When we heard that Rwandan trio The Good Ones were making a handful of US appearances in 2019, we couldn’t resist inviting them to the Fretboard Journal. These three farmers make music like nothing we’ve heard before, with gorgeous guitar playing and heartbreaking vocals. Their album Rwanda, You Should Be Loved (which features special guests Nels Cline, Kevin Shields, Corin Tucker and others) was one of our favorites of the year.

The Good Ones visit to the FJ didn’t disappoint. While here, bandleader / guitarist Adrien Kazigira noticed the Preston Thompson 0000 (East Indian rosewood with Adirondack top) we had on the wall. He put down the Yamaha he usually employs and promptly launched into this tune, “My Smartest Friend Has Lost His Mind,” the closing track on Rwanda, You Should Be Loved.