I’m Neil Shukla, An Interviewer Looking For a Great Story
Talking Rock ‘n’ Roll with Alan Cross
Every person has a story to tell, whether they’re a fledgling artist with nothing but a dream or a world famous rock star with personal tales of greatest moments in music. I’m here to explore these stories.
I’ve interviewed some of the world’s most respected in the music industry, from legendary musicians to influential Canadian media figures to producers behind music’s greatest talents. But these folks are more than just their resumes - they’re emotional, intellectual, flawed, ambitious, and human. I want to get to know them.
Interviews
Lari Basilio
Lari Basilio continues to push boundaries in the world of progressive rock. The Brazilian phenom’s technical ability and unique playing style is only rivaled by her pure creativity and inventiveness. She showed me how she plays one of her most creative riffs in person.
Chantal Kreviazuk & Raine Maida
Two of Canada’s greatest songwriters in their own right, this power couple takes a deep dive into the passion that makes their music flow. In this candid and open interview, Chantal and Raine open up and talk about the joys and challenges of performing and writing as a married couple.
David Grissom
David Grissom is simply put, one hell of a player. His talent has inspired some of the all-time greats to call him up to the studio, including Buddy Guy, John Mellencamp, and Bob Dylan. He sat down to talk tone, guitars, and got into the mindset behind working with these artists.
Rockstars In Cars with Kirk Hammett
As Metallica’s lead guitarist, Kirk Hammett is universally agreed on as one of the all time greatest guitarists, in skill and legacy. Despite selling out the world’s largest stadiums on a nightly basis, he visited Cosmo Music to play a gig in a different project - a cover band with Rob Trujillo, Joey Castillo, Whitfield Crane, and Doc Coyle. In our Rockstars In Cars series, we find out how this project came to fruition.
Paul Reed Smith
Some of the greatest artists of all time have sought out Paul Reed Smith’s guitars as their axe of choice, from Carlos Santana to John Mayer. There’s a reason why the CEO and luthier continues to make waves as an instrument manufacturer, and he told me it boils down to a “dirt simple” approach in this candid interview.
Rockstars In Cars with Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett got surprisingly candid in this episode of Rockstars In Cars. He talked about not taking The Wedding Band too seriously, about how he still cares immensely about Metallica, and how playing guitar fills the “hole in his soul”.
Nicko McBrain
Nicko McBrain isn’t just Iron Maiden’s legendary drummer, he’s also one of the most animated personalities in heavy metal. I wanted to hear his thoughts about the band’s wild live tour, and the iconic rock star had some crazy and hilarious stories to tell, including his experience of almost being “fried” by a flamethrower-wielding Bruce Dickinson!
Chris Murphy
Chris Murphy is a Canadian icon. Sloan has often been described as “The Canadian Beatles”, and it’s a term that I decided to get into with the sarcastic and charismatic frontman. In a casual interview that neither of us took too seriously, Chris ended up reflecting on Sloan’s legacy and his role in Canadian culture.
Alan Cross
Alan Cross is one of the most respected interviewers in Canada. He’s interviewed the world’s biggest cultural icons, so I’ll admit to an ulterior motive - I wanted to learn from the best. It began as an interview talking about interviews, but quickly turned into a wider existential conversation about the state of rock ‘n’ roll.
Rockstars In Cars with John Petrucci
It is not hyperbolic to suggest that John Petrucci is the most talented heavy metal guitarist of all time. In this viral clip of our Rockstars In Cars series, we take a Seinfeld-esque approach to hanging out with this titan of rock, where he casually dropped some bombshells about his early influences, which fans may not have seen coming.
Eddie Kramer
Eddie Kramer is the man behind the most legendary records ever produced. He engineered all of Jimi Hendrix’s studio albums, five Led Zeppelin albums, two hits by The Beatles, and has worked with the biggest names in rock and roll. I asked him about the the recording process behind Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”, and was utterly fascinated to hear his musings on what Jimi Hendrix’s fourth album would have sounded like.
Andy Timmons
Andy Timmons has earned a reputation among progressive rock enthusiasts as a genius guitar player. I sat down with Andy to have an earnest discussion on self-reflection, personal philosophy, and how it affects songwriting. He also does a killer impression of guitar legend Mike Stern.
Bif Naked
Bif Naked is a rockstar with a powerful message. The feminist icon’s message of self-love and unashamed authenticity was rebellious when she began her career. I wanted to know what her thoughts were of her artistry in today’s cultural landscape. What resulted was an open, engaging, and candid interview about feminism, inclusion, social media, and her struggles with breast cancer.
Ian Thornley
Ian Thornley is one of Canada’s hugest rockstars. The Big Wreck frontman exudes inspiration and creativity the moment you’re in his presence. I wanted to explore his creative process behind interesting elements on his album “Grace Street”, and what resulted was a fun and inspired conversation, with a side of cheeky jokes.
Tosin Abasi
Tosin Abasi is arguably the most innovative talent in modern progressive metal. He’s continually breaking new ground with guitar playing techniques that have largely gone unexplored. I wanted to know more about the thinking behind his music, and what resulted is a deconstruction of the emotion at the heart of his music - anger.
Music Videos
Oh Geronimo - Waves
Oh Geronimo’s “Waves” is a fantasy epic following the rise of the sorcerer villain Stu'uldahn. I shot and directed this feature.
Oh Geronimo - The Flood
Oh Geronimo’s “The Flood” is a winter fantasy epic following the rise of the hero Ciaronimo. I shot and directed this feature.
Oh Geronimo - Arctic Shores
Oh Geronimo’s “Arctic Shores” propelled the band to a spot in the CBC Searchlight Top 25. I shot and directed this feature.