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"The guitar came to me easily as a child, as much as a tool for writing as for playing" |
SHANE FONTAYNE - PLAYING GUITAR WITH THE STARS
You might not recognize the name Shane Fontayne but chances are you have heard Shane’s playing or seen him perform live. As a guitar player, Shane has shared the stage and studio with an impressive list of rock music’s elite, including Bruce Springsteen, U2, Paul Simon, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams, and Rod Stewart. Most recently, Shane was invited to accompany Bono, The Edge, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle and B.B. King with Wynonna at the pre-Grammy Music Cares event in New York honoring Bono as “Person of the Year.” Shane is currently preparing to embark on the upcoming Sting tour. Check out what Shane had to say about playing alongside today's top musicians in this exclusive FPE interview.
FPE: How did you end up where you are today as a player? Tell us about the musical path that led up to your now please.
SF: "I suppose its an aggregation of all accumulated experiences. Walking the proverbial Yellow Brick Road, not always necessarily the straight and narrow, striving to get to a promised land of champagne-filled swimming pools! Well, maybe for a moment. I grew up in London in the Sixties and all of that music, particularly The Beatles, would shape my destiny. I knew early on that I would pursue music for a career. The guitar came to me easily as a child, as much as a tool for writing as for playing. My playing is based more upon texture than expertise! I love evocative chords and melodies and also madly flailing away in a sea of delay and distortion....."
FPE: What did you learn from playing alongside Bruce Springsteen?
SF: "That I shouldn't second-guess myself, including not being scared of getting married more than once! In Bruce I met a man. A man who led with sweetness and kindness and inspiration of character. A consummate man of integrity."
FPE: What is your favorite guitar to use on the road? And what do you like about it?
SF: "My Gretsch Tennessean is the instrument that sounds most like me overall. It is full-bodied and full of sexy twang! But the most functional guitar for all situations is my Stratocaster. It's more malleable and I can finesse volume and tone a little easier with the Strat. It depends on the situation. For instance if I take only one guitar, with trumpeter Chris Botti it would be the Gretsch, for its rich fluidity, and with Marc Cohn I take the Strat for a more singer/songwriter interpretative type of style."
 FPE: Favorite amp?
SF: "My road default is a Fender Twin. I have an old Ampeg Reverberocket that is great. Generally I've always been used to older, open-backed, Fender combos."
FPE: What type of strings do you use?
SF: "I've used D'Addario strings exclusively for almost twenty years, since I joined Lone Justice. I trust them, I know them and they are reliable and consistent."
FPE: Do you ever use different string gauges to achieve musical effects?
SF: "I love finding variations. Hi-string guitars in so-called Nashville tuning. Slack-tuned guitars where you can maybe use the same gauges and just tune down and make them loose. Generally I use D'Addario XL140's on electric guitars (.010 - .052). I have played in a band where we tuned everything down a half step and I went to .011 - .056.
FPE: What one pedal can you not live without?
SF: "Just one?! It's a toss up between my MXR Dyna Comp compressor and my Line 6 DL4 delay.(In the old days an Echoplex). It would have to be the delay pedal ultimately. Hopefully it compresses a bit!" FPE: Tell us about your solo CD. Where did you record it? and who performed on it with you?
SF: "I cut tracks for my CD What Nature Intended at Mark Goldenberg's (guitarist for Jackson Browne/Julia Fordham) studio - Shabby Road, in Los Angeles and brought the virtual tape home where I did all my overdubbing and vocals. Jay Bellerose (drums) and Jennifer Condos (bass) cut those tracks with me. Old friend Robin Sylvester (Bob Weir's Ratdog) played bass, keyboards and guitar. There were performances from Chris Botti (trumpet), Sean Lennon (drums), Freebo (tuba), David McKelvy (harmonica) and Stevie Gurr (guitar). The CD is a reflection in large part of that British 60's upbringing. It's very vocal, lots of harmonies and has been compared to the likes of Crowded House, Robbie Robertson, Pink Floyd, Luka Bloom and World Party. Go figure!
FPE: What advice do you have for players out there looking for a gig like yours?
SF: "Hands off! Oh, a gig LIKE mine....As important, if not more so, than your playing, is that you be a good, honest, reliable, friendly, punctual individual! I suppose it's being professional. The "hang" is crucial, especially when you're touring and you're around the same people, with the same foibles and quirks day in, day out.
There's an old adage:
Q: How do you make a musician complain?
A: Give them a gig!
It doesn't mean you shouldn't vent. It just helps to try and do it in a healthy way if you can. Musically, cultivate listening to those you're playing with. I've always loved feeling I'm a part of a band. And recognize when you're having fun and when you're not. Try not to endure situations that don't support the way you want to feel."
FPE: You are employed as both a live performer and a session player. Do you prefer one job to the other?
SF: "Both are equally enjoyable. Again, it's down to the situations and people you're with. Always look to put yourself in situations that support your confidence and happiness.
FPE: Are you excited about the upcoming Sting tour? Have you performed with Dominic Miller previously?
SF: "I am so grateful and honored that Sting and Dominic would both have considered me, to play with them in this reconfigured two guitar, bass and drums lineup, for the upcoming Broken Music Tour. In early 2004 I accompanied Chris Botti opening for Sting. It was then that I met Dominic, who had a classical CD, Shapes, for which he was doing a New York showcase, and he asked me to accompany him. It opened up a well-spring of inspiration. I fell in love with the guitar all over again. I was stretched and overwhelmed and in awe of the pieces I was learning, by Bach, Satie, Beethoven and other classical composers. I am looking forward to all the wonders this tour will bring."
FPE: Do you have plans to record with Sting?
SF: "Yes. You should maybe ask him, however!"
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