10 Questions for Lemek

1. How old were you when you first started playing music?
Everyone knows me for playing the guitar, but the drums were my first instrument. I started on the drums when I was 2 years old and played them until I was 5. My family and I moved from Florida to Louisiana when I was 4, and about a year or so after we made it here my dad needed space for his home studio so he packed up my drum set and there went my drum career lol. Not long after that, a friend of my dad's came out of the blue with an acoustic guitar for me to try out. I was instantly hooked. Later, I asked for an electric guitar and my dad got me a small Fender Squire and a 4 track cassette tape recorder. I used that to learn how to record audio from an early age as well as how to write melodies and harmonies.

2. Who was/is your biggest musical influence?
I've had multiple major influences over the years most being from other genres outside of jazz. My first influences were the great Stanley Jordan and Pat Metheny. I remember trying to play some of their songs when I was 6 years old and being frustrated because of how difficult it was. Most of my later heroes stem from the blues and rock side of music. Later influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Charlie Parra, and Aaron Marshall. I try to take elements and blend them into my playing. Although my biggest influence musically is my dad Quintin Gerard W. Growing up listening to him write and perform music taught me a lot.

3. Where do you make your home?
I currently reside in the New Orleans area. This is where I currently call home and have been here for the majority of my life!

4. Do you have any pets?
I have a cat named Jazz. She was a stray cat we took in a couple of years ago so I'm not sure of the breed. She's adorable tho!

5. What is the best concert/gig you've ever done?
I recently performed with my dad at the Catalina Jazz Trax Festival. Hands down one of the best experiences I've ever had performing. The crowd was engaged and having a great time as well as the band having a good time! I'm looking to have even better experiences in 2024.

6. What is the best concert you ever attended?
Got to see one of my favorite bands called Intervals in Atlanta in 2022. They blew the roof off the place. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Fantastic musicianship.

7. Do you have an all-time favourite song?
Probably "This Place Hotel" by The Jackson 5. I listened to a lot of MJ coming up so many of his songs are in my top 10 favs list.

8. What musician would you still like to work with?
I actually have a few musicians I'd love to work with. Brooke Alford, Blair Bryant, and Keiko Matsui just to name a few. Hopefully, that wish will come true in the near future!

9. If you weren't a musician, what would you be?
If I weren't a musician I'd probably pursue becoming a voice actor. Voice acting is a small dream of mine I've had since I was little.

10. What is your favourite thing about Vancouver?
Getting to come there one day soon haha!

Vickie van Dyke ~middays