Sturgill Simpson | Guitar Moves Interview

Since breaking through in 2014 with his Grammy-nominated Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Sturgill Simpson has established himself as one of the most daring and most acclaimed artists of our time. His music stretches across genres and styles, from the psychedelic soul of 2016's A Sailor’s Guide To Earth (Grammy-nominated for Album of the Year and winner for Best Country Album) to the fuzzed-out rock attack of Sound & Fury in 2019, which is nominated for Best Rock Album for the 2021 Grammys. Sturgill most recently released Passage du Desir, via his Johnny Blue Skies alias.
Matt Sweeney, host of Guitar Moves, is an NYC based producer (Joanna Sternberg “I’ve Got Me”) and composer (Superwolves, Chavez, Red Dead Redemption 2). His guitar playing can be heard on records by Adele, Johnny Cash, Endless Boogie, Neil Diamond, Cat Stevens, The Desert Sessions, Iggy Pop, Tinariwen.
Credits:
Directed & Produced by : Jason Diamond / Josh Diamond
Edited by : Andrew Reuland
Colorist : Juliette Ho
DP / Camera A : Tony Waweru
Camera B : Josh Diamond
Camera C : Jason Diamond
Sound : Zach Bishop
Filmed in NYC
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/ gtrmoves
/ @guitar-moves
/ gtrmoves

[@mrtncrls]

Matt: "Slow down, please, for the kids!" Sturgill: "FASTER?! OK."

[@jsauce311]

Screw the kids 😂

[@wreckoningday]

Show a pattern, for for a child... Drops to level 9

[@beachidiot]

Harder for him to play it slow.

[@jtlemay4878]

Met him at a cafe in nashville right before his first album. Asked me could he play me a song on my guitar, on the patio. Sat about a foot away from me. Blew my mind.

[@andreww6026]

Thats wild. What a memory

[@justinglover1237]

Anything we know?

[@sammitchell6769]

Absolutely tremendous memory! Thank you for sharing

[@MilesThibodeau]

I remember that, I was the guitar

[@jtlemay4878]

@@justinglover1237 i dunno. Made me think of waylon at the tine

[@andrewwagner9571]

Lmfao sturgill refused to slow it down for the kids

[@TheBalloonHoax]

I'm watching it and i'm like this dude has one speed only haha

[@staff72]

😂😂😂😂

[@HyperBlueZYZ]

Sturgill is BACK!

[@Savagefred]

Fuck the kids lol

[@justinguitarcia]

Tbf its really hard too, those train and stomp rhythms really need some juice behind them to get going

[@jasonpritchett3431]

He's like....I don't know man I just play this fucking thing

[@MitchJohnson0110]

fr 😂

[@Kevin12321]

Most good guitar players lol you ask what’d ya just do. They go “I have no idea”

[@TheTurtleCalledPablo]

The amount of times this man said slow for Sturgill Simpson to just continue to rip is so HILARIOUS.

[@user-mb8ef6ew7i]

Man I love Sturg but he’s never gonna be mistaken for the world’s greatest guitar teacher!! 😂😂😂

[@bwa_8]

Exactly my thoughts 😁. But as soon as he started singing, all is forgiven.

[@34SideWinder]

I kind of love people who refuse to dumb shit down in the name of learning. “I figured this shit out - your turn!”

[@tonym3308]

@@34SideWindergoddamn right

[@mefarri]

The way Sturgill can’t stop singing the song once he’s prompted and just maintains eye contact til ol dude gets the hint and starts playing chords tells you a lot about him. Like Godamnit finish what you started.

[@85isaboat53]

This was funnier than it needed to be

[@jsauce311]

Holy shit. This is Guitar Moves Hall of Fame material

[@tomblaze2]

🏆

[@JohnsDough1918]

That jam at the end was a perfect moment to capture on camera.

