March 4, 2019 • 40 mins
In the second episode of Metal Maven Podcast, I’m joined by Isaac Delahaye of Epica and we discuss the importance of sharing knowledge and how it shaped his recently launched online platform, College of Metal.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Metal Maven (00:02):
Welcome to the Metal Maven Podcast where we
explore and discover the processand passions of artists in the
metal music and art community.
I'd like to welcome our secondguest to Metal Maven Podcast,
Isaac Delahaye.
He's currently the leadguitarist in Epica and has been
an active guitarist for around15 years.
(00:23):
He's also played for MaYaN andGod Dethroned.
He has an exciting new offeringto share with the metal
community called College ofMetal, an online platform
providing practical and in-depthlessons from professional metal
musicians and industry leaders.
Welcome Isaac.
How are you?
Isaac Delahaye (00:40):
Doing really good.
How about you?
Metal Maven (00:42):
I'm doing great.
I am ready for a nap, but I'mhere with you right now.
It's weird.
It's like you're just waking upand I'm about ready to go to
bed, but this is how we have todo this thing.
Isaac Delahaye (00:54):
Exactly.
You're the first one to talk toand probably for you, I'm the
last one to talk to.
Metal Maven (01:00):
I know.
Hey, I'm fine with that.
As long as you are.
Isaac Delahaye (01:04):
Just got some coffee and I'm good to go.
Metal Maven (01:06):
Oh, I, you know what?
I wish, but I'd never get tosleep.
So let's talk a little bit moreabout College of Metal.
In your launch video, youmentioned teaching guitar for 20
years.
How did that begin for you andeventually lead to the present
moment, opening your onlineschool.
(01:27):
What was that journey like?
Isaac Delahaye (01:29):
Um, well I started teaching I think around
the age of maybe 16.
It was back in high school whenone of the teachers there, he
was teaching cords to a coupleof students like after school
hours.
And since his students becamebetter, he couldn't handle it
(01:52):
himself anymore.
So, uh, he needed someone whocould teach those students a
little more than he could causethat was just limited to
strumming and a couple of cords.
So that's when he asked me to dothe more advanced students.
So I started teaching, uh, twohours.
(02:15):
That was weekly at high schoolfor peers.
And, uh, that was good fun.
And then soon after that I alsostarted teaching electric guitar
at the youth department in myhometown, uh, sort of part of
the cultural education of thecity, so to speak.
(02:37):
That were, pretty much justprivate lessons, one on one.
And in the meantime went tocollege of music.
And then after that I started,um, the pop rock departments for
two different music academieshere in Belgium.
And uh, so that was kind of newbecause in Belgium you didn't
(03:01):
really have such a, you, you canplay either classical guitar,
which I did from seven until 17,or you could play jazz like pop
and rock.
That never really was an option.
And uh, so I started two ofthose departments and still was
(03:21):
doing private lessons.
So that's, and now I startedthis online thing because I
thought either I, I pick upprivate lessons again or I
target the more international orwider audience and I chose the
latter.
So that's been the, the journeylike, uh, from, from just
(03:44):
teaching my friends at school.
So to speak, to trying to teachthe world.
Metal Maven (03:54):
Nice! So this concept of College of Metal.
Was it something that you hadthought about for a while or was
it a moment of inspiration andyou got to work really quick?
I mean, you've been, you've beenteaching for a long time.
So it just seemed like a naturalnext step.
Isaac Delahaye (04:11):
Yeah, I mean, uh, it wasn't something that I
planned very, very long inadvance.
It was pretty much part of a, asyou might've noticed, Epica
isn't touring at the moment.
So I have some time on my handsand I thought this is the right
time to, if I wanted to dosomething on the side or just
(04:34):
like Mark has MaYaN or Simone isdoing the photography or
everyone has like his sideproject or things you'd still
want to do next to the band.
And usually there's not a lot oftime to do that.
But, so I started thinking andalso picking up a couple of
(04:55):
really awesome books, which youknow, reading those books led to
the thought of creating Collegeof Metal.
And just quickly, uh, referringto the books, one of them, it's
"The Four Hour Work Week" of TimFerriss, which was great because
you know, this, this guy is justliving his dream, so to speak,
(05:17):
which is a couple of hours work.
But obviously it's not thatsimple.
So he's explaining everything inthat book.
But the principles behind it arevery, very cool.
But there's also a lot of bookslike"The 80/20 Principle" or uh,
you know,"The Magic of ThinkingBig" and stuff like that, you
(05:40):
know.
So I was just on this readingtrip, so to speak.
And one book led to the otherand one thought to the other.
So that's when I started tocreate College of Metal because,
you know, let's say that Ipicked up private lessons then
from the time or from the momentEpica would do something again,
(06:02):
I would have to stop doing that.
So that led me to the idea ofdoing it online.
And then I thought the samething, if I want to create
lessons every probably, youknow, that feeling with a
podcast, you know, if you needto create a new episode every
time, again, uh, you need timefor that.
(06:24):
So the same thing.
If Epica would go on full poweragain, I wouldn't have time.
So that's when I thought, well,why don't I, you know, talk to
the people I know in theindustry because I happen to
know a lot of professionalmusicians, um, because I've been
in this job, so to speak for acouple of years.
(06:48):
So, you know, that's how thewhole idea started.
And, and it happened once I gotthe initial idea, it started
growing automatically and thatkind of told me that it was a
good idea because if not, itwould just die and nothing would
have happened.
(07:08):
So that's how it started.
Metal Maven (07:12):
So it's just maximizing your time and using
the contacts that you've alreadyhad, just kind of staying in
that flow.
How long did everything take toput together?
I mean, you can be specific too,like maybe it's the the Epica
bundle.
Isaac Delahaye (07:30):
Obviously everything was already recorded
as songs.
So I just had to transcribe allthe guitar tabs that took me,
let's say for every song it'saround, Oh, another very cool
book, which I have to mentionfirst is, uh,"Build Your
Business In 90 Minutes A Day."And that was the first book.
(07:54):
It was very small.
And the first book that Iactually picked up, like
starting to read again, youknow, when I had some time and
uh, and this was basically alsotalking about the 80/20
principle and said that, well,if you just focus on your
business for 90 minutes a day,even if you don't have a
(08:15):
business and you start thinkingabout it for 90 minutes a day,
then you'll see tremendouschange.
So I thought, you know, I'llgive it a try.
And actually it's in bits of 90minutes that I built College of
Metal.
Um, so I would pretty much justwrite a whole song and uh, or a
(08:36):
guitar tab in 90 minutes.
So if you only have a limitedset of time, that's the purpose
and principle, then you, you'relike, the shorter you make your
deadline, the more focusedyou're gonna work.
And that's exactly what I did.
So, um, let's say, uh, preparingthe actual lessons because it's
(09:04):
one thing to play a song, butit's a whole other thing to
explain it actually.
So I had to write it out.
It's like, just go through thesongs and what is the stuff that
people should have to watch outfor or you know, any particular
things in a song.
So that took a while, let's sayfor every song one day.
(09:25):
And then I recorded it inNovember, uh, went to record the
actual videos and then it gotedited, which that, that took
the longest time.
So the whole process I would saywas, uh, October, November,
December, let's say four months,which is a long time in my head.
