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Arts
October 19 - November 1, 2013
53
Steve Vai makes rare Arizona appearance BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Calling from a tour stop in Italy, Steve Vai sounds anything but jetlagged. He’s enthusiastic about returning to the United States and especially about his gig at Wild Horse Pass’ Ovations Live! Showroom on Sun., Oct. 20. “I’m very excited,” says Vai, who lives in California. “I really enjoyed touring Europe. I toured a lot internationally in the past year and a half. But, touring America is a great vibe. There’s something simple about it. There’s a charm to it. It’s easy. There’s something about getting off the bus in some Podunk town in the Midwest and riding my bicycle around where people live.” The instrumental progressive rock guitarist, who released his latest album “The Story of Light” on Aug. 14, 2012, hasn’t performed in The Grand Canyon State in some time. “That’s why I decided to book another American tour on the same record,” he says. “I toured two months last year on ‘The Story of Light,’ which is my new record. There were a lot of places I didn’t get to, like Arizona, Texas, Colorado, California, the Midwest. Shows are always great in Arizona. Southern-type states have a more riled-up crowd.” The Grammy Award-winning guitar virtuoso has been hailed as one of the top guitarists in the world. His performances with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth and many others have established Vai as a force in the music industry. He has sold more than15 million albums worldwide and his songs have appeared in movies, film and television shows. Vai’s “The Story of Light” is a concept album that is “a little esoteric with some humor in it.” “I wanted to express the story over a long period of time over various records, so I came up with the idea of releasing these three records that have installments of songs that are depictive of characters and events, but
not necessarily in the correct order. “Then, eventually in the future, release those three records plus another one with the songs in the correct order, with lyrics instead of melodies, with a whole record’s worth of narrative. So, when you sit down and listen to it, it’s a total experience from beginning to end.” That “experience” doesn’t end with the album or the concert. Vai is offering the EVO Experience Package, which includes meet and greet, Q&A session, sound check experience, exclusive tour laminate, print of handwritten score, autographed photo, Vai guitar picks, sticker and a Vai/DiMarzio Guitar Strap. “I like talking to the fans,” Vai says. “Our EVO Experience, is an intimate setting, with just me and however many people are there. Sometimes it’s four to five; sometimes it’s 60. I answer questions and I talk and it’s very intimate and personal. It usually lasts at least an hour. They get a bag filled with all sort s of unique swag. They get to come to a soundcheck. Our soundchecks are usually pretty long.” The shows are nothing to sneeze at, either. For his setlist, Vai is featuring a handful of new songs, fan favorites and deep tracks. “The songs are chosen for their dynamic contribution to the show,” Vai says. “I pace the show so there’s different sections and dynamics so it retains people’s attention. What you get to see is great musicianship. It’s different than what most people might expect. It’s difficult for me to explain it because I’m the artist. I’m trying to sell myself. The best thing I can tell you I would encourage people to go to Google, search for Steve Vai concert reviews, go to Ticketmaster’s concert reviews and read reviews from people who have been to the shows. “You’ll be surprised. One of the reasons why I’m doing this tour again is because the response is
VAI-ABLE TECHNICIAN: Steve Vai brings his flamboyant guitarplaying style to Wild Horse Pass’ Ovations Live! Showroom on Sun., Oct. 20. Submitted photo
embarrassingly good—the reviews that is. That’s the best place to get an idea of what the show’s like.” Steve Vai performs at 8 p.m. Sun., Oct. 20, at Wild Horse Pass’ Ovations Live! Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass, Chandler. Tickets are $35 to $65. For more information, call 1-800-946-4452 or visit wingilariver. com/index.php/wild-horse-pass/entertainment-events. Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun. com.