Meet Loa Warner | Fingerstyle Guitarist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Loa Warner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Loa, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I’d say you know when you know, and that giving up on one thing doesnt mean giving up on you. Throughout our lives we all go through phases. We may think we have it figured out when were 18 but then 20 comes along, then 25….etc. I’ve been playing guitar for 18 years, but didn’t take it seriously for many of them. A long time ago I used to make beats. When I began, I felt it was what I was going to dedicate my creative life to. After about 4 years I lost the joy for making beats, but not for making music. So, I went back to my roots and picked up my guitar. That decision give up on one thing led me to being the player and person that I am today, and I’ve surprised myself many times along the way. That all said, I think the most crucial thing about not giving up is one’s motivation. I play guitar to impress myself, for emotional release, and do what I never thought possible. I made beats for the money, and thats why it didn’t last.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets my music apart from others is the culmination of my influnces and how those manifest on the fretboard. I grew up listing to a lot of metal and jazz as a kid. I think thats why I enjoy making songs that are very difficult for me to play. You get a different sound when you are pushing your own capabilities. With fingerstyle guitar, the more finger independence, motion control, and thumb independece you gain, the greater the possibilities of your compositions. Im not even close to one of the best fingerstyle guitarists, but when I look back at what I could do 3 years ago and what I’m playing today, I’m blown away. Seeing how far I’ve come inspires me to push the limit further. If I’ve come this far in 3 years, how about 30? When it comes to where I am professionally, I’m not where I want to be to be honest. But along my journey I’ve done more than I expected to this far in. My accolades are not dazzling. My music has been on two radio stations and I’ve played live maybe 200 times. I released an album and over 20 singles. However, to me thats a lot. And I’m proud! Speaking of, taking pride in what you do is one of the best ways to overcome the trials you’ll face. As well as reminding your self why you do what you do, and taking the time to look back on your growth. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned on my journey is that low expectations make things easier when they don’t work out. Make what you make for you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them to Salida! There’s rafting, boarding, fishing, supping, hiking, biking, you name it! My family lives out there so we would visit them for sure. There’s a new bar that opened up and it has a great selection of beers. Salida is such a peaceful place with so much beauty surrounding it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d have to say I owe it all to my family. They have always been so supportive of me and I surely wouldn’t be the musician I am today without all of the driving to and from guitar lessons they did. But more importantly, they raised me right and I owe the person I am today to the values they instilled in me as a lad.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loa_loveoverall?igsh=MTdjeGVyZ2ZjcWxtdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@loa_loveoverall?si=w3J5QmBGbRRldv72

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@loa_loveoverall?_t=8ntb5CuRCP5&_r=1 My Tik tok