tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18367599095813948742024-03-13T15:11:31.915-05:00Prog SphereThe Eve of the Grand Narrator Age...Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-82090524103734652332010-06-16T08:00:00.000-05:002010-06-16T08:00:01.791-05:00Gerben Klazinga, Knight In A Sphere<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Prog Sphere's collaborator Nemanja had a short chitchat with Knigh Area mainman, Gerben Klazinga. Check out this FAQ interview.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT6QdY4dZI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Auicl3-jxsA/s1600/gerben.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT6QdY4dZI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Auicl3-jxsA/s200/gerben.gif" width="169" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: Hello Gerben! You're the main composer of Knight Area. Can you tell us when you wrote your first song? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: Hello Nemanja, I wrote my first song when I was 12 years old, it was in 1980. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: Tell us about your musical influences. Who has inspired you the most?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: Definitely Genesis, especially the 1975-1980 period, of course Tony Banks is my favorite keyboard player.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: Your first album was a solo project. On the second, Knight Area became a band. Are you still the main composer or is do all of the members participate with song creation?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: I'm still the main composer but the last few years the demo songs get more mature in the rehearsal room with the influence of the other bandmembers.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: Who came up with the name Knight Area?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: It was my brother. He said: “Gerben, you're living in the "Ridderbuurt" which means area of knights street or something ha, ha”. I live above my own recording studio in the Ridderbuurt.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT6Xill5lI/AAAAAAAAAQU/nyzcRDWUBXo/s1600/realm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT6Xill5lI/AAAAAAAAAQU/nyzcRDWUBXo/s200/realm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: Can you tell us something about the concept of the latest album? Why do you prefer to write concept albums?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: It's cool to reflect some parts of music in other songs on the same album, for me It's like there is a story not only in the lyrics but also in the music.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: All of your albums have great reviews. How does it feel to be so highly respected in the Prog scene?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: Well of course we are very happy with this reactions and it keeps our spirits fresh and optimistic to go on.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: What do you think of the current Dutch Prog scene?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: It used to be very good, but nowadays it's a little bit poor I think. Bands like 'Aurora Project', 'Mangrove' and 'Leap Day' are doing well.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: What are your top five prog albums of all time?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Genesis - Seconds Out<br />Steve Hacket - Voyage of the Acolyte<br />Camel – Breathless<br />IQ - The Wake<br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Knight Area - Realm of Shadows ;-)</i><i></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT6e7wnHKI/AAAAAAAAAQc/bvd5CcdtNCU/s1600/ka2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT6e7wnHKI/AAAAAAAAAQc/bvd5CcdtNCU/s200/ka2010.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: What are your plans for the future? Are you working on something?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: At this time I have written 5 demo songs, they are in sound a bit more popular, but it's a merge of Neo Prog and Prog again.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nemanja: Thank you for your time Gerben. Do you have a message for our readers? Perhaps something I forgot to ask?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Gerben: You're welcome Nemanja. Thanks to all our fans and of course to you!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-79050235107495674672010-06-14T08:00:00.006-05:002010-06-14T08:00:05.367-05:00Hans Lundin in the Wake of Evolution<div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT1Bq3_nkI/AAAAAAAAAOs/hNjWz6fRgTg/s1600/Hans+Lundin+2010+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT1Bq3_nkI/AAAAAAAAAOs/hNjWz6fRgTg/s200/Hans+Lundin+2010+small.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hello, Hans! First of all I want to say that I’m very glad you’ve agreed to do this interview for Prog Sphere.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Hi Nick! Thanks for the invitation, I’m glad that you want to share my thoughts and history.<br /></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Would you tell us something about your musical beginnings? How did you get into composing music? Which bands/artists influenced you back in the 60’s/70’s?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Before Kaipa started 1973 I played in my first band S:t Michael Sect 1964-1969 and in the later version of the same band San Michael’s 1970-1972. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I think the first 7 years were, except having a lot of fun, like an education learning the basic rules of playing in a band. 1970 I had grown as a musician and I started to write own songs. I think San Michael’s in a way are the basic roots of Kaipa. San Michael’s disbanded early 1972 and for one year I worked as a backing musician behind other artists. During this year I realized that I wanted to form a new band where I could develop my musical ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In the 60’s I was of course impressed by Beatles but also bands like Steppenwolf and Spencer Davies Group with Steve Winwood. They were using <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city u1:st="on"><st1:place u1:st="on">Hammond</st1:place></st1:city></st1:place></st1:city> organ with a dirty and distorted sound that I really liked. In 1967 I bought my own <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city u1:st="on"><st1:place u1:st="on">Hammond</st1:place></st1:city></st1:place></st1:city> organ. In the early 70’s I remember I was impressed by the band Ekseption and their heavy versions of classical music on Hammond organ and also Swedish organ player Merit Hemmingsson who showed how to play Swedish folk music on the organ. </span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Kaipa formed out of a band called San Michael’s. With this band you had recorded two albums. Please tell us a bit more about San Michael’s as well as these two albums. It’s interesting that San Michael’s second album, “Nattåg” was released last year, after 37 years. Why’s that?