The Atlas Underground | Tom Morello | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Tom Morello, former guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, discusses his unconventional guitar playing style, his journey to finding his own voice on the instrument, and the inspiration behind his new album "The Atlas Underground."

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] TOM MORELLO: Hello. What's up? Thanks for having me. Is this thing on? DORINA ARELLANO: Yes. Thanks for coming. TOM MORELLO: My pleasure. DORINA ARELLANO: So I wanted to start by talking about you being a guitarist, because you are one of the best. You can be humble about it. It's OK. TOM MORELLO: Kind of you. DORINA ARELLANO: And y... Read More

Key Insights

• 👂 Morello found his own voice on the guitar by practicing rigorously and experimenting with unconventional sounds.
• 😑 He believes that a good musician is dedicated, has a unique voice, and can express themselves through their music.
• 🎸 "The Atlas Underground" is an album that combines Morello's guitar playing with electronic components to create a new genre of rock.
• 🎼 Morello sees his music as a way to push the boundaries of what music can be and to bring the power of guitar playing back to the forefront.
• 🤨 Mental health and suicide prevention are important issues that Morello is passionate about, and he aims to raise awareness and provide support through his music.
• 🤕 Morello's collaborations with diverse artists on "The Atlas Underground" reflect his belief in the power of music to unite different genres, ethnicities, ages, and genders.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did you come up with your unique guitar playing style and incorporate unconventional sounds into your music?

Morello attributes his unique style to starting guitar late and practicing rigorously. He experimented with unconventional sounds by trying to replicate non-musical sounds and incorporating elements like scratching and helicopter-like sounds into his playing.

Q: Who were your guitar influences and why?

Randy Rhoads, the guitarist for Ozzie Osbourne, was one of Morello's influences because of his classical training and dedication to the instrument. Rhoads' passion and ability to create beautiful music appealed to Morello, who also admired his versatility as a musician.

Q: What makes a good musician, in your opinion?

Morello believes that a good musician is someone who is dedicated to their craft and has the ability to express themselves through their music. He also emphasizes the importance of finding one's own voice on the instrument and being able to create unique sounds.

Q: Are you trying to bring back guitar playing in a time when electronic music dominates?

Morello acknowledges the dominance of electronic music but sees his new album as a way to take back rock and roll and infuse it with electronic components. He hopes to inspire a new generation of guitar players through his music.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Tom Morello began playing guitar at a relatively late age and was inspired to practice rigorously to catch up to other guitarists.

• He found his own voice as a guitarist by experimenting with unconventional sounds and incorporating non-musical elements into his playing.

• The new album "The Atlas Underground" brings together diverse artists to create a unique genre of rock that combines Morello's guitar playing with electronic components.