 | Exclusive Interview, with famed guitar master, Joel Hoekstra!! ( Night Ranger, TSO (Trans Siberian Orchestra) , Rock Of Ages ) |
| Lyric: Not like you need an introduction being THE 'Joel Hoekstra' but for our readers and this interview. Let's give some background on you :) You play guitar for, Night Ranger? Joel: Oh, believe me….I need the introduction! Yes, I play guitar for Night Ranger. Lyric: How long have you been in the band? Joel: A little over 5 years now. Time flies. Lyric: Also, you are a guitarist in the Broadway musical 'Rock of Ages'? Joel: Yes, I've been with that for a little over 4 years. Nobody could've imagined the show would find such success. It just became one of the top 50 longest running Broadway shows of all time. Lyric: I understand guitar is not the only instrument you play. In fact guitar was not your first instrument, Right?(Tell us about this) Joel: My parents are classical musicians and started me on cello when I was 3 and piano when I was 7. I never really liked either of them though. I pretty much begged to quit. Lyric: Coming from a classical background (both parents being classical musicians). What was that like, and how much do you think that contributed to your playing over the years?? Joel: I think it definitely helped jump start my guitar playing. It was good to understand how to read music going in and it definitely helped develop my ear, so I could figure out how to play songs on my own. Lyric: For those of us (including myself) that have at one time or another reached a point where they are totally sick of hearing their own playing. And don't feel they are making progress. You get in kind of a 'guitar rut'. Did you ever get to that point when learning to play? Joel: I've gotten sick of playing certain material over and over, but no, I always feel like I know what I would want to work on. Having the time is the hard part these days. Lyric: I am sure you have been told this most of your life. But you have some fast precise fingers!! And you can do it on acoustic. It just blows me away when I hear that! I can't count the many times I have been listening to to your music, and paused, called a friend and and said 'Check THIS out' !! Everyone's reaction is always 'Wow! and we all just stand there in awe!' You really do demonstrate how beautiful a guitar can sound. What's the process in deciding whether to do a song on an acoustic or electric? Joel: I feel like I've got pretty terrible technique these days, but thanks. I don't know if there's a process of deciding. If it's a pro situation it's usually not up to me..haha! Otherwise it's just what I'm writing on. Lyric: I would imagine having played as much and as long as you have been playing. You have probably played many, many types of guitars. What kind of guitars do you play now? Joel: Gibson electrics, Taylor acoustics, Atomic electrics are my main brands, but I own plenty of others... Lyric: You have a huge list of artists you have either shared the stage, worked on projects with or contributed/collaborated with.Impressive to anyone, i'm sure. Thinking back, Could you tell us some of the most memorable ones for you and why? Joel: Night Ranger - The first gig was on no rehearsal. The gig was my audition. Very exciting. I have also learned a great deal from those guys….Probably more than anyone. Foreigner - Filling in for Mick Jones on 24 hours notice was crazy and surreal. Trans Siberian Orchestra - There are not many chances in life to REALLY play guitar for 10,000 people a show. TSO gives me the chance to get my arena chops together both in playing and performing. Rock of Ages - When it's all over it will have been an incredible era that gave me a chance to play almost every day for a big audience and still have the freedom to support Night Ranger and TSO. Lyric: Let's face it you are one of the best guitarists out there. It just amazes me when I hear your music. Playing out as much as you do, I know you have to come across lots of other players. Do you have guitar player fans come up to you a lot?? Joel: Yeah, it's happening more and more these days. Like I said, I'm just glad to be making a living at it, so anyone that supports that by coming to the shows or buying my cd's is a friend in my eyes. Lyric: With as much time as you spend playing music. Do you listen to music a lot? Joel: Unfortunately, no. Kind of a bummer, but it is what it is. Lyric: And what kind of music do you listen to these days? Joel: Whatever I'm learning. At the gym I digest all the current pop stuff, which I like and I keep classical on around the house a bit. Lyric: Beside of all the stage shows/playing/touring. You have three solo releases? Joel: Yes. I have two rock/fusion cd's: 'undefined' and 'The Moon is Falling' and also an acoustic cd- '13 acoustic songs'.  | Lyric: Tell us about Trans Siberian Orchestra (and are you still doing this?) Joel: I play with Trans Siberian Orchestra on their Winter Tours, which usually are Nov-Dec. It's an honor to be a part of. The new EP debuted in the Billboard top 10 and the band is on fire these days. Lyric: How long have you been playing guitar? Joel: Approximately 10 billion years. haha! No, I started in 7th grade, which made me 11. Lyric: One of the bands that influenced and inspired you to play guitar was AC/DC, namely Angus Young. Is that right? Joel: Yeah, I was attracted to the energy he played/performed with. I pretty much would look at him and think THAT's what I want to do. Lyric: Thinking back to 'discovering Angus Young days', did you ever imagine being where you are right now?? Or did you just KNOW this is where you were going to be? Joel: I'm just happy to be making a living at it. The music business is beyond brutal these days.    Lyric: When you were learning to play Rock-N-Roll. Do you remember what the most challenging song was that youlearned to play? Joel: I find challenges in almost everything I have to play. Music is infinite. We all have SO much to learn. Lyric: What advice would you give to someone trying to become a better guitar player? Joel: Put in the time. You get back what you put into it. All that natural talent stuff is SO overrated.  Lyric: How does someone as busy as you are work all this in?? You must be a great multitasker! Joel: The albums were done in slower work periods. 2000, 2003 and 2007. The fact I haven't done one in 6 years just means I've been really busy..haha! Lyric: Are there plans for another solo album? Joel: Definitely. When things slow down. I'll be making music the rest of my life. Lyric: For us fans out there that are wanting to see Joel Hoekstra live. What shows are coming up? Joel: I'll be touring with Night Ranger throughout the year and when I'm not on tour I'll be at Rock of Ages on Broadway, then in Nov/Dec hopefully I'll be playing with Trans Siberian Orchestra again. Lyric: Before we wrap this up. Any closings thoughts or words you would like to say to fans reading this?? Joel: Like I said, I appreciate any/all support. I'm just happy to be doing what I love for a living. Visit Joel Hoekstra's Official Website Joel on Facebook Joel on Myspace Night Ranger |