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Guitar prodigy Zack Quintana takes us through his remarkable musical journey, from picking up the guitar at age four to fronting bands by eight years old. With footage showing him shredding Hendrix solos as a child, it's no wonder the podcast host introduces him as "one of the best guitarists I ever met."

During this intimate conversation, Quintana reveals the profound impact of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon on his approach to guitar playing. Rather than focusing on technical prowess, he learned to appreciate David Gilmour's "simple but powerful and tasteful" style where "every note is perfectly placed." This watershed moment coincided with his discovery of synesthesia – a condition that allows him to "hear colors" – making the album particularly significant in his development.

The spiritual dimension of Quintana's artistry emerges through his discussion of Ram Dass's "Be Here Now," which helped him navigate the tension between artistic expression and ego-driven validation. "Creating for me is now almost meditative than trying to get a hit record," he explains, offering valuable perspective on maintaining authenticity in an industry often focused on external metrics of success.

Live performance holds special significance for Quintana, inspired by the Grateful Dead's legendary Europe '72 recordings. He champions the idea that each performance should be unique, a philosophy that extends to his recording approach – prioritizing live energy even in studio settings. With influences ranging from Hendrix's revolutionary guitar techniques to Prince's commanding stage presence, Quintana continues crafting his distinctive musical identity with new releases on the horizon. 

Follow Zack on Instagram @ZackQuintanaOfficial and don't miss his upcoming projects – a Valentine's Day single and two albums dropping this spring!

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