Eve:
At what age did you pick up your first guitar?Aaron: I picked up my first guitar when I was 11 years old. Even before that, when I saw a guitar I would get chills. I always knew I wanted to play.Eve: What kind of guitar do you play?Aaron: I have 14 guitars, including two bass guitars. All of which have names. Two are acoustic nylon guitars. Three are acoustic steel string including one twelve string. And the others are electric guitars. The names of the guitars are Slick, Cinnamon, Sweet Pea, Fat Daddy, Carmella, Dexter, Sunshine, Moon, She, Honeybun, Baby, Abae, Smokey and Pretty Girl.Eve: Do you play any other musical instruments or have a desire to?Aaron: I also play bass guitar, keyboards, and sing. I learned a long time ago that being able to do more than one thing can really benefit ones career. So I worked on producing, writing, singing and engineering as well.Eve: What has been the most memorable moment in your career thus far?Aaron: I think the most memorable moment in my career thus far has to be the first time I played Madison Square Garden with Marc. There was so much excitement and energy in the house that night. There is definitely something special about the "Garden"Eve: What other artists have you worked with?Aaron: The other artist I've worked with include, Patti Labelle, Oleta Adams (Touring with Michael Bolton, and Luther Vandross) Terence Trent Darby, Rebbie Jackson, Jermain Stewart, Dr Dre' and Sheryl Crow.Eve: How did you hook up with the Marc gig?Aaron: An agency called me up one afternoon and asked me if I wanted to audition for Marc Anthony. Of course I said yes. After about 4 days, Marc came down to the studio and approved. From that day on, he has helped my career tremendously.Eve: Who or what inspires you?Aaron: What inspires me most is God. Just to wake up every morning to realize what an incredible gift I've been given is inspiring enough for me to keep going.Eve: What was it like touring with Marc and the band in 2000? Are you anxious to get back on the road in 2002?Aaron: Touring with Marc, the band and crew was a great experience in 2000. We had a great time. The fans were very kind, and it was great to see how loyal they were to Marc. I have the most fun when I'm on stage. Give me a stage and know that I am quite content.Eve: Many of the fans have nic-names for many of the band members. Yours is "The Adonis". How do you feel about this?Aaron: "The Adonis" I must say I'm very flattered. If you could see me now, you might find me blushing.Eve: Do you have any causes which you support?Aaron: The cause that I support right now among others is the freedom of our country. The victims, family members, and the heroes of the attacks. I think it was absolutely horrible what happened. I have sent money to the relief fund but I wish I could do more. I've always been in support of America being united. It's to bad that it takes something like this to make us realize that we are the same. Not one of us is any less then the other. I hope that as time passes, we all remember this.Eve: If you were not a musician, what would you be?Aaron: If I weren't a musician I'm not sure what I'd be. This is all I've known my whole life. I think if anything, it would be an astronaut. But I'm not to good with rollers coasters so I don't know how well that would have worked out.Eve: What other interests besides music do you have?Aaron: My other interest are body-boarding, hiking. I like skiing but I just need to get better at it. I also love movies. I really enjoyed "The Others." I thought it was very clever.Eve: What can Aaron McClain supporters expect in the year 2002?Aaron: In 2002 you can expect me to be playing with Marc. Also you can expect to hear my new solo material as well as seeing me perform live. Where? I'm not sure yet but I'll let you know.Eve: Is there a message you would like to convey to your supporters?Aaron: I'd like to say to everyone, be safe, love one another, don't leave any disputes unresolved with people you love. Always pray. And also, thank so much for taking interest in me and my career. I am truly honored.
Peace and Love-Aaron
Aaron Mclain---A Guitarist and Vocalist on the Verge of Superstardom!
