Orianthi

A Moment in Time with Orianthi

Interview by Kim Crain

Orianthi Panagaris, an Australian singer, songwriter, guitarist, started her career at an early age. She has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry, and has worked with notable artists such as Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Alice Cooper, Prince, Steve Vai, Michael Bolton, ZZ Top, Adam Lambert, Richie Sambora, Dave Stewart, Carrie Underwood, Brian Ray, Dan Rothchild and Chris Wyse to name a few.

In a world dominated by male musicians I had a great opportunity to sit down with one of the worlds finest female lead guitarists and Platinum recording artists, Orianthi.

Kim Crain: How’s it going?

Orianthi: Going great, super busy, recording away. I have a new album coming out called “Rock Candy,” that will be coming out in a couple of months. I have a live DVD coming out. It is a documentary we shot live here in Hollywood. Yes, and lots of stuff in the works. I am excited to get out there on the road and play some shows as well.

Kim: Wow! That all sounds fantastic! You have been working hard! What age did you start playing guitar and whom were you influenced by?

Orianthi: I started playing guitar at six years old. My dad put the guitar in my hands. He played me Elvis videos, BB King, Beatles, Roy Orbison. I started strumming first and then got into playing lead when I was 11 years old. When I saw Santana perform - I think it was the Dance of the Rainbow Serpent tour in Australia - I was just blown away by his guitar playing, and it really hit me, and I was like, this is what I want to do. Thanks to Carlos Santana and that song Europa, it really pulled me in.

Kim: How did you end up working with one of the greatest entertainers on the planet, Michael Jackson?

Orianthi: He saw some of my Youtube videos and then saw me on T.V. when I was playing guitar for Carrie Orianthi -w/ Micheal Bearden,Richie Sambora Photo Credit - Kevin Mazur

Underwood. Not too long after that we performed at the Grammys, and I got a message on Myspace when that was happening. I got a message from Michael saying; “you are what we are looking for, can you come in and meet me and be part of the band?”

Kim: Wow, incredible, what are the chances?

Orianthi: Working with Michael Jackson was an amazing experience. I made a lot of life long friends, from Michael Bearden to Judith Hill, and Jonathan Moffett. They have become such dear friends.

Michael’s songs are not easy. They were definitely about the groove, the sounds, the rhythm parts, and just playing into it! I am a better musician for working with Michael, because he is a better performer. He pushed everybody in a really good way, so we could reach our highest potential. We took his perfectionism with us after working with him. He was so much about the ‘attention to detail.’

That makes a lot of difference when you have a lot of musicians onstage. It’s all about detail and making it all fall into place for the show to run smoothly and the entertainment value and all that.

Also it’s the way you make people feel. As artists we are here to serve people. When you come to a show it’s an artist’s job to make the audience feel good and connect

and all that on an emotional level, and on an entertainment level as well. I learned a lot from Michael. I worked with Alice Cooper as well. Both are very theatrical shows, to be a part of. I loved working with both of them!

Kim: I remember seeing the Supergroup the Hollywood Vampires at the Greek 2019 and I was blown away, what a great band. Alice Cooper is an incredible performer, very animated.

Kim: In a world dominated by men what was your biggest fear breaking into the music industry?

Orianthi: I didn’t have any fear! I guess I just didn’t at all! I went through enough fear at school. I left when I was 15 ‘cause I was really badly bullied, and it was horrible for me, and I just got out of there. School was the hardest part for me. I have terrible scars from that abuse. Going to the end of the schoolyard and being bullied and beaten up being called names and all that. I guess it kind of groomed me for the music industry.

Kim: That is horrible. I’m sorry to hear that.

Orianthi: When you are really honest with yourself and you realize this is what I’ve been through, you kind of use this as an artist, because you know when you write songs, you just try to put everything into each one. Maybe there are a few experiences that I have been through. Some people can connect, ‘cause they went through that too, so they wont feel alone! Music helped me when I was a kid. It helped me through those hard times. Going through that tough time, then going home, then picking up my guitar, that was my escape in a way. The guitar has always been my weapon of Peace, and everything that I feel I can express myself through.

Kim: Wow, I love listening to you! You have a lot of wisdom.

Kim: I know the Pandemic has put a damper on the music industry. I know that a lot of musicians started writing material, what did you do?