Metal Maven (09:48):
It's like broken up into just small bits a day.
Isaac Delahaye (09:54):
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Because, uh, I also have, youknow, I wanted to concentrate on
other things too because thiswas the time where I finally
wasn't on the road, right?
So if I would just be in my homestudio all day and forget about
friends and family, thatwouldn't be the best business to
(10:18):
start with, right?
So I really wanted to try outthe concept of that 90 minutes a
day and just, you know, focusedattention.
So, and, and it really worked.
Yeah.
It's also a, if I knew this likeback when I started playing
guitar, I probably would have,um, paid a lot more attention to
(10:41):
that.
Metal Maven (10:42):
Everything is the right timing.
This is just the time you weremeant to launch this project.
Growing up, I mean, there was nosuch thing as the Internet.
You were discussing that I thinkin your introductory video, and
I know you have a Bachelor ofMusic and you've obviously
(11:03):
learned from a higher education,but before that, when you were
starting out– Baby Delahaye– howdid, how did you self teach and
enrich yourself with theknowledge to play guitar?
Isaac Delahaye (11:17):
Well, Baby Delahaye, he started playing
guitar when he was seven,classical guitar, so, um, as I
said, it was either classicalguitar, or then jazz guitar
would be from the moment you'rearound 18 years old.
So I only had one option and Ihated it because, maybe you
(11:40):
know, that I wanted to be adrummer.
Metal Maven (11:43):
You wanted to at least be a musician.
You weren't forced into this atall?
Isaac Delahaye (11:48):
Well, I was actually, I wanted to be a
drummer because I was forced togo to music academy.
And that sounds very harsh, butit wasn't like that, you know,
as, as me and my siblings, wewere, um, we had to go obviously
to school.
But then also we had to go toart classes too.
We had to do sports, and we hadto go to music academy.
(12:11):
It was like our parents, wereuh, you know, kind of pushing
our cultural development Iguess.
Metal Maven (12:21):
Yeah.
That's a good thing though.
They're just making you wellrounded and opening you up to
new experiences.
They'd say you're better for it.
Isaac Delahaye (12:29):
Yeah.
So, you know, we had to go tomusic academy.
The first years only.
Um, like more theory, obviouslyyou first need to read the notes
or be able to read the notes,uh, before you start an
instrument.
So the first year is onlystarting to read notes and
(12:51):
rhythm.
And, um, so then at the end ofthe year I had to pick the
instrument I wanted.
And so I went back to my dad.
I said,"I want to play drums."And he said,"no way," because I
wasn't the only one at home, youknow, so it was a busy, crowded
house already.
And I guess he didn't want thatnoise or whatnot.
(13:12):
So I thought, okay, I'll goback, I'll get back to them and
I'll choose trumpet orsomething, like blow the trumpet
all day long and he can regretthat decision.
But for some reason I ended upplaying guitar probably because
a lot of my friends were doingthe same thing.
And um, so yeah, that's how Ipicked up classical guitar.
(13:35):
Didn't really like it up until apoint where, um, my teacher
said,"you know, you, you don'treally practice but you're,
you're still a little betterthan average.
So what, what if we just make adeal and you start practicing a
little more and uh, and you'llsee that you eventually will get
(13:58):
really good and maybe you canhave a career or something like
that." And this is actually thepoint in time.
I must have been around 13, 14,something like that.
Um, and that's the point where Ireally started to like playing
guitar.
So, yeah.
(14:18):
And as you said, there was noInternet, so I had this teacher
and I was playing classical andby the time I was 11, I got my
first electric guitar and uh, Ididn't really touch it the first
couple of years because the neckwas a lot thinner compared to a
classical guitar and uh, I hadto play with a guitar pick,
(14:44):
whereas classical guitar, it'susing the right hand fingers so
I couldn't really play a lot andyou know, I have a small hand
which didn't sound the way Iwanted because I wanted it to
sound like Pantera, but Icouldn't do it.
So, but slowly, and that'saround the time I was maybe 14,
(15:10):
then I started picking up thesesheet music, like the books.
So I, there was a local musicstore and they had some, some
books from like Steve Vai orDream Theater, stuff like that,
you know, and I picked it up andtried to understand what the
(15:31):
hell it was they were doing, butI couldn't make much sense out
of it.
So I just would noodle aroundand try to come up with
something that was close enough.
And then soon after that I wouldstart my own band with a couple
of guys at school.
And that's where things likekind of um, started because we
(15:54):
had to learn how to make a songand make it interesting and have
to sound like I don't know,Pantara or Machine Head or
Metallica.
So, so that's where it took off.
And then it was just kind oftrial and error and just look at
the peers, what are they doing,maybe they have a VHS.
Metal Maven (16:24):
Yeah, I was wondering if you ever watched
VHS of live shows or somethingto see if you could kind of–
it's probably not even goodenough to see the hands.
But I mean, at least it wassomething.
Isaac Delahaye (16:33):
Yeah, like try to get more information, right?
And if you compare it to thesedays as a kid, it must be both
really easy but also reallyoverwhelming because there's so
much out there now.
So that's also what I refer toin my launching video.
Like there's over abundance andthat's what I hear a lot of
times that people have a hardtime still with this flow of
(16:56):
information.
It's still apparently difficultto know what to play, you know?
But a lot of it back in the daysfor me it was also like, you
know, just listen to the album.
Listen, listen, listen to thatone riff and try to figure it
out yourself because that wasn'ton sheet music or whatnot.
That obviously Dream Theater,Steve Vai, Satriani– they all
(17:20):
have their sheet music becauseit's very technical and very
challenging.
So everyone wants to be likethem.
But your average band didn'thave sheet music and it still is
like that I think.
And that's part of the reasonwhy I created College of Metal.
The average band doesn't,doesn't really have a sheet
(17:41):
music publishing dealer,whatever, you know so...
Metal Maven (17:49):
Let's get into the schools of learning that you
provide in College of Metal.
So you have one side that'smusic and the other is for
business.
In your experience, do mostbands starting out generally–
they would only generally havethe music side mostly under
control, probably notcompletely.
With your inside knowledge, andwhat you encounter through
(18:12):
touring with support acts, whoare new blood in the business,
what are metal band starting outusually lacking and how does
your program help guide themdown a successful path?
Isaac Delahaye (18:23):
Well that's a good question, and it's not easy
to answer.
Like you said, let's say thatyou have a band which is
supporting, like they just camearound the corner, they got the
support slot of bigger bands.
(18:45):
So supposedly their music isokay.
They just need to grow theiraudience, and I guess they need
to grow their capacity to investbecause eventually, if you want
it or not, your band will bekind of a business.
You know, you're not going totour the world for fun only, you
(19:08):
need to get some return oninvestment so to speak.
So I guess the biggest problemthere is because let's say we've
toured a lot in the US andusually, and especially back in
the days when I was playing withGod Dethroned, it's a tough
jungle.
(19:28):
You know, like you had to gofrom point A to B, which in the
US is a lot, uh, the distancesare much bigger than point A to
B in Europe for instance,because Paris and Brussels in
Europe it's really close but inthe US, if you go from one big
city to the other, you cantravel for a day easily.
(19:52):
And um, so you need a lot ofmoney for gas.
That's sometimes already tough.
I've seen bands who, really goodbands, who had a hard time to
find that money to, to go from Ato B.
