We had the pleasure of sitting and chatting to the blues rock guitar legend about his current touring and his plans for the future. Check it out below!

How would you describe your sound?

Definitely bluesy, but also hear plenty of Nunu Bettencourt influence!

My tone is the result of years of research and development. Nuno Bettencourt and Van Halen are easily in my top ten greatest influences—not just in sound, but in overall musical approach. Their impact is embedded in my DNA, shaping how I craft lead tones and solid riffs. I don’t overthink my tone; I follow what feels right, creating sounds I’d want to hear and letting that flow naturally. That confidence in my playing has led to collaborations with several amp brands, and now, I’m a signed artist with Tone King Amplification from California. Their gear feels incredible, and playing with it throughout my Electrifying tour
this year has been an amazing experience. The band is sounding massive!

How’s the tour going so far?

The tour is going incredibly well! The response from audiences in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland has been amazing. It’s been a long journey, and now we’re continuing in the UK. The love and energy from every country have been overwhelming—music truly transcends borders, and I absolutely love being on the road.

How would you compare the scene in the UK to the rest of the places you’ve played in?

The UK is always special—especially London, where everything began for my band. The audience here is passionate, loyal, and incredibly engaged, which is something I deeply appreciate. Every show feels like a true connection, and being here always feels like home.

It’s been a few years since we’ve had studio stuff aside for ‘Fragile Hearts’, are you writing much currently?

“Fragile Hearts” was released last year, and since then, I’ve been constantly working on new music—juggling it between touring and other projects. There’s a wealth of material waiting in the folders, and now that I’m back from a long tour across Europe, I’m focusing on shaping it all.

Currently, I’m working on my upcoming album, set for release by the end of the year. Finding the right time and focus is a challenge with so much happening, but I’m committed to making it work.

Meanwhile, I’m also writing and producing The MotherZ’ debut album—a heavy stoner rock project featuring Cedric Pfiser on vocals and bass and Jake Cook on drums. We’re hitting the road this year with a series of dates alongside The Vintage Caravan, kicking things off on October 25th at Margate Rock Festival. That one’s going to be unforgettable!

Would you plan on another studio album or stick to more singles or EPs?

So hard to decide on which way’s best these days!

There will be a few singles released first to introduce the new material and build momentum. With three upcoming tours already lined up, the plan is to drop these singles in between, leading up to a full, solid tour next year featuring the new album.

Do the Southern Vultures contribute to much writing for you, or is it mainly you?

I handle most of the songwriting and production, but some tracks feature great collaborations. As we tour, the band is growing stronger, and the chemistry is evolving in exciting ways—something that will shape the sound of this new material. Flo brings a solid fusion-rock energy on drums, and Bruno—who recorded with me on Live in Birmingham—is also part of the lineup. The sound is a natural progression from The Red Album, maintaining that stabilized southern rock vibe while weaving in raw blues elements.

You’ve been pretty consistent at putting out live recordings alongside the rest, is it something you’d recommend to other bands?

I feel like the songs evolve while touring to a point where they’re no longer just mine—they come alive. The audience sings along, and they flow naturally and effortlessly. The energy of a live performance is entirely different from the studio, where overthinking can sometimes take over.

The crowd has embraced this album, and I can tell they really connect with it. It’s been a huge success, and I absolutely believe bands should explore and showcase their true live sound—it’s where the magic happens.

I saw that you’re also a graduate of the Conservatory of Jazz Music; have you found that influences your rock playing at all? Did you always

I come from a traditional family, and for a long time, I thought I needed to follow a certain path. But fate had other plans. While busking one day, a director came across my music, got hold of my records, and invited me to a meeting the following Monday. They were eager for me to join the conservatory, and I seized the opportunity—it was a beautiful experience.

My DNA is undeniably rock, but music is vast. I believe it’s essential to explore different genres and, most importantly, dive deep into music theory and harmony—the foundation of songwriting and analysis. With knowledge, many things start to feel effortless. As a multi-instrumentalist, constant exploration is key. There’s always
something new to uncover on the guitar, and understanding other instruments enriches the creative process when composing and producing music.

You’ve already got a busy year planned by the look of things for live shows, but I imagine you have even more in the pipeline for the year?

As I mentioned, there are three upcoming tours for the rest of the
year — it’s shaping up to be a packed schedule. After wrapping up this
final leg of gigs in the UK, I’ll be heading back to Europe again soon, then returning for a big headlining show in London this September 25th (www.miguelmontalban.com for tour dates and updates). Everything has come together seamlessly this year, and we’re embracing the momentum — giving our all at every show, as if it were the last.

Do you have a dream tour lineup you want to be a part of? Anyone you’d want to take on the road with you or support?

I’m thrilled to debut The Motherz alongside The Vintage Caravan this
October 2025 — it’s an exciting new project, and I know it’s going to be a blast! Personally, I love Rival Sons and Richie Kotzen; their sound really resonates with the vibe of Southern Vultures, but also, in the other hand, classics like David Gilmour or Marc Knopfler. That kind of energy would make for an incredible experience—so much fun; experiencing it live would be something truly special.