For South Australian guitarist Chris Finnen, music is not primarily about technique.
It is about communication, individuality and the emotional truth behind the notes.
“The emotional side of things, the real heartfelt soul side of things, is the important factor,” Finnen says. That philosophy will be on full display when the Chris Finnen Band performs at CLUBHideaway at The Magill Club on Saturday, September 5, with Michael Winter on bass and Trapper on drums.
The night also offers one guitarist an unusual opportunity. Early Bird ticket holders can nominate themselves — or another guitarist they know — for the chance to receive two private one-on-one sessions with Finnen at Voodoo Lounge Rehearsal Room, together with a signed copy of his book Finnenisms.
Finnen says those sessions will not simply be about learning guitar tricks or copying
somebody else’s style. “The main thing I look at is the person,” he says. “What have they done in the past? What are they interested in? How can I maybe open up their musical framework to wider things?”
At the heart of that process is helping musicians develop their own individuality. Finnen believes great musicians develop by listening deeply and widely, absorbing everything from blues, rock, pop, and jazz to reggae, country and calypso, as well as music from completely different cultures and their folkloric origins. Rather than keeping those influences in separate boxes, musicians can allow them to intermingle naturally until they become part of their own musical language.
“You’ve got to know exactly where you are and, at the same time, let yourself go with free abandon,” Finnen says of improvisation. The result, he believes, should become “individuality” Finnen’s willingness to help other musicians has roots in his own story. When he arrived in Australia as a 15-year-old guitarist, established Australian musicians recognised his enthusiasm and took the time to help him. He has never forgotten it.
Today he sees helping other committed musicians as part of that same tradition. His major requirement is motivation. “If somebody wants help from me, then they need to actually help themselves and be motivated.”
That means the guitarist who wins does not necessarily need to be the most accomplished player in the room. They might be young and beginning their journey, an experienced musician searching for fresh inspiration, or somebody who simply has a genuine love of music and wants to discover more of their own musical identity.
Finnen’s musical life and philosophy are also captured in Finnenisms: Chris Finnen Riffs on His 70 Years of Music, written with Adelaide journalist David Sly. In the book, Chris talks about his 70 years in music — the people, experiences, influences, stories and discoveries that have shaped both the musician and the person.
A second Early Bird ticket holder will also win a signed copy of the book. For Finnen, the reason for continuing to play after a lifetime in music comes back to something remarkably human: communication and a love of people. “The absolute essence is communication,” he says.
It is communication between musicians, between performer and audience, and between people brought together by a shared experience. And on September 5, Adelaide audiences will have another chance to join that conversation.