So what I'm not saying is that,you know, with College of Metal
(20:13):
in the business department,which I'll start soon, once you
listen or learn from that, thatall your problems will be gone.
They won't because you need thatkind of faith, right?
You need to mature.
But either way.
So that's how it is.
But I can point out things and,and um, so there's a lot that
(20:34):
could be wrong.
So that's why it's really hardto point out a specific thing.
But, but either the productionside isn't what they're focusing
on, so they have their acttogether, but it looks silly or
are, you know, our gear, I'veseen a lot of bands that didn't
(20:56):
really take care of their gearand therefore in the middle of
the set that would just shut offor stuff would happen.
And it happens with me from timeto time.
You know, that's what happens ifyou tour.
But if you take care of it andyou have good gear and you just,
um, you know, pay attention tostuff like that, if you just cut
(21:16):
the, the chances of thathappening, then that's a better
thing.
Especially if you're not known.
Because if my string, uh, likeif if my amp dies for a second,
people would even cheer for it,right?
Like,"Ha ha, Isaac's amp died,"whereas if it happens with a
(21:38):
support band, it's like,"Oh myGod, they're so unprofessional."
You know the difference, or seethe difference there?
So, yeah, that's just a coupleof things I can think of now.
But, um, yeah.
Metal Maven (21:55):
I know the question may be too specific, but are you
going to try to continue addingvideos to the business side that
would be for bands at variousstages and different situations
they may be in?
Isaac Delahaye (22:08):
Well, yeah, so for instance, what I've planned
now as a first, so the businessside will be like this.
I want to talk to like theinsiders, like managers,
bookers, maybe people fromlabels, but I all want to see it
from the perspective of thatstarting band, and you know,
(22:28):
what is it starting band?
Because you could also say thatmaybe Epica is still a starting
band compared to beingMetallica, right?
So, um, I guess everyone cantake something out of those
things.
So, um, soon I'll be talking toDaniel and he's the manager for
(22:49):
Epica and I will, uh, look at itor ask questions from that
starting band perspective.
So I'll, I'll also send out thenewsletter.
I'll send out this questionlike, what do you want to ask to
the Epica manager, is thereanything you have problems with?
(23:12):
And we can discuss that.
So that's the plan and hopefullythat will help people out there.
So yeah, it's like seeing fromthat perspective as a starting
band.
But you know, you can be, youcan be playing for 15 years and
(23:32):
still think that there is a lotof stuff you have to make
better, or stuff you need to putyour hands on, right?
Metal Maven (23:44):
Yeah.
Let me see how I want to formthis question now that we've
discussed the industry lessons.
I mean, are you going to try tohave more technical versus
industry lessons, you know, keepit balanced or do you feel like
more technical videos andlessons are your meat and
potatoes of College of Metal?
Isaac Delahaye (24:07):
Well, it's kind of go with the flow, right?
I just started this so obviouslyI have a whole big plan in my
head, but you know, reality andyou know how it's never the way
it's in your head.
Um, so I know kind of thedirection, but what, I don't
want is that this would be likeup for– if it's too technical,
(24:33):
it's not what my plan is, right?
I don't want it to be for peoplewho are really, really, really,
really good only.
And so that's also like, if youwould have a look at how the
Epica lessons are, I mean, Epicais not Dream Theater or like
(24:55):
this technical or are Steve Vaistuff, it's not like that, you
know, it's just a metal bandwith riffs.
And then sometimes there's aguitar solo or more technical
parts, but it's a blend ofeverything.
And if you just take out theguitar part, then it's not that
technical most of the times.
(25:17):
Um, and so that's the approach.
We learn songs and we learn howto play them, and you also learn
that the song isn't a solo fromstart to finish, which is hard
if you're a beginner.
I had the same thing.
I thought it was, you know, thenewest Steve Vai I was sitting
(25:38):
in my room and[guitar sounds] sothat was good fun.
But then if you start a band,you figure out, damn, I also
need riffs and I need otherstuff as well.
And um, so that can be tough.
So either way it's not, the planis not to only bring show offs,
(26:00):
like,"let's see what I can do,or look at what I can play, and
try this," that's not the plan.
It's really like,"Oh, you likethis music?
Well, I'll bring the guitarplayer and I'll put a camera in
front of him and let him showyou how it's done, or her."
Metal Maven (26:18):
It has to be fun as well.
Isaac Delahaye (26:20):
Yeah, exactly.
You know, like, like I said, Ihad as a kid– I bought these
books from the technical guysand if that's your starting
points, well then good luck.
Yeah, that's, that's not theapproach.
But obviously if the band like Ican imagine that even if I say,
"Oh, the stuff Epica is playing,is not technical," I can imagine
(26:44):
for some people they think,"Well, I think it's really
challenging," but you know, if Ishow you like this is the
difficult part, that's why Iplay it this way or I use this
different technique, you know,most guitar players would play
it like this, but I changedthings around and blah blah
(27:05):
blah.
You know, if I just shove somesheet music under your nose and
like good luck, that's adifferent thing.
Right?
So that's the approach.
And also as I said with thebusiness stuff, the same thing.
Like, I could obviously go intoa lot of details there, but you
know, it's just like, hey guys,this is happening, this is your
(27:28):
problem.
And maybe you need to look at itfrom this perspective, and see
for yourself.
And if you like it, you canstill discover more and it's
sort of that area.
Metal Maven (27:41):
Well it's also good that you're going to ask your
potential subscribers,"What doyou want to learn from me?" I
think that's what a teachershould do as well.
It's not just saying,"This iswhat I'm showing you," but
saying,"Hey, what would you liketo learn from me?
What can I provide you?"
Isaac Delahaye (27:56):
Yeah, exactly.
Because, um, I was a beginneronce, but at some level I'm
still a beginner, but you know,it's been awhile that I've
played in a band which didn'tsell anything and, and you know,
like really starting fromscratch.
(28:17):
So, I don't know if the worldchanged in the meantime.
So I think,"Why would I decidewhat's good for a band to know?"
And that's why I want to askthem.
Metal Maven (28:31):
It's also less stressful.
You don't have to think of thisstuff– you're going to ask them
and they'll let you know whatthey need.
Isaac Delahaye (28:37):
Exactly.
I mean the same with um, this,the same with the lessons I did.
You know, I just asked them,"Which are the songs you want me
to cover.
And not that this was absolutepower or something because I had
a couple of ideas, but then Isaw that certain songs we chosen
(29:01):
very often, which weren't on mylist.
So I changed the list becauseI'm not doing it for me.
You know, I know how to play thesong and know how to do it.
It's for the other people,right.
So, and what I also did was justlook online like on YouTube,
which Epica songs are coveredmost and then usually, if you
(29:23):
listen to them, they're, wellsorry to say, but they're full
of mistakes.
So that's how I ended up doing acouple of others songs.
Metal Maven (29:40):
So do you plan to incorporate various instruments,
including voice, as well intopotential lessons?
Isaac Delahaye (29:44):
As long as I don't have to do it.
The plan now is obviously to getthe whole thing started and it
just started with one guitarcourse for Epica.
So the plan is to have multipleguitar courses for multiple, um,
(30:05):
metal bands and I'm working onthat.
Once that is established, then Icould go with it.
Exactly.
