of have an ongoing motto of like, let's do things that are weird.” - Chris McQueen

FORQ is an instrumental quartet with a dynamic sound and a penchant for sonic exploration. The group is composed of world-class improvisers, but it is their unusually memorable, genre-blending songs that leave the most lasting impression. Originally founded by keyboardist Henry Hey (David Bowie, Empire of the Sun, Jeff "Tain" Watts) and bassist Michael League (Grammy-winning leader of Snarky Puppy), Forq is now joined by guitarist Chris McQueen (Snarky Puppy, Bokanté), drummer Jason "JT" Thomas (Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, Marcus Miller, Snarky Puppy, Mark Lettieri Trio) and bassist Kevin Scott (Wayne Krantz, Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton). They have toured across the US and Europe and performed at international festivals including the North Sea Jazz festival and GroundUP Festival in Miami Beach.


Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

 

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. If you like what you hear, please give us a rate and review on Apple Podcasts. 

PAT METHENY PART 1

“... then it comes to me like there's these different sides... there's this side and that side, or there's this version of me versus that version. If I can communicate anything in it all, it’s that no - they're not “sides”. It's one thing.” - Pat Metheny

Pat Metheny, one of the most critically acclaimed jazz musicians in the world, joins Alex to talk about his exceptional career, the enormous range of his playing style, and the idea of music without boundaries. The two discuss the different guitars that Metheny has played over the years, how he found his sound by rejecting the impulse to follow in the musical footsteps of Wes Montgomery, and why the ever-changing versions of Pat Metheny are really just part of the whole. Part one of a two-part episode.

Unlike almost any other modern musician, Pat Metheny remains uniquely unpredictable. A new Metheny record could be almost anything as the only musician to have won twelve of his twenty Grammy awards. On September 10th, 2021 Modern Recordings will release PAT METHENY SIDE-EYE - NYC, an exciting, vibrant and energized new platform for Metheny, showcased in a recording that features 30 minutes of intricate new music set alongside a few unexpected and creative re-workings of Metheny classics.

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Brad Stratton. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. If you like what you hear, please give us a rate and review on Apple Podcasts.

BORROWED MUSIC


In this episode, Alex examines songs that exhibit nearly identical musical qualities. He dives deep on classic songs, comparing “Waiting on the World to Change” to “People Get Ready,” “Comfortably Numb” to “Here Comes the Flood,” “Always Somewhere” to “Simple Man” and many others, explaining the elements in the songwriting that were 'borrowed' from other songs. A few examples will definitely surprise you.

Throughout the episode, Alex provides musical analysis to compare and contrast the songs, and discusses several of the most controversial musical legal battles over 'who wrote it first', such as “Stairway to Heaven” versus Spirit’s “Taurus” and George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” duking it out against The Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine”.

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.

Hello, World!

LESLIE WEST REMEMBERED

In this episode of Moods & Modes, Alex pays tribute to legendary guitarist Leslie West. Leslie is known as the founding member and co-lead vocalist for the groundbreaking hard rock band Mountain. Mountain is often credited as one of the bands that helped influence the development of heavy metal music, and Leslie West’s guitar playing was a massive and oftentimes overlooked influence on guitar players who came after him.  

 

Alex discusses how Leslie’s picking attack and natural technique produced smooth, roaring tones without the use of any effects or electronic assistance.  You’ll also hear Alex explain West’s profound influence on bands that came after Mountain such as AC/DC and Kiss, and how Leslie’s song “Long Red” left a significant mark on hip hop through songs like “99 Problems” by Jay-Z and “Barry Bonds” by Kanye West.  Special guest Brad Tolinski joins Alex to shed light on Leslie’s unconventional amplifier setup and playing style, and you’ll even hear riveting archival interviews with Leslie West himself, including segments where he talks about jamming with Jimi Hendrix, taking LSD for the first Cream concert he saw, and his Sunn Amplifiers PA rig.

 

Leslie West was an American rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter best known as a founding member and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Mountain. He also produced two studio albums and a live release with Cream bassist Jack Bruce under the name West, Bruce and Laing. West released a number of solo albums and was highly respected for his guitar work.

 

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.

