Ant Law on performing live, gaming, and concert-going
Guitarist, bandleader, and composer Ant Law was one of many artists whose touring plans were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown in 2020, the Edition Records artist found a new outlet in the form of remote livestream collaborations, but despite their success, he is excited to return to live gigs once again. Ahead of his performances for NQ Jazz on Monday 14th June—which will involve and matinee set and masterclass at The Stoller Hall, followed by an evening gig at The Yard—we asked Ant six questions, touching upon the return of live music and plenty more. Having studied Physics at Edinburgh University, collaborated with artists like Dame Evelyn Glennie, and become a proponent of the Perfect 4ths guitar tuning, he’s one of the most interesting musicians around. Read on to find out which video games have kept him going during the pandemic and which artists he’s planning to see in the not-too-distant future.
Q. What are you most looking forward to about the return of live music?
It’ll be really really great to play with other people in person – real life interaction is really the most important thing in jazz and that’s been VERY sorely missed by us all. I never thought I’d say this but I do miss the “community” aspect too – the hang!
Q. What can audiences expect from your NQ Jazz performances?
Right now we are (musically speaking) like five caged animals waiting to be let loose… So I’ll let you imagine the results – I hope it will be exciting for audiences, it certainly will be for us!
Q. What has kept you busy during the last 12 months?
I have been recording a huge amount of music and writing lots. I’ve been collaborating with artists all over the world for my “QZ” livestreams on Facebook/YouTube etc. These were weekly at one point but now monthly, which helps me keep things as good as I want them to be… I also like playing video games when I have time. I went back through Last Of Us, Last Of Us 2, Horizon Zero Dawn and all the Uncharted series – so much fun!
Q. Has your musical perspective or perception of the industry changed over the past year?
Yes – I think taking an extended time out of the “sprinting to stand still” existence that I had become accustomed to has been helpful. I feel more focused and I am starting to practice guitar more.
Q. Who has had a significant influence on your music?
I honestly don’t know, I’ll have to leave that to listeners to decide… Like many musicians I’ve listened to SO MUCH over the years.
Q. Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform when live music returns?
I have tickets for Kurt Rosenwinkel, Louis Cole Big Band, Meshuggah & Sons of Apollo… I also love classical concerts… I love to drop in on my friends who are performing in London – I get a huge amount of inspiration from that. Some of my favourite artists (such as Ben Monder for example) don’t come to the UK very often so I hope to get back over to NYC to hear him and some other cats who are based there. Darbar festival is always so great – many amazing musicians come over from India and it is a total feast for that.