You know, I could go askdrummers or bass players,
singers.
So that's the big plan indeed,but I think first, I need to
(30:25):
kind of start with the wholeguitar department– that's closer
to my home.
Eventually it will happen, yes.
Metal Maven (30:34):
This feels like a passion project for you.
It's everything you wanted foryour younger self.
And now, as a successful andseasoned musician, you can
provide tons of professionalexperience, you know, with the
click of a button.
Thinking of your past self, howdoes it feel having brought
College of Metal into the world?
Isaac Delahaye (30:55):
It's a privilege because as a kid, as I said, you
know, you start out, being 14maybe, and the mountain you look
up to just seems so steep andhigh.
You know, it's like,"How in thehell will I get there?" And
(31:17):
then, oddly enough, now I cantell that I climbed the mountain
so to speak, you know, um,because I still remember going
to a Pantera show back in 2000and that was in Ancienne
Belgique, a venue in Brussels.
And I remember being there andlike, wow, that was just a great
(31:41):
show.
And finally I saw like, this isreally the band which shaped me
as a kid and um, or as amusician.
Um, and then years later Iplayed there myself, like sold
out shows and eating backstagein the same room they probably
were eating, you know, stufflike that.
Metal Maven (32:07):
I know, everyone thinks it's so glamorous
backstage, and it's reallychilled out.
Isaac Delahaye (32:08):
Yeah, it's a cool venue, you know.
But back then I thought, youknow, they're getting– and they
probably were because they wereway more rock and roll than I am
–but they were probably gettingwasted there, and maybe smoking
some pot.
It's like you said, I prettymuch lived a dream if you can
(32:29):
use that expression, right?
So, and I'm just really happythat, and I thought, you know,
this is the time exactly.
Like if you say it's passion,well, it's like, okay, I can
just pick up teaching againbecause I like passing it on.
But why do it to one individualat a time?
(32:50):
Why not just– and why do it justby myself?
Why not just ask all mycolleague professional musician
friends to help, you know?
And that was what struck me themost.
That when I had the idea.
I thought,"oh, this is a goodidea." And then I thought,"okay,
(33:12):
well if I just Google it, I'llfind out that this already
exists in multiple forms." Andto my big surprise, it didn't, I
thought it was really strangethat no one ever thought of
doing that.
If it, ends up the way it's inmy head, like how I see it, then
(33:34):
it will be very helpful forpeople who want to become metal
musicians or just, you know, getthe right information because
it's so hard to get usefulinformation in that big, online
bullshit jungle.
You know, sometimes if I'mlooking for a certain technique
(33:57):
of a certain guitar player, likeI hear something like– lately I
just wanted to find out someEric Johnson stuff.
He's not a metal guitar player,but you know, like rock.
And I wanted to find outsomething about his playing.
And then I went online and I hadto struggle myself.
(34:18):
Like it was, I went through somany tutorials, which were
pointless or absolutely wrong.
And, um, and that's been, youknow, I've had a lot of times
and I even have the sheet musicfrom back when it was around 15
from the G3 show he did withSteve Vai and Satriani– I have
(34:43):
the sheet music.
So what I did, and becausenowadays you can just slow down
the video.
So I just watched his livevideo, slowed it down, look at
what his fingers were doing andlisten to the sound in the
meantime, you know, because thequality from back in the days
was, it was not that good.
So, um, and then I had a look atthat official sheet music book
(35:08):
and it was full of mistakes.
And so you see like I paid, Ilooked it up the other day, I
paid around 35 euros for thatbook and it's full of mistakes
and that's not the only bookthat has it.
So, so again, that's why I thinkit's really valuable if the
(35:29):
composer or performer, if themusician is in front of the
camera showing them to youbecause every time, again, it's
the best thing.
If I want to learn something newand if I find the actual person
who's playing it, teaching it,can be online on YouTube or
anywhere, you know, that'salways the best thing.
Metal Maven (35:53):
And you have quality control too because
everything you're going to beputting out is actually correct.
It's a worthy investment versuswhat you ended up having to pay
for when you were younger and itwasn't even right.
Isaac Delahaye (36:06):
Yeah, and don't get me wrong.
Maybe not every musician is thebest teacher.
So to actually, like I saidbefore, to actually talk about
it and explaining it, it, it's,it's not easy, but you get a
part of the character of thisperson.
You get part of the reason whyhe or she is doing it this way.
(36:31):
And I think that is as importantas actually,"This is how you
played riff A and this is howyou do." You know, you couldn't
figure that out when it getshard to us, as long as you see
the person do it and explain alittle about it.
And it doesn't need to be thebest teacher in the world.
Um, because just turn thatprinciple around, if you have
(36:52):
the best teacher in the world,it doesn't mean that you're got
to be the greatest musician inthe world, right?
Metal Maven (37:01):
You have to put your investment in as well and
your time and passion.
Isaac Delahaye (37:03):
Yeah, exactly.
And that's what such a lesson iscapturing.
Not in essence, but it's there,you know?
If I'm telling you,"Well, trythis, try that." It's my
character, I guess, speaking ortrying to help you.
Metal Maven (37:23):
Well, I think it's a really innovative way of
teaching people, and it worksperfectly with how you live your
daily life.
I mean, it's not like you haveto be in one specific place to
teach people.
You can be on the other side ofthe world and still be able to
help other people learn how toplay music, which is amazing.
Isaac Delahaye (37:46):
Yeah, exactly.
Metal Maven (37:46):
My last question, I don't know if you have the
answer to this yet, but do youhave a sneak peek that you could
provide of any future musiciansthat you're thinking about
asking to offer lessons?
Isaac Delahaye (38:03):
Yeah, I do have the answer, but...
Metal Maven (38:03):
You can't say it yet?
Isaac Delahaye (38:05):
The thing is, I'm talking to a couple of
guitar players already,professional ones who are in big
bands, but the thing is, I'm notgoing to announce them yet
because there's copyrights,publishing, and all that.
So there's some legal stuff andI don't want to mention a name
(38:28):
and then can't figure that outor it doesn't work out and then
people are disappointed orsomething.
But you know, I just suggestthat people subscribe to the
newsletter or just follow me onthe social media channels and
whenever something comes up thenum, then I will let you know
Metal Maven (38:49):
And definitely, on my site, I'll make sure that I
feature all these links and allyour wonderful books that you've
been reading that have helpedyou along the way.
I'll have all of those onmetalmavenpodcast.com for
everybody to take a look throughand learn a little bit more
about College of Metal.
Isaac Delahaye (39:07):
Sure.
Thank you very much.
Metal Maven (39:09):
You're welcome.
Thanks for joining me today,Isaac.
I really appreciate you takingtime out of your, out of your
morning for me.
(39:17):
No worries.
Metal Maven (39:20):
I appreciate it so much.
Isaac Delahaye (39:22):
My pleasure.
It was a pleasure really to talkto you.
Good to hear you, again.
Metal Maven (39:26):
I know it's been far too long, so I'm glad we
could catch up.
For more information on Collegeof Metal and to purchase
lessons, visitcollegeofmetal.com.
Be sure to sign up for Isaac'snewsletter to receive updates on
new content and special offers.
Visit metalmavenpodcast.com forlinks to Isaac's profiles,
College of Metal videos, andread the full transcript of this
(39:49):
interview.
