For the past ten years, Simon has owned and operated Simon Gardner Music, where he teaches guitar, writing, producing and recording music for himself and other artists. He is currently the first-call guitarist for The Queensland Pops Orchestra, an Ibanez endorsee, a freelance guitarist in various cover bands. He is playing multiple gigs to promote his most recent album, And So It Goes... As a Rockschool examiner, Simon recently joined AMEB at the Melbourne Guitar Show to promote and perform songs from the Rockschool syllabuses.
With over thirty years of experience playing the guitar, Simon discusses the road he travelled to turn his passion into a career.
What made you first pick up the guitar?
I originally started on drums at the age of 12, but that only lasted for a short time. I then took up guitar in high school in grade 8 with lessons from the late and great Rick Purdie. I was attracted to guitar for its visual aesthetic, but I also remember being compelled and almost frightened by the sound of a loud electric guitar. My brothers and I used to listen to music and play along with tennis rackets and cricket bats, pretending they were guitars.
Many young guitarists dream of releasing their albums. How did you come to release your first album?
When I was 14, my mum bought me my first record, an instrumental album by the band Sky. They also had a hit at the time with a reinvention of Bach's Toccata [in D minor, BWV 565]. Listening to this album started the dream of making instrumental music, but it was hearing Led Zeppelin for the first time that I thought, "I am going to make my own solo albums!". Some years later, after a failed attempt at mega-stardom in a band, I decided to return and pursue this dream of creating an instrumental album. So I rented a house in the Gold Coast hinterland and started recording a demo, which would later get me into the Guitar Player Magazine Spotlight Column and form the beginnings of my first album, Big Sky.
What things kept you going while you were learning to master your instrument?
Love, identity and magic. It's a curious thing and has been said many times, but I think music chooses you, and you can't do anything else. It's also one of those things you only wonder why you are doing it when you are late with the mortgage, but you are extremely happy with the solo you just finished recording!
You studied at the Music Institution of Hollywood. What impact did that have on your career?
This was a huge life experience for me! I was working in Brisbane's first Athlete's Foot in the city, and all I could dream about was being a guitar player. I saw an advert in Guitar Player magazine and found ways to get to The Music Institution of Hollywood, and eventually, I was accepted to study there. I always used to practise to be a better guitarist so that I wouldn't be laughed at when I got to Hollywood. As it turned out, I was okay! I was 19 and living out of home for the first time a block from Hollywood Boulevard! Fantastic place and huge days of practice and playing.
Who are the top three musicians that you would recommend Rockschool students spend time listening to?
Wow, that's a tricky question.
I heard a great quote once "Music that is all technique with no emotion is meaningless and music that is all emotion but with no technique is also meaningless. It's where they meet in the middle that it becomes meaningful". This resonated with me; as such, I would have to use that as a basis for my answer Off the cuff…. 1. Led Zeppelin 2. Jimi Hendrix 3. Mahavishnu Orchestra plus Pink Floyd, Metallica, Steve Vai, John Mayer, Nirvana, Cream, etc.
What is a teacher's most important lesson to pass on to their students?
Guitar is King! Find what you love and go for it with an indefatigable yet reckless abandon. Share the fruits of your labour by performing, recording and teaching.
Do you have any advice for staying calm when performing on stage?
You cannot change or control what people think of you, your performance, or your music. Easier said than done, but letting go of your fear (ego) is the key. As a musician, I believe you go to the stage with an unconditional gift for whoever wants it.
"Letting go is the ultimate power of performance and why performing takes courage and self-belief."
— Simon Gardner
What are the most rewarding aspects of teaching guitar?
Being able to pass on the sheer magic and joy that learning to play the guitar brings on many levels. Seeing my students respond and trust in this magic makes my universe a happy place.
What have been the biggest highlights of your career?
Writing, releasing and performing my music. Having my children, all play music. Having my son perform beside me at my last CD launch was superb!
How does Queensland's musical scene compare to the rest of Australia's?
Queensland is in good shape, focusing a lot of energy on building and serving a music community. The future of this scene is looking brighter all the time. Naysayers will always say that it used to be better, but I have always felt that the music industry has always been and always will be an industry of constant evolution and flux. This makes it dynamic and exciting but also more volatile and potentially unstable from an income point of view.
What is one piece of advice you wish had been given to a young Simon Gardner when first starting out?
Do not be afraid – always believe and trust in yourself.
You list your influences as ranging from Debussy to Hendrix. How has classical music influenced you in your rock career?
I love all music that fits the aforementioned quote. From a career standpoint, it has enabled me to be versatile in my approach to guitar, and as such, I have been lucky enough to work in different musical scenarios. From a compositional point of view, having broad influences in many genres creates an infinite source of inspiration.
If you had the chance to perform live with any musician, past or present, who would it be?
Another tough one!.....Jimi Hendrix or Jeff Beck or Miles Davis or ……Eric Johnson...or...the list goes on!
