EarthQuaker Devices Meets- David Pajo

EarthQuaker Devices Meets David Pajo. The distinguished multi-instrumentalist from Louisville, KY was a founding member of Slint, and is also known for playing in bands like Tortoise, Stereolab, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, among many others, and is currently playing guitar in Gang of Four. Pajo welcomes us into his home outside of LA, where he spends much of his time working on guitars, recording music and being with his family.
Pajo gives us his first impressions on the Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3, demoing it through a Fender Strat, stating “The Sunn pedal really shines with humbuckers, but I purposely wanted to use a single coil Fender guitar with the Sunn pedal, and I didn’t even have the volume up. I wanted to show that it still sounds great with whatever setup you have. I’ve just never had a pedal that’s so overpowering. It's insane.”
Pajo describes how he got close with Sunn O)))'s Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley years ago. Anderson has been a big fan of Pajo’s music from early on. “Slint is one of my favorite bands of all time. His guitar playing throughout Spiderland is phenomenal; it’s completely inventive and dark and powerful and moody. It pushed all the right buttons for me. I especially like his solo stuff under the name Papa M or Aerial M,” Anderson says. Pajo was also a big fan of Sunn O))), so becoming friends and touring and recording music together felt natural. Anderson and Pajo released a track together titled “Nazarite” in December 2022.
In addition to stories of playing with Sunn O))), Pajo shares his guitar collection and gives us a retrospective of his musical career and how his sound and playing style changed over the years, based on the bands he was playing in and the musicians who inspired him. We are honored to get a glimpse into his legacy, musical philosophy and gear collection.
Directed & Edited by Vice Cooler
Director of Photography Ian Cone
Audio Engineer: Scott Cornish
PA: Stephi Duckula
Music Featured: "Nazarite" by The Lord & David Pajo
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[@grandtheftautocj]

I'm just glad he's still alive.

[@AmedeoS]

Man that's exactly what I was thinking throughout the entire video

[@Electric.Spaghetti.Neon.Studio]

Eternally grateful. His music is a true gift to humanity.

[@italoregiscorreia6003]

🙌🏻

[@herbaljam-cd4pc]

💝

[@guitarolm]

in like 2012, Pajo did a small tour playing Live From A Shark Cage. I was 20 and I emailed him and asked if he could get me into a local 21+ show. he personally replied and invited me to come to soundcheck and he'd get me in. I ended up watching him play in a tiny venue for only about 15 people and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

sickk!

[@kristian_goddard]

The approach that David had towards playing guitar in Slint is phenomenal, especially when you consider his age at the time.

[@hippywolf]

Dude. Spiderland changed my life. Whatever Mortal did as well. Pajo is a hero. Everything he has done has touched my life. Thank you so much for making this video. And thank you Pajo for doing what you do.

[@irotinmyskin]

Yours and mine dude. What a fantastic album

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

I used to play this album to change others lives....

[@haterade5137]

Justin?

[@goosegaskins]

@@haterade5137 That's me!

[@crackthefoundation_]

Both albums are really cool as well as the project by the singer he did after slint. The For Carnation, it has very similar vibes but darker and kind of romantic

[@BrunoOfCanada]

DAAAMN. Dave plays in Gang of Four? He has so much influence in a lot of music that I like! Slint, Tortoise, Interpol, and now GOF? He's a fucking hero

[@davidborrie1199]

What a dude - they say don't meet your idols, but this guy is the real deal. Respect

[@mortalmannequin4091]

Met him outside the Mayan before the Sunn 0))) show. I had earlier asked him about if he wanted to get some food before his set jokingly. I didn’t think he would actually remember that conversation or my name. We had a nice little chat over a cig. sometimes your heroes are really cool people.

[@ChadwickRider]

Spiderland, we played that album on repeat in the early 90's in Kansas City. Slint, Rodan, June of 44, Codeine, Gastr Del Sol, Engine Kid, Drive Like Jehu, Palace Brothers, Jawbox, etc... that was such a great time for indie music in general.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Classic

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

Rodan was voted best act in Portland, Oregon, I think, in 93. It's pretty impressive, imo for a small band from the other side of the country.. June of 44 was so epic. Polvo had so really great albums, too. They should do an interview of Eric Bachmann from archers of loaf!

[@leliurium-]

Dont worry man we're still listening to the same stuff in KC now

[@Matthooses]

Thank you so much now I have a bunch of new stuff to listen to

[@CecilCeceRobert]

Aerial M self-titled is one of my favorite albums ever. Very cool

[@Electric.Spaghetti.Neon.Studio]

Me too! It’s been a big influence on how I approach my own music too. Absolutely brilliant.

[@painthuffinghikikomori4620]

David deserves all the love for his prolific career he can get❤️

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

I will never forget how touch and go records described slint.... "So far ahead of their time, they are standing behind you" SPIDERLAND is my all-time favorite album. Archers of Loaf next?*

[@nolarocks]

David Pajo feels like home.

