Joanne Shaw Taylor on Guitar Tone, Songwriting and the Making of "The Trouble With Love"
Joanne Shaw Taylor talks guitars, tone, songwriting, studio work and her upcoming album, The Trouble With Love.
Photo by Marco Van Rooijen
British blues-rock powerhouse Joanne Shaw Taylor returns with her highly anticipated new album, The Trouble With Love, released through Journeyman Records on October 23rd. Renowned for her soulful vocals, fiery guitar playing and unmistakable blues-rock sound, Joanne has established herself as one of the most exciting guitarists of her generation.
In this exclusive interview, Joanne talks about the making of The Trouble With Love, her approach to guitar and songwriting, her studio process, and the stripped-back way she wrote and demoed the new album.
Magesh Magesh, Musicngear: You’re known for getting a huge, expressive sound from your guitar playing. What guitars have become essential to your sound?
My main guitar, “Junior,” is a 1966 Fender Esquire. I haven’t played a show without him since I was 15 years old. For me, I can get a multitude of tones out of that one guitar, as I’m so comfortable with him; I don’t feel the need to switch to another very often.
Musicngear: How much does your pickup choice influence your tone?
For me, it’s more about pickup position. It’s very rare for me to not play in the bridge position. I’ve always liked a very bright, attacking sound, which comes from Albert Collins being my main influence.
Musicngear: Is there a piece of musical equipment you use both in the studio and live?
Other than Junior, my other main guitar is a Tele I inherited from Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). It’s a bit of a monster. Almost 9.5 pounds. Maple neck. It’s almost like a cross between a Les Paul and a Tele.
I’ve always liked a very bright, attacking sound, which comes from Albert Collins being my main influence
Musicngear: Blues guitarists can be incredibly particular about strings. What gauge and brand of strings are you currently using, and how do you feel they affect your tone, bends, and vibrato?
I’ve always used Ernie Ball Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom (10-52) since before my first album.
I started out trying to do the SRV heavier thing. Gauge 12s, but I just don’t have the hands for it and I didn’t want to run into physical problems later in life. For me, the 10-11 gauge would be perfect on the high strings for bends, but still offers that really heavy bottom so you can really dig deep, particularly on rhythm parts.
Photo by Marco Van Rooijen
Musicngear: When you go into the studio, do you tend to take your live rig with you, or do you enjoy experimenting with various amps, microphones/pre amps?
Depends on the studio location and the producer, to be honest. If I’m flying out to LA to do an album, I’m probably not going to ship my own amps out when most studios have a wide and varied collection of vintage and newer amps.
Likewise, if Joe is producing me, it’s pointless for me to take amps when he has a much bigger collection than myself. Mics, I leave that to the producer and engineers. That’s what I’m paying them for!
Musicngear: Do you usually come up with a riff or chord progression when writing a new song?
I know it’s a cliché, but it depends on the song. If I happen across a cool riff, I’ll turn it into something, but likewise a lyric idea might be floating around that needs a chord progression to it.
Musicngear: Can you talk about the pre-production process for your new album?
I wrote this back home in the UK at my family’s farm over the 2024 Christmas break.
Just me and an acoustic guitar, which is how I like to write, and I demoed all songs just on my iPhone voice notes app. I used to do really detailed demos where I’d play the drums, keys, bass, guitars, etc but you realize a producer and band don’t need that. It’s better to have the bones of the song so they can offer up a way to approach it.
Musicngear: What projects are you currently working on?
None. I’m having something of a slower year, as I wrote and recorded two albums last year and I’m also moving label/management.
Connect with Joanne Shaw Taylor
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Joanne Shaw Taylor’s new album “The Trouble With Love” is released by Journeyman Records on October 23rd via www.joanneshawtaylor.com
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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