artists » Devin Bronson - Guitar Olympian

Born into a musical family – his mother is a radio station exec and his father a well-known LA musician – Devin Bronson took up the guitar in junior high school and hasn’t stopped playing since. Not long after graduating from high school, Devin headed out on a smash world tour with Kelly Osbourne. After a stint touring with Canadian mega-stars Treble Charger, Devin was called to take on the guitar chores with Avril Lavigne. Although Bronson was replacing guitarist Evan Taubenfeld, the two remained friends and collaborated on the latter’s Welcome to the Blacklist Club. Devin’s live dates with Ms. Lavigne found him playing to millions of TV viewers around the globe during the closing ceremony of the recent 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Most recently, Devin Bronson has been working with Lights Over Paris. We caught up with the busy guitarist and were able to ask him a few questions about his music and his remarkable custom VOX Virage guitar.

VOX: Hi Devin; thanks for talking with us. Let’s start at the beginning: How old were you when you knew that music was “it”??

Devin Bronson: Fourteen … I realized I had the body of a pre-teen girl, so sports were out of the question. If I ever wanted to make a living and hook up with girls I better get good at music! [Laughs!]

VOX: How are you keeping busy these days?

DB: Playing on lots of records. [With] artists like Avril Lavigne, Demi Lovato, Miranda Cosgrove, The Cab … every time I walk into the studio, I get excited at being able to create something and contribute to someone’s record.

VOX: You are working on something new now as well, right?

DB: I am also now the lead guitarist for a band called Lights Over Paris. Working with this band has been the most surreal thing. The band is a mix between Linkin Park, Rihanna, and the TV show Entourage … use your imagination!!!

VOX: So rewind to just a few months ago. You recently played a special guitar with Avril at the closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympics; what made you choose to play a VOX guitar for arguably your single most high-profile gig to date?

DB: I wanted to play something unique that wasn’t like everyone else’s guitar. VOX and I worked together to come up with the sparkle design. EVERYONE at the show commented on the guitar as I was walking to the stage – which made me know I had made the right choice.

VOX: What led you to try the VIRAGE?

DB: I am always looking for something new and fresh that isn’t just a knock off of a design that already works. The Virage looked like the “future” to me, which initially led me to check it out. Once I picked it up and played it for a few, I fell in love with its versatility.

VOX: Have you had the opportunity to record with the Virage?

DB: I have. You can hear my custom sparkle Virage on the Lights Over Paris track titled “Rescue Me”.

VOX: What kind of sound are you going for with the Virage?

DB: It all depends … these days I am really digging the P90 sound. So if I had to pick a favorite, it would be that.

VOX: Any other VOX gear in your life?

DB: Well, my VOX AC30 is a staple in my rig! Nothing comes close to that sound. I am looking forward to trying the Joe Satriani Time Machine delay pedal as well when I go out on tour this fall.

Devin, thanks so much. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Watch Devin’s video on VOX’s youtube channel.

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