Gitkin’s instrumental work is an intriguing blend of genres that truly needs to be heard to be fully appreciated. With spacey riffs, it’s the kind of psychedelic sound your body craves while drifting through an endless desert. Check out our conversation with the artist below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
International Twang Funk
Tell us a few things about Tall Oaks Drive. What is the main idea behind it?
Tall Oaks Dive is the street I lived on for the first few years of my life.
The main riff has a kind of surfy, 70’s car chase feel. I played it on a Danelectro Baby Sitar which is a guitar that has a sitar sound. It was big in the 60’s.
The psych-rock era was known for its experimentation. How does the spirit of that era influence your approach to creating instrumental music today?
I mash up different styles and genres. I suppose that could be considered experimental. The song “High Noon” has an afro beat derived drum pattern, a cumbia influenced conga part, an American western guitar tone and middle eastern scale in the line.
How do you balance the retro influences in your sound while still making something that feels fresh and relevant to a modern audience?
I just try and make music that sounds compelling to my ear. I love vintage gear and sounds. 1958 to 1977 is my sweet spot. If it comes off as “fresh and relevant” that is wonderful.
Artists and people that have influenced you?
There are so many but I’ll try and narrow it to my influences in the last year.
Duane Eddy, Enrique Delgado, Mohammed Wardi, Mark Speer
How challenging was it to capture attention without vocals? Did you encounter any specific difficulties in getting your sound out there?
I generally try and capture my own interest and imagination. If it feels good to me I put it out and hope for the best.
If the music of Gitkin was a film, which film would that be?
A Jim Jarmusch film or a Natahsa Lyonne series
What can the audience look forward to at your upcoming show at London’s Two Palms this November?
We will be coming off some support dates with Say She She so I can imagine we will be excited to do a headline show. With the longer set we can take our time and let the music unfold. Plus we’ve had great shows in London and I hear Two Palms is a fun spot.
Thank you!
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Follow our Spotify Playlist Sonnets for the big screen feat. Gitkin
Secret Eclectic 