Rustin Hiatt

Rustin Hiatt, up and coming guitar virtuoso and composer… Remember that partial sentence, because the music world is about ready to be turned upside down by Mr. Hiatt. …rocks us with Classical, Metal, Blues, Jazz and anything else Rustin Hiatt wants to throw into the mix. This teacher, composer, performer and all around musician’s eclectic sound is inspired by many artists who push beyond the mainstream. Like them, Rustin Hiatt finds pleasure in all music, pushing at the boundaries of what is thought to be possible and stepping outside of the box. I recently talked to Rustin about his future and debut album Alice’s Day Dreams and the Oddities There In, to be released spring 2009.

First, please introduce yourself. What instruments and brands of instruments do you play?
My name is Rustin Hiatt, I’m 23 years old, a Sagittarius and I enjoy pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. I’m not into yoga, but am into champagne.
As for what I play, I’m a guitarist. I’ve been known to dabble in others, but they tend to be for fun. Brand-wise, I’ll play most anything with six strings. However, what you’ll usually find me playing are Ibanez, Fender and Route 101 guitars.

Could you tell me a little history of both you and your musical background?
Sure thing. Around the age of 13, I felt called by God to music. For two years, I studied classical guitar and then moved to more rock and roll style playing. As my playing progressed, I found that I was drawn more and more into the works of those like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. I’ve always felt that to be a unique musician, one can’t box themselves into a single genre. You’ll notice in my compositions that I mix jazz, metal, blues and everything in-between. It’s not unusual to hear some classical harmonic minor riffs shift into meandering jazz and suspended chords.

How does music affect you and the world around you?
Music affects EVERYONE on a massive level. Most people just don’t realize it. So, I think what I’m trying to say is that music doesn’t effect the world around you. Music IS the world around you. It’s a great privilege to be able to help add to that. As for what it does to me, it is simple proof that the world isn’t as simple as some people seem to wish it was and isn’t a complicated as others make it.

What brought you to your instrument of choice and what made you say; “I want to do that?”
That’s a very long story. The shortened version is that God verbally told me to do it after he and I had a bit of a back and forth debate. When you hear an audible voice out of nowhere say to do something, you better do it. As I did, I found that it was quickly and passion and love for me that transcended almost every other earthly experience.

What kept you going, keeps you coming back to the guitar everyday and continue to play. What drives you to create?
What keeps me going, keeps me coming back and drives me to create? The beauty of the notes, the complexity of their intertwining and the smiles of rapture that appear on the faces of those who listen.

Why? Why do you play music?
Why do you breathe? It’s the same question, to be honest. It brings a high better than any drug, it causes you to search your soul and the end result can cause the listeners to do the same.

Do you write your own songs? Could you describe your process, the way you write a song?
I do indeed. The writing comes about in different ways. Sometimes it’s an intentional writing with an idea and image in my head. Kind of like writing in words, only with notes. Other times, it can come from long time of playing. Stuff just seems to emerge that way. You’ll get anything from “that was a pretty chord” to “that riff was wicked!” and life comes out of it as it’s build upon. There is more than one song that’s come from four notes I thought were neat together.

What are your songs about? What do you want fans to get from your music?
What are my songs about? Life, the universe and everything!
What do I want fans to get from it? Beauty. Smiles. Tears. Giggles. The realization and knowledge that life is life and it’s beautiful no matter how difficult sometimes.

You’ve been working on a new album. Describe to me your debut album Alice’s Day Dreams and the Oddities There in and what I am going to hear?
It’s my take on Alice in Wonderland by one Lewis Carol. There are moments of creepy, moments of lilting sadness and moments of absolute absurdity. Some pieces take a bit of artistic license if you will. While the Cheshire Cat is indeed very cat-like in his piece, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are represented in boisterous blues fashion and not really as annoying bumbling characters who one would wish never existed in the first place.

What artists have influenced you? Which still do?
First, let me state that once someone has influenced you, they will continue to forever. That influence will remain to some degree, no matter how miniscule. As for a list of people, let’s see here…

Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Tak Matsumoto
Akira Takasaki
Eddie Van Halen
Joe Perry
Yngwie Mamlsteen
Matteo Carcassi
Johann Sebastian Bach
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Eric Johnson
Ted Nugent
Joe Pass

You know, this list could take a while. Let’s end it with a very definitive and firm “Etc…”

Who, or what non-musical influences have shaped you and your music? And continue to do so?
Life and God. Broad as hell, I know, but it can’t be compressed at all. One’s world is going to have an immediate effect on their playing and music.

What are your dreams and goals for the future?
My dreams are often surreal as most people’s are. Flying, weird colors, fantasy…wait, wrong kind of dream. To be honest, Denise, I just wanna play. I want to play for people. As many as will listen. My goal is pretty singular: Play what people need when they need it in a place and capacity for them to hear it.

When and where is your next show? What will we hear and see?
January 2nd at the Vine Coffeehouse in Myrtle Beach, SC
What you’ll see? Me, some other band and an Elvis impersonator, so I understand it. What will you hear? No idea about the other guys, but from me you’ll have jazz, blues and all the wild shredding you can handle for a half hour. Some songs from Alice will make an appearance as well, including: Down the Rabbit Hole, The Cat and Tweedle Twin Blues.

Is there anything you would like to add, or say to anyone?
Hi Mom!

Interview from 2008.12.07 I would like to thank Rustin Hiatt for his participation in this interview.

- Denise Smith

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