Featured Musician: Rich Biagini

Musician: Rich Biagini

Twitter: rbiagini

Instruments: Keys and Guitar

LiM (Life is Music): What Instruments do you play?
RB (Rich Biagini): I have always been one of those people that can pick up an instrument and play it.  Please don’t take that as pretentious in any way!  I am kind of a “jack of all trades, master of none” if you will.  I had years of formal training in saxophone and voice and that has made the transition to other instruments a bit easier.  I have played guitar for a number of years as well and this is how I got my start here in Wilmington.  Funny though, after being asked to play keys at PC3 once I am only known for playing keys.  Does anyone even know that I play the guitar?  Seriously.  I really do.




LiM: List your Gear.
RB: I have lots of random stuff laying around the house.  Here are some highlights…

Yamaha Motif ES- Keyboard
Fender Telecaster- E/G
Tacoma C1C Chief- A/G
Marshal 8040

I also have the pleasure of playing a Hammond C3 and Nord Electro on a regular basis.




LiM: Has there ever been an urge to purchase a Keytar? If so, why haven’t you?
RB: Absolutely not.  This is why… .  Next question?




LiM: What would you say are some of your strengths as a musician?
RB: I think that I am very comfortable speaking the language of music.  Playing live is like having a “conversation” with the other players- sometimes you get to speak, but a good conversation involves lots of listening.  Perhaps, it is from years of playing in bands that were heavy on improvising, but I believe one of my biggest strengths is being able to listen to what is happening and find the right place for me.




LiM: What would you say are some of your weaknesses?
RB: I have not had any formal training on keys and I think that a lack of proper technique makes playing certain styles more difficult.




LiM: As a keyboard player, how do you create the sounds to compliment the song?
RB: In my opinion, my role as a keyboardist is to compliment the song by adding subtle textures and layers.  As a general rule, I don’t want people to notice that I’m there… I want them to notice when I am not.  Sonically, I try not to clash with the other instruments.




LiM: I hear that people refer to you as “Old Junes”, what does this mean and how did you get this nickname?
RB: I am big on nicknames… I like to give one to all of my friends, don’t I “Wallace“?  Old Junes is a nickname I gave myself actually one day while eating at Zaxby’s with Duane Mixon and Brooks Joyce.  It just came out, we all had a good laugh and it stuck.  I am a “Junior” and that’s where Junes came from… other than that it has no special or hidden meaning.




LiM: Do you have any negative feelings toward lead guitar players who always take the melody lines in songs?
RB: Nah, you’ve got to know your place in a song and like it or not much of today’s music is guitar driven.  I am very comfortable taking a secondary role.




LiM: Are there any high hopes that your kids will be as musically gifted as yourself?
RB: Sure, I’d love it if they were in to music as much as I am.  It would be great to be able to share that passion with them.  For me, music has opened many doors.  It has also been a great way to connect with people.  But, I think that can be true of any passion that you have.  I am sure that people who play sports would say the same thing.  So, I guess ultimately I just want them to find something that they love and then pursue it with excellence.




LiM: So you’re a Beatle’s fan? What would you say is your favorite Beatle’s album and why?
RB: Without question- Abbey Road.  It may be because it was the first album I ever listened to by them.  Nothing can ever replace your first love.  Abbey Road just has a special place in my heart I guess.




LiM: 10 of your favorite albums.
RB: This is a tough one because it seems to change all of the time.  Anyway here goes, in no particular order…

1. Neil Young Harvest
2. Counting Crows August & Everything After
3. The Beatles Abbey Road
4. Ray Charles Modern Sounds In Country and Western Music
5. Ryan Adams Heartbreaker
6. Stevie Wonder Talking Book
7. The Band The Band
8. Bruce Springsteen Born To Run
9. Death Cab For Cutie Plans
10. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band




LiM: Tell the readers one of your most memorable moments as a musician.
RB: Playing on the ShoutFest Tour was a definite highlight.  This tour was a big confidence builder and being out there felt right.  Yeah, I could do that for a living.




LiM: I noticed that at PC3, the camera guys love to get your hands in action on the keys…are there any
special workouts you do to keep those hands looking good on the big screen?
RB: I do finger lifts which work the ubulus muscle which connects to the upper dorcinus…. its boring, but its my life.




LiM: Many thanks to Rich Biagini for taking the time out of his schedule for this interview.