Ariel Posen [2023]
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KingTone\\u2019s The Duellist is currently Ariel Posen\\u2019s most-used pedal. One side of the dual drive (the Bluesbreaker voicing) is always on. But there\\u2019s another duality at play when Posen plugs in\\u2014the balance between songwriter and guitarist.
\\u201cThese days, I like listening to songs and the story and the total package,\\u201d Posen told PG back in 2019, when talking about his solo debut, How Long, after departing from his sideman slot for the Bros. Landreth. \\u201cObviously, I\\u2019m known as a guitar player, but my music and the music I write is not guitar music. It\\u2019s songs, and it goes back to the Beatles. I love songs, and I love story and melody and singing, and there was a lot of detail and attention put into the guitar sound and the playing and the parts\\u2014almost more than I\\u2019ve ever done.\\u201d
And in 2021, he found himself equally expressing his yin-and-yang artistry by releasing two albums that represented both sides of his musicality. First, Headway continued the sultry sizzle of songwriting featured on How Long. Then he surprised everyone, especially guitarists, by dropping Mile End, which is a 6-string buffet of solo dishes with nothing but Ariel and his instrument of choice.
But what should fans expect when they see him perform live? \\u201cI just trust my gut. I can reach more people by playing songs, and I get moved more by a story and lyrics and harmony, so that\\u2019s where I naturally go. The live show is a lot more guitar centric. If you want to hear me stretch out on some solos, come see a show. I want the record and the live show to be two separate things.\\u201d
The afternoon ahead of Posen\\u2019s headlining performance at Nashville\\u2019s Basement East, the guitar-playing musical force invited PG\\u2019s Chris Kies on stage for a robust chat about gear. The 30-minute conversation covers Posen\\u2019s potent pair of moody blue bombshells\\u2014a hollow, metal-bodied Mule Resophonic and a Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster\\u2014and why any Two-Rock is his go-to amp. He also shares his reasoning behind avoiding effects loops and volume pedals.
Brought to you by D\\u2019Addario XPND Pedalboard.
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