Marcin wields classical, flamenco, percussion, and two-handed tapping to create jaw-dropping music. Dragon In Concord is his first full-length album, and it’s a stunner. Combining accessible tunes with company Delaney Bailey, Tim Henson, and Ichika Nito, Marcin loves the music of Invoice Evans, Mozart, and Nirvana, and the result’s chic.

What ready you for what you’re doing on the guitar?

Classical guitar is the core of all approach. Perhaps not the whammy bar (laughs). For right- and left-hand capability it doesn’t matter for those who’re speaking about independence, synchronization, pace, or correct posture. All of it comes from classical guitar. I performed classical for eight years and it gave me a base I can at all times return to. Once I was 14, I used to be impressed by Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Doss. In case you have a robust classical background, the tapping and the percussive stuff received’t scare you. The scariest stuff is Bach or Paganini’s “24 Caprices.” Once I noticed Tommy Emmanuel, Mike Doss, and Andy McKee movies, it by no means appeared troublesome, however I puzzled, “How can I do this?” So, I discovered my very own method to do it based mostly on the instruments I had. When you’ve gotten the instruments, you cease asking for recommendation and focus in your strengths. That’s once you get your type.

How troublesome is it to keep up your chops?
I’m actually inexperienced with touring internationally. At first, I assumed I’d follow every part so onerous it could change into mechanical with muscle reminiscence. I’d be so prepared and so disciplined there was no means something might go incorrect. After the primary few reveals, I felt I used to be missing one thing. The preparation was not proper.

Once I performed China, Taiwan, and Korea, I ready my mind extra. I had the approach as a result of I used to be enjoying on a regular basis. The mind, spirituality, and what you say out of your coronary heart is extra essential. The viewers has reactions, so I wish to resonate with them. There’s an actual dialog I can have. That’s what I’m doing much more when it comes to follow. I’m maturing as an artist, and hopefully, within the years to come back, individuals will hear that on the data.

How’s the reception to Dragon In Concord?

It’s been nice. This has been a giant change for me. Earlier than, I used to be enjoying in bits and items – a video, a single, or a one-off efficiency. That is my first album, and I’m completely satisfied as a result of I’m assembly individuals who solely knew me from TikTok and Instagram. They’re listening to me on Spotify and shopping for the vinyl. The viewers is treating me like an artist. I used to be enjoying pool with my buddies when this man got here up and confirmed me his cellphone and stated, “Man, I take heed to Dragon In Concord every day!” It was the very best interplay I ever had.

You might have cool company on the document.

I don’t need individuals to consider my type as a gimmick, so I put myself in a setting enjoying with Tim Henson on “Classical Dragon” and Ichika Nito on “I Don’t Write About Ladies.” I’m placing myself in a mainstream setting. The sounds that we’re making are accessible. It’s not Ariana Grande, however it’s more-accessible than the opposite acoustic guys who do percussion and tapping. I’m additionally spreading out to guitar gamers. In 2023, Steve Vai invited all these electrical gamers to the Vai Academy, after which there’s Marcin, the black sheep on acoustic (laughs). It’s fairly cool as a result of I’m getting accepted, which is one thing I’ve at all times needed.

Discuss your signature guitar.

It’s referred to as the Ibanez MRC10NT Marcin Patrzalek Signature. It’s one of many proudest moments in my profession. Ibanez is my oldest accomplice – they reached out to me in 2018. I needed to make a guitar that you can use in any setting. It’s based mostly on the AE900, which they stopped making, so I took that as a prototype and tweaked it. I added a scratch pad, which is unpolished spruce and is sort of a pickguard however increased on the physique. We additionally re-did the form and added particular bracing and a plate over the sound gap so I might use my wrist because the kick drum. It protects the guitar and makes the sound tighter.

Its motion is low, so you may play quick and do two-handed tapping, which I do loads. The string noise can also be minimized. Flamenco guitars have low motion, so I needed that. The physique comes from the classical faculty, the place you widen the again close to the enter jack, making it hotter. The pickup is a Fishman Uncommon Earth humbucker.

What’s subsequent?

I’ll be touring Europe, then America. I’m additionally engaged on a rating for a online game. – Oscar Jordan

This text initially appeared in VG’s February 2025 subject. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.