Thanks for tuning in, and besure to subscribe to Metal Maven
Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher,Spotify, and Google Play.
Welcome to the Metal Maven Podcast where we
explore and discover the processand passions of artists in the
metal music and art community.
I'd like to welcome our secondguest to Metal Maven Podcast,
Isaac Delahaye.
He's currently the leadguitarist in Epica and has been
an active guitarist for around15 years.
(00:23):
He's also played for MaYaN andGod Dethroned.
He has an exciting new offeringto share with the metal
community called College ofMetal, an online platform
providing practical and in-depthlessons from professional metal
musicians and industry leaders.
Welcome Isaac.
How are you?
Isaac Delahaye (00:40):
Doing really good.
How about you?
Metal Maven (00:42):
I'm doing great.
I am ready for a nap, but I'mhere with you right now.
It's weird.
It's like you're just waking upand I'm about ready to go to
bed, but this is how we have todo this thing.
Isaac Delahaye (00:54):
Exactly.
You're the first one to talk toand probably for you, I'm the
last one to talk to.
Metal Maven (01:00):
I know.
Hey, I'm fine with that.
As long as you are.
Isaac Delahaye (01:04):
Just got some coffee and I'm good to go.
Metal Maven (01:06):
Oh, I, you know what?
I wish, but I'd never get tosleep.
So let's talk a little bit moreabout College of Metal.
In your launch video, youmentioned teaching guitar for 20
years.
How did that begin for you andeventually lead to the present
moment, opening your onlineschool.
(01:27):
What was that journey like?
Isaac Delahaye (01:29):
Um, well I started teaching I think around
the age of maybe 16.
It was back in high school whenone of the teachers there, he
was teaching cords to a coupleof students like after school
hours.
And since his students becamebetter, he couldn't handle it
(01:52):
himself anymore.
So, uh, he needed someone whocould teach those students a
little more than he could causethat was just limited to
strumming and a couple of cords.
So that's when he asked me to dothe more advanced students.
So I started teaching, uh, twohours.
(02:15):
That was weekly at high schoolfor peers.
And, uh, that was good fun.
And then soon after that I alsostarted teaching electric guitar
at the youth department in myhometown, uh, sort of part of
the cultural education of thecity, so to speak.
(02:37):
That were, pretty much justprivate lessons, one on one.
And in the meantime went tocollege of music.
And then after that I started,um, the pop rock departments for
two different music academieshere in Belgium.
And uh, so that was kind of newbecause in Belgium you didn't
(03:01):
really have such a, you, you canplay either classical guitar,
which I did from seven until 17,or you could play jazz like pop
and rock.
That never really was an option.
And uh, so I started two ofthose departments and still was
(03:21):
doing private lessons.
So that's, and now I startedthis online thing because I
thought either I, I pick upprivate lessons again or I
target the more international orwider audience and I chose the
latter.
So that's been the, the journeylike, uh, from, from just
(03:44):
teaching my friends at school.
So to speak, to trying to teachthe world.
Metal Maven (03:54):
Nice! So this concept of College of Metal.
Was it something that you hadthought about for a while or was
it a moment of inspiration andyou got to work really quick?
I mean, you've been, you've beenteaching for a long time.
So it just seemed like a naturalnext step.
Isaac Delahaye (04:11):
Yeah, I mean, uh, it wasn't something that I
planned very, very long inadvance.
It was pretty much part of a, asyou might've noticed, Epica
isn't touring at the moment.
So I have some time on my handsand I thought this is the right
time to, if I wanted to dosomething on the side or just
(04:34):
like Mark has MaYaN or Simone isdoing the photography or
everyone has like his sideproject or things you'd still
want to do next to the band.
And usually there's not a lot oftime to do that.
But, so I started thinking andalso picking up a couple of
(04:55):
really awesome books, which youknow, reading those books led to
the thought of creating Collegeof Metal.
And just quickly, uh, referringto the books, one of them, it's
"The Four Hour Work Week" of TimFerriss, which was great because
you know, this, this guy is justliving his dream, so to speak,
(05:17):
which is a couple of hours work.
But obviously it's not thatsimple.
So he's explaining everything inthat book.
But the principles behind it arevery, very cool.
But there's also a lot of bookslike"The 80/20 Principle" or uh,
you know,"The Magic of ThinkingBig" and stuff like that, you
(05:40):
know.
So I was just on this readingtrip, so to speak.
And one book led to the otherand one thought to the other.
So that's when I started tocreate College of Metal because,
you know, let's say that Ipicked up private lessons then
from the time or from the momentEpica would do something again,
(06:02):
I would have to stop doing that.
So that led me to the idea ofdoing it online.
And then I thought the samething, if I want to create
lessons every probably, youknow, that feeling with a
podcast, you know, if you needto create a new episode every
time, again, uh, you need timefor that.
(06:24):
So the same thing.
If Epica would go on full poweragain, I wouldn't have time.
So that's when I thought, well,why don't I, you know, talk to
the people I know in theindustry because I happen to
know a lot of professionalmusicians, um, because I've been
in this job, so to speak for acouple of years.
(06:48):
So, you know, that's how thewhole idea started.
And, and it happened once I gotthe initial idea, it started
growing automatically and thatkind of told me that it was a
good idea because if not, itwould just die and nothing would
have happened.
(07:08):
So that's how it started.
Metal Maven (07:12):
So it's just maximizing your time and using
the contacts that you've alreadyhad, just kind of staying in
that flow.
How long did everything take toput together?
I mean, you can be specific too,like maybe it's the the Epica
bundle.
Isaac Delahaye (07:30):
Obviously everything was already recorded
as songs.
So I just had to transcribe allthe guitar tabs that took me,
let's say for every song it'saround, Oh, another very cool
book, which I have to mentionfirst is, uh,"Build Your
Business In 90 Minutes A Day."And that was the first book.
(07:54):
It was very small.
And the first book that Iactually picked up, like
starting to read again, youknow, when I had some time and
uh, and this was basically alsotalking about the 80/20
principle and said that, well,if you just focus on your
business for 90 minutes a day,even if you don't have a
(08:15):
business and you start thinkingabout it for 90 minutes a day,
then you'll see tremendouschange.
So I thought, you know, I'llgive it a try.
And actually it's in bits of 90minutes that I built College of
Metal.
Um, so I would pretty much justwrite a whole song and uh, or a
(08:36):
guitar tab in 90 minutes.
So if you only have a limitedset of time, that's the purpose
and principle, then you, you'relike, the shorter you make your
deadline, the more focusedyou're gonna work.
And that's exactly what I did.
So, um, let's say, uh, preparingthe actual lessons because it's
(09:04):
one thing to play a song, butit's a whole other thing to
explain it actually.
So I had to write it out.
It's like, just go through thesongs and what is the stuff that
people should have to watch outfor or you know, any particular
things in a song.
So that took a while, let's sayfor every song one day.
(09:25):
And then I recorded it inNovember, uh, went to record the
actual videos and then it gotedited, which that, that took
the longest time.
So the whole process I would saywas, uh, October, November,
December, let's say four months,which is a long time in my head.
Metal Maven (09:48):
It's like broken up into just small bits a day.
Isaac Delahaye (09:54):
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Because, uh, I also have, youknow, I wanted to concentrate on
other things too because thiswas the time where I finally
wasn't on the road, right?