MICHAEL LEAGUE

This week Alex welcomes Michael League, one of the most accomplished musicians of the last two decades. Michael is best known as the founder, bandleader, and bassist for the New York-based instrumental group Snarky Puppy, and in this conversation you’ll hear him tell Alex about the band’s genesis and musical evolution. Michael tells Alex about Snarky Puppy’s “no power chord” rule, how necessity led to him taking on the role of producer, and why it’s crucial to never “quit failing.”  Towards the end of the conversation, Michael tells Alex about improvements to his creative and personal life that he’s enjoyed since moving to Spain, and shares equally important stories of success and failure.

 

Michael League is a 4-time Grammy® Award-winning, 5-time nominated producer and musician based out of Catalonia, Spain. He is the creator and bandleader of instrumental music ensemble Snarky Puppy and world music group Bokanté, founder of the record label and music curation source GroundUP Music, and artistic director of the GroundUP Music Festival. Snarky Puppy has amassed three Grammy Awards over the last 8 years, an incredible feat for a jazz-based instrumental group in the modern musical climate. He has worked with a wide range of legendary artists including David Crosby, Erykah Badu, and Joe Walsh, and continues to push musical boundaries through the endless number of projects that he is a part of. 

 

Michael’s new album, So Many Me, can be listened to here.

 

Listen to the playlist from the episode on Spotify. 

 

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Production Assistance by Matt Bavuso. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. 



PERCY JONES

In this episode, Alex welcomes bass legend Percy Jones to the podcast. Best known for his work with jazz fusion ensemble Brand X, Percy tells Alex about the evolution of the band, including the period of time when Phil Collins was the drummer. The two discuss the incredible London music scene in the 60's and early 70's, Percy tells Alex how he ended up playing the fretless bass, and shares stories about Brian Eno’s unconventional creative process (and Alex makes a connection between Phil Collins and Brian Eno’s infamous Oblique Strategy cards). Percy Jones is a bass guitar legend, known for his solo work and collaborations with Brand X, Brian Eno, Suzanne Vega and many others. His most recent projects include PAKT and Box Of Noise. 

 

Alex performs with Percy on PAKT, available for pre-order here.  

 

Check out the episode playlist on Spotify.

 


Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. 



REZ ABBASI

Rez Abbasi is an accomplished jazz guitarist and composer known for his ability to fuse traditional Pakistani and Indian classical music with modern jazz. In this episode, he discusses his eclectic guitar style, the diverse musical projects he’s contributed to, and the inspiration for his 2020 release, Django-shift, a collection of songs inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt. Rez tells Alex about some of the music he rediscovered during the pandemic, including the band Foreigner, and the projects he’s thinking of working on next. 

Rez Abbasi has explored nearly every style of music imaginable over the course of his career, having released 15 solo albums and contributing to a number of others. He’s been voted #1 Rising-Star Guitarist in the 2013 DownBeat Critics Poll and subsequently placed in the “Top-Ten Guitarists” alongside luminaries Bill Frisell and Pat Metheny, guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi is one of the most original voices on the current scene.

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Brad Stratton. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.



ARIELLE

Arielle is a guitarist, singer, and guitar builder who has risen to prominence in the rock community for her soulful, uninhibited guitar playing and songwriting. Disregarding industry norms, Arielle has forged her own path and as a result, has performed with a stunning list of legendary acts including Brian May, Gregg Allman, CeeLo Green, Eric Johnson, and many others. 

In this episode, Arielle discusses her diverse musical influences, learning to find her voice as a songwriter, and the friendship with Brian May that led to the collaboration on the BMG Arielle guitar. The two discuss her passion for building her own instruments, and Arielle tells Alex about her commitment to replacing the wood that she uses for her guitars by planting trees.

Arielle’s album Analog Girl In A Digital World will be released on May 7.

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Brad Stratton. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. If you like what you hear, please give us a rate and review on Apple Podcasts. 



PETER FRAMPTON

Peter Frampton is among the most celebrated guitarists in rock history. His 1976 album, Frampton Comes Alive!, remains one of the top-selling live records of all time. In this episode, he joins Alex to talk about his exceptional career, from his early days with Humble Pie to his success as a solo artist and the making of his upcoming release, Frampton Forgets The Words. Peter tells Alex about growing up with David Bowie, his reluctance to be a lead vocalist, and the two geek out over Peter’s signature guitar gadget, the talk box. 

Frampton has collaborated with such legends as George Harrison, David Bowie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Wyman, and Ringo Starr, among many others. In 2007 he won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Fingerprints, and in 2014 he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. His memoir, Do You Feel Like I Do, was published in 2020.

Moods & Modes is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing and mixing by Brad Stratton. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd.

 

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. If you like what you hear, please give us a rate and review on Apple Podcasts. 