[@mattandison7372]

David's anti solo at 11.20 is one of my favourite guitar bits of all time. Just killer.

[@severebash9153]

I can’t man. I can’t believe these guys were teenagers coming up with this stuff. I’ve never heard anything other than maybe Failure’s catalog with as unique an approach to guitar composing as David Pajo. And doing it as mere kids. Especially Britt Walford. Where the hell did that guy come from? His work on there is on the level of Bonham or Copeland or Mitchell - just super distinctive.

[@robf1557]

@@severebash9153 from what I can tell from the Spiderland documentary, Britt is just an anomaly sent to earth from some planet

[@andrearecchia8859]

Thanks for this great video. David Pajo is my favorite guitarist and probably one of the most influential guitarist of the 90s, absolute legend and so humble..

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🤘❤️

[@TheRupi78]

Grandissimo

[@stuartchapman5171]

Never heard of him till now. What a brilliantly humble human being. I love his DIY guitar building and experimental noise approach to his sound. It's the sort of thing I do, except he can actually play.

[@hippywolf]

Check out every thing he has done. He has the Midas touch in my humble opinion.

[@mpeckmusic]

Totally agree.

[@Nastynate2121]

Go listen to spiderland by slint immediately!!

[@gimmigimmigimmi]

you never heard of slint? jesus christ the world is doomed

[@MrMookRecords]

@@gimmigimmigimmi yes,the world is doomed. But not because someone hasn't heard of Slint. People discoving cool bands is a GOOD thing!

[@seblo8462]

Got to meet and shake this legend's hand at a Head Wound City show a few years back...i told him my story on how i was given the Spiderland CD by a bandmate and during that time I was working a very depressing job at a drug rehab and listening to that CD going and coming to work for months gave me comfort until I left for another job, i thanked him and David was so humble that he thanked me...dude is a legend 👍

[@AB.BABY.]

Saw Papa M play in Bristol, UK, in 2000 I think it was… they did a cracking version of The Byrds’ “Turn, Turn, Turn” that went on for 20 minutes. Then again a decade or so later in Oslo, where he played a flawless solo show. Excellent guitarist and a lovely humble human being. Glad he’s still here.

[@danwilson1040]

Pajos a hero of mine he’s played in some of my favourite bands.its amazing I get into some music and then find out he’s been involved, Gang of Four ,Tortoise,Slint,Yeah yeah yeahs,Interpol and that’s just scratching the surface. What a legend.

[@benwinch5338]

Slint changed my whole conception of rock music. Great to see that David Pajo is such a sweetheart

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🫶

[@travelinlightistheonlywayt9033]

everything david does is absolutely worth hearing 🙌🙌🙌

[@secretstates]

Fantastic! You guys should visit his friend Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai) too

[@vincentgallo123]

What a wonderful person. I will forever love him and his music

[@johnnylaundry]

"Spiderland changed my life , and changed the way I look at music" 100% correct. Thanks

[@Burukop]

Such an absolute legend. Brilliant guitar player.

[@asherbeal8357]

So amazingly humble. 🤘❤️🤘

[@dimensionstomorrow]

I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your content. Head and shoulders above any of the other music brands with crappy influencer videos. You guys are staying true to your roots and it shows. Not easy to do in this era of social media. Gotta go get myself another EQD pedal soon to support you guys.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Wow thank you! Appreciate the kind words ❤️🙏

[@MUFFINHEAD1985]

Slint can be one of the few artist who can say they have an original sound. Incredible. Spiderland is an untouched masterpiece.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

well said

[@axelworfles]

Amazing and inspiring, so good to hear him in long form talk about his instruments

[@chrisnolan7576]

This is beautiful.

[@DuckShitDumpedBrain1]

David Pajo is like a real-life, rare pokemon. What a fucking legend.

[@imb7629]

Great stuff Dave. You're a beast.

[@chadromney]

I want 3 more hours of this, please

[@mythcrab6047]

Your content is always just what I need! Thank you.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy it!

[@abanana2561]

thank you for this everyone let everyone know who made this know that I absolutely love and adore them for putting this together, wonderful.

[@Ben2D]

Wonderful video, DP is a huge inspiration for me

[@aricher]

This is fabulous, the incomparable Pajo is always pure gold, thanks from the @ambassador_of_good_cheer !!

[@dosesandmimoses]

A wonderland of sounds! Cool.. and a cool mix of retro futurism.. def cool!

[@mr2ew]

Pajo, your solo albums are so amazing, especially the ones where you sing. Your voice is amazing. Please do more!

[@OverratedGames]

absolutely legendary player. love everything he's ever done

[@slimchance7748]

Awesome! Been inspired by David Pajo for many years. Thanks E.D.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

You bet!