Orianthi: - I released an album. I put out an album called “O” during the pandemic with Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith.) It was a really weird time. I was doing all those zooms and by the end I was sick of the iPhone and the iPad. I was like, I can’t do this any more, all of these interviews. I was going insane. I just played a couple shows, no touring going on due to Covid. A lot of things got canceled. We got through it, now I have another record coming out and lots of new material to follow.

Kim: I heard some new clips of a couple of your new songs online. Really tasty guitar parts, very seductive and catchy. I get this incredible great vibe for this new music you will be putting out.

Orianthi: On Instagram I put up a lot of clips and things that I’ve been working on. Lately, I have been putting out a few things. I feel Like Instagram is kind of like a T.V. If you don’t put different stuff up people get bored. I’m always posting either my cat, or cooking. There’s something always going on there; entertainment value.

Photo credit: Rock Candy Photography

I started a meditation record a long time ago, and I am finishing it now. It’s about healing frequencies. Every song has a different healing frequency in it resonating through the track. That was really fun to do! I play all the instruments myself and recorded it myself.

The other clips I put out with “Rock Candy,” who is another friend of mine, Jacob Johnson. He does a lot of movie soundtracks. He’s worked with everybody from Mariah Carey to Mick Mars. The guy is very talented. We did a track together called “Illuminate,“ on the album, “Rock Candy.” We did the whole album in 15 days. We wrote a song a day and recorded a song a day.

Kim: What are your goals for the future in music?

Orianthi: - Definitely giving back. I would like to encourage more kids to get into music as a hobby or a

profession. It is a great outlet. Music can fill you up so you don’t feel so alone.

I have done a lot of charity work, and will continue to do so. When I was in Australia my goals were, I want a platinum record, I want to tour the world, and I did all that! So, I think anything you put your mind to, and your have your heart behind it, and you are enthusiastic, and the intention is right, it usually works out.

Kim: Now that you have recognition in the music industry, are you focusing on a solo career or as a session player or both?

Orianthi: Oh, all of it! When I first came out here I was a solo artist collaborating with Michael Jackson & Alice Cooper, That’s been a real honor. Writing for other people too, guesting on records. It’s been eclectic too from country artists to pop artists, heavy rock, blues, all that kind of stuff, all across the board, I love music, that’s it!

If there’s something across that looks really interesting or fun to do, a challenge, yea, I’m all in! I rarely say no to something unless it is a terrible thing.

Kim: You sound like a beautiful person on the inside and out. It is very inspiring to talk with you today.

Kim: I really love your guitar line. Is it your guitar line that you have? Can you tell us about that?

Orianthi: The Signatures. Yes, I am very grateful, very blessed. I got to work with two amazing companies. First Paul Reed Smith guitars. It’s been 22 years now. I started playing those guitars because of Santana. Four models through PRS now. One is available now. It is a private stock, custom 24. It’s like a Lotus blue. It’s so beautiful, it’s like the color of my first Jimi Hendrix T-Shirt. It looks Tie-dyed, purple and pink, very electric looking. It’s wild looking, really wild. It plays amazing!

Gibson Guitars: I have my own electric line with them as well! They said what kind of guitar would you like doing? I said the J200, the kind that Elvis played. It’s a massive, massive acoustic. The sound you can’t beat. (The sound is so full) It is a 345 neck. It’s smaller and easier to play when you’re recording or playing live. They said are you sure you want this one? I said, hell ya!

I went down to the factory in Montana, picked out everything, made it red, and I put a 345 electric guitar neck on a acoustic body so its easier to play, and its the first hybrid in history that I have ever done. I am honored

Photo credit: Rock Candy Photography

they trusted my judgment. It’s a great guitar. We also modified the pickup as well by L.R. Baggs, an incredible pick up maker!

Kim: That’s awesome, I love it! Especially your new album “Rock Candy” coming out soon. It’s going to be fun!

Orianthi: It’s been a great experience for me making records with my friends.

Kim: So nice to have talked with you today. Thank you so much!

Orianthi: Thank you too!

Follow Orianthi at:

@Orianthifans - Twitter @iamorianthi - Instagram

Reach Kim Crain at kimcrain.com

www.facebook.com/kim. crain.9231

www.instagram.com/kimcrainmusic

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