Interview with Monte Pittman
by Tim Wenger
Colorado Music Buzz had the rare opportunity to sit down with Monte Pittman, solo artist and guitarist for Prong and Madonna, before he headed to the Pepsi Center for Madonna’s gig on October 18. When one thinks of Madonna, Pittman himself might not be the image that comes to mind–black fingernails, a striking but attractive beard, dressed in a black overcoat, looking much more like his Prong archetype than the guitarist for one of pop music’s most famous stars. But Pittman is a deep, well-rounded musician who prides himself on his many roles in the industry. He opened up about his new album, recording with his favorite producer, and being on the road with Madonna.
Pittman has been a busy man. In addition to playing on Madonna’s current MDNA World Tour, he is working on a three-part solo album entitled M.P.3: The Power of 3. The first part of the record comes out November 19. The first section of the album is strictly acoustic. Part two, being worked on in January, comprises Pittman’s heavier songs, with the third part being a blues side. “The idea is, I cover every spectrum with the live show,” says Pittman. “I’m in situations where I have a band, or play solo. I have a drummer and bass player that play with me, and when we can do a show together they play with me. But on this tour, when I have a day off, I can book a solo acoustic show. This variety has been something that has helped me throughout my career.” He plans to put out physical copies with all three parts once it’s finished.
The recording on his new album is being done over the course of multiple sessions. “We did these acoustic songs (for part 1) in one day,” says Pittman. “It always just kind of works itself out. I had all these songs and I didn’t know how I was going to put them together.” Working with someone of the caliber of Danish producer Flemming Rasmussen (of Metallica and Cat Stevens fame), was beneficial to the recording process. “He is my favorite producer, [Metallica’s albums] are my favorite albums that he did.”
“I had one day off in Copenhagen, and went to his studio and we knocked out four songs. It’s great having him, you can reference what he’s done before,” says Pittman. “Like, ‘hey, what about what you did on this song?’ The way he records is almost how you would record a symphony,” Pittman says. “He doesn’t just record the instrument, he records the room.”
Pittman started teaching guitar lessons when he moved to LA, and had Guy Ritchie as one of his first students. He was connected with Madonna through this, and has been the guitar player in her band for twelve years now. “It’s really as good as it gets,” Pittman says. “People ask, what would your dream gig be, and I have to say, this is. She’s still doing it, still reinventing herself. She’s the queen of reinvention.”
Despite his time and all of the places he has been, including playing at the 2012 Super Bowl with Madonna, Pittman says the highlight of his career was doing a special appearance, playing bass with Spinal Tap and Metallica at Live Earth in 2007. “It just so happened that Spinal Tap played Live Earth, and Madonna was the headliner. Spinal Tap asked for anyone who could play bass to come play “Big Bottom” with them, and all four of us in Madonna’s band played. I just turned around and grabbed a cable and plugged in, and turned back around and Kirk Hammett is to my right and James Hetfield is to my left.”
Throughout his career, he has worked in many different genres with many different people, but wants to be remembered most for his solo work. “I feel like I’m just getting started,” Pittman says. “Every time I want something to happen, something else happens,” he laughs. “You can’t stop. You start building up momentum.”
Pittman is a family man, and has had to deal with large amounts of time away from family. While it can be tough, he has found what works for him and his family. “I’ve been doing this enough now that I’ve kind of found that balance,” Pittman says. “With the technology now, it kind of takes the steam off a little bit. You can still ‘see’ each other every day. They’ve come out enough, they are like ‘we’re good, we’ll see you when you get home,” Pittman laughs.
Look for the upcoming releases of the second and third parts to his album on his website.
Online: montepittman.com
Category: National News
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