Córdoba artist Vahagni is a brilliant composer and guitarist. Combining flamenco, jazz, and world music, Vahagni’s previous three albums have wonderfully showcased his skills, and his numerous Córdoba guitars. With his most recent album, Imagined Frequencies, just released in September of this year, we thought we’d take a moment to check in with one of our favorite Córdoba artists and see what makes him tick!
Make sure to scroll through to the end to catch an exclusive first-look at Vahagni’s latest video, featuring his Córdoba Reyes!
CG: What was your first experience with Córdoba guitars?
V: My first experience was with the Loriente guitar- the Carmen. I was getting ready for a tour in China and Córdoba was gracious enough to get me set up with a great Loriente.
CG: What’s in your current guitar arsenal? In what situations do you find yourself using your Córdoba guitars?
V: Right now I have a Master series Reyes model, a GK Pro Blanca, a German Vazquez Rubio Rosewood, a Andres Dominguez from Spain and a custom electric made by Miroslav Tadic. The electric is like my mistress, no one knows about her and I am never seen in public with her! I use all my guitars for different occasions and needs.
CG: How and when did you start playing music? When did you decide to make it your profession?
V: I grew up with it really. My father is a professional guitarist so it was always in my life. I started practicing seriously around age 9. I never made a decision to do it professionally–that’s all I ever wanted to do, so I didn’t even have to think about it.
CG: What’s your writing process like? Do your Córdoba guitars help shape your sound?
V: My writing process is very open. It’s like a constant state of mind. Sometimes I write a piece in a day and other times it takes a couple of years, but the trick is to always create and be curious. I love my Córdoba’s for working in my home studio because I just plug in and record demos and ideas—I can work on my music instantaneously. I don’t have to worry about setting up mics and getting a sound. I just plug in and I’m ready to go, and that’s super important when you get an idea that could leave you any second if you don’t immediately record it!
CG: Tell us a bit about your new album. How did you go about writing it? How is it different from what you’ve done in the past?
V: The new album is called Imagined Frequencies. It was recorded in the course of a year. I did all the studio work in a week or two, but spent months post producing and editing by myself. I wanted to capture a sound that was as personal and “me” as possible, which I think is one of the hardest things to do in the studio. The album has a lot of different ideas and characteristics; it’s kind of like a snapshot of me at this moment in time as a player and composer. There are a lot of great guests and collaborations and I’m very happy with the turn out. It’s different in the way that I am different now—an album is like a self-portrait, so its always going to be different. I did also experiment with some sound design and post producing which I have never done in the past, and having the usage of featured vocalists like Concha Buika and Sebu from the band Capital Cites was also a new thing.
CG: What are your plans for the future? Touring? More writing?
V: I am focused on this album now. I will be touring in Tokyo in October and playing some shows in my home state in California. But the touring plans are being sketched out now for 2016, which should hopefully hit a lot of places!
You can listen to Vahagni’s album here, and read a great feature by NPR’s The World about the new album here. Learn all about Vahagni on our website.
We’re also excited to give you a first look at Vahagni’s video for Hazel, off Imagined Frequencies, played on his Córdoba Reyes. Enjoy!
