AUTISTIC Viewpoints Episode 13 with autistic guitarist Zayne Harshaw

AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. On Episode 13, Turrell and Daria welcome extraordinary autistic guitarist Zayne Harshaw, leader of the band, Blue Spectrum, to discuss his autism journey, teaching himself guitar, discovering his musical gifts, and how music transformed his life from feeling like an outsider to finding confidence, community, and purpose. Along the way, they explore favorite guitarists, perfect pitch, improvisation, and the power of following one's passion.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Timestamps:0:05 Introduction0:32 Welcoming special guest Zayne Harshaw1:01 Meeting Zayne at the ICDL DIR® Conference2:30 Zayne's musical background and accomplishments4:17 Turrell's admiration for Zayne's guitar playing4:42 Growing up autistic and discovering differences6:06 From trumpet to teaching himself guitar7:03 Guitar Hero and learning to play by ear8:38 Feeling like an outcast in school9:15 Using his guitar as a comfort object9:41 The high school talent show that changed everything10:53 Forming Blue Spectrum and writing "Outcast Blues"13:13 Why the band is called Blue Spectrum14:13 Favorite bands and Nirvana discussion14:58 Guitar heroes and musical influences16:42 Promo for Turrell's podcast "Under the Lights" on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network17:28 Learning guitar19:02 Realizing music could become a career21:28 Discovering perfect pitch24:35 Favorite songs and artists to play25:40 Canadian fun fact25:48 What Zayne loves and still finds challenging about being autistic26:56 DIRFloortime® connection: music, improvisation, and development28:42 ICDL music and Floortime courses announcement30:18 Feeding off the audience's energy during live performances31:08 Learning by watching great guitarists perform32:17 Blues musicians, concerts, and dream collaborations33:37 Performing for large audiences 35:18 The latest "hot ticket" Canadian Quebecois duo Angine de Poitrine 36:43 Finding belonging through music and community38:22 Turrell reflects on autistic gifts and inspiring others39:17 Where to hear Blue Spectrum and closing remarksResources:Blue Spectrum Band website https://bluespectrumband.com/Blue Spectrum Band Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BlueSpectrumband/Blue Spectrum Band Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bluespectrumband/Yngwie Malmsteen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yngwie_MalmsteenUnder the Lights on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network hosted by Turrell Burgess https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lights-podcastBohemian Rhapsody by Queen https://youtu.be/fJ9rUzIMcZQ?si=LjJ8qhEfFEbHCmWuWayne's World movie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne%27s_World_(film)Course for practitioners: DIR 433 - Using Music in Floortime: Promoting Development through Music https://www.icdl.com/courses/433 The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy https://www.therebeccacenter.org/Course for parents: DIR 110 - Using Music in Floortime: Promoting Development through Music https://www.icdl.com/courses/dir-110-using-music-in-floortime-for-parentsICDL's Courses: https://www.icdl.com/coursesThe Meters - Cissy Strut ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXI5Nuz6OHg⁠⁠Zayne's favorites: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Zayne has met Eric Gales, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram The movie Sinners https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinners_(2025_film)Quebecois Canadian band Angine de Poitrine https://anginedepoitrine.com/Primus (band) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primus_(band)* Angine de Poitrine photo credit: https://www.cbc.ca/music/angine-de-poitrine-quebec-band-kexp-9.7120120* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Post Analog Disorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the intro/outro music permission: ⁠⁠https://postanalogdisorder.bandcamp.com/album/still-i-rise