Who inspired you to take up the guitar?
As far back as I can remember I have played guitar. My parents tell me that as a child I would get very excited seeing anyone play guitar on the television. At eight I got my first proper guitar and by 12 I wanted to be Keith Richards.
Where do you live and why?
I’ve lived in and around Chiswick since I moved to the UK in 1996. I like the community feel of the place and it’s close to my studio in Acton.
What’s been your most memorable west London musical experience?
The concert that shook my world was Neil Young’s solo show at the Hammersmith Apollo [Queen Caroline Street, W6]: One man; a guitar and a harmonica. Every person in the room was captivated and it was an almost-spiritual experience. It changed my life.
What’s your favourite west London venue?
For live music it has to be the Shepherd’s Bush Empire [1 Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12]. I love playing there and I have seen loads of great bands play it. It’s got mojo. I like the Ginglik, too, for catching new bands and hanging out.
What was the last show you saw in London?
Moby playing at Royal Festival Hall [Belvedere Road, SE1] – great show; loads of energy. I got to meet Ornette Coleman (the avant-garde jazz saxophonist) at the after party, which was pretty neat.
Who are your guitar heroes?
I think Jeff Beck is the greatest guitarist of all time. I also love Joe Pass, Robben Ford and James Taylor. But my hero would have to be Neil Young. He plays with such passion that even the bad notes sound great.
How does it feel to be one of YouTube’s top 10 celebrities?
YouTube has been great for me and it’s amazing that I can reach out to so many people around the world. I just found out that my videos have had over 50 million views, which blows me right out. Sometimes random people come and chat about guitars when I’m at the supermarket, but other than that, nothing’s changed much.
Can you name-drop a few celebrities you’ve taught?
My most famous student is Katie Melua, I taught her from scratch, and she worked really hard. I was really proud when she opened her show at the Royal Albert Hall [Kensington Gore, SW7] with just her guitar and voice – she played great. Cathy Dennis was another hard working student; she was a lot better than she thought she was. She has an amazing ear and is lovely, too.
What was it like being on tour with Katie Melua?
Touring with Katie was fantastic fun. She’s an amazingly talented young lady and really down to earth. Katie and I took fold-up bikes with us on tour so we were always off exploring, but it was hard work sometimes, too.
What’s your philosophy on life?
Look where you want to go. I learnt that from skydiving: when you want to go a certain way, you just look in that direction and without trying you end up in that direction. If you always look at bad stuff in your life you head that way, so I always try to look where I want to go and what I want to do.
What are you currently reading?
I just started Red Dog by Louis de Bernier, which is a collection of stories about a sheep dog in Western Australia. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin inspired a song on my album (page 99), so now I’m getting through his other books – that man has a way with words.
How would you spend a lost day in your neighbourhood?
On the rare sunny days that I’m not stuck in the studio I usually get on my bike and ride down by the river, stopping for beer and food as the mood takes me. It a very relaxing place to get away from the rat race.
