Sixty Scales and the Truth with Niels Guns

Greg Koch on Connecting the Dots, the Lack of Rock & Playing with His Son

Greg Koch is one of the most unique voices in modern guitar — blending blues, rock, jazz, funk, and country into a style that's entirely his own. On the first day of his European tour, we sat down in a bar in Belgium to talk about what it really takes to make it as a musician. Greg opened up about growing up with a 14-year-older brother who introduced him to Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, how his dad tried to talk him out of a music career, and why he believes you need an almost dysfunctional obsession to succeed. We got into the roots of rock and roll, why so many players focus on technique but miss the magic, and what it's like to tour the world with his son Dylan on drums. Plus: his unexpected love for Oasis, ADHD, Buddy Guy, and why there's not enough rock in the world. Greg Koch is a guitarist, educator, and host of the podcast Chewing the Gristle. He is known for over 8,000 demo videos for Wildwood Guitars and his signature Fishman Greg Koch Gristle-Tone pickups.

Mattias IA Eklundh

He calls himself a cave troll and Swedish Viking metal god — and after one conversation, you understand why. In this episode, Mattias Eklund sits down for a wide-ranging talk: guitarist, composer, free thinker, and builder of his own universe. We dive into the world of Indian classical rhythms and how they completely transformed his approach to progressive metal and eight-string guitar playing. Mattias explains why time signatures like 81/16 and 65/16 aren't as crazy as they sound — and why most prog bands are still just scratching the surface. His collaboration with percussionist BC Manjunath from Bangalore opens a window into a rhythmic language that goes far beyond Western notation. But this conversation is about much more than music. Mattias speaks openly about his parents — a father who listened to train sounds and did LSD at Harvard, and a mother who took him to see Kiss and Iron Maiden at age ten. About how Frank Zappa put him in his place during a concert in Gothenburg when he was just eleven. About the choice to never borrow money, to build everything himself, and to live financially free as a musician in a niche genre. He shares his perspective on fatherhood — how the birth of his son Gabriel didn't distract him, but actually sharpened his focus. About his home in the Swedish woods, where life costs 200 euros a month. About his Ulf guitar, built with Swedish wood, Swedish steel and pickups by Johan Lundgren — named after both the Old Norse word for wolf and a dear friend who passed away. And running through it all is one thread: gratitude. For the simple things. A cookie and a cup of coffee, as his mother would have put it. An evening walk with the dogs through the forest. The studio floor under your bare feet. The creative freedom of Freak Guitar Camp, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together through music. "Music protects me from all the nonsense," Mattias says. "Jet lag, missed flights, bills — none of it matters. As long as I have music, I smile until my head is about to crack." A conversation about letting go, creating, and embracing life — the Eklund way.

Per Nilsson: 4 Years Without Guitar — Then Better Than Ever

What happens when a guitar obsessed teenager practicing 10 hours a day suddenly can't play for over four years?In this honest conversation, Swedish guitar virtuoso Per Nilsson talks about the injuries that nearly ended his career, the dark period of depression that followed, and the unexpected discovery that transformed his playing forever.From filling in for Fredrik Thordendal in Meshuggah to building Scar Symmetry from his home studio, Per shares the untold story behind his unconventional path and why, at 51, he's never been happier.Whether you're battling your own playing injuries, questioning your musical identity, or simply curious about what drives one of metal's most underrated shredders, this episode will change how you think about practice, patience, and purpose.🎸 Recorded live at Guitar Summit 2025

Aaron Marshall (Intervals): Surviving the Music Industry Without a Label

What does it really take to build a modern instrumental band—without labels, without shortcuts, and without burning out?In this episode of Sixty ......Intervals and the Truth, Intervals guitarist Aaron Marshall opens up about independence, touring economics, creative burnout, health scares, and why balance—not speed—is the real long game.#AaronMarshall #Intervals #GuitarPodcast #IndependentArtist #MusicBusiness #TourLife #ProgressiveMetal #InstrumentalMusic #GuitaristLife #CreativeBalance

Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation)

I’ve known Ruud Jolie since the short time I spent at the conservatory in Tilburg. I still clearly remember his graduation show, where he closed his exam by absolutely nailing Steve Vai’s Tender Surrender. Years later we reconnected, and since then Ruud has released his book In Spotlight and Shadow, in which he openly shares his journey in the music industry as guitarist for @wtofficial. He also speaks candidly about living with a functional tremor — a constant challenge for any guitarist — and the mindset that helps him keep moving forward. In this conversation, we catch up and dive into music, resilience, and turning obstacles into fuel.