Guitar Player and KC Turner Presents are thrilled to host the hottest act to hail from Hawaii since Jack Johnson. Ron Artis II embodies a similarly warm aloha vibe, and in addition to his acoustic guitar excellence Artis can also summon Hendrix-like histrionics on electric guitar.
Most impressively, Artis employs an array of funky freehand techniques. He judiciously applies them to uplifting tunes often focused on the struggles and triumphs of the human condition. Artis has been tearing up the live arena, playing high-profile gigs everywhere from High Sierra Fest to the NAMM Show. He’s celebrating the release of We Are Not Machines, which brilliantly bottles his beautiful balancing act: electric and acoustic, rock and soul, feral and spiritual.
“I would characterize my guitar playing as all heart,” says Artis. “It’s like open nerves—all feeling. I did a lot of shedding in my teenage years to get my technical ability together the best I could, but technique will only get you so far. The hard work is realizing how to convey an idea on your instrument, how to express things. I started to find my answers in love and life experience with people. I’m so very grateful to have created this album. If my life was over tomorrow, I’ve said nearly everything I had to say on We Are Not Machines. It’s a deep dive into the human experience, and in a lot of ways it’s an intense therapy trip.”
Artis plays Kiesel guitars, and his workhorse nicknamed “The Ark” is a one-of-a-kind semi-hollow body made of 800-year-old sinker mahogany sourced by Arc Wood & Timbers and imported from Belize where it was recovered from a shipwreck. His other crazy-cool Keisel is a CS6 California Single Cut.
Artis says, “I call that one “Soul” because it’s got this translucent deep purple finish that pulls you in.”
Artis used a pair of amps to create We Are Not Machines. There’s the “meaty, throaty, and warm” Alessandro AZZ that can be heard on “Shine,” which he treasures too much to take on tour. A Quilter OverDrive 202 is his primary road companion. Artis describes its tone as, “incredibly natural, tight and percussive.”
The percussiveness Artis achieves with his furious right-hand technique must be seen to be believed. If you’re planning to be in the Northern California region this weekend, make Saturday plans now to witness Ron Artis II accompanied by bassist Sam Arnold and drummer Andrew Rosales at the Hopmonk Tavern in Novato, California, just north of San Francisco.
Take a good listen to We Are Not Machines to realize there likely won’t be many more opportunities to catch the humble and affable Artis in such an intimate setting before he blows up big time.
WIN TICKETS!
For a chance to win a pair of tickets to GP Presents Ron Artis II in Novato, California, send an email to gp@jimmyleslie.com with “Artis” in the subject and simply include a sentence about yourself and why you want to go.
Phone contact is greatly appreciated for confirmation.
Winner must provide their own transportation to the Hopmonk Tavern in Novato, California, and have their own accommodations in the Bay Area. Best of luck!
EVENT DETAILS
GP Presents Ron Artis II
Saturday, October 19
Hopmonk Novato Session Room
7pm doors: 8pm show
All Ages, Mostly Standing
Free GP magazines, Martin strings
Watch Ron Artis II play his “Soul” guitar for a Jam in the Van performance at Whale Rock Festival 2023 in the video below.
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