My parents went out of their way for me ever since I left school. When I was 15, I said to Mum, 'I'm leaving school,' and she was like, 'Okay.' I joined a cover band and played three nights a week, and they were really supportive of that.
— Orianthi
I want to collaborate with different artists.
'Walk With Me' was written really fast, and that one is about togetherness.
All of my solos are blues based. Even though a lot of my songs get into pop, I wind up going back to the blues. Trying to escape it is like trying to run from the devil.
I'm lucky that my family is musical. Music was encouraged. So when I saw Carlos Santana play and decided to really pursue the electric guitar in earnest, it was OK. My parents knew I was going to go for it.
Sometimes I want to hear something fun to cook or bake to; other times, I need specific songs to to lift me up.
Eric Clapton was such a great player. He sounds like he's Freddie King or someone like that. He plays the roots of blues and Delta blues. He really affected me with the way that he plays, because he never really plays that many notes.
Music is not a sport - one is not better than the other. You just like what you like and get inspired.
I play a PRS Custom 22. I learned on a Custom 24. It was set for a country guitarist, so it had a really high action.
My favorite solos are all very melodic. Those are the ones that are the most memorable.
I'm all about inspiring young musicians to get out there and express themselves through music.
Getting ready for a tour is a big process, and I enjoy every part of it.
My dad is actually an amazing guitarist, and he always had an incredible record collection, which is how I discovered things like Jimi Hendrix and Santana. I'll always be grateful for that.
I'm a big country fan.
'Livin' on a Prayer,' 'Wanted Dead or Alive' - those are iconic songs.
I just like to experiment.
When you're up on stage, especially being a female guitar player in a male-dominated field, if they just see you're into it, and it's your passion, and you're just giving it your all - it's not, like, an accessory - then it's all cool.
I'm actually allergic to sulfate - so I can't have vinegar, and I can't drink wine.
When I saw Santana for the first time, I was really inspired. Same with Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Pushing yourself and digging into something new, that's what being a musician is all about.
I've been playing electric guitar since I was 11, and I love the blues.
Since I was three, music's been my life.
Who didn't want to dance like Michael Jackson? I know I did.
My dad is a guitar player with huge vinyl record collection. I loved listening to his albums, especially Cream and The Yardbirds.
I'd like to be able to get more girls to play guitar. I think with a girl playing electric guitar, sometimes it's seen a bit like a guy doing ballet. All the people I learned guitar from have been guys. There are some great female players, like Bonnie Raitt and Jennifer Batten, but very few.
Being promoted as a bubble-gum type artist that has one hit and it's all over is not something I want to do. I want a long career. I want to continue to play guitar and have as much guitar in there as possible in a commercial song without being too indulgent.
A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You can always go off and do your pageantry, but it has to be structured.
I'm so excited to share 'Heaven In This Hell' with the fans!
Being the frontperson is great because you're running the show.
When I was around 11, my dad took me to see Santana live, and then I got 'Sacred Fire,' and everything changed for me.
I think if you can get the right bunch of people together, and you're in the room and it just feels right, then the music will come.
I'm a fan of stuff that's on the radio that just gets you moving or whatever, and you're in the car.
The She Rocks Awards does so much for women in music, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
There aren't too many female guitar players.
'Rise' is a very empowering song.
When you play a show and you see people singing your lyrics back to, you feel as if they do know you.
You want a solo to be structured, a song within a song, but you want it to sound like it's the first time you're playing it, too.
I'm always amazed at how records can make you feel like somebody else understands you.
My dad used to listen to Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, and my mom liked Michael Bolton and Roy Orbison. She was pretty big into country music, too. So there was a wealth of music being played in the house, and I kind of took it all in.
I swear that he is an alien. There is something about his phrasing that is so unpredictable and cool. It makes you wonder where it came from. I wish I could play like that. I listen to Jeff Beck and think, 'Bloody hell!' The way that Jeff Beck and his band play together is just amazing. Yeah, those guys definitely come from another planet.
I like to just plug in and play; I don't use a lot of effects.
If somebody likes your videos, they're gonna tell their friends. They're gonna send e-mails about you, and before you know it, your name is getting around.
Beats are really inspiring. They always make me want to write something over them.
I think people see me, and they can't get past my looks or the fact that a girl can be serious about playing the guitar.
I was inspired to play electric guitar from listening to a lot of Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and B.B. King, and that's always been the kind of music that I gravitate toward.
I'm a rock/blues guitar player. I'm not wanting to be a pop star or anything.
I think it's important to evolve and make a different record every time as an artist.
I knew from when I was six that music would be my life, and I used to spend most of my time in the music room.
I think you can hear the Delta blues thing in something like the intro to 'Heaven in This Hell,' which has that down-home acoustic riff.
