Gear

What's your guitar/drum kit/bass/piano/whatever (make & model)?
Just bought a new Fender Mustang guitar today. Mmmmm... nice...and it looks cool too. I might start wearing it to the pub.

Where did you buy it?
Soundgear (Portobello).

What was your first instrument (make & model)?
A concert flute - handmade by Santa Claus (actually some fella in Clare, apparently).

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you buy?
Microphone Neuman U47 vintage
Amp Vox AC30 Vintage
Guitar A handmade Martin
Piano Steinway grand piano
Studio device I have all the toys I need.

Who and what song did you play air guitar to as a kid?
Too many to mention. I was caught playing air guitar to Mundy's 'Mayday' the other day though.

What instruments can you knock a tune out of (however bad it may be)?
Guitar, bass, keyboards, low whistle, bodhran.

What's your favourite studio effect and why?
Currently, tape delay (instant dreamyness).

Did you ever get piano/any-other-instrument lessons when you were a kid and do you have any fond memories of them?
Piano from an old hag. If I played a wrong note, she'd push my fingers in to the keys and hold them down until I screamed with pain. Unfortunately, this turned me off finishing my grades.

What's the most rock n roll thing you've ever done to an instrument?
Break a guitar in half at one of my old school band gigs in the gym. It was a bad idea though as I had to work loads of terrible jobs to buy a new one.The chicks loved it all the same.

What's your favourite Irish musical instrument shop and why?
Charlie Byrnes. They know their shit and have lots of weird things.

What's your favourite place to record and why?
In my own studio Area 51 in Dublin. Its 'my sanctuary', y'know?

Autamata's debut album, MY SANCTUARY, is out now on Left Hand Records.