Zach Christensen Perspective on Get to the Inside
I'm a dedicated musician of over 21 years. I love music and playing and performing for audiences. I was born in Phoenix, Arizona but I grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi. I started playing at the age of 14 in Mississippi. My dad was the one who encouraged me to pick up a guitar and now 21 years later I'm still going! My first core influences were the blues, 80s metal and 90s rock. I also fell in love with guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix, Slash, George Lynch, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, etc.
After playing in a couple bands through high school, I started focusing mainly on an acoustic guitar. I began developing a distinct connection with it and soon enough, I began writing and singing my own songs. Check me out on your favorite streaming services!
I started playing guitar while growing up in Biloxi, Mississippi so the blues was a heavy influence on my playing. I remember my dad taking me to see BB King's 80th Birthday Party show and there were so many incredible musicians at that show! Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Johnny Winter, the legend himself BB King, and a lot of other amazing players! The south is very music still thriving with lots of soul and passionate music so growing up there became an integral part of my sound.
I took guitar lessons for a year and saw my local high school was hosting a talent show. After sulking in my nerves long enough, I signed up and decided I was going to play guitar at the talent show! I rehearsed for weeks to get my part down where I didn't have to really think about it. I was even gonna play my guitar behind my head so I was super excited to do this for the first time. The big night finally comes and I go out there with my clammy hands and I'm pretty nervous but I remained focused and executed my entire act. I remember hearing the whole audience screaming with joy and excitement as I played my guitar behind my head and it was at that moment, all that hard work paid off. I knew I was ready to start playing out as much as possible!
I remember being in jr high and after coming home from school one day, my dad had me listen to one of his favorite bands, Dokken. I was around 14 or 15. I heard the song In My Dreams and I became mesmerized with the intricate guitar work of George Lynch.
Singer/Songwriter
Rock
Indie
Alternative
I heard the Dirty Heads through a friend of mine one day and I fell in love with their sound. To me, they were the new age Sublime! They had such catchy reggae infused bouncy songs. I found myself learning many of their songs.
Eventually reggae started to become another integral part of my playing. My strumming hand became very familiar with reggae style rhythms.
I started writing music with themes that had an emphasis on my life. Losing a loved one, or trying to persevere through a trying time. Themes we can all relate to!
