Interview: Jack Conte, Internet Musician

Jack Conte is an Internet musician who makes his living from selling MP3s online and generally running around like a madman making great music. I was introduced to him through Electro-Harmonix but I was amazed when I found the rest of his great music online. I met with him at a cafe in San Francisco where we drank huge bowls of coffee and talked music, technology, and hardware. He makes videosongs of himself recording his songs and sells his music online . Oddly enough, he also Tweets. CG: So from a hardware perspective, and I know you use a lot of gear, it's interesting how far things have come from your Dad's old amp in the basement to a box that does everything for you. How have things changed in your experience so far and in terms of being a musician trying to get an authentic sound? Jack: I think my ear is pretty good, but I don't have formal training so my ear isn't that good. I know when I like a sound. I'm pretty confident knowing when I like something... sometimes it's the "wrong thing" but in terms of gear I always like the old stuff. My philosophy is that if it's still around, it's stuff people couldn't bear to throw away. The thing that's cool about Electro-Harmonix is that they still make all those old pedals and old tubes. It's tempting to get those electronic guitar boxes that does everything - I've had those before - but instead of opening doors they kind of close doors. The limitations imposed by that gear, using certain analog pedals, adds creative stimulation.