Alternate tunings and classical finger style training lend a hand in creating a style for Luke MacNeil that is truly powerful and unique. His songs are filled with breathtaking emotional vocals and unconventional musical twists.
"Music is my life, it is who I am. At 15 when I was bashing my head to bands like Slayer and Pantera, I could have never imagined I would grow to play and enjoy the works J.S. Bach.. Music makes me feel, and its my responsibility to see that it makes my audience feel something as well."
Beginning his musical journey at a young age, Luke has crafted a style for himself that infuses many different genres. An early interest in Death Metal gave way to a use of interesting chord forms and scales. After being exposed to some local musicians at open mics, he became infatuated with finger style guitar technique and alternate tunings. Dissatisfied with the tone of distorted guitar, he has now taken an acoustic role.
The acoustic guitar vibrates... it just vibrates more. I like to feel the chords ring through my bones. My family have played country for all of my life. Some of those old songs have become a part of me.. and I think that might be one of the reasons that I love the sound of an acoustic guitar so much. I found that with the electric stuff, I spent too much time fiddling with the knobs and foot switches... searching for the tone that was me.. I finally found it when I turned the amplifiers off
Frequently Featuring at open mics and coffee houses around the Metro west area, the expansiveness of the musical world has really sunken in. From Blues, to Death Metal, over to Rock, and now Folk, Luke has evolved and developed for himself a style that is truly unique.
I've played in bands, and had a great time, but I've found that what works best for me is performing solo. I like to play with people, but not so much all together. The nights that I really enjoy are the ones where we sit around in a circle, and trade songs back and forth. In the round. It's intimate.. It brings the performers closer together, and the audience closer to us.
Luke has recently released his first solo album entitled Here's one for Sanity. The album is a collection of original songs and some covers of the songs that he believes the world should hear. A pleasant mix of instrumental finger style pieces, descriptive sonic imagery, and testosterone.
Like anything else, its been a journey. What started out in the back yard, has brought me to open mics, feature slots at reputable venues, and the release of a full length commercial album. The next step for me is the street. My hero's played on the streets and in the subways... there's something to that. There is something in those performers that is captivating.. and I intend to follow their footsteps.
Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/perkscoffeehouseproductions
Added by bradyperks on January 25, 2009