So if I would just be in my homestudio all day and forget about
friends and family, thatwouldn't be the best business to
(10:18):
start with, right?
So I really wanted to try outthe concept of that 90 minutes a
day and just, you know, focusedattention.
So, and, and it really worked.
Yeah.
It's also a, if I knew this likeback when I started playing
guitar, I probably would have,um, paid a lot more attention to
(10:41):
that.
Metal Maven (10:42):
Everything is the right timing.
This is just the time you weremeant to launch this project.
Growing up, I mean, there was nosuch thing as the Internet.
You were discussing that I thinkin your introductory video, and
I know you have a Bachelor ofMusic and you've obviously
(11:03):
learned from a higher education,but before that, when you were
starting out– Baby Delahaye– howdid, how did you self teach and
enrich yourself with theknowledge to play guitar?
Isaac Delahaye (11:17):
Well, Baby Delahaye, he started playing
guitar when he was seven,classical guitar, so, um, as I
said, it was either classicalguitar, or then jazz guitar
would be from the moment you'rearound 18 years old.
So I only had one option and Ihated it because, maybe you
(11:40):
know, that I wanted to be adrummer.
Metal Maven (11:43):
You wanted to at least be a musician.
You weren't forced into this atall?
Isaac Delahaye (11:48):
Well, I was actually, I wanted to be a
drummer because I was forced togo to music academy.
And that sounds very harsh, butit wasn't like that, you know,
as, as me and my siblings, wewere, um, we had to go obviously
to school.
But then also we had to go toart classes too.
We had to do sports, and we hadto go to music academy.
(12:11):
It was like our parents, wereuh, you know, kind of pushing
our cultural development Iguess.
Metal Maven (12:21):
Yeah.
That's a good thing though.
They're just making you wellrounded and opening you up to
new experiences.
They'd say you're better for it.
Isaac Delahaye (12:29):
Yeah.
So, you know, we had to go tomusic academy.
The first years only.
Um, like more theory, obviouslyyou first need to read the notes
or be able to read the notes,uh, before you start an
instrument.
So the first year is onlystarting to read notes and
(12:51):
rhythm.
And, um, so then at the end ofthe year I had to pick the
instrument I wanted.
And so I went back to my dad.
I said,"I want to play drums."And he said,"no way," because I
wasn't the only one at home, youknow, so it was a busy, crowded
house already.
And I guess he didn't want thatnoise or whatnot.
(13:12):
So I thought, okay, I'll goback, I'll get back to them and
I'll choose trumpet orsomething, like blow the trumpet
all day long and he can regretthat decision.
But for some reason I ended upplaying guitar probably because
a lot of my friends were doingthe same thing.
And um, so yeah, that's how Ipicked up classical guitar.
(13:35):
Didn't really like it up until apoint where, um, my teacher
said,"you know, you, you don'treally practice but you're,
you're still a little betterthan average.
So what, what if we just make adeal and you start practicing a
little more and uh, and you'llsee that you eventually will get
(13:58):
really good and maybe you canhave a career or something like
that." And this is actually thepoint in time.
I must have been around 13, 14,something like that.
Um, and that's the point where Ireally started to like playing
guitar.
So, yeah.
(14:18):
And as you said, there was noInternet, so I had this teacher
and I was playing classical andby the time I was 11, I got my
first electric guitar and uh, Ididn't really touch it the first
couple of years because the neckwas a lot thinner compared to a
classical guitar and uh, I hadto play with a guitar pick,
(14:44):
whereas classical guitar, it'susing the right hand fingers so
I couldn't really play a lot andyou know, I have a small hand
which didn't sound the way Iwanted because I wanted it to
sound like Pantera, but Icouldn't do it.
So, but slowly, and that'saround the time I was maybe 14,
(15:10):
then I started picking up thesesheet music, like the books.
So I, there was a local musicstore and they had some, some
books from like Steve Vai orDream Theater, stuff like that,
you know, and I picked it up andtried to understand what the
(15:31):
hell it was they were doing, butI couldn't make much sense out
of it.
So I just would noodle aroundand try to come up with
something that was close enough.
And then soon after that I wouldstart my own band with a couple
of guys at school.
And that's where things likekind of um, started because we
(15:54):
had to learn how to make a songand make it interesting and have
to sound like I don't know,Pantara or Machine Head or
Metallica.
So, so that's where it took off.
And then it was just kind oftrial and error and just look at
the peers, what are they doing,maybe they have a VHS.
Metal Maven (16:24):
Yeah, I was wondering if you ever watched
VHS of live shows or somethingto see if you could kind of–
it's probably not even goodenough to see the hands.
But I mean, at least it wassomething.
Isaac Delahaye (16:33):
Yeah, like try to get more information, right?
And if you compare it to thesedays as a kid, it must be both
really easy but also reallyoverwhelming because there's so
much out there now.
So that's also what I refer toin my launching video.
Like there's over abundance andthat's what I hear a lot of
times that people have a hardtime still with this flow of
(16:56):
information.
It's still apparently difficultto know what to play, you know?
But a lot of it back in the daysfor me it was also like, you
know, just listen to the album.
Listen, listen, listen to thatone riff and try to figure it
out yourself because that wasn'ton sheet music or whatnot.
That obviously Dream Theater,Steve Vai, Satriani– they all
(17:20):
have their sheet music becauseit's very technical and very
challenging.
So everyone wants to be likethem.
But your average band didn'thave sheet music and it still is
like that I think.
And that's part of the reasonwhy I created College of Metal.
The average band doesn't,doesn't really have a sheet
(17:41):
music publishing dealer,whatever, you know so...
Metal Maven (17:49):
Let's get into the schools of learning that you
provide in College of Metal.
So you have one side that'smusic and the other is for
business.
In your experience, do mostbands starting out generally–
they would only generally havethe music side mostly under
control, probably notcompletely.
With your inside knowledge, andwhat you encounter through
(18:12):
touring with support acts, whoare new blood in the business,
what are metal band starting outusually lacking and how does
your program help guide themdown a successful path?
Isaac Delahaye (18:23):
Well that's a good question, and it's not easy
to answer.
Like you said, let's say thatyou have a band which is
supporting, like they just camearound the corner, they got the
support slot of bigger bands.
(18:45):
So supposedly their music isokay.
They just need to grow theiraudience, and I guess they need
to grow their capacity to investbecause eventually, if you want
it or not, your band will bekind of a business.
You know, you're not going totour the world for fun only, you
(19:08):
need to get some return oninvestment so to speak.
So I guess the biggest problemthere is because let's say we've
toured a lot in the US andusually, and especially back in
the days when I was playing withGod Dethroned, it's a tough
jungle.
(19:28):
You know, like you had to gofrom point A to B, which in the
US is a lot, uh, the distancesare much bigger than point A to
B in Europe for instance,because Paris and Brussels in
Europe it's really close but inthe US, if you go from one big
city to the other, you cantravel for a day easily.
(19:52):
And um, so you need a lot ofmoney for gas.
That's sometimes already tough.
I've seen bands who, really goodbands, who had a hard time to
find that money to, to go from Ato B.
So what I'm not saying is that,you know, with College of Metal
(20:13):
in the business department,which I'll start soon, once you
listen or learn from that, thatall your problems will be gone.