03 Dec 2003
Article Nancy Arjara My phone rings. The conversation begins without a hello. Just the excited female voice of a friend in the middle of the night??Did you SEE him??Well hello to you too. Did I see WHO??That GUITAR guy with the tattoos that was playing for Marc Anthony on CBS!! OMGoodness he was fantastic in his solo. He was great!! Put him on the site!? Aaron Mclain, Guitarist and Vocalist had just been discovered once again. The frantic giddy buzz across the globe is Marc Anthony?s Lead Guitarist who is eager and ready for his own solo career.It would seem this journalist was a tad late hopping on the Mclain train of talent. Aaron is the new talk of the town and accolades of his talent are sporadically scattered across the internet by fans on message boards, in emails and IM?s after each concert that rumbled on tour throughout the country this past summer. Finding the heart of that story begins as I am following Aaron?s very serene Rock Star swagger while he strides down the hall backstage before a show in Atlantic CityAs we find a spot for the interview, he explains he is the only musician in his family and he currently calls Los Angeles home. Aaron, the youngest of two boys slowly begins his story by explaining his love for the guitar runs back to his childhood days when he discovered a one string-ed electric guitar his cousins owned. Aaron found himself adding a piece of wire to it and playing air guitar for cats and dogs while standing on a porch as a small boy. His older brother can be credited with giving him his first guitar at the age of 11. ?One day I was in Arizona with my brother visiting my dad. My father gave me a camera and he gave my brother a guitar. My brother said, ?You know?.Aaron always wanted to play the guitar so I?m going to give him this guitar instead.? That was the day a true Guitarist was born. "So for the rest of the summer I had that guitar in my hand and I started teaching myself. When I got back home I told my mom I wanted to take lessons. So she paid for my lessons. I?d get on my skateboard, skate to the bus stop, get off the bus, skateboard down the street, go to my lesson, and skate back home with my guitar. I did that for a couple of years and all throughout high school." Later, Aaron attended the Dick Grove School Of Music for two years. He almost found himself at Cal State Northridge but he claims he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to make music. ?I pretty much knew what I wanted to do a long time ago. ? Aaron?s talent not only begins with just the guitar. He went further in his quest and is also a Lyricist, Producer and Arranger. Which aspect does he seem to gravitate towards? ?I?ve been working for a long time at playing bass and listening to lyrics as well as music and arrangements. Just so I can soak in as much as I can. But I think as being a writer I had to be as strong as possible at all points. So when it comes to lyrics, for some reason, I think I have this knack for writing in metaphors and saying something in a way that actually is sort of clever.? Which is indeed the case. Aaron?s songs have it?s own distinct style and flavor with catchy lyrics that have you singing along after a few short listens. His method seems to adapt well to his voice as well as his style. It?s a creative vein he can finally nurture at his leisure while at home in his own studio after struggling for many years reliant on others to lay down tracks. That is not the case anymore.For Aaron, where does his creative process begin and how does he birth his own songs? There are several different ways, but Aaron is clear regarding his method. ?The songs will just come out. ?BAM! BAM! The guitar part will come. Then the lyrics will come. The hook will come. Then the keyboard part will come. Other times the song will just take forever and that is when I just need to sit back and let them happen. With the music I?ll have to sit and I?ll listen. I?ll say ?What is this song saying? What is the song about?? I?ll have to think ?Where am I right now and how am I feeling? What about somebody close to me? What are they going through or what are they feeling?? Good, bad, self-help, whatever. But it has to be real. Then I can write some real cool, clever lyrics.? Every musician has a few challenges in their careers. For Aaron, one of those aspects surfaced in critique of his unique voice. ?People doubted my abilities as a singer when I first started because I didn?t really sing that great. I think I have a character voice that suits my music but I?m not the singer guy that you would call. But, I have a voice for my stuff. I had to develop my style around my music. There were times when close friends of mine were would say, ?Well, why don?t you let so and so sing your songs.? Or they?d say ?Well, you?re a good guitar