Polyphia Answers A Lot of Questions: On Recording Process, Technique, and Keeping Steve Vai Happy

[@EricLS]

Tim’s opening lines are incredible. So calm and laid back saying “goofy ass synths…video game ass sounds”

[@jjames6990]

Thank you so much for having Scott here too. A lot of us have been eager to listen to him, specifically him and Tim together to talk about the process. Now we just need a vid with the Clay's.

[@pres4515]

THE CLAYS!

[@kunalroy2263]

Yes!!!

[@josetobias8084]

EXACTLY. Scottie with Tim, and Clay with Clay - always, if possible, please!

[@RockWonder210]

Clay Squared

[@Tekkerue]

"Everyday I try to work towards being less of a shit ass." - Tim Henson 😂

[@UndarZ]

Words to live by

[@zZhippyZz]

Very motivational

[@Middusk9540]

"Get drunk and play better" Tim Henson

[@CinderFall96]

Just vocode it bro

[@alexr9564]

Wise words

[@sr60030]

I like the music but I like the dudes making it even more Tim is getting chiller and Scott is finally on screen

[@wiryyadhika1595]

Scott finally got more screentime this time

[@btdtorch7943]

These hate comments are missing the point…Their playing styles are what best fits the music they want to make. We’ve heard their “traditional” guitar playing already but their new music is introducing lots of people to the guitar, which I think is a overall good thing

[@LiveLaughLovecraft]

This

[@dilbophagginz]

The fact that they have "hater comments" just proves they are actually doing something unique and polarizing, which is the exact opposite of how most guitar nerds approach music.

[@trevorfreund4110]

What are the hate comments saying?

[@sr60030]

@@trevorfreund4110 most people say "soulless", "good exercise but says nothing", "they're gonna be forgotten" or my personal favorite "masturbating notes"

[@LiveLaughLovecraft]

@@sr60030 I mean…their music does make me blows me away in more ways than one 😶

[@tythesoundguy]

I was lucky enough to be doing sound for Polyphia's performance at that NAMM show with Steve Vai, and my goodness are they correct, Vai was SO gracious and incredibly kind, on top of being a guiding light musically. Very special night, so cool that it turned into an amazing collab!

[@Jonahani]

Ployphia

[@zaqkilive880]

Ployphia

[@Uninterested69420]

Can I intern for you😭😭😭

[@whitegoose-k4g]

tim : "i spent $1000 so i can learn thumping" scott : "lemme show you how to do it for free"

[@_xfuturetrunksx_]

Gigachad Scott

[@Illiyinmusic]

Tim has a video breaking it down .

[@kylebrault4414]

yea i just slap it and it makes the same sound.

[@Unanythang]

Nope ​@@kylebrault4414

[@gardendado1999]

I literally learned from an old video from Tosin Himself, I was really pissed because he has a 90° thumb but then he said something like "you should do it by feel", then I simply adjusted the technique to my hand, it's not even that hard if you set up your string tension to the sweet spot like on double floating trems, many of these amazing guitar players have their guitars set up correctly, don't expect to be tapping on a 0.5cm action on your 12th fret, if you get what I mean. this is the vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYHMe4CooaqLi6M

[@barrynelson8752]

I’m a Boomer and I think these guys are great! Talented, creative, driven and hard working. Excellent!!

[@poindextertunes]

Thank you for having emotional intelligence. Something thats definitely missing from the boomer generation

[@shade4718]

@@poindextertunesIt’s the exact opposite, boomers don’t use their head and gatekeep with their insecurities (emotions). Or well I suppose you can say they’re just dumb both emotionally and logically now that I think about it 😂

[@etoolie]

I love how natural and authentic they are in their interviews, theyre so funny. I love both of them sm

[@stephenyatesacoustic]

Tim Henson playing Barrios! I never thought I'd see such a thing. I love these two, they're so unpretentious about how they describe what they do and also so practical in their approach..

[@ZachMcCordProg]

I know right! That was crazy to me. Been working on some Villa Lobos myself. I think I should learn LA Catedral after seeing him play it. LOL

[@a.pro.crastinator7409]

It must be a bitch to play on electric too. As if it wasn't bad enough on a classical😢

[@KeyOfGeebz]

The total process that they both shared was so cool to hear - must be a blast to be in their creative space - so dig Tims "separating the art from the artist"

[@marco891]

Geebz!🙌🏽

[@Panda_SMM]

glad to be the 69th like on this comment

[@sumo-ninja]

GEEEBZ!!! so cool to see you here. Glad our tastes intersect.. you're a good dude... Dude.