They won't because you need thatkind of faith, right?
You need to mature.
But either way.
So that's how it is.
But I can point out things and,and um, so there's a lot that
(20:34):
could be wrong.
So that's why it's really hardto point out a specific thing.
But, but either the productionside isn't what they're focusing
on, so they have their acttogether, but it looks silly or
are, you know, our gear, I'veseen a lot of bands that didn't
(20:56):
really take care of their gearand therefore in the middle of
the set that would just shut offor stuff would happen.
And it happens with me from timeto time.
You know, that's what happens ifyou tour.
But if you take care of it andyou have good gear and you just,
um, you know, pay attention tostuff like that, if you just cut
(21:16):
the, the chances of thathappening, then that's a better
thing.
Especially if you're not known.
Because if my string, uh, likeif if my amp dies for a second,
people would even cheer for it,right?
Like,"Ha ha, Isaac's amp died,"whereas if it happens with a
(21:38):
support band, it's like,"Oh myGod, they're so unprofessional."
You know the difference, or seethe difference there?
So, yeah, that's just a coupleof things I can think of now.
But, um, yeah.
Metal Maven (21:55):
I know the question may be too specific, but are you
going to try to continue addingvideos to the business side that
would be for bands at variousstages and different situations
they may be in?
Isaac Delahaye (22:08):
Well, yeah, so for instance, what I've planned
now as a first, so the businessside will be like this.
I want to talk to like theinsiders, like managers,
bookers, maybe people fromlabels, but I all want to see it
from the perspective of thatstarting band, and you know,
(22:28):
what is it starting band?
Because you could also say thatmaybe Epica is still a starting
band compared to beingMetallica, right?
So, um, I guess everyone cantake something out of those
things.
So, um, soon I'll be talking toDaniel and he's the manager for
(22:49):
Epica and I will, uh, look at itor ask questions from that
starting band perspective.
So I'll, I'll also send out thenewsletter.
I'll send out this questionlike, what do you want to ask to
the Epica manager, is thereanything you have problems with?
(23:12):
And we can discuss that.
So that's the plan and hopefullythat will help people out there.
So yeah, it's like seeing fromthat perspective as a starting
band.
But you know, you can be, youcan be playing for 15 years and
(23:32):
still think that there is a lotof stuff you have to make
better, or stuff you need to putyour hands on, right?
Metal Maven (23:44):
Yeah.
Let me see how I want to formthis question now that we've
discussed the industry lessons.
I mean, are you going to try tohave more technical versus
industry lessons, you know, keepit balanced or do you feel like
more technical videos andlessons are your meat and
potatoes of College of Metal?
Isaac Delahaye (24:07):
Well, it's kind of go with the flow, right?
I just started this so obviouslyI have a whole big plan in my
head, but you know, reality andyou know how it's never the way
it's in your head.
Um, so I know kind of thedirection, but what, I don't
want is that this would be likeup for– if it's too technical,
(24:33):
it's not what my plan is, right?
I don't want it to be for peoplewho are really, really, really,
really good only.
And so that's also like, if youwould have a look at how the
Epica lessons are, I mean, Epicais not Dream Theater or like
(24:55):
this technical or are Steve Vaistuff, it's not like that, you
know, it's just a metal bandwith riffs.
And then sometimes there's aguitar solo or more technical
parts, but it's a blend ofeverything.
And if you just take out theguitar part, then it's not that
technical most of the times.
(25:17):
Um, and so that's the approach.
We learn songs and we learn howto play them, and you also learn
that the song isn't a solo fromstart to finish, which is hard
if you're a beginner.
I had the same thing.
I thought it was, you know, thenewest Steve Vai I was sitting
(25:38):
in my room and[guitar sounds] sothat was good fun.
But then if you start a band,you figure out, damn, I also
need riffs and I need otherstuff as well.
And um, so that can be tough.
So either way it's not, the planis not to only bring show offs,
(26:00):
like,"let's see what I can do,or look at what I can play, and
try this," that's not the plan.
It's really like,"Oh, you likethis music?
Well, I'll bring the guitarplayer and I'll put a camera in
front of him and let him showyou how it's done, or her."
Metal Maven (26:18):
It has to be fun as well.
Isaac Delahaye (26:20):
Yeah, exactly.
You know, like, like I said, Ihad as a kid– I bought these
books from the technical guysand if that's your starting
points, well then good luck.
Yeah, that's, that's not theapproach.
But obviously if the band like Ican imagine that even if I say,
"Oh, the stuff Epica is playing,is not technical," I can imagine
(26:44):
for some people they think,"Well, I think it's really
challenging," but you know, if Ishow you like this is the
difficult part, that's why Iplay it this way or I use this
different technique, you know,most guitar players would play
it like this, but I changedthings around and blah blah
(27:05):
blah.
You know, if I just shove somesheet music under your nose and
like good luck, that's adifferent thing.
Right?
So that's the approach.
And also as I said with thebusiness stuff, the same thing.
Like, I could obviously go intoa lot of details there, but you
know, it's just like, hey guys,this is happening, this is your
(27:28):
problem.
And maybe you need to look at itfrom this perspective, and see
for yourself.
And if you like it, you canstill discover more and it's
sort of that area.
Metal Maven (27:41):
Well it's also good that you're going to ask your
potential subscribers,"What doyou want to learn from me?" I
think that's what a teachershould do as well.
It's not just saying,"This iswhat I'm showing you," but
saying,"Hey, what would you liketo learn from me?
What can I provide you?"
Isaac Delahaye (27:56):
Yeah, exactly.
Because, um, I was a beginneronce, but at some level I'm
still a beginner, but you know,it's been awhile that I've
played in a band which didn'tsell anything and, and you know,
like really starting fromscratch.
(28:17):
So, I don't know if the worldchanged in the meantime.
So I think,"Why would I decidewhat's good for a band to know?"
And that's why I want to askthem.
Metal Maven (28:31):
It's also less stressful.
You don't have to think of thisstuff– you're going to ask them
and they'll let you know whatthey need.
Isaac Delahaye (28:37):
Exactly.
I mean the same with um, this,the same with the lessons I did.
You know, I just asked them,"Which are the songs you want me
to cover.
And not that this was absolutepower or something because I had
a couple of ideas, but then Isaw that certain songs we chosen
(29:01):
very often, which weren't on mylist.
So I changed the list becauseI'm not doing it for me.
You know, I know how to play thesong and know how to do it.
It's for the other people,right.
So, and what I also did was justlook online like on YouTube,
which Epica songs are coveredmost and then usually, if you
(29:23):
listen to them, they're, wellsorry to say, but they're full
of mistakes.
So that's how I ended up doing acouple of others songs.
Metal Maven (29:40):
So do you plan to incorporate various instruments,
including voice, as well intopotential lessons?
Isaac Delahaye (29:44):
As long as I don't have to do it.
The plan now is obviously to getthe whole thing started and it
just started with one guitarcourse for Epica.
So the plan is to have multipleguitar courses for multiple, um,
(30:05):
metal bands and I'm working onthat.
Once that is established, then Icould go with it.
Exactly.
You know, I could go askdrummers or bass players,
singers.
So that's the big plan indeed,but I think first, I need to
(30:25):
kind of start with the wholeguitar department– that's closer
to my home.
