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JANUARY 21st 2019

ANGEL VIVALDI EXCLUSIVE


Metal Titans caught up with guitarist Angel Vivaldi as he was wrapping up his 3rd edition of The Guitar Collective, which featured Nita Strauss, Jacky Vincent and of course the man himself, Angel Vivaldi. Vivaldi is currently working on a new album, the follow up to 2017s ‘Synapse’ which he hopes to have out in 2019.  Vivaldi has participated in the annual ‘Jemfest’ held in Orlando, FL. ‘Jamfest’ raises money for Steve Vai's Make A Noise Foundation, which was founded in 1998 to help fund music programs and music education.  Angel has taken part in the event four times.  Angel has also taken part in a multi-hour live stream to raise funds for the victims of the [2016] Orlando nightclub shootings, and in an event called ‘Shred for ALS’ which raises funds ALS research, after losing a close friend to the disease. Vivaldi is more active than most people in steering social change and doing his part, while cranking out guitar oriented instrumental music.

Ruben Mosqueda

Metal Titans: I spoke with Nita [Strauss] a couple months ago, she could stop raving about you. She mentioned that you are one of her favorite guitarists. How far do you and Nita go back? I know she appeared on you “Serotonin” on your album ‘Synapse’.

Angel Vivaldi: Oh man! What an honor, I go back a few years with Nita, when I was recording ‘Synapse’ and was working on “Serotonin” I knew I wanted Nita on the album. She’s a good friend and I love her!
 
Metal Titans: So how did this tour come together?

Angel Vivaldi: Well, I started the Guitar Collective three years ago, this is our 3rd edition. I wanted to get a group of people that I liked and that I think people should hear, I’ve alway wanted to get Nita out on this tour but with her busy schedule, we weren’t able to make it happen. Everything aligned this time around since she has a new album out and we were finally able to do this.
My goal with The Guitar Collective is to team up with guitarists that aren't’ as well known, they might have more of a cult following, in a sense I’d like it to be somewhat like a G3 of sorts, a tour that will expose the audience to musicians that they might not have otherwise have heard before. I’m not saying we’re at G3 level by any means, but if I could get to that level that would be fantastic!
 
Metal Titans: What is your first musical memory? What did the music make you feel?

Angel Vivaldi:  Oh man, you know I’d like to say that the first musical memory that I have is watching Michael Jackson performing “Off The Wall.”  That caught my attention from the moment I set eyes on that performance. I felt elation, of course I didn’t know what it was called back then, but it moved me and while I didn’t know right then, that I wanted to become a performer, it really interested me. Man, great question! It took me back to that time in my life.
 
Metal Titans: You record electric music, but you’ve recorded acoustic music as well. A lot of your contemporaries, though very accomplished wouldn’t touch an acoustic guitar.  How much of a risk was it for you to record and release acoustic music?

Angel Vivaldi: Good question, I think sometimes people are afraid to take risks, they get comfortable in their lane, or maybe they are afraid how their audience will react? My audience is very open minded, yes, I play instrumental music but the reaction to my acoustic work has been phenomenal. I’m working on a new album which I hope to have out in 2019, but I’d certainly do some more acoustic work in the future.  
 
Metal Titans: If one were to refer to Angel Vivaldi as a ‘shredder’ how would that made you feel? Do you embrace that or cringe?

Angel Vivaldi: Well, that an interesting question, I know what you mean, there’s some high profile guitarists that don’t embrace that term. I’m speaking for myself, it is in a way what we do, we play all of these notes, at times as a high rate of speed, but it’s not soulless music, which I think is why some guitarists shy away from it. It doesn’t bother me, because I’m not one dimensional player.

Metal Titans: Angel, you’ve done some charitable work over the years, was giving back something that was instilled in you in your upbringing?

Angel Vivaldi: Well, I try to keep that low key, I don’t want it to become about me, you know what I mean? I want to give back because it’s the right thing to do and because I feel good about doing it. I was raised in poverty, I didn’t have much and I’m just so fortunate to have what I have. I know what it’s like to have nothing and I know what it’s like to need a helping hand and I know I really appreciated it when people reached out to me. I’m just so blessed.