[@jeffreycarpenter1864]

Amazing video. Just watched the breadcrumb trail documentary recently too. Completely unique and inspirational.

[@TheGreenKingdom]

David is awesome, love his sound. Thanks for this!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!

[@richardnagamitsu1582]

Love everything David does. Awesome show!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thanks for watching!

[@thunderwood]

This was really cool! I’m a big fan of his Papa M albums. It’s fun to see how enthusiastic he is about modding guitars.

[@dinosaursr]

What an unassuming, thoughtful person. Wonderful to see a happy musician. Thanks for putting this out Earthquakers!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Our pleasure!

[@devilspalm16]

I've been a fan of David's music for years now, thank you for doing this deep dive video, Earthquaker!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

So happy to have him, thanks for watchin!

[@lexremillard2549]

glad you're alive man. We love you.

[@andrewbuck242]

I saw him play with Gang of Four last year. I was blown away with his playing and tone. I had never heard of him before. I loved the minimalist playing combined with distortion and feedback.

[@HijinksBoiz]

More of these please and thanks.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

more to come!

[@purplecoloredrock]

Spider land is to this day still one of my go to inspirations whenever I write a new song. So glad dude is still around!

[@kwakpriest]

I could watch a whole 90 min documentary about David’s career. I was lucky enough to see Papa M at the mighty Brudenell in Leeds, UK back when they toured the ‘Live from a Shark Cage’ LP and it was magnificent. I still love that record! More power to you David. @martinpaulwright

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

That sounds amazing

[@yellowtango]

I love your music, David!

[@davidwilkey7389]

David effin' Pajo! This is so cool. Thanks for putting this together!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Yes!! Thanks for watching!

[@Detetordetachos]

Love his work, brilliant guitarrist! Hope for new creations!! Stay good!!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🙏

[@rrrrrrrrr1774]

it's good to see him seem happy. i hope he is. much love david.

[@h.r.terror9421]

Very cool video! I was first introduced to him through his touring with Sunn and Big Brave. What a concert!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Sick! Thanks for watching

[@foxtonstreet]

This is a fantastic interview for anyone who loves pajo or guitars and especially if you like both.

[@james2450]

What a lovely guy ❤ Love his music. Also so humble and chill

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🙌

[@vveld_]

yessssssss one of the absolute best

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

💯

[@Electric.Spaghetti.Neon.Studio]

What a wonderful glimpse behind the curtain. He’s such an inspiration to me, and has always seemed like a down to earth humble dude. Thank you for making this.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Couldn't agree more!

[@Lobsterdeth]

Whoa, his neck looks great. I'm glad, he look so much better now and I'm always happy to see his fun little stories on Instagram during the week.

[@johndcoffee632]

This was great, love so much of David's music, cool to see his creative process. That tone he got with the Strat and the Life pedal is amazing. It also never fails to amuse me when i hear Americans pronounce Samhain, for about half a second my brain thinks "Who's this Sam Hain guy, i must check him out" 😂

[@Blaaaze33]

Yes, great video. So dope

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🙌

[@danielfield4187]

Man, what a great video.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching

[@electronicaudioexperiments]

Absolute legend

[@silverantler9072]

One Of Louisville's finest! David Pajo..Tim Ruth..Ricky Feathers...The Trinity of Louisville innovators...

[@smerelda70]

David Pajo is a legend and an inspiration. Spiderland meant a lot to me and I’ve followed him ever since.

[@HarmonyxRuLz]

Amazing video, thanks EQ.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryaneganaus]

This is awesome, what a humble and intelligent legend.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🙌

[@Darren-D.C-Cross]

such a great dude! thankyou and greetings from Sydney

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Hey, thanks!

[@TwistOfTransistor]

David Pajo is amazing! Soooooooooo underrated!!! One of my favorite post-90's musicians along with J mascis and others

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

💯

[@allanross9154]

Love love love how much he respects intonation!!!

[@siphillipson1099]

This was really interesting, thank you. I knew of David through Slint/Zwan mainly but recently I've been getting into Papa M and I love it. He's a very unique player and seems like a really great guy too.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

nice!

[@samueltelford3896]

Such a warm hearted individual!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

❤️

[@dalodeper]

I stumbled on the David's song 'Krusty' from his solo stuff, the Papa M record in The Habitat video Mosaic(the skateboarding video cassette). It was on the Alien Workshop segment of the video. It left a big impression on me. I went out and bought the album. Super cool record, that sounds like a how looking an old photo album feels. A lot of different places in time of old, a lot of old friends and family members. Its kind of crazy how it sounds so much like looking at old pictures. Such a unique approach to the instrument but at the same time universally understood approach to the end result of his songwriting.

[@andrepagani6100]

@byorkfan this video made my day. a true blue working artist in the home zone. The low key ones always leave the lasting impressions.

