JERRY CANTRELL On Retaining It Previous-College When Recording: “I’ve Saved Myself Deliberately Ignorant With Recording Gear, Computer systems, And Professional-Instruments”

In an period the place cutting-edge recording know-how is on the fingertips of almost each musician, Jerry Cantrell is taking a extra old-school method. The guitarist and lead singer of Alice In Chains has spent over 4 many years perfecting his craft, however relating to recording, he prefers to go away the high-tech gear to others.

“I’ve stored myself deliberately ignorant with recording gear, computer systems, and ProTools in order that I can have anyone fly that half of the aircraft whereas I am doing all the opposite stuff,” Cantrell defined in a latest interview with Guitar World (through Guitar.com). Regardless of developments in digital music manufacturing instruments, he stays devoted to the method of enjoying his guitar with out getting slowed down within the technical facet of issues.

For Cantrell, being part of a group is second nature. Since 1987, he is been an important member of Alice In Chains, and even on his solo tasks, the collaborative spirit is a continuing. This was particularly evident within the creation of his 2024 album, I Need Blood, which, like his previous works, concerned numerous teamwork.

“For any report I have been concerned with – whether or not I am with Alice or by myself – there’s three or 4 months of demoing shit in my home, with a pal of mine operating all of the gear so I can simply play guitar,” Cantrell reveals. “I like working that method – in a tandem. I am a group participant. I’ve all the time been extra comfy working in that regard.”

This method has allowed him to deal with the a part of the method he loves most – the music. Cantrell has constantly surrounded himself with like-minded collaborators who share his imaginative and prescient and assist convey his concepts to life. One of many key figures in his latest solo work is producer and recording engineer Joe Barresi. Barresi, who had labored with Cantrell on his 2021 solo album Brighten and Alice In Chains‘ 2018 album Rainier Fog, joined forces with him as a co-producer for I Need Blood.

Reflecting on their partnership in a latest interview with Kerrang, Cantrell mentioned, “Joe and I had the expertise of blending data collectively, with Brighten and Rainier Fog, however we might by no means gone the entire method, from starting to finish. I performed Joe demos of what I would been engaged on and mentioned I would like him to accomplice up with me, and after a track or two he mentioned, ‘I am in!’ Working with Joe is superior – he is acquired this mad scientist ethos and I relate to that.”