MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW Q&A – DALLAS FRASCA

Melbourne Guitar Show returns as Australia’s biggest guitar show in 2025, with this year’s edition also marking a milestone for the iconic event, moving to a new home alongside an incredible lineup of performers, workshops and more locked and loaded for this March. The Victoria Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds is set to play host to Australia’s ultimate showcase of guitars, amps, pedals and lots of other gear on Saturday March 1 and Sunday March 2; and with a new venue, a brand new layout and a reimagined program offering a horde of new ideas, workshops and live opportunities, 2025’s Melbourne Guitar Show will undeniably be the ultimate mecca for axe-slingers and riff-bringers of all ages.

1. What do you think makes the Melbourne Guitar Show such a special event for musicians and fans?

Guitar shows are like candy stores for music lovers—there’s something for everyone. For players, it’s about getting their hands on new gear, discovering tones they didn’t even know they were chasing (and spending more $  than they have haha), and swapping stories with other obsessed musicians. For fans, there’s also front-row seat to some of their favourite musicians—no smoke and mirrors, just a good ‘ole fashioned shred fest.

There’s also a real community vibe to the MGS. It’s not just all about showing off 😂—it’s about learning, connecting, and getting inspired. Walking into a guitar show can also be like finding your tribe or maybe for some it’s just a full, ‘nerd out’. Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or have been touring for decades, there will be something for every guitar player at any level.

2. What does it mean to you to be performing alongside so many talented Australian guitarists?

It’s a total honor, to be honest. Australia punches way above its weight when it comes to guitarists and there are so many unbelievable females coming through the ranks (looking at you; Kathleen Halloran and Minnie Marks!!). I guess to stand alongside them is pretty inspiring, for me personally, it always pushes me to dig a little deeper and I find there’s also a real camaraderie in it. We all come from different styles and backgrounds, but at the end of the day, it’s about the same thing—serving the song, chasing the magic, expressing yourself creatively, and making people feel something real. It’s humbling and it reminds me why I picked up a guitar in the first place.

3. Do you prefer writing music on acoustic or electric guitar, and why?

I could never pick favourites!—my go-to shifts daily with my mood. It all depends on what I’m chasing. I keep a rack of different guitars within arm’s reach so I can make quick decisions and keep the flow going.

You can’t hide behind an acoustic—it’s raw, exposed. If a song holds up with just voice and wood, you know you’ve got something special. That’s where I do a lot of the heavy lifting, especially on writing trips away from home.

But electric? That’s where the attitude kicks in. Plug in, crank it up, and it becomes a whole different beast—dirtier, heavier. With the right pedals, you can carve out a signature sound that’s all your own. Some songs demand that grit and muscle, and when the amp’s cooking, the notes start hitting more like punches. 🤘🏻

4. How has your playing style evolved over the years?

I’ve grown to love feel over flash—not that I was ever overly flashy. For me, it’s never been about cramming in a million notes; it’s about making every single one count. Tone, attack, and attitude are everything. The more I play, the more I zero in on what the song actually needs—and that hunger never fades. I’m always chasing new techniques, fresh inspiration, and ways to evolve.

I’ve still got so much to learn—it’s like a game with no finish line, just more levels to unlock. 

5. Are there any non-guitarists who have influenced your playing or songwriting?

 Hell yeah. Aretha Franklin taught me about taking risks, be al little dangerous, how to create tentstion and release—when to hold back and when to let it rip. Tom Waits showed me that grit and imperfection can be magicical. John Bonham drilled into me that groove is king— It’s never just about the notes; it’s the intention you play them with.

6. What’s your favorite guitar riff of all time?

Impossible to pick just one! Anything from Led Zeppelin’s catalog sets my heart on fire. Lately, I’ve been hooked on the new stuff coming out of Mirador and Rival Sons—absolute riff lords.

7. Was there a specific moment or artist that made you want to pursue music seriously?

When I was thirteen, I watched Crossroads and it wrecked me in the best way. Ry Cooder’s soundtrack, that final guitar duel—I was hooked. I faked my first sickie from school just so I could rewind that last scene over and over. That movie kicked open the door to the blues for me, and that gravitational pull has dominated my creative process ever since.

8. How do you overcome creative blocks when writing music?

I don’t believe in creative blocks. If I’m stuck, it usually means I don’t have enough tools in my songwriting belt to pull from. So I go hunting—dig into new music, push myself to learn something different, or open the door to collaboration. There’s always a way forward, you just have to be willing to shake things up and chase it down.

9. Is there a particular guitar tone you’re always chasing?

A guttural blues howl, laced with demonic slabs of riffage—somewhere between a chainsaw and a lion’s roar. That’s the sweet spot. Also, anything Billy Gibbons has ever touched. 

10. How do you balance technical ability with emotional expression in your playing?

For me, feel always comes first. You can play a million notes a second, but if there’s no soul behind ‘em, what’s the point? The best players make you feel something with just one note. That said, technique is the toolbox—you need the right tools to build something that lasts. So I’m always learning, always chasing new ways to express myself, but at the end of the day, it’s about playing from the gut. If it doesn’t move you, it won’t move anyone else.

11. What’s the most challenging song you’ve written or performed?

Some of my newer tunes have been a real challenge to translate live—especially when working with loops and layering textures. I’m like an air-traffic controller at times. haha. Getting the right separation sonically is always my guide, whilst keeping the raw energy intact is always a puzzle. I’m constantly tweaking and chasing that perfect live reimagination of my songs… sometimes, I even get close.

12. What’s next for Dallas Frasca, new music, tours etc?

After a massive 2024—two national tours, including one with Orianthi (Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper), and dropping Force of Nature, which hit #2 on the ARIA Charts—I’m hitting the road again through Feb/March before joining ZZ Top & George Thorogood on the Red Hot Summer Tour this April and May.