[@Ishment]

Cool how Tim talked about looking up to Steve. This may sound corny, but I truly believe tim and Scott are redefining/pushing the boundaries of playing guitar. I wish I could get lessons from them, I’ve learned so much just through their KZbin videos.

[@nosrednaluap]

Kudos to them both, super invested in their craft, always learning and enjoying music together. That's all that matters!

[@Tupadre8976]

Emos

[@ImNot]

@@Tupadre8976

[@StephenChapman]

These guys should start a podcast! They're always hilarious to listen to.

[@vi3686]

seeing the same hate hate comments haven’t changed one bit after all these years is fckin hilarious

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

The Steve comments were funny. Steve Vai does come across as an awesome guy. I like these two guys. They seem to get on really well, considering that they're in the same band and are both extremely talented. They don't act like they're full of themselves, which is nice.

[@KennethFinuf]

I am a 60 year old man and I am amazed at how good they play I am a old school guitar player l use pedals I think this new stuff is awesome 😊😊

[@ump3368]

I need this to be 3 hours longer. thanks

[@broncoxy]

love those dudes; their chemistry is just too wholesome

[@taylorplambeck]

Loved the thumping discussion. Once I realized how Scott was playing that thumping part from Ego Death, I found it much easier to learn than some of the other thumping parts played by Tim. That upstroke with the thumb feels awkward AF at first, and so offloading that percussive strike to the left (or right) hand mute felt easier, especially because most guitar players already use their hands to quickly mute the strings, which is how they keep the silence as tight as possible. There is probably some nuance here as far as the type of riffs you create when playing like Scott versus like Tim, but clearly they can both sound cool - so why not use the easier one?

[@TridentVruinzTheSniper]

Yup i always play scotts style for their more difficult songs and you get the same sound with less technicality

[@BHPOfficial]

Only thing I’ll say is, if you want to play a sounded note (not a muted one) then you’ll need Tim/abasi’s way. Scott’s is pretty limiting unless you just want the muted sound

[@ataahuagirl1]

it shows what we see when they are playing...harmony...interchange...applauding...being a band and backing each other up...with an appreciation of each members special talents...makes a band

[@Ry_Valz]

I saw a video of Steve reacting like low-key disappointed he was of how much they cut his part to the point that he doesn't sound like it was his music anymore and I was like, "oh they fucked up!" ...but way they reacted here of how they want to apologize and make up for it was damn hilarious! I felt the pressure right there of them trying to make Steve feel not disrespected\insulted in any way. Let alone how chill Steve was after they destroyed his speakers from which i never heard of, LMAO (FYI Steve's studio equipment are like national treasures $$$)

[@sockeye007]

Pls share me the video link🙏🏿

[@dplj4428]

I hope they got the speakers fixed or replaced if needed.

[@vindas777]

I'd love to hear the pre-chopped version of Vai's solo for Ego Death. Maybe one day they'll release it!

[@Bwucey]

i think it's released as a member only video on their channel

[@jorgerodriguez8723]

11:09 Still remember when I was at that show with my friends, thinking how cool it would be if Tim and Scott appeared since the album had just recently dropped and since they're from Plano. We literally shoved people to get closer and to this day one of the happiest surprises from a live performance 😁

[@cork1174]

Tim saying take it out of Minecraft and put it irl was so out of pocket lol

[@CarlosKTCosta]

I feel like Scott's approach to playing with fingers is like a bassists approach. Really cool

[@Akrostix]

I love how forthcoming Tim is about how he does the mixing for this stuff, super cool

[@cjsmith8319]

My grandfather still polishes his shoes, pays in cash, drives an old truck and people watches for fun. Showed him Polyphia once, and he said and I quote: “Ok, these kids aren’t as asinine as I thought.” while bobbing his head. What a Gem!

[@ashleyjackson8538]

They got some amazing vision . I like that they constantly changing things . Always pushing for new and better things .

[@PatrickHaeslerMusic]

What an exceptional interview.

[@TimPlaysRiffs]

So, I’ve heard of Polyphia but I never really listened to them because I assumed they were just another hardcore metal band, but when I listened to them.. holy smokes. These guys are so incredibly talented. Tim Henson inspires me to play so much!