CHICK COREA REMEMBERED

In this episode, Alex pays tribute to Chick Corea. It’s a journey through the life of the great musician, from his early days in New York, debut as a band leader and first album, to the musicians and cultural movements he inspired. Corea’s ability to reinvent himself musically is showcased throughout, as Alex explores the different recordings and performances that make up his iconic career - with a few surprises along the way. 


A DownBeat Hall of Famer and NEA Jazz Master, 23-time Grammy winner, and keyboard virtuoso, Chick Corea attained living legend status after five decades of unparalleled creativity and an artistic output that is simply staggering. He is the fourth-most-nominated artist in the history of the Grammys, with 65 nominations. From straight ahead to avant-garde, bebop to fusion, children's songs to chamber music, along with some far-reaching forays into symphonic works, Chick Corea was one of the most beloved and decorated jazz artists in history.


You can hear full versions of the music played during this episode on Spotify. If you like what you hear, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. 


Moods & Modes is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick. Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe and Brad Stratton. Editing, Mixing, and by Brad Stratton. Music by Alex Skolnick.

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA PART 2

In part two of the series with Rodrigo y Gabriela, the tables are turned as Rod y Gab interview Alex in a special session recorded for their Patreon page.Rod y Gab dig into Alex’s musical history, beginning with early influences like The Beatles and KISS, and his immersion into the Bay Area metal scene that ultimately led him to Testament. The trio discuss thrash vs glam metal, the Al Dimeola-inspired acoustic track on the 1990 album Souls of Black, what success looks like for a musician, and why it’s important to super-serve your most ardent fans. Alex explains the story behind his album Planetary Coalition, which features Rodrigo y Gabriela, and why sometimes becoming a great player happens by accident. 


If you like what you hear, please give us a review on Apple Podcasts. 

 

Moods & Modes is brought to you by Osiris Media.  Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick.  Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe, Brad Stratton, and Adam Caplan. Editing, Mixing, and by Brad Stratton. Music by Alex Skolnick.

 

To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA PART 1

In part one of two episodes with Rodrigo y Gabriela, Alex is in Mexico with the duo during the recording of their album 11:11 in 2009. Alex captured the conversation as they shared food and wine overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, after a day of recording as a special guest on the album. The trio discuss their influences, like Paco de Lucia and Strunz & Farah, and the diverse musical taste that comes with being a metalhead. Rod y Gab recount their early days, when they lived in Ireland and busked their way through Europe, and explain how they’ve been able to maintain their integrity throughout their career. During the conversation, Alex takes you through a few of their early recordings, and you’ll hear his performance in the track“Atman” at the end of the episode. 

If you like what you hear, please give us a review on Apple Podcasts. Moods & Modes is brought to you by Osiris Media.  Hosted and Produced by Alex Skolnick.  Osiris Production by Kirsten Cluthe, Brad Stratton, and Adam Caplan. Editing, Mixing, and by Brad Stratton.  To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com. 

20/21 LOOKING BACK & LOOKING AHEAD

Alex looks back on 2020, from the great artists who were lost, to the trajectory of the pandemic and some of the unexpected moments in between. He shares personal reflections and stories, and gives us a peek at what’s ahead for Moods & Modes in 2021.

SWEETWATER RUNS DEEP


In this episode, Alex travels to Sweetwater Music, the musician-led retailer in Fort Wayne, IN. to give a master class and recording workshop with Stu Hamm. During the trip, he documents the story of Sweetwater and digs into why “always doing the right thing” has made all the difference in their success. Alex walks the guitar gallery with legendary guitar rep (and player) Nick Bowcott, discusses the increased demand for instruments - despite predictions that interest in the electric guitar is dying - and gets a behind-the-scenes look at the detailed inspection process that is the foundation of their unparalleled customer service.

EDDIE VAN HALEN TRIBUTE PART 2

In part two of this tribute to Eddie Van Halen, Alex welcomes Brad Tolinksi (author of “Play it Loud” and former editor-in-chief of Guitar World) and Matt Blackett (Formerly associate editor for Guitar Player) to discuss Eddie’s approach to playing, the expressiveness he was able to get out of his equipment, and the soulful swing that is the foundation of his musical legacy. Brad tells Alex about the time that he got to play Eddie’s Frankenstein guitar, and Alex breaks down some of the most infamous EVH licks ((including something he describes as the “EVH Secret Quintuplet”).

Presented by Osiris Media

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