It’s not easy to allocate John Budnik Band into a genre box. Simply, the talented Alaskan seems to surf over a wealth of references and inspirations, borrowing the most interesting elements and re-packing them into an authentic, electrifying formula. ‘Beginner’s Mind’ is the result of such a process, a deep dive into classic rock, blues and Americana influences, all drenched with positive, nostalgic lyricism.
Featuring eleven tracks, ‘Beginner’s Mind’ is certainly a compelling offering, pretty eclectic in its execution. Tracks such as ‘Useful Idiot’ are a certain joy to listen to, with hazy guitar tones and a veiled psych character interlaced into it. ‘New Vibe’ showcases the project’s ability to groove. ‘Miss the Days’ is tender and melancholic, yet sort of comforting. Overall, we are big fans of how many of the songs are introduced by a solo drum groove.
Philip Toshio Sudo’s book ‘Zen Guitar’ provides the cornerstone for Budnik’s compositional ethos. As he explains: “The intention is to assemble every facet of the sound and its process with an open mind. This includes doing away with any ideas of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, instead approaching the sound as if I were a beginner, uninhibited by the conventional ideas that musicians are often restrained to.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Beginner’s Mind’ on Spotify:
