Rig Rundown - Caspian's Phil Jamieson

Discovering gear and unraveling hidden sounds has always inspired Caspian, and in some ways, it has birthed Phil Jamieson’s instrumental post-rock constructionist approach.
“In 2002, I was in a band with three other guys. We were kind of doing an alt-rock indie thing-singer, choruses, bridges,” recalls Jamieson from a 2015 PG interview. The drummer and I would be hanging out, and I got my hands on a second Line 6 DL4. The drummer and I would be in a basement for seven or eight hours with a couple of cases of beer, a couple Line 6 DL4s, and we had a blast looping up all of these sounds and creating this wall of sound. That’s when I learned you could stack sounds on top of each other.”
Caspian formed in 2004 when Jamieson joined forces with fellow guitarist Calvin Joss, bassist Chris Friedrich, and drummer Joe Vickers. Third guitarist Erin Burke-Moran joined in 2007 and current bassist Jani Zubkovs replaced Friedrich in 2013 after his untimely passing, while Justin Forrest took over for Vickers in 2018 as a result of an amicable split.
If you’re thinking, “Caspian isn’t Skynyrd, so why do they need three guitarists?!” (And actually it’s four guitarists, counting Jonny Ashburn who fills in for Joss when he can’t tour.) Well, if Skynyrd is a galloping, three-horsemen, Southern-rock cavalry, Caspian is not that. They’re more akin to an intricately interlaced cross-stitch … or a bed.
“Most of the time I’m occupying this low-midrange frequency so someone like Erin or Jonny can dance on top of what me and the rhythm section are doing,” says Jamieson. “I try to be the mattress that they can jump around on [laughs].”
Not one guitarist shines or soars without the support from the other two. And their roles are not set in stone. On the micro level, the individual guitars are colors woven over and under each other. On the macro level, they combine to create epic, tidal flows of emotion that not only transcend sound, but evoke our other senses plucking memories like a stuffed-animal claw machine.
“Creating music is a form of self-expression and that’s why you’re chasing tones, writing good songs, and putting on a good live show. We’ve all gravitated towards this because it’s our most successful way to articulate how we feel and what we’ve endured.”
And throughout their musical trek, Caspian has continually evolved and reset their creative axis. The band’s 2007 debut, The Four Trees, welcomed the world to Caspian’s seafaring cruises that aquatically flow between swallowing crashes and beautiful passages, like a tide cycling from whitecaps to troughs. Tertia (2009) saw a softening of their peaks and valleys but a sharpening with instrumentation by embracing electronics and keyboards for a fuller, richer, dreamier mix. Waking Season (2012) showcased a band blossoming within its own skin. Confidence swells in the band’s more patient compositions and its overall sheen is waxed on by producer Matt Bayles [ISIS, Mastodon, Melvins]. The album’s high-water mark of “Gone in Bloom and Bough” is an anthemic wash that swirls with foreboding tension and cathartic release.
The sonic signature of 2015’s Dust and Disquiet can be deduced down to one pedal (at least for Jamieson’s parts)-the Strymon El Capistan.
“When I stumbled across that no-delay-slight-warble setting [heard all over Dust and Disquiet], I had an immediate animalistic connection with it,” says Jamieson. “Those warbly tape sounds possess me with every good memory-I can smell the beach at my grandparents’ house in Florida when I was 4 or remember the rush while in the middle of an old favorite book.”
What’s fresh about the band’s 2020 release, On Circles? It’s a true Caspian collaboration with a retrospective combination of elements.
“I can’t really pinpoint a piece of gear or a sound that I used within On Circles,” recalls Jamieson. “For me, it was an amalgamation of all the stuff I’ve done on all of our records. I did lightly use phaser for the first time in Caspian, but On Circles was such a democratic effort that I didn’t need to find something that was signature footprint or a singular sonic expression.”
With 2020 touring plans postponed, Jamieson virtually welcomed PG’s Chris Kies into his Massachusetts-based jam space. The eloquent guitarist opens up about finding his “Excalibur” Jazzmaster, unlocking Pandora’s post-rock box with a DL4, continuing to explore new depths with his current Strymon boxes, and eschewing pedal manuals to discover new “signature” inspirations.
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00:00 - Intro
02:35 - Guitars
21:51 - Amps
25:53 - Pedals
#caspian #postrock #rigrundown

[@premierguitar]

Article & Photos: bit.ly/CaspianRR Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin

[@kelseoul]

I’ve watched tons of these rig rundowns and this guy is by far the most articulate I’ve seen. Super informative, explains things clearly and why he uses each item. You can tell that this guy is a total pro and loves what he does. Respect ✊🏽

[@droleheart]

Hopefully you guys can make another iteration of this with Erin and Jonny in the future! Great Rig Rundown.

[@sunnystrathern8396]

Erin's already done a run down on his own channel

[@mikehancho7172]

I actually discovered caspian on that underoath tour he mentions discovering the Mel9. I absolutely fell in love with them from that night forward. They’re easily in my top 5 favorite bands since that night. One of the best shows ever. Glad to see this rundown!

[@Hilaire_Balrog]

I have to say this rig rundown has been the most informative one I have watched by you guys.

[@AndyValdiv]

Yes! I have been waiting for this for years now ! Thank you PG! Now you gotta do Mogwai next ! ✌

[@implosionesimplosiones2915]

very nice to hear a musician talk about his influences in such a natural way.

