We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Beau Cardwell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Beau, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

First of all, thank you for the opportunity to elaborate on some of the things I’m passionate about. We previously spoke to my photography business, so today I’d like to share about my experience being a musician working in the DFW metroplex. I began playing guitar when I was around 10 years old. My older brother gave me an older Japanese Stratocaster knockoff, and I was captivated. It was the only electric guitar I owned for the next 10 years of my life. I sat with my favorite music and just started picking things up by ear. I started making friends that shared their love for guitar, and by the time I was in High School, I was already finding my “voice” and influences.

In retrospect, I’m really happy that I was limited to learning by ear. The internet wasn’t widely accessible to me growing up, so it really was “sit and listen to the music and replicate it” or “find a friend that knows how to do it”. I’d say one technique that will take your playing to the next level that I wish I studied early is use of vibrato. If you can make one note sing and speak to the soul, then that can be more impactful then 100 notes in a metal solo.

In music, you are always chasing yourself. You can’t let jealousy of others dictate your skillset. That is a road I have been down before and it leads to frustration and discouragement. Instead, you have to reposition yourself to have an open mind as a student to the craft. It’s all about perspective.

Beau, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I play lead guitar for a rock and roll cover band called “Saving Yesterday”. The band has been around for a decade, but about two years ago, I had an opportunity to join and begin gigging regularly around the metroplex. Since joining, I’ve met so many amazing musicians and have been blessed to have my bandmates who I can call “brothers”.

I’m most proud of the tone I’ve developed on guitar. Looking back I can now see that everything that comes out of my hands and onto a fretboard is a culmination of every person I’ve ever met that has inspired me. Most people think tone is fancy gear, but it’s all in the hands and heart.

One of the proudest moments I’ve had (and my bandmates may agree) is we recently began playing for Cowboys Games at Troy’s (Texas Live) in the new stadium. We love the football culture and the fans are always ready to rock out with us!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Playing every weekend and seeing the people that worked hard all week long let their hair down and dance while we play music is just the best. People are so appreciative of the band, and it never goes unnoticed.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

There is a TON that goes into live performances. While we may only play 4 hours a night, we are there for at least 10 hours loading in gear, setting up gear, doing sound checks, etc. Then at the end of the night, we are breaking it all down and reversing the process. Add the hot Texas summers in and our day jobs…we stay very busy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/beaucaptures
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savingyesterdaytexas/

Image Credits
Thomas E. Moore