[@superipermagererata5084]

yesss

[@poindextertunes]

they’re on the forefront for sure

[@freddylive4181]

Being an older player I really admire what Tim is doing .. I learn just from listenning to it.

[@TheDantheman12121]

I think after past comments the way they put steve on the throne and talked him up here they making people happy showing the respect they have for what came before.

[@LucasMastropasqua]

Just wanted to share that I will be 50 this year and absolutely love what these guys are doing! I could only hope to create anything remotely as great as they do. I might be boomer age but I try to keep evolving my playing and my mentality when it comes to music. Fuck all the haters out there, they’re all washed up has beens and wish they coulds. Try working on your insecurities instead of preaching hate.

[@aonutsihasnouith]

Washed has been or never was here. Still love these guys.

[@kcfox0971]

Boomers were our parents man. We Gen-X.

[@LucasMastropasqua]

@@kcfox0971 I know but some kids don’t seem to know that lol

[@Tupadre8976]

I’m from 2000 and this suckz

[@jhollon2286]

@@LucasMastropasquaseparating generations can be kinda hard since there’s no official line in the sand kinda like how a lot of millennials get called gen z and vice versa

[@briantaylor4360]

Step 1. Eat a bunch of mushrooms. Step 2. Turn on Polyphia on the surround sound. Step 3. Sit in a comfy recliner, dim the lights, and turn it up. Step 4. Go on a journey.

[@SlyHikari03]

I’d love to chill and talk guitar and music equipment with Tim. He’s pretty cool, He’s like the Hendrix or Steve Vai of our generation. Also the bit was where they say “I want this irl” when they talk about plugins is kinda cool.

[@brucesoto806]

This was awesome I had a feeling how you both put this sound together and it was great to hear I was on the right track, I started playing and listening to (return to forever ) I was blown away by them and I have to say this is how I felt when I first heard polyphia the band, it was amazing and new and made me start to practice again with a new passion so thank you to the band.

[@---wd3hp]

I am in the Steve Vai generation. If I can pick up the essence of any of the stuff these guys are up to, I'm golden.

[@jaricklosey4607]

Really cool to hear the process behind everything! It's cool these guys have been working together since high school and hit this level.

[@charlierodgers7637]

Even though Tim seems to get a bit more street cred with his production skills, these two still seem equal on a playing and human level. That is the best.

[@lilmaskreti]

Enjoyed every moment of this interview! 🙂

[@CallOfTheVoid06]

Tim and Scott is my kind of guitar pips! They're revolutionizing guitar playing mixing lots of stuff and creating their own sound. I love it, so much!

[@FlashRayLaser]

The comments on this video remind me of a social experiment I used to repeatedly do. I'm not the best guitarist in the world, but I *am* way more technical than average and can definitely melt some faces with fast, clean shred. But I can also control dynamics, bend, and all the techniques often labeled as "feel". So here's where it gets hilarious. If I started off playing the "feel" stuff before revealing I could shred at all, the older generation of guitarists would always be like, "Yes! This kid actually gets it unlike most of the new guys! Keeping the feel alive! Feelin' the spirit of Hendrix! Damn I'd buy this!" Then if I shredded afterward I could see they obviously regretted the compliments but were already locked in. But if I did the opposite and started off with a bunch of sweeping and 8-finger tapping, I could then play the exact same "feel" things sample group one had loved, and this second group that learned I could shred prior would be like, "Obviously you've worked harder than most people and I totally respect your skills but I just don't really feel it even when you play the slower expressive stuff. Sounds unauthentic and forced. It just sounds kind of soulless and missing something I can't put my finger on, not like hearing Hendrix or something. But times were different and obviously no offense meant and you go though!" It was literally the exact same shit getting polar opposite responses based on whether or not they were yet aware of how technical I could play when they heard it. I repeated this many times. Literally scientific confirmation of bias and pure unadulterated jealousy. To be fair, I think it's mostly subconscious on their part, but it's like they're deeply uncomfortable with the idea of someone way more technical than them actually having a "soul" at all.

[@xyhmo]

In my humble opinion, a large portion of humans just completely lack any independent sense of esthetics - they literally can't feel the difference. So they use shortcuts, little ”rules” they've picked up, to decide what's good and not. For example ”bends are FEELING” while ”fast tapping is NOT feeling”, or ”a woman who's a model is beautiful”, or ”if a song is popular it must be good”. Those are just examples, these people don't have the exact same rules, but the point is that it's rule-based rather than them genuinely responding to something. Though it's more of a continuum than binary, different people being this way to different degrees, but the more esthetically inclined you are the more you CAN feel the difference and have a real taste.

