GEORGE VJESTICA

You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies

- Andrew Daly

George Vjestica is part of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, having first lent his licks to 2013's Push The Sky Away before coming on fulltime for Skeleton Tree (2016). Considering Cave's restless creative muse and Vjestica's following a player like Mick Harvey, his integration into the Bad Seeds machine is no small feat. But then again, the guitar is as much a part of Vjestica's soul as a tool; just ask him: "It's been a constant in my life since I was nine," he tells Guitarist. "Rarely does a day go by when I don't pick up a guitar and have a play around. There's something so magical for me in those six strings."

He adds: "I felt so sad when Jeff Beck died, and I really got stuck into how he played. I've got a little studio, and I sat in there for about a month trying to figure out his tone and how he used the tremolo. I became obsessed with that track Nadia; I fucking love playing that song just for myself. I can sit in my little shed for hours just playing. There are so many great guitarists and musicians to be inspired by. I could go on forever!"

That willingness to shape-shift has served Vjestica well while playing behind Nick Cave, and also John Squire on his Marshall's House record from 2004. And it's been an asset while aiding in creating atmospheric scores for films such as Proposition (2005) and Lawless (2012). Thinking about how his experiences have shaped him over the years, he says: "I'm more geared towards trying to make my own records these days. It's not just about playing the guitar; that is what has changed the most for me. You have to think about how to produce a track or an album and how it's going to sound musically, lyrically and connect emotionally. Self-indulgence is totally fine. I'm all for self-expression."

What inspired you to pick up the guitar?