player?? So I said, ?Two to five years from now we?ll see what happens.? And those same people are like kicking themselves.? His current biggest frustration is juggling being an artist in his own right, to being a sideman for a tour. ?That is very frustrating having to go through the transition and set my mind dealing with the road. Sometimes it becomes a depressing. But then I have to realize a gig like this is such high profile. The cool thing is it?s a gig like this where Marc let?s me step out. That really helps as opposed to if I didn?t play, people couldn?t see what I can do.? Which is exactly the case for the majority of Aaron?s fans and how they discovered his music.As we talk, I begin to sense Aaron has a bit of a love/hate relationship with life on the road. He confirms it by saying, ?Yeah. If this was like a year long tour, I would really be frustrated. To me it's a long time. But this gig is really only four months including promotion. It?s really not that long. The most important thing is standing on stage in front of people and when you get to play. There?s no better feeling to me. And that is what makes it all worthwhile.? Can you describe the feeling?Aaron struggles for a way to explain it. ?It?s this weird sensation where you just kinda feel very light and your body just tingles. There?s this rush that you get, especially when you?re able to just step out. You hear the guitar just wailing and you feel that energy from the crowd. You know that you?re really on?..they?re drawn into you and you?re kinda sharing this moment together.?The sacrifices he makes to get to that moment is clear in his mind when I tell him I can see he struggles for a balance. ?Yeah. The artist part of it. Wearing all the hats and in the studio learning how to mix, learning how to do everything and struggling with the naysayers that really came along with and , I was directed at me for being an artist. I?m extremely sensitive especially back in the older days. I used to take things to heart and get broken down. I?ve learned to brush it off my shoulders.? In either case however one view?s it, that mindset is clearly evident through his writing and his music. ?I think the music helps me be a little freer. I can just open my spirit to be more open minded so I can take in a lot of goodness and I try to project that goodness. I think it?s very important to stay grounded and stay humble because there?s nothing worse than someone who?s been granted a gift and abuse it and just take it in as if it?s all them ? It?s almost time for him to get on stage and begin the show. I have one question I was saving for last. One question specifically catered towards Aaron who is not married and is currently single. A question I never had to ask before with other musicians. You have a lot of female fans, Aaron?.From what I can see thus far, they purr in regards to you. They have a fondness for your tattoos and go on and on especially about your biceps when you play. Did you know that?He replies slowly and steadily?.?I kinda got wind of that.?They think you are pretty hot. How does that make you feel? Aaron laughingly and graciously replies, ?That makes me feel great actually! I mean, I say to myself, ?Well..make sure you can play! Okay, make sure it?s not just about that'. I don?t want it to be just about that. What I want to know is if the audience is listening. When you come to my show are you listening to the lyrics, are you hearing that string part that?s going along with that guitar part? Check that out. That?s what I really get off on because, I will be old one day. But my music will still be here and I will still be able to play. Hopefully with everything intact.? It?s now time to say goodbye and Aaron tells me what he views in his own crystal ball. ?Hopefully, I will have a good solid deal and I can record a nice record because I?ve got tons of new songs coming. I would like to go around the world, play and sing and let the world hear my stuff. Just basically do the Aaron McClain thing? The Aaron Mclain thing is sure going to catch on if it hasn?t already. Aaron will be busy with various performances in NYC and LA over the next coming months. Be sure to stop by his website www.aaronmclain.com for his schedule and updates and JTB will bring them to you as they are announced.[Back to list]
Aaron McLain
Marc Anthony
"My White Swede is an amazing amazing piece of equipment - just plays great - it's like my hand just glides acros the neck. The tone is killin'! When I plugged it in for the first time, I was blown away. I played it on stage at our sold-out AA Arena show in Miami the day I got it - it is THAT good!"
The extremely talented Aaron McLain is currently on tour with Marc Anthony. McLain will be releasing a solo album soon on Soul Unique Records.
Aaron McLain plays a White Swede.
