In the short time I have known him, Moses has become a very close friend. This is in no small part due to the fact that he is also my guitar teacher. Before we get to all that, I just want to say working in retail has its drawbacks for sure, however on a regular basis, it can also be the catalyst for meeting a wide variety of new people. This is especially true in the lead up to the busy Christmas period and yes this is indeed how I met Moses, just a couple of years ago as our paths crossed temporarily at John Lewis.
I’m sure we can all date back to that moment when our musical spirit was first awoken. I can date my lyrical awakening back to being 15 years old and hearing the rapper Nas for the first time. Musically however, I would have to say it was hearing and seeing flamenco performed live for the first time. I was only 7 but I was completely blown away by the skill and energy of the performance. Moses puts his love affair with music down to a special connection with the king of pop. “In our living room we'd listen to all kinds of music but when my mum put Michael Jackson on the hi-fi, I would be dancing all over the room like a switch had been flipped on my body...”
Mr Mendoza first attempted to play guitar at the age of 15 and in his own words sucked so badly that he didn’t dare pick up another for 5 years. Thankfully, Moses finally forgave himself for angering the guitar Gods on that day, as soon after turning 20 he finally decided to make a long standing dream a reality and bought his first electric guitar from a good friend at the time.
I take great hope from the manner in which Moses sums up his subsequent journey to being able to master the guitar as best he could. “I wasn't naturally talented but I had the ear and the passion to keep playing, transforming the limitations of my hands year by year...” Practice, practice, practice is the secret. As his skill level increased, eventually teaching became a natural evolutionary step.
Personally, I always had it in mind to take piano lessons at some point, ever since I had the fleeting opportunity to take a few classes back when I was at school. Well, many years have passed since and nothing has happened. Although, that is not exactly true, as it is the combination of this musical inclination and the serendipitous timing of meeting Moses that has ultimately led to learning to play guitar. For the time being then, the piano will have to continue to wait patiently.
Training the hands and fingers to do as they’re told take time and to sound good to the ear take even longer. It is clearly going to take a while before I can call myself a guitarist as well as a lyricist. Until that day comes I will need the help of musicians like Moses to give me the platform, on which I can project the power of my words to the world.
Our first song together is called White Clown, after you know who! Written in the week after Donald Trumps election, the lyrics attempts to assert just what a bad decision this had been and was going to be. Admittedly this position is a matter of opinion, not everyone will agree with my assessment but I always tend to trust my instincts, especially on matters of principle. For this reason I will always openly express my objections to the world when I believe it is hurting itself.
We are currntly in the middle of experimenting with a number rifts and melodies, trying to find the sound that works best. This process is slightly complicated due to the varied patterns and rhythms that run throughout my verse. The idea is to make subtle adjustments to the cords at certain points so I can seamlessly ride the harmonies Moses provides me with as much as possible.
As far as the road ahead is concerned Moses is open minded, so long as it feels right that is. “I could find myself on a mist covered stage staring into the bright lights or I could be in a warm, dimly lit room playing only for the person I love...”
Beyond the chaotic and ominous backdrop to the world today, I certainly share Moses’s philosophical view of the future that;“Ultimately it doesn't matter where you end up, as long as your heart is in it when you're there...”
“This bro is so Rock and Roll,
And he knows it,
A slice of the Rolling Stones,
Mixed with the Stone Roses,
And a hint of M.J,
Every guitarist in history is his Sensai,
Born with a passion for practicing,
His gift is he laps it in,
In fact when he’s strumming his Fender,
This former bar tender,
Is more than ready,
To rubbish all pretenders,
Forget etiquette,
His paws are a force to be reckoned with,
Since every finger pluck,
Triggers a thunder clap,
Take it from Uncle Jack,
That it’s a sure thing,
He’ll soon be moon walking,
From these shores to New York,
While letting his awesome strings,
Do all the smooth talking...”
Posted (25/06/18)