How long have you had a love affair with the guitar?
40 years now. I first picked up the instrument when I was ten. I guess I’d always wanted to play an instrument and once I’d learnt those first couple of chords on the guitar there was no turning back.
What drives you to challenge your playing style?
After four decades I’m still nowhere near the guitar player I wish I could be. But if I want to be a better musician then the only path is to practice. To learn new things, try a different technique. The best source of inspiration usually comes from hearing something I haven’t heard before.
Tell us about your involvement with the Guitar Show. What are you doing exactly?
I’ll be engaging in a little guitar showdown with my old mate Jimi Hocking. We hook up with a rhythm section (Roger McLachlan and Kevin Murphy) and rip through some blues and rock numbers trading licks and solos along the way. It’s great fun.
When is your next release?
Firstly, when I can find the time to record and secondly, when I can raise the dosh. It’s great that I’m busy doing gigs, but it has made it hard to organise a proper recording situation. I’ve got some songs, I’ve got some ideas, but we just need some time and a little moolah to get cracking.
GEOFF ACHISON and Jimi Hocking play at 11.30am on Sunday August 9 as part of the Melbourne Guitar Show, Caulfield Racecourse.
