Heading Somewhere Fast

Some artists are straightforward with the messages they try to convey within their musical content. And then, there are others like Justin Derrico who are confusing just for the sake of being confusing.

The musicianship on the Virginia-bred guitarist's instrumental album Boldy Going Nowhere is mesmerizing, highly original and technically difficult for any six-string juggernaut to imitate. But the effort's complicated namesake is frustrating to grasp because it's overwhelming clear Derrico will go far in his career. In fact, he already has.

So what gives? "Well I just thought that it was a funny title, but cool as well," the 28-year-old says with a chuckle. "Ya know, it's an instrumental guitar record, so that kinda sums it up. Boldly Going Nowhere kinda leaves it open for the record to maybe take you somewhere. When you listen to it, that makes no sense."

Well, it isn't hard to understand that he is an immensely talented musician.

Derrico picked up the guitar when he was 14, and several musician friends encouraged and inspired him to take it seriously. From there he took lessons, went to school for music and played in a handful of bands.

But in 2004, he got his first big break by earning a chance to tour with The Calling, a gold-selling rock band known best for their 2001 smash "Wherever You Will Go." It was an opportunity Derrico seized to the fullest. "I was fortunate enough to get a call from a guy who runs a lot of auditions in town and was lucky enough to get the gig," he says. "It was great touring with them we got to see a lot of the world and have a blast all at the same time."

When the group disbanded at conclusion of 2005, he went on to tour with platinum-selling rapper Lil' Wayne and soul singer Robin Thicke. Derrico even performed with pop icons Tina Turner and Beyonce Knowles at the 50th Anniversary of the Grammy Awards.

In fact, he is currently Pink's guitarist on the road. "It was in 2006 when I started touring with Pink," he says. "Touring with Pink is amazing we have a lot of fun on stage and on the road. Musically it is very cool because I really get to be myself as a guitar player. She is definitely rebel and one amazing person."

Though Derrico keeps an extremely busy schedule, he always wanted to release his own masterpiece and began working on accomplishing the feat earlier this year. After writing for two months straight, he recorded Boldly Going Nowhere at Britzkreig Studios in North Hollywood, California with the studio's owner, Corey Britz, executive producing the effort.

By the time it was complete, he searched for a viable distribution medium to release the full-length offering. Ultimately settle on 101 Distribution. "A friend told me about 101 and I checked it out, as well as some others," the innovative guitarist admits. "But 101 has a lot to offer with the pro set up as far as marketing and distribution thru many sites and stores. So to me, it seemed like a no brainer."

Derrico is now proudly showing off Boldly Going Nowhere and he has every right to flaunt it. It's undoubtedly the best rock instrumental of 2010. It's a marvelous 10-track collection where the guitarist cleverly weaves a bluesy flair into his eccentric modern rock style. That mash-up is perfectly captured on songs like "Fricken Chicken," "Goodnight Nurse" and "Manic." He also puts a spin on Phil Collins' hit "In The Air Tonight," where he uses a Heil Talkbox to give it an extra edge.

Although he isn't aggressively attacking radio, due to his hectic schedule, he hopes music aficionados will appreciate it. "My goal would be for people to just enjoy it," he says. "There are a lot of different vibes on the record, so I think there is something there for most people. And I would like to tour on this record because it's fun stuff to play and I love playing live."

Well, come to think of it, Derrico doesn't sound too complicated after all.