Tame Impala's Kevin Parker: “I've rediscovered the joy of trying random chord shapes and seeing what happens. That's how so many great guitar parts were written”

Kevin Parker performing live
(Image credit: Frank Hoensch/Redferns via Getty)

Kevin Parker – the force behind the psychedelic groove machine that is Tame Impala – is well known for recording and mixing sublime sonic confections that blend both vintage and modern studio production gear. When it comes to recording guitars, though, his approach concerns itself with capturing the final sound live: “It’s got to have the character that I'm intending for it while I'm playing it.” 

Though Parker tours with a talented bunch of longtime friends including members of Australian band Pond, with whom he puts on rapturously attended concerts around the world, he records all the elements on his albums by himself. That includes everything on the recently issued B-sides follow up to 2020’s The Slow Rush

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Bruce Fagerstrom

Bruce is a freelance writer of features and interviews for Guitar World and MAGNET Magazine among other titles. He's played guitar in numerous garage bands with much better musicians who sometimes laugh at his Ovation Breadwinner.