INTERVIEW: Ilia Yordanov Talks About Creativity, Influences, and Finding Balance in The Music Industry


 

In the time since moving to California a few years ago, I have been lucky enough to meet an array of compelling characters. One day at my non-writing day job, I met a charismatic and well-spoken, willowy and mysterious figure who just happened to be one of the most interesting current guitarists in rock, Ilia Yordanov. A Bulgarian-turned West Coast, USA transplant and a man of many adventures, Ilia performs with a powerful and melodic solo band and in a little band called Orgy (now sneaking up on a decade with the latter). 

It was a pleasure to have a deep conversation with Yordanov about the dynamic and catchy yet dissonant new ILIA solo single “Remedy,” spiritual inspirations, surface aesthetics vs. life path commitment to the arts, and much more! A genuinely cool talk.

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T.M. Stevens, Bassist of 100s of Sessions and Tours, Has Died


 

One of the best and most prolific and coolest bass players in Rock history, T.M. Stevens, has died. He was 72. His colleague, fellow New Yorker, and musician Ronny Drayton broke the news on social media. Tributes have been pouring in from across all musical genres. Since 2017 T.M. was in a care facility while suffering from dementia. Starting out in the nineteen seventies in New York, T.M. was an early wunderkind on bass and received many accolades from bass and guitar magazines. He was also known for his flamboyant fashion sense and persona. Also known as Shaka Zulu, and fronting his own band also called Shakazooloo, his versatility and talent saw him as a member of his original band Space Cadets, as well as a recording and/or touring member of Pretenders, Steve’ Vai’s solo band for the album Passion and Warfare (also featuring Devin Townsend), his peer Victor Wooten, as well as hit albums from James Brown, Billy Squire, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, 2Pac, Joe Cocker, Darlene Love, Taylor Dayne, Nona Hendrix, and over 247 credits according to Discogs.com. T.M. was also a fixture on many rock and metal tribute albums over the years. RIP.  Continue reading →