Guitar legend Steve Vai is featured in an interview with The Aquarian discussing his current Passion And Warfare 25th Anniversary Tour and his latest album, Modern Primitive. An excerpt is available below:

Q: Can you describe the experience of touring with the new album, Modern Primitive, along with Passion and Warfare—mixing nostalgia with the new?

Vai: "Well, I’m having a nostalgic time (laughs). It’s really a nice project because my first solo record was Flex-Able. It was bizarre, somewhat of a quirky record where I was basically learning how to record and engineer and write music and get it out. I never really expected to release it, but when I did it I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it—having a record out. I just thought, ‘Hey, I’m just going to do this for the rest of my life!’ I started working on new music with this band I had called The Classified, and then I joined this band Alcatraz… I was offered a solo record deal with Capitol Records, and that’s kind of when I put everything else I was working on the shelf and started writing new music which became Passion and Warfare.

So, when the 25th anniversary for Passion and Warfare came around, I thought this was a good opportunity to go back and finish that music I started in between Flex-Able and Passion and Warfare and that became Modern Primitive. It’s sort of a missing link between the guy that made Flex-Able and the guy that made Passion and Warfare. It was very interesting to go back and listen to that music and complete it because whenever you create something it’s like a little snapshot of who you were at that time. It was kind of charming to peer into the psyche of a 24- or 25-year-old Steve Vai, you know?"

Q: Did you have moments of surprise when you went back to revisit the music where, for example, you didn’t even remember writing parts?

Vai: "Yeah, sure. I had that music in the back of my head all these years because there was something in it that kept beckoning me. That is a really wonderful age for finding your identity, finding your uniquely creative voice, there’s this angst in it, there’s the discovery of freedom and independence at that age. When I was writing and making that music I had no expectations for success, and that is very liberating. It just opens the possibility to just do whatever the heck you want without any fear. That’s kind of what I got when I went back to listen to it was how fearless it was, bold."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Vai recently checked in with the following update:

"The schedule for Vai Academy 2017 has been posted at this location. This intensive four day camp, called Passion and Technique features Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Al Di Meola, Carlos Alomar, Stig Mathisen, Dave Weiner, Philip Bynoe, Jeremy Colson, Doug Doppler and special unannounced guests! You won't want to miss this one! To reserve your spot click here."

Vai has now revealed the list of songs that his band will be able to play with attendees during the “Play With Steve’s Band” sessions:

"Bad Horsie" 
"Crying Machine"
"Gravity Storm" 
"Whispering a Prayer"
"Liberty" 
"Erotic Nightmares" 
"The Animal" 
"Answers" 
"The Riddle" 
"Ballerina" 
"For the Love of God"
"The Audience is Listening" 
"I Would Love To" 
"Blue Powder" 
"Greasy Kids Stuff"
"Alien Water Kiss" 
"Sisters" 
"Love Secrets"

The Vai Academy schedule for this year is available here.

Vai recently posted a video trailer for Vai Academy 3.0:

The third incarnation of Vai Academy offers 4 days and nights of non stop guitar, start to finish, January 2nd - 6th, 2017 at the beautiful Asilomar Center, positioned in the oceanfront village of Carmel, California. Visit VaiAcademy.com to reserve your spot today.

From Steve: “Friends and fellow guitarists, welcome to the third year of Vai Academy. It feels great to say that! I’m so excited that this has been as successful as it’s been, and it seems to become more interesting every year. If you’re new to the program, we’re excited to meet you for the first time. If it’s your second or third year, thank you for coming back!

For 2017, we’ll be at the Asilomar Center in beautiful Carmel, CA January 2-6. It’s a great week because everyone’s ready to start the year fresh after the holidays. It doesn’t hurt to ask for admission as a holiday present either—just a suggestion!

We always pick a theme for this thing. I listened to you guys very closely this time around, and I’m doing something different for our Master Classes. This year, we’re going to focus on guitar technique. Many young guitarists always want to know things like: How do I bend notes properly? What’s the best way to approach vibrato? How do you pick so that you get the most out of what you’re trying to achieve? What does it feel like to play effortlessly in 11/16 timing? How does my intonation work into all of this? We’re all in need of guidance regarding these things: I know I still am occasionally!

At the same time, I’ll actually get a chance to go deeper than the technique portion. As you’re getting that part down, we’ll talk about finding inspiration within yourself to write melodies and songs. The technique is the tool. It’s your most useful friend to express what’s inside. Let’s unlock that together. As always, I’ve invited some friends to join me. We have one of my idols, the legendary Al Di Meola, and the wonderful Carlos Alomar—in addition to a few special guests which we’ll be announcing soon.

We’re starting with the technique as the foundation. What’s great is that will grow in whatever direction you personally want it to. Ultimately, the main goal of Vai Academy is for everybody in attendance to feel incredibly enthusiastic when thinking about their goals, their future, and connection to the instrument. You’ll hopefully leave with a few new buddies and maybe band mates too. I look forward to seeing everybody at Vai Academy 2017.”