[@TheVolthause]

1+ hours of Caspian talk? I'm in. This video style is great. Very relaxed and casual. I know the venue-based rig rundowns are pressed for time occasionally. This is a cool change of pace.

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zummo61]

Wow! Over an hour of rig rundown! Heaven.

[@ph2il]

I saw caspian in massachusetts years ago, totally blew my mind

[@Suped_BIGRIG_350mph]

Phil seems like such a pleasant dude. Totally worth the hour watch-time.

[@laureleelangan9787]

He is a really nice guy. Super chill and friendly.

[@scenepointjudge]

I've met him a handful of times. He's always down to shoot the shit and he truly is a stand up dude.

[@jake-qc2wu]

How did I miss this? Caspian are one of my favourite bands

[@trevorramage]

This has to be one of the most helpful rundowns I've seen in a while. Thanks folks!

[@irvingperes]

This video truly deserved to be over an hour long. Thank you

[@wolfgangbrock551]

Thanks for this video. I love the sound of Caspian and it’s so cool to see their gear!

[@imoldcraig]

Man, that version of Nostalgist at the beginning is sick.

[@jamesortiz5388]

The intro sounded like Jeff Beck a worthy influence. Good job guys. Thank you PG!

[@blairmichaelhogan4502]

All these years and still I find a way I’ve never used the El Cap before. That’s great!

[@brmaki]

I'm about to take a drink every time I hear the word "again". Nice knowing y'all.

[@ericmontejoberlingen9136]

I always thought he did the old tape/flutter sounds with the Shallow Water. Love that sound!

[@styrofoamghost5099]

thank you for another video on Post Rock guitarists

[@premierguitar]

Rock on!

[@siphillipson1099]

Discovered this band pretty recently when Wildblood popped up on a playlist...love love love them. Good work PG, this was a really great watch. Now I want a Jazzmaster...bugger.

[@scenepointjudge]

I never thought I'd get a Jazzmaster as I have been a Tele guy for a long time. I ended up purchasing the parallel universe Jazz-Tele, and it's wild! Grab one!

[@collinownsyou]

One time at a Moving Mountains show in Philly or NJ I saw Phil walking by and didn't know his name but recognized him and just kind of in a raised voice said "Caspian" and he looked up and we had a little chat. Nice dude.

[@vvvvaaaacccc]

he seems really kind and chill. i really love that he's talking about using his delay pedal's 100% wet signal without any repeats and delay. imo, that's the Deluxe Memory Man's best kept secret. i bought a Strymon Ola just to get that sweet sound without lugging around a real DMM.

[@scenepointjudge]

I've met him a few times. Definitely a stand up dude.

[@AldenAnsbergs]

I saw them with minus the bear and I was blown away

[@ultratone]

El cap no delay thing is genius.... I’m stealing ;)

[@javiergarciareynaud9959]

Nice!

[@mhb450]

Zip ties...that is the "I carry and load my own gear" guy secret

[@LastMilitia]

You know it

[@zigmeekane4361]

Must say that guitar has a voice of its own..and quite vocal to be honest.. !!

[@cmurduh1]

You might like a King Tone duellist. Big range of sounds.

[@scenepointjudge]

Imitation is the best form of flattery...right? /buys all of Phil's pedals

[@scenepointjudge]

Yeah, totally bought all of these pedals.

[@javiergarciareynaud9959]

If he doesn't read the manuals, I'm kinda worried he might not know about the tape crinkle secondary function on El Cap. He would really like that I think

[@LastMilitia]

Discovered that for sure, love the feature.

[@sunclimber7428]

Always fancied running a fender twin into my Marshall 4x12. It’s wired for an 8ohm load. Can anyone tell me if it’s safe to run it both with and without keeping the twins speakers connected?

[@LastMilitia]

I tried the 6 speaker setup for awhile back in the early days and it was fine for a couple months, then things started to go south. Wouldn't recommend it tbh.

[@webinfront]

Anybody else pick up on the Satriale’s Pork Store shirt?👀👀

[@LastMilitia]

Good eye ;)

[@HARwinsOUTagain]

I was supposed to see them live but then the show got cancelled in March due to COVID 😭

[@scenepointjudge]

We'll have our chance again soon, brother.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

It's a sales technique, to say you've got another buyer on the line, how much can you go up? You know it was a line they gave you if they stick with you in spite of you not being able to match this "new guy's" price. It's sweet that he thinks this stranger took an $850 dive for him though....for no reason!

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

😆 Facts.

[@nikangarcia4787]

Specially when he “was nobody”... I’ve been there, but I always match the offer or give a bit more...

[@Nostaljack]

"Pe-zio". Why am I bothered by that? LOL!!

[@markrobinson8410]

He sounds good

[@jaygreen6025]

Rev g4

[@alexkairis3927]

"I could only afford $260" - then buys Strymon.

[@exploringwithasmr]

Expensive but they will continue to be at the top for years and years.

[@exploringwithasmr]

But ya, I love when I see artists saying they were broke or have a "minimalist" pedalboard and it's all strymons. Ha.

[@UncleBill732]

Great intro. Why yall so lazy you can't click like? Why are you here in the first place?

[@reginaldperiwinkle]

He says the word "articulate" a lot, which ironically makes him a bit inarticulate.

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

Def one of them dudes.

[@gyberic]

Cool bro

[@ileutur6863]

He says it like 4-5 times get over yourselves