[@EstebanBrenesPinto]

You see a lot of it in the comment sections of Polyphia videos. One common theme is that none of the Polyphia songs have any feel or emotion to them. These people are just so locked in on whatever stereotype they consider is "feel" and won't deviate from it.

[@physicsguy877]

damn now im curious to hear what Vai's original solo sounded like

[@Hahegsheb]

Makes the twitter inerview so much funnier watching this. They really asked some of the most basic questions known to man “how do I play a Barr chord”

[@majicogarcia8417]

Hilarious interview, especially the bit about completely changing Vai's solo and blowing his speakers up.😂😂😂

[@srhatfield]

Man, it is so cool how great you guys are together! It's amazing that you've been friends since high school, and the BS competition that most guys experience didn't break up your friendship. Polyphia rules!

[@schuylergutting8169]

I just saw these guys in Denver last weekend, and got to meet them. They are a bunch of goofballs and absolutely a blast

[@se7enthsoul]

I need a compilation of Scott messing up Clay's Bass solo during practice

[@petepete2284]

Cant wait for the newest stuff. Love you guys .

[@sentientdonuts]

Seeing Tim play barrios was absolute mental whiplash

[@aswo6207]

21:06 was hitting so hard. Shame they cut it off

[@ApostelKrieger]

Nice to see good friends in an interview !

[@coffeedudeguy]

Great to hear more about their producing thought process. And also how we all fall for new gear that ends up not sounding how we thought. Next question I guess: Multivoicer pedal when?

[@Jrocka7x]

Great idea. I wonder if they will stick with digital stuff. They could collab with zvex or horizon, earthquaker. etc.

[@aukustikoskinen3912]

@@Jrocka7xidk if it woul work as a pedal since you need the chords ran through

[@SkorpioMusic]

Scott slapping the frets with his left hand is a slap bass technique. He's doing it bassist style. 😎

[@SlyRyFry]

I can't wait till the guitars start shipping, great interview!

[@TheRealSlobo]

The best and most important part of being in a band is the friendship and the memories

[@leonardholifield8808]

Their technical knowledge is as sick as their playing. Perfection!

[@dilbophagginz]

I'm curious to hear what Steve's original part sounded like

[@chuckyinges]

Man...if only I have a guitar buddy like that.

[@randommandom4691]

Just two phenomenal dudes that like to smoke the za and make the guitar go wa

[@tirasjeffrey9782]

i have not understood a single fucking thing they said but im just amused at how skilled they are doesnt take a genius of music to understand that ig

[@Moshington]

808s utterly disrespected Steve’s speakers. 🎉 what a time to be alive. Glad he wasn’t too pissed. 😂

[@Loganmccoy1996]

Ahh yes my favorite band 🤟🏻🤟🏻 love Scott and Tim

[@Tupadre8976]

Lmao

[@THESHR3DS1324]

I got my grandpa hooked on this band lol

[@brianwayne5259]

Im from the 80s i love this band.

[@westington1]

I wasn’t an instant fan of their music (though becoming more so!), but as a lifelong guitarist, I don’t get the hate from other guitar players; I’m a very accomplished player, but these two are just leagues ahead of me - it’s inspiring, and I love that the younger generation is getting into guitar music, and guitars in general. You need people who push new sounds and techniques on the guitar. I get that some don’t appreciate their music - it’s not for everyone - but same as a generation of guitarists that weren’t keen on Eddie Van Halen’s style, it’s undeniable how accomplished and innovative they are. It’s sad some can’t get past their personal taste and just appreciate what they’re doing - and especially guitarists hating on them………I don’t know, seems like a combination of jealously and just generally hating on the younger generation, which is sad. They’re doing something new and interesting, and that’s what music needs to push it forward. Even if that comes in the form of resistance to this style of guitar rock - like Punk was to prog rock, or grunge to hair metal and that shredding style - it’s all part of what makes rock and guitar based music revolving and sustaining; becoming something new for the next generation. You don’t have to like it, but it’s undeniably interesting and innovative - plus they seem like humble, knowledgeable and cool young guys. 🙌

[@MrZequim]

OMFG, when TIm played La catedral i just melted

[@quantumxfluxmd6821]

If youre a guitar player and you havdnt purchased Archetypes henson plug in, you are mistaken. Def go grab that, honestly all the Archetype plug ins are so cool, Abasi, Gojira, Plini and henson to start

[@brycethomas1138]

That's crazy at their level Tim still offered Tosin 1000 bucks for 4 lessons. I guess if they're not super close it would be polite to offer something but god damn thats alot of bread for 4 lessons.

