Newton Faulkner
Two performances on May 7
Borders Bookstore Performance (511 Boylston, 12:30 pm)
Middle East Downstairs
With Teitur and Jessie Baylin
8pm, $12 advance / $14 doors

Just 23 years old and about to embark on a summer of playing huge festivals, U.K. musician Newton Faulkner might seem like the furthest thing from an “ageing superhero.” Yet that’s just one way the unassuming guitar virtuoso characterizes himself in the lyrics on his latest album, Hand Built by Robots, released in the U.S. on Tuesday, April 29. Faulkner’s remarkable guitar talent is complemented by wisdom beyond his years, and his perceptiveness helps make Hand Built enjoyable in multiple ways. We had the privilege of talking to Faulkner recently, and he'll be in town soon for two performances.

A dreadlocked Brit, Faulkner characterizes himself as “probably” 50-60% nerd, 30-40% hippie, and 10% “something else.” His use of unusual guitar techniques like tapping and finger-picking could be considered a nerdy trait, and his dreadlocks certainly allow people to identify him as a hippie on sight. Faulkner also espouses some hippie-ish optimism in songs like “People Should Smile More.” While the sentiment may seem a little on the sappy side, you can’t deny that he’s absolutely right.

Though he’s an upbeat, affable guy, Faulkner is serious about music. He trained at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, England, and also studied under guitar master Eric Roche. Before getting serious about his studies, though, Faulkner did plenty of experimentation on his own. With reference to tapping, the musical technique that helps set his music apart from other guitar jammers, he admits that “I spent maybe a year thinking I’d invented it”—a notion easily dispelled by Roche’s command of the technique.

Read more of our talk with Newton after the jump.

Because tapping is just a “collection of techniques,” Faulkner says it “can be applied to any style,” freeing up gung-ho guitarists to explore a variety of styles with their varied techniques. He mentions Kaki King as an “amazing” musical contemporary who’s engaging in similar guitar methods, and cites Andy McKee as another skilled practitioner of tapping. Though Faulkner listens to “bits of everything” (from Tom Waits to Nina Simone to “cheesy pop”) when it comes to music, he’s currently focusing on piano music instead of guitar in hopes that the other instrument will inspire him to do something new on guitar.

Along with piano, Faulkner’s listening to some instrumental electronic music for inspiration. He covered Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” on Hand Built by Robots, so perhaps another unusual acoustic cover is in the works for the next recording. Faulkner didn’t say, but he did comment on his frequent practice of playing little snippets of covers in concert, including bits of “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”—an 80s favorite everywhere.

Having been born in 1985 (the same year “You Spin Me Round” was originally released), Faulkner is a little bit new on the international tour scene. He was first in the United States for SXSW in 2006. Though he only stayed in the states for a few days, he was there long enough to play “spot the band” from the windows of the tall building where he stayed. He and his friends would look out the window at downtown Austin and try to identify groups of similarly attired/demeanored individuals that must be in bands together, then pick out who played what instrument. Bass players and drummers tended to be most easily identifiable, though Faulkner says “you can usually tell by the haircut” who the lead singer is. Try this game next time you’re near a music fest!

Speaking of festivals, Faulkner will be playing Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, and Mile High Music Festival this summer, which he’s excited about. Other Faulkner claims to fame include playing Jimmy Page’s birthday party, a #1 album debut on the U.K. Billboard charts (for Hand Built by Robots), and some of the finest (or at least longest) dreadlocks on any British musician in recent memory. This experimental but accessible guitarist is currently en route to the United States after a few dates in Europe. Catch him at the Middle East if you can, or chalk up some festival time this summer. It'll be a groovy good time.