[@Reminou572]

When Sturgill starts to sing -> Goosebumps

[@user-xr4tz6vu4m]

Sturgill will never know how truly mindblowingly talented he is... legendary! ❤

[@theycallyouthebandit]

That Kentuckyian is THE mostest inspiring & purest Artist of my generation.

[@The_Preacher_LLC]

Man he’s playing all those Sunday riffs. Love to see it

[@forrestnunn4612]

I want a sturgill album where he just jams country blues so bad

[@trippcox2641]

Amen!

[@bongoking5850]

Brother, don’t tickle my nuts like that!!

[@Cvamvi]

Wym he has multiple

[@forrestnunn4612]

@Cvamvi I was talking about instrumentals, just rippin

[@packalunch]

johnny blueskies!!!

[@davidgomez9641]

This man did the people a real service. He had that thang chuggin and chooglin, twang and rang

[@marcburrows5783]

the guy just sitting on the stairs above them the whole time. hilarious.

[@blltz4410]

thats david ferguson

[@nomo9344]

my thoughts exactly !

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Is david Ferguson a singer ?

[@blltz4410]

@@fleadoggreen9062 He is Sturgill's producer/engineer and an absolute legend. "Today, Ferguson is best known for his works with Johnny Cash, as sound engineer on the highly successful Grammy Award-winning American Recordings albums produced by Rick Rubin, in the 1990s and 2000s (decade). Ferguson has also engineered or produced recordings for such artists as folk music legend John Prine, bluegrass music artist Mac Wiseman, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, The Del McCoury Band, country music legends Charley Pride, Eddy Arnold, rock-n-roll band U2, and many others..." From Wikipedia

[@KellissonFelipe]

Lost my shit when he appeared hahahah

[@Cliftyman]

As a guy that's mostly played bluegrass my whole life I love that Sturgill is dropping Shuffler, Monroe and Stanley on him. These guys have always been my heroes and my Rock idols... nice to see them being shared.

[@joshb8976]

He also talked about Roscoe Holcomb lol. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I live in Norfolk, VA and I go through phases where I only listen to bluegrass. I got a banjo trying to play Doc Boggs songs but I was fooling myself. Dude can play

[@jaketarrillion5514]

While others suffered far worse than I did during the pandemic, one of the biggest missed concert regrets of my life was seeing Sturgill and Tyler Childers together. Sturgill coming off his pseudo-psychedelic rock album and Tyler at his peak before finding Jesus, I was pumped. My heart sank when I got that email saying the concert was canceled. Damn.

[@Blueduck-fl2iw]

Same brother…same. We had tickets to see him in Columbus OH and was devastated when that email came through. Thank the Lord he’s back at it though and managed to snag some tickets to see him on his upcoming tour. He still owes us that rock n roll tour though imo!

[@T.-ow8te]

Saw them in Detroit right before the whole shit house went up in flames. Ol' Sturg' left my face right in a puddle, ripped it up.

[@jaketarrillion5514]

@@Blueduck-fl2iw Hopefully without sounding entitled, I think he owes us that tour too. If not, just a couple dates where that album is played.

[@jaketarrillion5514]

@@T.-ow8te Hell yeah brother. I'm glad there were still others that got to experience that era of Sturgill.

[@dougclark966]

That was the last show I saw before covid shut down. Sturgill and Tyler, Asheville.

[@prestigeworldwide7914]

Such an underrated badass guitar player. And shoutout to Laur, the best country picker on plant earth!!

[@34SideWinder]

I saw him with Drivin’ N’ Cryin’. My god can that dude play. Absolutely savant.

[@bradyerickson1323]

Nice to hear him mention Laur. His work on metamodern and sailors guide is incredible

[@jimmyreeder3815]

I agree brother

[@kylatokki22]

I believe in Laur supremacy

[@NathanRose-n2v]

Guitar moves opened my eyes to the fact that sturgill is hands down the vocalist his generation.

[@dopefiendlarz133]

*A Call to Arms* is the best SNL performance of all time. Way hotter arrangement than the record.

