Meet Gideon Boley

I've had the pleasure of knowing Gideon for about two years. I've had the pleasure of watching his Instagram videos (@gideonboley) for a little longer than that. I'd be willing to bet that if you went and looked at my saved Instagram videos that the majority of them would be of him playing. Gideon plays the coolest stuff (on guitar and pedal steel) and watching him makes me want to go sit down and just play. He's also the sweetest dude on the face of the Earth. The other night I texted him these questions and he sent the answers back to me in less than 5 minutes... so prepared. I'd like you to get to know my friend Gideon now.

1. If you could play like one person - who would it be? why them?

Blake Mills. That man is SO tasteful and inspiring in every aspect of his playing. I'm kinda awestruck at his sense of melody. I know he inspires me a ton as well as so many others.

2. What makes you pick up the guitar? What makes you put it down?

Probably when I hear a line in a song I dig or maybe a line in my head that I need to put on the fretboard or record. Also, the emotion I'm feeling at the time more or less determines the style I play when I do sit down.

What makes me put it down? Lol I guess when I watch videos of a dude like Mateus Asato (@mateusasato). He’s like 3 years older and 40 years better than me. It creates a spark that makes me wanna get better, but definitely makes me go do something else for a minute and collect my thoughts. 

3. What's one of the worst things that's ever happened to you on stage? What's the best show you've ever played?

I feel like I haven’t played enough shows yet to have a worst thing, but one time at church I started a song in the wrong key. That sucked a lot because it was so noticeable and embarrassing. 

Best show I’ve ever played was Beale Street Music Festival. I was filling in on guitar + keys for Mutemath on the day of my college graduation - which was wild for me. I don’t think anything can top that, but I’m still young so there’s no telling what’s to come.

4. I'm trying to take my sound to the next level... help.

If there’s a tip I can give to anyone trying to take their sound to the next level it would be to practice diligently. Practice with no pedals or drive. Practice painfully clean and think about what you’re playing and feel the next notes and chords until you develop your style and tone. TONE IS IN THE HANDS.

5. If you weren't a guitar player what would do?

I'd definitely be a drummer. Getting to sit around and hit stuff all day? C'mon.

6. You can take one pedal and one amp and one guitar to a gig - what are you taking?

I’ve thought about this a lot in case it ever happens. I’d take a tele, my projector amp, and the Strymon Flint (clip on tuner). Literally what more could you need? (says the guy with a huge pedal board) ... but ya those three for me would be money in the bank.