simon paparo

Maton EM325c

Guitar was the first instrument I played and has always been my main/go to instrument. Ever since hearing Led Zep and playing along when I was 14, I was hooked! I play more of a folk pop style of guitar because that’s the kind of music I grew up listening to.

Yamaha NP-30

As a young kid, I had a couple of piano lessons but never was really interested till later on in life. Now I feel I have a more natural relationship with keys. Though it’s not my strongest instrument, I feel I can convey a lot of emotion with keys. I play keys with very much a “pop ballad” style approach.

Pearl Export 20^th Anniversary Series

I was about 20 when I decided it was a good idea to learn drums and buy a kit. It was a good move as it’s taught me a lot about the relationship of good timing and gives great opportunity to create unique beats. I play drums mainly to experiment with new beats and use them for live drum production purposes. My drum style is definitely influenced by rockers like Jon Bonham from Led Zeppelin and Bill Ward from Black Sabbath.

Hohner Pro Harp MS

I started harmonica not long after picking up the guitar. After absorbing folk music that my father would often play (Bob Dylan, Neil Young etc) growing up, the next natural instrument for me to sample was the harmonica….they are a great blend with acoustic guitar and keys and I also love to experiment with layered harmonica sounds in recording…it’s kind cool as it can sometimes sound like a piano accordion. I play a very Neil Young influenced harmonica style.

Nashville JMA-130E-RDB-N

To say I play Mandolin is kind of like saying I play the triangle…..Well maybe a little different, haha. I bought a Mandolin roughly 10 years ago, mainly for recording purposes. I only play simple little melodies on it, however it definitely serves its purpose as my latest single “Gold At Midnight” opens with the mandolin!