[@dukeofdixieland]

If you haven’t already.. that little lick he plays “Polly” and the drums he describes .. look up Sturgills band “Sunday Valley” and look up the song “Sometimes Wine”.. MIND BLOWN

[@josephdevlin4864]

Sometimes wine is an amazing song

[@noRest4Gary]

Hearing Sturgill a while back inspired me to take music seriously again. I'll watch or listen to anything he has to offer. Thanks for the interview!

[@electrolinks]

I like both kinds of music. Country & Western.

[@blockingthesunmusic]

Sturgill and Matt over here making my day x100000”000 better

[@kevman5]

Guitar moves is by far the most inspirational guitar related show/channel out there.

[@Fabianorocknwood]

Check out Homeskoolin' by Tom Bukovac

[@TurtleBones]

I don’t know about that. First time seeing this channel and it seems like the host is overwhelmed and can’t keep up.

[@lokiwankenobi6138]

Listened to country growing up cuz of my step mom but never cared for it. Then I heard Sturgill then I became a country fan. He is the best

[@rayunterzuber70]

Dude, sing like Robert Palmer is the best line of the decade.

[@tuckerhall8530]

Sturgill and Laur are the best guitar duo working currently. They nail tempo/key changes harmoniously and manage to compliment the other player without overstepping perfectly. We’re living in a golden age!

[@T4JM]

"Well they were that f@xking guud.." Well stated sir!!

[@garrett9002]

sturgill could literally sing and riff on anything and i will listen

[@realgoodmind]

Matt is the best. "What's the beano album?" The greatest guitar ambassador, who has very specific taste, and doesn't know some of the most monumental albums for guitar. I love it all. He may be putting it on but it just never fails to draw me in.

[@brendanxtrom]

Oh man the T. Rex thing was awesome.

[@bowbow77]

Love how sturgil confirms what Keith richards says on his episode about the left n right hand working together.

[@shannonpatrick77]

Yeah I always liked how Keith explained that.

[@Guitargate]

This was GREAT! And yeah, Laur is no joke.

[@corporalclegg914]

damnit, Sweeney! it’s snowballing…Keith, Mascis, Joshua (Joe Shit the Rag Man, Dean, Billy, K-Rock Bob, Annie, Lemmy, Sturge, Ferg, etc… you’re Hittin’ & Gettin’ me right in my Gotcha. what another badass feature. you’re spreading the gospel, Matthew. thank you.

[@donewithmodernlife]

Best episode yet. The songs at the end were great. Excellent work Matt, really, really enjoyed this one.

[@RavenaDenver]

Thank Creator for Sturgill. His music always feels so familiar to me. The love, kindness and "stuff is messed up but we're all right" attitude of every song he plays is comforting and inspiring. He reminds me of Oren Lyon's if he sang what he said instead of gave interviews. Leaves me with the same sense of love and peace and to be kind and good to people, we're all struggling with something, and whether we like it or not, we're all in it together. Great interview, I subscribed.

[@jonathanwilson9443]

Awesome hearing some insight into the old Sunday Valley “cowboy punk.” Man I wish he’d re-release that stuff!!

[@damien6997]

Love this series. He's got some great artists here. Why the fundamentals are the same. It's great to see individual style which proves there's no handbook for playing. ❤

[@mk48066]

Matt, thank you for bringing this to us. Absolutely love the series, and great to see new content.

[@misterknightowlandco]

This show has the most diverse guest list and it’s awesome. Sturgill really a generational talent. Loved his music for a long time. 🍻

[@Allagi22]

I've been waiting for a guitar focused Sturgill interview. Thank you for this!

[@timwasem]

Matt's looking like GQ Popeye. Love it.

[@thomassheffey9514]

Matt is one of those guys who is cool without even trying. I guess that is why he gets great interviews and plays on great albums.

[@olleareskoug2240]

Loooooooool hahahaha

[@ricardosalcedo2824]

Dunno why but this drew a tear. Thanks, Matt Sweeny for this!