[@djkenry]

Proud of ya Dave! Love to hear your expertise on tone. And count me in to play on the Donkey Kong Kismet. Recorded here in Louisville.

[@gustavoberocan]

It's amazing how he played in so many of the coolest bands in the 90's and 2000's and talks as it is no big deal. Almost as it was by accident. Dude! Your work is just so inspiring, that's why the best bands ever search for your fresh ideas and singular tones.

[@lowandodor1150]

The funny thing is, it probably was basically by accident. That is just how these things work. And they either do or they don't. You cannot force meeting the right people or be at the right spot at the perfect time. So perhaps accident isn't the proper word for it.

[@elderchildren]

this guy is a complete genius, his solo music in particular is insanely underrated.

[@MrYukawa]

very nice vid. what a sweetheart!

[@andrewmichaellee]

Can’t capture in words how much Slint and D. Pajo mean to me. Could listen to Spiderland forever and ever…Amazing episode!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks so much🫶

[@dpclerks09]

MUCH Love for David! Instant like for this vid. He's a very thoughtful, and sweet human 💗 That acoustic Misfits photo is hilarious!

[@hippywolf]

He does a misfits cover that’s out there

[@Electric.Spaghetti.Neon.Studio]

That Scream With Me record is phenomenal. It’s up on his Bandcamp page.

[@dpclerks09]

@@hippywolf I know, that's why it was so funny to me. I almost feel like that should've been the cover art, but that doesn't seem like his style.

[@Aspartamebraintumor]

Thanks, David

[@raveny]

Never heard of him, but he seems to be such an interesting guy! Thank you for this video!

[@grandtheftautocj]

He's a legend.

[@Jamesp1972]

Listen to Slint

[@saulgoodman.exe_]

Glad to see David alive and hopefully in good health behind closed doors. Loved his work on Spiderland and early Tortoise. Stand up guy.

[@lukegee4526]

An absolute legend!

[@Funk-Monks]

Hey boys, chicos and ragazzi this video is gold

[@smokemethhailsatan]

HELL YESSSS!!!! David is AMAZING.

[@lowandodor1150]

It was so .... i mean, soooo cool, to put on my walkman's headphones as i leave my parents' apartment, walk down the stairs and TORTOISE "MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE" started to tickle my eardrums....on my way to our rehearsal space or taking the train to Vienna to buy some Hashish. And also, i still remember when AERIAL M's remix album got played on the one good radio program we used to have in Austria. Must have been 1997 or sth like that....

[@Gramercy_Stiffs]

I remember wanting intensity in the music I was listening to growing up. My references were either metal or hard rock which came with a lot of silly macho energy. When I heard SLINT I was gifted that intensity, coupled with sincerity, sensitivity and wonder. It was a revelation.

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

Saw him open for Sunn once. Great show

[@gizmotv9320]

Genuinely nice chap

[@mikesalmo]

I bought Spiderland just because it was on Touch and Go and they had cool stuff. That was before I could presample music. It’s one of a very few albums that I can wear out, but never stops having that intense emotional connection. Like it projects onto my soul and matches something. I don’t know how to make sense of it. There is now a lot “like” it, and I enjoy a lot, but not the same level. I break it out both when I want to be in my head with music and when I just want a musical comfort blanked. Pajo in a lot of was shaped how I hear guitar. He’s never the same, but honest to the music. I have so much awe for that. It sounds like it’s not about showing something with the instrument, but more channeling. I’d never seen an interview before and this really is great. I’m happy that he seems to be in such a place of comfort in his life, still curious. And I relate with his fatherhood there. This video is so excellent. I think I’ll be processing this whole thing for days.

[@andrewweymouth9423]

what an interview!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

right!

[@sheslayfree]

This video inspired me to finish my mods on my strat! Thanks!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Glad to hear it!

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

Engine kid were an amazing, quiet to loud band. Got introduced to them in Portland in the 90s.

[@erickempke2036]

I have this memory of seeing Pajo with the Papa M power trio in 2003, it was a great set overall, but I seem to recall he closed with his cover of "Skulls" by the Misfits that gradually morphed into this very lengthy jam and eventually he unleashed this crazy arpeggiated swept fingerpicking thing that was probably one of the most mindbending things I've ever seen anybody do with a guitar, and it just came out of nowhere. Dude is usually so understated and almost never hits you over the head with "chops" or technique, so it was all the more dazzling when he really let fly

[@MatthewMelnick]

Sounds great - great video too. Heavy guitaring.

[@spelf]

That was brilliant.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🙌

[@TheKirby366]

After watching this I revisited Tweez. What a fantastic record.

[@noesunyoutuber7680]

Great guitarist and a really cool guy. Love to see it. And yes, like many people, Spiderland was totally mind-blowing for me.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Rock on!