Gabe Dixon Interview

I wasn't wrong. Gabe Dixon has a unique respect and appreciation for music that informs his own writing and performance. Click here to read the Suite review of "Live at World Cafe," and see what all the buzz is about with this fresh and soulful piano-pop groove.

Suite: I hear so many classic artists referenced on “Live at World Café.” Are you comfortable with that?

Gabe: Sure. That is, I think so. If you mean classic like The Beatles, Elton John, and Jimi Hendrix, then yeah. If you mean classic like . . . The Lawrence Welk Show . . . well, maybe not so much. Seriously, I enjoy the "classic" label. If my band makes you think, "classic," I think we're doing a good job.

Suite: Who has informed your own musical perspective the most?

Gabe: That's a difficult question because many people have influenced my musical perspective. Friends, musicians, music teachers, and family. I was influenced heavily by my parents' record collection. They both came of age in the late '60s and early '70s so they still had a lot of albums from that period when I was growing up. (Allman Brothers Band, Elton, Jackson Browne, The Moody Blues, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, the list goes on) I think the 60s and 70s were magical times for music. I feel fortunate to have been exposed to a lot of it as a kid. On the other hand, I studied classical piano from age 7 through 22. I think I was thoroughly informed by that music too.

Suite: Your music comes across as supremely confident. Is that how it feels to you?

Gabe: I don't think there is much room for timidity when it comes to playing music. Music is fun, but music is a serious form of expression, I mean, the way I look at it, music at it's best is a manifestation of the divine. Music can be a powerful thing. Look at the blues. Look at Stevie Ray Vaughan. That man played guitar like every note could be the last note he ever played. When I'm in the moment playing with Jano (Rix, drummer) and Winston (Harrison, bassist) and we really lock into a groove, or if I am really feeling a song on a particular night, that is a spiritual experience for me. So, to answer your question, yes, I feel confident when I play.

Suite: What led to the choice of “Hey Joe” on the album?

Gabe: Since I was 15 I've been a fan of Jimi Hendrix, and I have been playing that song for years. The chord progression gives the song a very ethereal, spooky kind of quality. I also like the fact that there is no guitar on our version, and no piano on Jimi's version. That makes it fresh I think. The lyrics are interesting too because at first you think it's one man talking to another, but then you realize that it could be one man talking to himself. It's like he watches himself do something terrible and half of him is in pure denial that it ever happened. ...Kinda creepy.

Suite: It’s interesting to me the way you’ve pared down the band. What led you to make those choices?

Gabe: Three band members is much easier than five for a lot of reasons. Also, I think I hit a point where I needed to focus less on big arrangements and more on the songs and the grooves. Jano and Winston were with me on that too. Thus the trio.

Suite: What is your favorite type of venue and what do you enjoy most about it?

Gabe: I like big venues a lot because I want to get this music out to as many people as I can. But I have to say, some of the best shows the band has ever played were in small venues. One of our best ever was at a house party in Miami. There wasn't even a stage. We were just set up in the living room! The size of the venue doesn't matter nearly as much as people there. If they are loving it and giving us positive energy, it's going to make us play better, and that makes them love it more and that makes us play better and that ... well, you get the idea.

Yes, if the idea is vibrant, creative and muscular piano-driven pop, we get the idea, and gladly. Pick up "Live at World Cafe" and get a full appreciation of the joy of The Gabe Dxon Band.

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