Legendary guitarist STEVE VAI recently spoke with Music Radar about one of his heroes, TOM WAITS. An excerpt is available below:

(Photo by Larry DiMarzio)

Vai: "What I look for in music is artistry, sincerity, and simplicity, and Tom Waits has all of that. I want to make a connection to the creator. And even in complexity, there can be simplicity when it comes from an inspired place. That's what I get from Tom's music, and that's pretty special."

Music Radar: To some of your fans who might be unfamiliar with Tom's work, what would you tell them that they're missing?

Vai: "I can only say what I'm getting; I can't speak to what they might be missing. The experience of music is a personal thing, and everybody has to find what pushes their buttons. There's great beauty in the diversity that the universe offers, and what works for one person might not work for another. I respond to inspired simplicity that is creative. First of all, Tom's voice is unique, and I don't even like to use that word, 'unique,' because it's a cliché, but I mean it in the truest sense. There's nobody like Tom. There's nobody that can sound the way he does and can change that sound in every fucking song."

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Vai has announced that he will return to the US in the fall for a 30-plus city for the The Story Of Light. Tickets and special EVO Experience packages, where fans get a look at what Vai experiences several hours before a show and get to hold an intimate and open group discussion with him, are already on sale and can be purchased at Vai.com.

Steve Vai tour dates:

October

16 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
17 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues
18 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
19 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
20 – Chandler, AZ – Wild Horse Pass Casino
22 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
23 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
24 – Santa Fe, NM – The Lensic
27 – Kansas City, MO – Harrah’s Voodoo Lounge
29 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
30 – Springfield, MO – Gilloz Theatre
31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Horseshoe Whiskey Road House

November

1 –Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place
2 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theater
3 – Joilet, IL – Mojoes
5 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
6 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
7 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
8 – Rama, ON – Casino Rama
9 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
10 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre
12 – Chattanooga, TN – Track 29
13 – Birmingham, AL – Workplay Theatre
14 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
15 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues
16 – Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre
17 – Little Rock, AR – Juanita’s
19 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
20 – San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live
21 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre
22 – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
23 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues