“Have you heard of Guthrie Govan?” I ask this question to almost everyone I meet in my unending quest to make known the coolest music ever made. Nobody is safe from my question, and apparently, nobody has heard of Guthrie Govan.
Let me break it down: Guthrie Govan is the ultimate guitar-playing machine. Since the age of three, he’s been developing a psychic link between his brain, his hands, and his guitar. With unlimited skill and technique at his disposal, Guthrie effortlessly brings the sounds in his head to life. I think he has literally maxed out his technique on guitar. What I admire most about him though is his enthusiasm for all things music. In interviews, he’s always eager to share what he’s learned, and on stage, he’s either smiling or making guitar faces.
I know I sound a little obsessed but at least I’m not alone in my love of Mr. Govan. Says Westmont alumni and certified music expert Jett Felder, “He’s the best artist you’ve never heard of; he’s like if you could talk in music instead of words.” But don’t take our word for it–give a listen to these epic tunes.
“Waves”
Is this his most creative song? No. I’m very biased toward it though because this is the song that got me into Guthrie Govan. It’s energetic and shreddy and I love it.
“Slidey Boy”
This may be his most ear-friendly song and I recommend listening to it first if you’re interested in the guitar wizard. Sometimes he has a little too much fun on guitar but in this song, he holds back and delivers a smooth and tasteful groove. I would describe this song as “oddly satisfying.”
“Fives”
The antithesis of Slidey Boy. Within seconds of starting the song, you’ll likely want to yank your headphones off and throw them really far. However, should you endure the unsettling intro, you’ll be rewarded with a spicy odd-time tune and some tasty tapping runs. As Jett describes it, “He’s able to make groupings of five flow naturally,” and “I like the part where it’s like dududududu.” Also, the incredible drummer for this track, Pete Riley, is absolutely hustling.
“Ner Ner”
This song is a whole saga. Across the eight-minute adventure Guthrie delivers a catchy main melody, claustrophobic shredding, and the cleanest solo I have ever heard. I’m not kidding–in the middle of an epic prog metal track this clean solo appears out of nowhere. 10/10 solo would recommend.
“Unkle Skunk”
GROOVY! This bassline is very very groovy. Did you know that Guthrie Govan has a brother, Seth, who plays the bass? I wish my brother would learn an instrument so we could jam together… Anyways, Seth Govan is a key ingredient in the Erotic Cakes album and he really shines in this song. Wouldn’t that be so cool though, if you could jam every day in the living room because you lived with another music person?? I dream.
“Hangover”
Pete Riley the crazy drummer strikes again. In contrast to his impeccably tight playing on “Fives”, he sets the tempo in this song with a lethargic feel and big stumbling fills. I know this is an article about the guitarist but I kinda like this drummer. If you’re feeling musical I have a fun little challenge for you: try tapping along with the drums at 5:25. Of course, Guthrie also plays fantastically on the track with his luscious tone and spooky melodies.
I think it’s safe to say Guthrie is a menace in the studio. But what happens when you take away the layers? What’s underneath? Still a lot. As if his flabbergasting compositions weren’t enough, he also possesses otherworldly improvising skills. These videos are cool and I watch them a lot:
I doubt Guthrie Govan will ever become a household name, probably because nobody gets his name right (I am calling out Blake DaQuino HIS NAME IS NOT GUNTHER). A lot of his music is far from mainstream and probably sounds like weird noises to an unacquainted ear. In terms of cultural impact, he has almost no cultural impact. While the works of well-known guitar virtuosos such as Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen have defined their respective eras, Guthrie Govan’s lyricless works only reach a small group of mostly musicians. He doesn’t meet most people’s definition of a “great” guitarist. However, Guthrie is unmatched in terms of pure musicianship. To me, he is the GOAT.
TL;DR Never under any circumstances give me aux.