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Warren Gilbreath is originally from Tennessee and moved to Telluride in 2016 to chase a childhood dream of living in the box canyon. Warren plays a variety of instruments from banjo to electric guitar. As a 2023 Telluride Arts and Augment Music Grant recipient, he released his first EP, Commuter Rock: Music For Your Drive To Work. From Traditional to Experimental, his broad musical influences and willingness to explore textures with loops and effect pedals are showcased in his live performances.

We asked Warren a few questions…

What is your chosen artistic medium?

I've wanted to be a rockstar since Kindergarten, and the electric guitar would be my vehicle to play in-front of tens of thousands of fans at Madison Square Garden. While that hasn't happened, I've learned a variety of stringed instruments and can fake it on most of them. Except the violin. Atrocious.

What are you currently working on?

I just released my first EP called "Commuter Rock - Music For Your Drive To Work" and preparing for a proper album release at Telluride Arts on 3/28 with my band, Atari Safari. Everything was written, performed, mixed, and recorded by myself in my home studio, and my friend Brett Neuman did the mastering. It was a lot of work, but hearing the response has been super rewarding. Physical copies are available through my website (warrengilbreath.com) or stream it where ever you stream music. I still have about 30+ originals that need to find their way into the recording studio. We'll see what happens

If you could have a conversation with one artist, alive or deceased, who would it be and why?

For those that know me, it may come as no surprise I would have loved to hang out in the Heartbreaker's Clubhouse with Tom Petty. Along with Paul McCartney, Petty was my first musical idol. His ease of writing songs and crafting hooks is what making music is all about for me. I love the songwriting process, and to pick his brain would be a dream come true. Check out the many documentaries that exist on the internet, and you'll see how he can pull a song out of nowhere. That dude is as close to a real magician as it gets. He also seems like a super cool dude, that would be fun to burn some reefer with, geek out on guitars and jam some tunes. I miss Tom Petty everyday.

What are you reading/watching/ or listening to?

Reading: Fretboard Journal and Emails

Watching: Spring Training Baseball, Curb Your Enthusiasm

Listening: Oh man... all kinds of stuff. Lately.... The Mermen, Tuatara, Tortoise, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Neu!, Bernard Purdie, Hailu Mergia, Fiona Apple, Nels Cline, Boygenius, Yo La Tengo, Richard Stoltzman, Wes Anderson Soundtracks. KOTO. I've really been enjoying Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Super Deluxe Box set. I love outtakes, b-sides, and alternate takes. I've always been intrigued by the process. The Wildflowers Box Set. Beatles Anthologies. Go to Telluride Music, and check out the vinyl selection.... basically that.

What was a growth moment or barrier breaking realization for you?

In 8th Grade I discovered the Buena Vista Social Club. That's when I realized I will never be the next Stevie Ray Vaughan, and that that is OK. There are thousands of guitarists that can do that better than I ever will. So, why do I want to sound like someone else? You don't have to be "good" at your instrument to be "good". What is "good", anyway? Why do I care if people think I am "good"? Kurt Cobain wasn't a "good" guitar player. Willie Nelson got kicked out of Nashville for being a "bad" singer. It's more about passion and confidence. Not saying that the players on BVSC aren't good, they are phenomenal! But, the realization that you don't have to be played on the radio or MTV to be a successful artist came from that album. Make art for yourself, and if other people like it, great. If they don't, who cares.

What are your prep or practice rituals to get you into the artistic headspace?

None. I have some tricks to help me get out of the "Three Chord Rut" or navigate writer's block, but I firmly believe that songs/melodies are just kind of floating around, and its my job as an artist/musician to be aware when the moment strikes and capture it. Sometimes it's in the car (Commuter Rock, anyone?), the shower, hiking, sitting on the couch, or in the middle of another song. Petty talks about that a lot. About how you have to be open to whatever the universe is trying to tell you. Sometimes the song presents itself, and those are usually the best ones.