Stefan Palicki is a Blue-Eyed Devil surrounded by saints in his new single — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Sometimes, what people say to your face and what they say behind your back are distinctly different. Only true friends or loved ones will be direct. That’s the dilemma Oshawa blues-rock guitarist Palicki used as inspiration for this blazing single that also serves as the title track to his new EP.
Palicki says the song’s title and lyrics were inspired by a phrase his late grandfather used about two-faced people. “He would say, ‘If they’re talking badly about me, they’re leaving some other poor soul alone,’ ” Palicki says. “This is paraphrasing, as grandpa would use much more colourful language.”
Although Palicki’s grandfather passed in 2021 before Blue Eyed Devil was written, the musician says the “song isn’t just a response to negative experiences, but it’s also kind of a tribute to him as well.” Not to memtion a tribute to his own ability to work under pressure. Palicki was given a week by producer Rob Laidlaw to create a riff that would work with the lyrics. Although initially frustrated by the process, the duo worked until they came up with a track that channels “very southern rock” while being “bluesy and a bit gritty.” Adam Newcomb mixed Blue Eyed Devil at The Chalet.
After six years of piano instruction at Royal Conservatory of Music, Palicki began guitar lessons. His influences range from the late greats like B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Gary Moore to Jimmy Page and more modern guitarists like John Mayer.
Check out Blue-Eyed Devil above, hear more from Stefan Palicki below, and eye him up on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
