Guitarist/Songwriter, Elias Khouri, on changing things up, playing solos, and opening for Gary Clark Jr. at Stage AE
Elias Khouri is the March artist of the month! He’s been scorching audiences with his guitar solos for years. The Polish Hill native has played everywhere from Little Italy Days to Picklesburgh to Three Rivers Arts Fest to Stage AE. His music has a classic rock style influence with a modern touch.
“It’s such an artistic and creative environment and there’s always a lot of artists and musicians around,” Khouri said of his hometown.
In a phone interview, I talked to him about playing solos, his favorite guitars, opening for Gary Clark Jr., and what’s next for his music.
Changing Things Up
Josh: What have you been up to lately?
Elias: I’ve made a big switch. I’ve been going from electric to a lot more acoustic lately and there’s a reason for that. I’m finding that ever since COVID, a lot of the opportunities to perform out live, especially as a band, has dwindled slightly. So I’ve had to switch gears a little bit and play acoustic. I’ve actually found it’s been working for me, maybe even a little bit better, because I’ve been able to play in a lot more environments than I have been in previous times.
J: You can just play anywhere. It’s an easy set up.
E: Oh, the electric isn’t dead. I still perform out at festivals, mostly music festivals or live music venues, but I’ve switched to doing mainly just acoustics at breweries and wineries and restaurants.
Starting Out, Opening for Gary Clark Jr.
J: When did you learn to play guitar?
E: I was about 13-years-old when I started. It was a very difficult process because I tried to learn chords first and then maybe scales. I would find that it was just hard to keep with it, but I found that keeping a regimen of 15 minutes every night before I went to bed actually helped me a lot. I also got a lot of inspiration watching videos of Jimi Hendrix on YouTube and Carlos Santana and other guitarists.
J: What was it like opening up for Gary Clark Jr.?
E: He’s an awesome guy, and I love that he’s willing to give advice to young players like myself. It was exhilarating playing Stage AE because of the crowd and the energy, and being able to maybe hold a little bit of the candle to what Gary Clark Jr. is doing.
J: Any favorite guitars that you like to play?
E: Fender Stratocaster. I love Les Pauls, but mainly, Fender Stratocaster is my go to.
J: I saw on Facebook that you played a private party for Steph Curry. How was that?
E: That was also an amazing opportunity and he’s also a great guy, very humble, he treats you just like anybody else. It was great to ask him questions about basketball and just, you know, have casual conversation.
J: You won the Point Park Pioneer Records contest, is that right?
E: Yeah, it was very good. It was a great opportunity to record a song. I’m also in the process of writing a lot. More of an acoustic direction, while still keeping a lot of my electric characteristics.
Original Songs
J: Your original song “Wanted You to Know” is really catchy. What was the inspiration?
E: It was a lot of just starting out and not having a lot of people believe in you, but then, just keeping on. You know, being persistent. That’s one of the main things with music and a lot of things in life. You have to keep with it. Even if there’s not even a bright light of hope. You still have to keep on going just to prove to yourself that hey, at least I gave it a really good go and things don’t always work out, but most likely they do if you try hard enough.
J: It sort of reminds me of a Beatles vibe.
E: Oh yes, definitely.
J: Did you write the guitar solo in the studio or did you have that written beforehand?
E: That was actually pretty improvised.
J: So you just did that on the fly in the studio?
E: Oh yeah.
J: “I Got You on My Mind,” that’s a great one too. It has some B3 organ.
E: Yes, that was recorded at Red Caiman Studios. He definitely showed me the ropes on how to use that B3. It was a very fun experience.
J: Have you been working on any new original stuff with the band?
E: Always. I’m gonna be recording this summer.
J: Are there gonna be some guitar solos in every song?
E: Oh, you know it. (Laughs)
J: (Laughs)
Musical Influences, Playing Solos
J: I feel like your playing is really influenced by some 60’s and 70’s legendary guitarists. Were you brought up listening to those acts?
E: Oh yeah, for sure.
J: Any bands of today that you’re really into?
E: I would say right now I love Greta Van Fleet. I love Steve Lacy. Those are two that I’ve been really listening to a lot lately.
J: What’s it feel like playing a solo on stage?
E: I like it because I’ve never played the same solo twice. That’s one of the times I get to show my creativity and not just be on the format of the song, you know, change things up.
J: What’s next in 2025?
E: More shows, more fun, more rock and roll.
You can find music by Elias Khouri on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube! Keep up with him on Facebook and visit his website for more information.
Check out February’s Band of the Month here!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