[@tylamb7684]

Love seeing him play guitar. Sound and Fury live was amazing. Want to see him play lead guitar in the bluegrass band! He’s the best artist out there!

[@garrettmoore3985]

Sound & Fury was one of the most badass shows I’ve ever seen!

[@tylamb7684]

@@garrettmoore3985 hell yeah it was

[@Omanjack]

One of the most sincere/honest/genuine/humble and talented artists alive. Im not from the US but what he does for American country music is amazing.

[@sebastianmarko4273]

I didn't realize he was such a monster guitar player!!!

[@kyle8442]

Find the Sunday Valley videos on KZbin. Especially the Live in a Barn and Pickathon 2011

[@grahamman80]

Sturgill is f*cking baked.

[@KevinConner-vq7cs]

Well some days you blast off and some days you just smoke....

[@andyszpekman5205]

Sturgill is awesome. Even more so than I realized.

[@LandoDiMariano]

He's been a big part of a small, but growing group of musicians saving the shit scene here in Nashville.

[@durstgt]

This was one of the best episodes of this series that I've seen. Thanks!

[@TheCorvallisBoys]

Sturgill is the king of country music in regards to our era.

[@downingpaterson6456]

LOVE THIS! Can’t wait! Sturgill is underrated as a songwriter and musician.

[@mardin56]

Dang, this is fine stuff. The new Johnny Blue Skies album is old and new at the same time, love it.

[@JohnsDough1918]

I'm so freaking stoked this show is back. This is definitely one of my favorite episodes (along with Josh Homme, Annie Clark, Dean Ween and Blake Mills).

[@davidplemmons9467]

I distinctly remember Sturgill saying on his first appearance on Joe Rogan that he didn’t feel good about his guitar playing. Later, I saw footage of him playing in concert, and I was like, huh?

[@tradertom4843]

Hell yeh, very underrated artist

[@wade2361]

Loved this one! Sturgill is the real deal and this episode was the realist deal. I'd give it a bunch more thumbs ups if I could.

[@crrenee]

Now I need him to record Pretty Polly and Foggy Old London, so I can listen on repeat!!

[@nicok5630]

One of the best gigs I ever saw in London

[@RandallFromFlorida4]

Sturgill is what we needed when we needed something new. You're the man Hoss.

[@Exit_343]

Sturgill Simpson. A sailor's guide to earth. Brought me back to the heart and Soul of country music. Johnny Blue Skies...is an absolute beautiful album!!!

[@rodrigoguzman8452]

i'm not a country music fan, but this video won me over. this was a phenomenal showcase of the genre as well as sturgill's talent. thanks to matt sweeney for the amazing content!

[@LAA1979]

Just so damn happy to see Sturgill at it again!! Love everything he does.

[@Fabianorocknwood]

The best voice out of the 2000's.

[@murdiesel]

Singing country you have to connect! George Jones - He stop loving her today! You have to tell the story, feel and live it while making the other person grasp hold of your feelings and enduring that tale with you!

[@Exit_343]

That is the Heart of country music!!!

[@Lastman737]

Damn this is good. I would watch 24 hours of this

[@fabbro9999]

"He knew where the money was at" 👍🏼😄

[@maxwelltarpleyyoung6598]

Emotional Resonance is pretty brilliant way to describe his vibe . Cool stuff. Thanks for the interview.

[@Blackbelt_97]

Amazing episode! Get your old pal Billy Corgan on the show

[@boonesboroughbeachboy9341]

This made me love him even more and remember our friendship. He is so humble. We looked for a singer for about a year before he said he would give it a try. I think we both thought we would find Kurt Cobain.

[@Thekarateadult]

1st time i saw Sturgill Simpson it cost 12 at a bar. Next time i happily paid 190 at the Saenger in New Orleans. Worth it both times

[@aaronmontgomery4000]

Im so glad this episode is on Sturgill I have been showing my friends old Sunday Valley videos with Sturgill just ripping for years. So they would know not only is he the best country music singer in the world hes got some of the best chops as well. Now a lot more people are going to know how fuckin talented this dude is

[@mofer35]

Guy still amazes me!! Johnny Blue Skies !!!! WOW!!!

