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`Acoustic Ninja' slays crowd with unique style |
By Nicole
Clark, Newberg Graphic intern
E-mail Nicole at thegraphic@eaglenewspapers.com |
Trace Bundy, aka the
“Acoustic Ninja,” drew record numbers to Rotary Centennial Park this
week for the sixth installment of Tunes on Tuesday.
More than 400 people showed up to listen to music and relax in the
warm weather. In addition, vendors sold food and provided plastic
leis and water for everyone, and J’s Restaurant and Lounge offered
several local wines for tasting.
Bundy, casually
dressed in a T-shirt, jeans and sandals, began playing at 6:30 p.m.
The 30-year-old guitarist specializes in “finger-tapping,” a
pickless guitar technique using both hands, which allows musicians
to play multiple harmonies on the same instrument.
He started experimenting with guitar because of “the fact that I
can’t sing,” he said. “I had to put all my effort into just
playing.”
Bundy also utilized effects pedals extensively through his
performance, demonstrating recording effects such as backwards
playback, which according to urban legend has been used by several
heavy-metal artists to hide “subliminal” messages within songs. When
Bundy applied this technique to one of his songs, it sounded like
“ninja monkeys playing xylophones,” he said.
Although many of Bundy’s songs are original compositions, he also
entertained the crowd with pop and hip hop covers, as well as
renditions of classical standards such as Pachelbel’s Canon in D and
Beethoven’s “Fur Elise.”
Many of those gathered in the park, including Linda Sandberg and
Kim Godshalk, said Bundy was talented. “I like the music,” Sandberg
said. “This is definitely entertaining.”
Joanie Wheeler, who brought her parrot to watch the show, agreed.
“He’s very good,” she said.
Bundy found it difficult to summarize his style of music.
“It’s basically me trying to really push the boundaries of what you
can do on guitar,” he said. “It’s pretty much endless techniques.”
During the concert he demonstrated his use of tapping as well as
custom “capos,” or clamps, which clamp down different combinations
of strings on the guitar.
His musical influences are as varied as the techniques he uses. “(I
listen to) tons of different types of music,” he said. “Whenever I
hear something interesting, that just influences me.”
Although his performance venues run the gamut from colleges to
churches to old theaters, he said he enjoys playing outdoor
community shows such as Tunes on Tuesday. “I like being able to
share my music with as many people as I can,” he said.
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Published
Aug. 18, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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