Check out Aaron McLain at:
http://www.aaronmclain.com
http://www.myspace.com/aaronmclain
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Aaron Mclain ‘Brings Down The House’ With DigiTech TimeBender Pedal, Entertaining Thousands of Fans With Studio-Quality Live Music
Renowned guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer, Aaron Mclain will rock the lead guitar for Beto Cuevas, opening for international superstars Sting, Enrique Iglesias and Nelly Furtado throughout Summer, 2010. Utilizing the DigiTech TimeBender Pedal, Mclain will bring a performance, worthy of an album sound, to thousands of screaming fans across the nation.
The TimeBender allows users to input the tempo of their delays, and patterns to be strummed and set to the repeats based on the desired rhythm. The pedal produces intelligent harmonies on the repeats and offers 10 delay types. The TimeBender also offers two tape delays, full-time modulation and a 20-second looper.
“The fans have heard the album; they’ve memorized every single note and expect to hear quality from the band,” said Mclain. “With the TimeBender, I can give the fans the album-quality sound they anticipate, but I can also feel confident when I decide to change it up a little. The live mixes I can put together on stage make each show a unique experience.”
A native of Los Angeles, CA, Mclain has performed alongside a vast list of entertainers, in numerous musical television specials, music videos and live performances, for commercials and with his own band the Aaron Mclain Project. He has also backed up Marc Anthony for the past 10 years.
“The TimeBender is definitely a user-friendly pedal,” continued Mclain. “It’s high quality allows it to be featured in concerts such as Marc Anthony’s, but the price and ease of use makes it perfect for anyone from the beginner to the most advanced.”
“The TimeBender is bringing down the house every show we play.”
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Posted by CHertzog at 7:15 AM
Labels: Digitech, Harman International, Harman Music Group, TimeBender
Aaron McLain is a guitarist, singer, composer and producer currently living in L.A. He's played guitar for Oleta Adams (singer for Tears For Fears), Jennifer Lopez, Terrence Trent D'Arby and Marc Anthony.
Aaron started playing guitar at the age of 11. As a kid he was exposed to the sounds of K.C. & The Sunshine Band and Sly & The Family Stone at his grandparents' house. He then got into AC/DC, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin and Hendrix. After high school, Aaron received a Certificate of Completion from the Dick Grove School Of Music in LA. Today, in addition to playing guitar, McLain fronts his own band, the Aaron McLain Project. He cites the vocal styles of John Mayer, David Bowie and Seal as influences. Despite the thrill of fronting his own band, McLain's most memorable gig remains his first show with Marc Anthony at Madison Square Garden in front of 20,000 fans.
When asked why he chose Framus, Aaron exclaimed, "I love the quality of the instruments."
1 Ruby Riot Combo
1 Framus Dragon Head
1 2X12 Cabinet
1 4X12 Cabinet
1 Framus Spittfire
1 Framus Renegade
1 Framus Tenessee
1 Framus Camarillo Custom
http://www.wearebrighten.com/
http://www.myspace.com/wearebrighten
http://www.myspace.com/justinrichards
August 18, 2010
AARON MCLAIN
view site
Once L.A. native Aaron McLain straps on his electric guitar and takes the stage, suddenly he’s a god, a true rock & roll hero, channeling some of his favorite influences—Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen—singing soulfully like, David Bowie or Seal. He has traveled the world playing guitar for the likes of Marc Anthony—Beto Cuevas—as well as Tears for Fears singer Oleta Adams, Patti LaBelle, Terrance Trent Darby and Sheryl Crow, among others. When I do other people’s gigs, I feel a little torn,” Aaron admits. “I try to do my job well, but knowing I have so much more to offer, that I have these songs, gives me this drive to make this happen for my own sanity, happiness and sense of fulfillment. Although he has played for 20,000 in Madison Square Garden with Marc Anthony, Aaron McLain is every bit as intense in front of a crowd of 100 at one of his local club gigs.
VIDEOS
http://www.lasessions.com/la-sessions-artists/aaron-mclain/aarons-music/
http://www.deanmarkley.com/Movies/ArtistsSpeak/AaronMcLain.shtml