[@rhiannonblue5988]

Good god I love Sturgill. Cave wait to see him in September.

[@Karolinajames23]

So happy y’all brought back back Guitar Moves 🙌🏾💯

[@EdBrooking]

Sturgill crushes that harmony at the end... What a gifted mofo. This was a great show... Thanks❤️

[@xtimator]

The last 7 minutes was some damn fine music! Songs I've never heard & the last two brought tears to my eyes. "As I sit here tonight with these tears in my eyes. Oh I see the light as I sit here tonight"!

[@stushapley9384]

Great episode. Love the copy of "killed by death" nonchalantly on camera right. That compilation takes me wayyy back. Keep 'em coming.

[@aaandersonmn]

I've been working on Call to Arms lately at his live speed and it is a struggle. Not sure that ill ever be that fast and clean but it sure rocks!

[@andk2846]

The elusive and undeniable Mr Simpson.

[@BigGary79]

Dang ol'Johnny Blue Skies! This was great!!!

[@ronnievaughn1257]

Ferge is absolutely more country then anybody on country radio. I’m from Eastern Kentucky, and still live here, and have been Gigging in Kentucky for 22 years, playing bass for 35. My musical story is very similar to Sturgill’s except I am a bassist/singer, so still grinding. I should have went to Nashville to stay in 05 the first time I went, we recorded at Wow and flutter Studio off and on for couple years, I did three years at the Richmond Ky Honky Tonk, the Maverick, now “closed”, Buck got his wish. I did 3 years on the road in a straight blues rock Band with Ron Harris, who was my musical Mentor, he had played the chicken picking/finger picking Les Paul Jr, on Clarence Gatemouth Brown’s Alligator recordings. And played in his road band, and doubled as the tour manager. He went to China with them in the early 90s, great person, and amazing guitar player, right there in Lexington Ky.

[@scottm3439]

That was fkn great thank you. When they started jamming and singing at the end it reminded me of the Pizza Tapes. Cheers

[@QuincyJamesMusic]

Guitar Moves is the sauce, period.

[@braxtonhicks2204]

I could listen to sturgill song like this every single day for life

[@Mick-mi7zg]

Wtf there was a guy hidden in the corner the whole time lmao

[@Teabonesteak]

New Guitar Moves! Right On!

[@AC_86]

Unreal interview. Wanted them to do more songs at the end! Was amazing watching Sturgill just be so chilled & jamming. Loving the new album, it's a masterpiece!

[@Jaymerism]

We saw these guys in 2013 with like 50 ppl in Bellingham. Sturgill couldn’t believe we crossed the border to see them 😂 Laur was an absolute animal and we knew we were watching something special

[@mcwilliams4546]

Sturgill is not human. That voice is incredible.

[@derekfrye2357]

Last 2 minutes is the best part I wish sturgill would put out an album of old bluegrass covers

[@Donk82]

Thank you so much for this Gem!!! Sturgill is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Oh, man. That whole entire thing was just fantastic. I could have gone another hour. Now I gotta go learn these songs real quick. ❤

[@willdenham]

I like that Sturgill comes on the show with the less fashionable Les Paul Deluxe. A perfectly fine instrument.

[@crew0791]

Foggy Old London. So beautiful. I heard sturgill and John prine do this song, a long time ago in Galway.

[@Christian6.1803]

Jesus.

[@jay24july]

This video gives me joy

[@realgoodmind]

This was great and maybe the best episode of the series.

[@1HYB]

Sweeney! So glad the series is back brother! Can you try and get Brent Hines of Mastodon on? I’d love to see him go over his chicken pickin and how he incorporates it into Mastodon’s heavy lane.

[@TheLiquidCanvas]

23:52 Some light shines upon the uninitiated when sturg goes high and the universe makes sense for a moment 🙌 #speechless