Scott Helland is a guitarist and the man behind the musical project Guitarmy of One whom we recently got the opportunity to chat with. His latest single “Top Secret Agent Man On A Wire Tapped Phone At Sea” from his album “The Wave Files” which was recently released on the 18th of August, 2023 is making waves in the indie rock scenes. Scott uses his immense talent to make surf rock indie music that plays with your ears. So read on to know more about this maestro and his craft!
Please introduce us to Guitarmy of One? What is your philosophy or approach to the music you create and play live?
Guitarmy of One is a one person band that writes and performs music utilizing live looping and array of effects pedals to create visceral spy themed cinematic surf rock instrumental music. I started as a bass player in the early 80s playing in the hardcore punk rock scene and I also performed in thrash metal bands so my approach to guitar instrumentals is inherently different. I write bass lines first and my melodies are, for the most part, single note lines as opposed to more chord based. I also use acoustic electric hybrid guitars as I connect more with an acoustic based sound. It seems closer to the bass guitar to me. Though, like the heavier music I used to play, I still want the music to have power and with looping I can create a wall of sound and stay true to the songs.
Your album is making quite a splash in the blogosphere. Tell us about it.
The Wave Files album is a spy themed cinematic surf rock record. It’s inspired by spy and detective shows from the 60s, 70’s and 80s. I wanted it to be the sonic equivalent of high speed chases and detectives running through city streets but also sonically to keep it within that surfy cheeky vibe. Most of the song titles were inspired by characters in those shows like ‘Jack Lord of the Sea’ (Hawaii 50) and ‘Kolchak Meets the Sea Mobster’ (Kolchak the Night Stalker) or they are within the theme of espionage like ‘Must be the Season of Treason’, ‘Top Secret Agent Man on a Wire Tapped Phone at Sea’. It’s rooted in surf rock but it’s written, recorded and performed in a way that’s a new take on the genre.
Would you say that the reason you began making music is still the reason that you are still making music today? Please explain.
Absolutely, that feeling of hearing music, seeing it performed live and then actually doing it and creating it myself is something that I truly love. Music fuels me like nothing else. It’s all consuming and it has been for the last almost 40 years. The reason I got into music in the first place was from being totally inspired after hearing the Ramones at 12 years old. That literally changed my life. I heard them and knew exactly what I wanted to do.
Tell us about your recent crowdfunding campaign? Word has it that you even included designer spy-themed boxer shorts?
Yes, there were spy themed boxer shorts! I had the idea to have a spy holding a guitar while on a surf board at sea, so I took a photo of myself with that rough idea and had the Japanese artist Nukui Bogard draw it. Besides boxers, it’s also inside the CD booklet and on shirts. The campaign was very successful, it’s the 4th one I’ve done. I did 2 others for albums in 2017 and 2020 and 1 for an art book I released in 2015 of all of my pen & ink drawings called ‘Feast’. I ran this one for the Wave Files for 20 days instead of the usual 30 day campaign. I was scheduled to tour with Frenchy and the Punk in July and August 2023 so I had to get this all wrapped up by June. The backers/fans are like a record company providing the funding for the album to be made. It’s pretty amazing, and I’m grateful for every single one who contributes.
How have the artists you've interacted with or the music you love influenced the way you release or consume music today?
I like when bands have a whole consistent theme, music, art, design and concept. Not all the artists I listen to have that, but that is something that really catches me. I try and have Guitarmy of One be a consistent entity. I tend to look at the musical output with GO1 and FnP as long term art projects.
What would you say are your dreams or goals as an artist?
Dreams, I’d love to have music in a spy movie. My music has been used in TV shows and film before, but a spy movie would be really cool. I’d love to perform a GO1 set in an arena with a full production. I’d love to have my instrumental album chart on the radio, like instrumental music used to do in the 60s. I think the last big commercial charting guitar instrumental album was Joe Satriani’s Surfing With The Alien in the 80s. Goals would be to perform at some of the surf rock festivals around the world, Italy, California, New Jersey, France etc. I could add some of those dreams to the goals list. I’d also like to tour across the U.S. and Europe with this project, and I think it would be great to present these songs with a band at some point, but for now I love performing this as a solo act.
You are in the band Frenchy and the Punk at the same time. How do you balance your work between these 2 music projects?
I cycle back and forth from doing an FnP record to doing a GO1 record. With touring, FnP takes precedence, but I fit in GO1 dates within those tours and open for FnP sometimes. Also, when FnP finishes a string of dates I’ll go out and play some GO1 shows. It’s a lot of work and quite a balancing act.
I understand you are currently in France. What is your particular connection to France vs. your hometown of New York City?
My partner Samantha Stephenson aka Frenchy was born in France, so when we tour in England we try and do shows in France and she also visits family. I love France, we’ve often thought of living there, but the majority of our show opportunities are in the U.S. I’m not really sure what my hometown is these days. I was born in Illinois, grew up in Massachusetts and moved to NYC at 20, and I’m now based in the Hudson Valley of New York.
What is your favourite thing about performing for people in a live environment? Do you prefer festivals or venue-based gigs?
There is an energy to performing live in front of an audience that is like nothing else. It’s about the energy and the connection between the crowd and the performer. Sports people talk about being in the ‘zone’ and there is a zone you get into on stage as well but there’s also the crowd interaction. It’s a bit indescribable. I prefer venues as they can be more intimate and the energy is contained within the walls, but outdoors at festivals can be a really great experience too. My Guitarmy of One shows tend to be indoors and the Frenchy and the Punk shows are equally indoors and outdoor festivals. I also join my old bandmates Lou Barlow and J Mascis (Dinosaur jr) sometimes onstage playing a song from our Deep Wound band from back in the punk days at some amazing venues like Austin City Limits and Fenway Park.
What are you planning for Guitarmy of One in the near future?
To get some of those dreams and goals happening. In the very near future I have live dates coming up and lots more to come but also I’ll be filming and editing some videos for the new album. I did about 5 videos for the last record and they’re all spy based with me running through towns, city streets and abandoned buildings, you name it. All the videos are destination videos, getting from point A to Z with a few trials and tribulations in between. There’s a James Bond or Jason Bourne element but also a humorous Get Smart element. All done with a indie DIY mindset.
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