[@zacharyohare2118]

I do the left hand smackymutey thing. Some bass songs especially I've found it to be really natural. Tool songs where the rhythm is in the cutoff on some not the attack

[@jimmyrhoades650]

Whoever gets paid to delete comments is bout to be working OT tn lol

[@danieldipshart8166]

Why? I love them because of the gate it opened with guitar, and made sounds I couldn’t comprehend but I don’t get involved with the fans or haters. Curious what most of the hate is for. (And Scott’s my favorite because he balances traditional and the wacky techs, Tim is just wacky)

[@jusmor7371]

@@danieldipshart8166 old people

[@QuesoBandit]

@@danieldipshart8166just because the sounds are new to you doesn’t mean they’re new

[@Kaz999998]

​@@QuesoBanditSee, everyone says something like this along the lines of "They're not doing anything new, been there heard that" but no one gives any solid examples of people who have been doing anything remotely similar.

[@ileutur6863]

​@@QuesoBandit The discussion you started yourself is already pointless

[@robertkennedy5753]

What an incredible interview!

[@SimonBonami]

Enjoyed every minute this!

[@impossivel2006]

I guess everybody is learning "La Catedral" now....

[@vi3686]

wait for the wave of covers 😂

[@Rezawatchvideo]

3:54 "I'm fucking lazy" holy shit u just made us the lazy people feels like were disabled

[@adamcogan211]

Two absolute goats!! ❤️

[@moodown]

16:06 La Catedral. beautiful music

[@somebrains5431]

Why would any Vai fan be butt hurt? Vai had the same standard studio workflow breaking habits when he was interviewed for whatever album the 7-string was built for. In fact Vai was notable in how much studio work was in his head.

[@Luzwozen]

Thanks for this video guys, keep up the great work!

[@daisytien6592]

Dose anyone know what's the song at first to 0:14?

[@Guiatrist035]

Goose by Polyphia on The Most Hated EP

[@Theb3st_ever]

Goose

[@leyna1221]

The blue strat in the background😍

[@jakeedwards6773]

Can't wait to see them in Manchester next week!!

[@Ssek16]

Tim is basically 30 years old, looks like he is 20 and uses Gen Z slangs. What a gracious human being.

[@sean_tristan31]

Loved this interview!

[@Gabirudobeat]

18:42 HE DID IT, HE DID THE BOOMER BEND

[@MOKOKOGAMING]

WHERE IS MY TIM HENSON VOCODER/MULTIVOICER ANALOG PEDAL?

[@Story_Nerd]

Most of what they said goes right over my head as someone who knows next to nothing about music. But it sounds cool.

[@haticekaplan1403]

Idfc about guitar things but I love this group a lot

[@claudeman]

I'm glad you guys made this. These guys are great together.

[@josesmusicstudio]

No way......never thought I would hear Tim play some Barrios. Good shit !

[@oddlyCT]

ha! loved hearing that they learned a bit from Lucas Mann from Rings of Saturn.

[@akai_hana_23]

22:06 true. Idk why people will hate certain artist just because of their behavior but didn't count their arts. If i like that artist for example, Michael Jackson, Idgaf about what he'd done and said because it's not related to me and his music will never change and my preference for his music will never change. I'm glad someone talk about this.

[@Mikhail_Gibran]

hoping someday polyphia and miyavi would have a track

[@garyfxxk]

My only complain about them is they are not releasing their music enough

[@ChuckDElsden]

Him talking about Kanye made me love him so much more because I feel the exact same way

[@ryvengeance]

Polyphia's Playing God and Steve Vai's Tender Surender is the best guitar songs ever..

[@David-sx7lk]

Where is that bluesy jam of playing god. I really want to hear that again.

[@HostileHitman]

5:36 why did they put a phaser on Scott's voice lmao

[@llamabot9889]

He's a cyborg!

[@TheMadMedek]

Scott says he still struggles with high gain tone? Well then it must of been Tim finding the tone for Bloodbath. Cause that shit was gnarly. Such a good tone