Eventually it will happen, yes.
Metal Maven (30:34):
This feels like a passion project for you.
It's everything you wanted foryour younger self.
And now, as a successful andseasoned musician, you can
provide tons of professionalexperience, you know, with the
click of a button.
Thinking of your past self, howdoes it feel having brought
College of Metal into the world?
Isaac Delahaye (30:55):
It's a privilege because as a kid, as I said, you
know, you start out, being 14maybe, and the mountain you look
up to just seems so steep andhigh.
You know, it's like,"How in thehell will I get there?" And
(31:17):
then, oddly enough, now I cantell that I climbed the mountain
so to speak, you know, um,because I still remember going
to a Pantera show back in 2000and that was in Ancienne
Belgique, a venue in Brussels.
And I remember being there andlike, wow, that was just a great
(31:41):
show.
And finally I saw like, this isreally the band which shaped me
as a kid and um, or as amusician.
Um, and then years later Iplayed there myself, like sold
out shows and eating backstagein the same room they probably
were eating, you know, stufflike that.
Metal Maven (32:07):
I know, everyone thinks it's so glamorous
backstage, and it's reallychilled out.
Isaac Delahaye (32:08):
Yeah, it's a cool venue, you know.
But back then I thought, youknow, they're getting– and they
probably were because they wereway more rock and roll than I am
–but they were probably gettingwasted there, and maybe smoking
some pot.
It's like you said, I prettymuch lived a dream if you can
(32:29):
use that expression, right?
So, and I'm just really happythat, and I thought, you know,
this is the time exactly.
Like if you say it's passion,well, it's like, okay, I can
just pick up teaching againbecause I like passing it on.
But why do it to one individualat a time?
(32:50):
Why not just– and why do it justby myself?
Why not just ask all mycolleague professional musician
friends to help, you know?
And that was what struck me themost.
That when I had the idea.
I thought,"oh, this is a goodidea." And then I thought,"okay,
(33:12):
well if I just Google it, I'llfind out that this already
exists in multiple forms." Andto my big surprise, it didn't, I
thought it was really strangethat no one ever thought of
doing that.
If it, ends up the way it's inmy head, like how I see it, then
(33:34):
it will be very helpful forpeople who want to become metal
musicians or just, you know, getthe right information because
it's so hard to get usefulinformation in that big, online
bullshit jungle.
You know, sometimes if I'mlooking for a certain technique
(33:57):
of a certain guitar player, likeI hear something like– lately I
just wanted to find out someEric Johnson stuff.
He's not a metal guitar player,but you know, like rock.
And I wanted to find outsomething about his playing.
And then I went online and I hadto struggle myself.
(34:18):
Like it was, I went through somany tutorials, which were
pointless or absolutely wrong.
And, um, and that's been, youknow, I've had a lot of times
and I even have the sheet musicfrom back when it was around 15
from the G3 show he did withSteve Vai and Satriani– I have
(34:43):
the sheet music.
So what I did, and becausenowadays you can just slow down
the video.
So I just watched his livevideo, slowed it down, look at
what his fingers were doing andlisten to the sound in the
meantime, you know, because thequality from back in the days
was, it was not that good.
So, um, and then I had a look atthat official sheet music book
(35:08):
and it was full of mistakes.
And so you see like I paid, Ilooked it up the other day, I
paid around 35 euros for thatbook and it's full of mistakes
and that's not the only bookthat has it.
So, so again, that's why I thinkit's really valuable if the
(35:29):
composer or performer, if themusician is in front of the
camera showing them to youbecause every time, again, it's
the best thing.
If I want to learn something newand if I find the actual person
who's playing it, teaching it,can be online on YouTube or
anywhere, you know, that'salways the best thing.
Metal Maven (35:53):
And you have quality control too because
everything you're going to beputting out is actually correct.
It's a worthy investment versuswhat you ended up having to pay
for when you were younger and itwasn't even right.
Isaac Delahaye (36:06):
Yeah, and don't get me wrong.
Maybe not every musician is thebest teacher.
So to actually, like I saidbefore, to actually talk about
it and explaining it, it, it's,it's not easy, but you get a
part of the character of thisperson.
You get part of the reason whyhe or she is doing it this way.
(36:31):
And I think that is as importantas actually,"This is how you
played riff A and this is howyou do." You know, you couldn't
figure that out when it getshard to us, as long as you see
the person do it and explain alittle about it.
And it doesn't need to be thebest teacher in the world.
Um, because just turn thatprinciple around, if you have
(36:52):
the best teacher in the world,it doesn't mean that you're got
to be the greatest musician inthe world, right?
Metal Maven (37:01):
You have to put your investment in as well and
your time and passion.
Isaac Delahaye (37:03):
Yeah, exactly.
And that's what such a lesson iscapturing.
Not in essence, but it's there,you know?
If I'm telling you,"Well, trythis, try that." It's my
character, I guess, speaking ortrying to help you.
Metal Maven (37:23):
Well, I think it's a really innovative way of
teaching people, and it worksperfectly with how you live your
daily life.
I mean, it's not like you haveto be in one specific place to
teach people.
You can be on the other side ofthe world and still be able to
help other people learn how toplay music, which is amazing.
Isaac Delahaye (37:46):
Yeah, exactly.
Metal Maven (37:46):
My last question, I don't know if you have the
answer to this yet, but do youhave a sneak peek that you could
provide of any future musiciansthat you're thinking about
asking to offer lessons?
Isaac Delahaye (38:03):
Yeah, I do have the answer, but...
Metal Maven (38:03):
You can't say it yet?
Isaac Delahaye (38:05):
The thing is, I'm talking to a couple of
guitar players already,professional ones who are in big
bands, but the thing is, I'm notgoing to announce them yet
because there's copyrights,publishing, and all that.
So there's some legal stuff andI don't want to mention a name
(38:28):
and then can't figure that outor it doesn't work out and then
people are disappointed orsomething.
But you know, I just suggestthat people subscribe to the
newsletter or just follow me onthe social media channels and
whenever something comes up thenum, then I will let you know
Metal Maven (38:49):
And definitely, on my site, I'll make sure that I
feature all these links and allyour wonderful books that you've
been reading that have helpedyou along the way.
I'll have all of those onmetalmavenpodcast.com for
everybody to take a look throughand learn a little bit more
about College of Metal.
Isaac Delahaye (39:07):
Sure.
Thank you very much.
Metal Maven (39:09):
You're welcome.
Thanks for joining me today,Isaac.
I really appreciate you takingtime out of your, out of your
morning for me.
(39:17):
No worries.
Metal Maven (39:20):
I appreciate it so much.
Isaac Delahaye (39:22):
My pleasure.
It was a pleasure really to talkto you.
Good to hear you, again.
Metal Maven (39:26):
I know it's been far too long, so I'm glad we
could catch up.
For more information on Collegeof Metal and to purchase
lessons, visitcollegeofmetal.com.
Be sure to sign up for Isaac'snewsletter to receive updates on
new content and special offers.
Visit metalmavenpodcast.com forlinks to Isaac's profiles,
College of Metal videos, andread the full transcript of this
(39:49):
interview.
Thanks for tuning in, and besure to subscribe to Metal Maven
Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher,Spotify, and Google Play.
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