Milan Polak is a smoking guitarist from Austria who is starting to command a lot of attention from guitar fans worldwide. His music is also accessible to non-musos and winning glowing reviews from both web and printed press.  To tie in with Milan's latest release (our November 2005 album of the month 'Guitar Odyssey') we tracked Milan down during a busy schedule to get some questions on the album, his writing philosophy and career to date as well as whats coming up in the near futire..  Vai and Satriani watch out coz this guy has all the goods.

:: Hi Milan, congratulations on the release of Guitar Odyssey, it’s a fantastic release and our album of the month for November 2005.
Hi Andy, thank you for your kind words and for making ‘Guitar Odyssey’ album of the month! Thanks for doing this interview with me.

:: The origins of the album date back to the mid 1990’s, why re-release it and what’s different about this version?
Well, the original album called ‘Guitar 2001’ is sold out and very hard to get. I still received a lot of requests by fans telling me that they were looking for the album and that it was impossible to find it. So I decided to re-master it, add a bonus-track and have it come with a brand-new package.  Lion Music was cool enough to release it.

:: There is a wide range of styles on this album – do you have a lot of influences from a lot of musical genres?
Yes, in fact I do. I grew up in a lot of different countries with different cultures and different music. All these had a huge impact on me and my musical development.  Also, I am interested in a lot of different things like philosophy, psychology, politics, economy, all which also affect my song writing somehow. I constantly learn and absorb. I have a certified IQ beyond 130, so my brain needs to be fed all the time. lol

:: Are you able to pick up key characteristics quickly from different types of music and incorporate these into your own compositions?
Yes, I have learned that from being a studio guitarist, playing sessions and producing. I think that is absolutely crucial if you want to incorporate different types of music in your songs but still keep your style.

:: How do you see creating music and what can it be compared to?
Well, writing songs with lyrics I always compare to eating and digesting. Lol Like I said before, I constantly absorb and feed my mind and all these things shine through and come out in my songs.  It’s a constant process of experiencing and being moved by these experiences. With instrumentals it is more like painting pictures to me. All the instruments and sounds are like colours and by choosing which sounds (or instruments) you mix together, you create sonic colours.

:: Do you have a particular favoured way of writing?
No. Basically, songs always ‘happen’ to me. I never sit down saying, ‘I am going to write a song now.’ I don’t believe that the result will be as good and fresh sounding this way (there are always possible exceptions to the rule).  My songs usually happen by accident, e.g. while noodling around on the guitar, or while I sleep. lol

:: Do you have a favourite genre of music to play – if so what?
At the moment I am back to basic guitar rock. You just can’t beat the energy, the drive of it. But I need to entertain myself constantly and I can get bored pretty quickly… lol  I could never do the same thing for all my life! Sorry.

:: Earlier this year you released the equally excellent ‘Dreamscapes’ album, what are the differences between Dreamscapes and Guitar Odyssey.
Well, I’d say that on ‘Dreamscapes’ the guitar playing is more mature, meaning that I used more different tones and phrasing, etc. And maybe I also held back one or two times… lol  If you are a shred-head then ‘Guitar Odyssey’ is probably more satisfactory.  But song writing-wise you can hear that both albums come from the same mind, I’d say. Both albums take you through different moods, different styles, you have rock, Latin, fusion, jazzy bits, acoustic stuff, electric guitars, intense, over-the-top playing and very melodic tunes on both of them.

:: Where do you feel you’ve grown as a player between the two releases?
Well, on the first one (‘Guitar Odyssey’) I was in my early twens and I was hungry and reckless. Lol My guitar playing was definitely more ferocious and technical-oriented than it is today.  Today, I am more mature, more experienced and I don’t have to prove to the world that I can play fast and do technically impossible stunts on the guitar… lol  I am very happy and conscious about that process of growing and maturing. I never understood guitarists that play the same old D-minor pentatonic for over 35 years without making any progress. I mean, nothing against the D-minor pentatonic scale but everything gets boring after a while and the process of progressing is crucial for the evolution of mankind and nature.

:: Can you take us through some personal highlights of both Guitar Odyssey and Dreamscapes?
Hmm, well the highlights would definitely be the things these CD’s have done for me - the doors they have opened: having fans all over the world, getting endorsements, getting cool gigs such as the tour with Tangerine Dream (because of ‘Guitar Odyssey’) or the gig with Falco (because of ‘Dreamscapes’), giving interviews (like this one), meeting fans, etc.

:: I know you endorse Peavey guitars and amp – do you have any particular favoured models?
At the moment my favourite amp is the DeltaBlues. I just love this amp! I have just recorded all the guitars for my upcoming vocal CD with almost just that amp. Another favourite amp of mine is the Classic 30 – great little piece of gear! As far as the guitars go, I am solely playing the new HP signature guitars. These guitars have the best neck I have ever put my hands on and they play, feel and sound absolutely brilliant!

:: What’s next for Milan Polak?
Well, at the moment I am preparing my trip to NY where I will record my vocal album in November with some of the best musicians in the scene.  Out of over 30 songs I have chosen 13 that will make it on this album. Style-wise it will be straight guitar rock, sometimes more bluesy, sometimes more heavy.  This is a new era for me, a step to the next level and I am really excited!

:: Anything else you wish to tell the readers of virtuosity one?
Yes, thanks for your support and for your interest in my music! To find out more, please visit my site www.milanpolak.com and also make sure to visit my Italian fansite www.milanpolakfansite.com where you can find a lot of stuff as well as the possibility to sign up for a newsletter.

 :: Milan, many thanks for this interview and all the best.
The pleasure is all mine – thanks for your time and your interest!

All the best,
Milan J