Leon MacLellan is a guitarist/songwriter who hails from Nova Scotia, Canada. He started playing guitar at an early age and he began playing professionally in High School. He co-founded the pop/rock band Real World with Recording Engineer/Musician Jamie Foulds. Throughout the 1990's he toured Nationally with Now Voyager, a pop/rock cover band. Living in Halifax, NS in the 90's he toured Atlantic Canada with pop/rock bands...Saratoga & Mind over Matter. Taking a break from the night-club scene he focused on education and songwriting. He's now focusing on his original music & reaching out to Instrumental guitar fans.
We know him here as YYZ, his self titled album
Leon MacLellan is available from Guitarnine.com. I have a copy of it and it's a great album, he has plenty of clips and information about it on his site
http://www.leonmaclellan.com
Eric : Hello Leon, thanks for taking the time to do an interview with us, how are things going?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Things are going well...
Eric: At what age did you start playing guitar?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: I began playing guitar at a young age, I would say I was around 10-12 years old
Eric: Who are your main influences?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: I like so much music, but I would say,
Eddie Van Halen, Alex Lifeson, Joe Perry, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani,
When I started playing guitar, I would listen to what my older brothers were into....This introduced me to great music.
Eric: Do any of your brothers play too?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Yes..My oldest brother plays guitar, (Brian) & (Earl) is a drummer
Eric: Sounds like talent runs in your family, do you guys jam together?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Not as much now...although,
Brian & I will get together with the guitars, when visiting
Eric: Your style is very smooth, articulate and technical, did you study or are you more of a wing it type player?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Basically, I'm a self-taught player....I enrolled in a Jazz Program at University but never finished...
Eric: What's your typical guitar and amp setup consist of?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Presently, I use a Johnson JT50 1X12 combo amp, I also use Gallien Krueger for clean sound
...For effects, Johnson J8. Guitars I own,
Fender Stratocaster, Kramer Focus 6000, LadoII, Kramer Telecaster
Eric: Out of those guitars which would you say is your favorite?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: The Fender Stratocaster for it's versatility
Eric: Yeah, I have to agree, one of the best. When recording at home what type of software and hardware do you use?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: For Home Recording I use Cakewalk Home Studio, For Soundcard, Echo Gina, Behringer mixer..I use this for the Mic Preamps...for effects, pretty basic setup for demos.
Eric: Is this the same setup you recorded your self titled album, Leon MacLellan with or was that done in a studio?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: No..My album (CD) was recorded in a studio.
Eric: I was going to say, pretty good recording for being done at home! :-)
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Thanks
Eric: So what's next for you?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Currently, I'm working on new songs, and planning some shows for this summer. I'll be doing some Showcases in my home area....
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Also..shopping my music to Instrumental Guitar record companies
Eric: Any bites?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: Nothing yet...just sent out a shipment of packages two-three weeks ago...record caompanies take their time to re-ply...
Eric: It sounds like things are going really well for you, anything else you would like to add?
<font color="orange">Leon</font>: I would like to Thank You for your interest, & it's been a pleasure !
Eric: Thank you, good luck on your future endeavors and keep us informed of how things are going, we love your music here on the site. Keep it coming!
<font color="orange">Leon</font> : Cheers !
By Eric Thurber
04/14/04
Linear Mode
