In a recent interview on the Broken Records podcast, singer and guitarist St. Vincent shared an interesting story about receiving a signature Stratocaster from Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready. Despite her long career as a guitarist, St. Vincent admitted she had never played a Stratocaster before.
Avoiding the Stratocaster – Until Now
St. Vincent explained that her hesitation in playing the iconic guitar stemmed from its deep association with legendary players like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. “A Strat has so much history, I don’t know how to approach it,” she confessed. She also humorously added, “Every time I pick up a Strat, I play Jimi Hendrix poorly,” acknowledging the intimidating legacy that comes with playing such a renowned instrument.
A Gift from Mike McCready
Her perspective changed when McCready, a friend and fellow guitarist, gifted her one of his signature Stratocasters. St. Vincent reflected on the moment: “Mike gave me one and it was great. And it was, ‘Now I get why people love Strats.’” She even went on to play the guitar on her track “All Born Screaming,” particularly at the end of “Broken Man,” noting that it was the Strat that made its appearance on the recording.
Cultural Baggage and the Stratocaster
In a separate interview with Guitar, St. Vincent explained her decision to incorporate the Stratocaster into her album All Born Screaming. She admitted that she never would have considered playing one if McCready hadn’t given her the guitar. She acknowledged the “cultural baggage” of the Stratocaster, associating it with the playing styles of past legends and the pressure of trying to emulate their iconic sounds. “There’s also a history of people trying to play like Jimi Hendrix and sucking,” she added, illustrating the weight of the Stratocaster’s history and how it often sets a high bar for players.
St. Vincent’s All Born Screaming, released in April 2024, marks her seventh studio album, and the inclusion of the Stratocaster proves that even the most established musicians can find new inspiration and musical directions when trying something new.