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT1fvx0-UI/AAAAAAAAAO0/82LZkW_MbJ8/s1600/smp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT1fvx0-UI/AAAAAAAAAO0/82LZkW_MbJ8/s200/smp.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Hans: San Michael’s started as a trio 1970 – Hans Lundin (<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hammond</st1:place></st1:city> organ, Hohner Clavinet & vocal), Tomas Eriksson (bass & vocal) and Gunnar Westbergh (drums & vocal). In 1972 Nane Kvillsäter (guitar & vocal) joined us. We played a lot of own material with Swedish lyrics but like one of our heroes “Vanilla Fudge” we rearranged cover songs to become moodier and heavier. We also jammed a lot on stage.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="Intie" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="Intie" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">We recorded two albums with only original material. The first one was recorded and released 1971 and the second one “Nattåg” was recorded 1972 but it was never released. Not until 2009 when Japanese record company Marquee released the album for the first time after 37 years. This album is also released in an European version 2009 by Transubstans records/Record Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT1xENJGTI/AAAAAAAAAO8/2CutmPAbPFo/s1600/UraKaipa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT1xENJGTI/AAAAAAAAAO8/2CutmPAbPFo/s200/UraKaipa2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: In 1973, San Michael’s split and later that year you and Tomas Eriksson formed Ura-Kaipa and recorded a single under that name, but later you shortened the name to Kaipa. What does Kaipa mean? It’s a Swedish word, right? Kaipa’s first records, as well as San Michael’s were sung in Swedish, why did you decide to do that?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: The single with Ura Kaipa actually contained two songs from San Michael’s album “Nattåg” but we decided to use the new band name when it was released simply because San Michael’s didn’t exist anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The name of the band </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">was originally</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> URA KAIPA</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> It referred to a Swedish Stone Age chieftain and came from the book "Svenskarna och deras hövdingar" by Werner von Heidenstam</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">. In 1975 the name was shortened to KAIPA. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">At that time we were only playing in <st1:place w:st="on">Scandinavia</st1:place> and it felt natural to use our own language.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Would you tell us something more about the original line-up of the band? Beside you, there were also Thomas Sjöberg and Tomas Eriksson. It was the line-up in the very first days of Kaipa.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: In 1973 I wanted to form a new band and I asked Tomas Eriksson and Thomas Sjöberg to join me. </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Sadly, Thomas Sjöberg was hit by cancer and couldn't rehearse regularly any more. He was forced to leave the band early 1974, and was replaced by Ingemar Bergman. During the spring of 1974 we felt that the trio format was too limited to express all the dimensions in our compositions. So we started to look around for a guitarist and during the summer of 1974 Roine Stolt joined us. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Kaipa is one of those bands that sees several different line-ups over the years. In 1974, Roine Stolt and Ingemar Bergman joined you and Tomas Eriksson, and these musicians basically beside you formed the core of Kaipa for the next 5 years or so. I’m not sure, but Roine then was 17 years old when joined the band, and slowly you became one of the leading acts coming from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region>. How was it then to compose music with these guys and how has your approach to creating music changed since then?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT19N2Nb1I/AAAAAAAAAPE/xH95BM4udtU/s1600/Sammarit74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT19N2Nb1I/AAAAAAAAAPE/xH95BM4udtU/s200/Sammarit74.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Roine and I were the main composers in Kaipa. There is only one song from that time that we wrote together “Musiken är ljuset”. The arrangements were mostly made together by the whole band. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The basic roots in my compositions are probably the same but today I have a lot of experience and knowledge that I didn’t have at that time. </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I suppose that my basic identity today is a mix of all my musical impressions since I started to play in my first band. I’ve been on a long musical journey and it seems that some of the places I’ve visited just continue to stay in my memory but they seem to change in size and form and sometimes they come back with a totally different identity. This is probably the seed to the music I’m writing today.</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: 1975 brought us your first album, called “Kaipa”, and with this release you became one of the most important progressive rock groups in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This album exudes with ambition, refreshment, as well as professionalism even now after 35 years. An explorative release. What are your notes on this album? How do you see now?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: I wish it would’ve been recorded with a better sound especially the drums but I think it contains some really great compositions and beautiful melodies</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: After your selftitled album, the band continued to grow and mature, and as a product of this you created “Inget Nytt Under Solen”. This record contains the epic “Skenet bedrar”. Please, tell us about the songs itself, the titles, and give us technical details about this album. What was it like creating it?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT2SHv5bjI/AAAAAAAAAPM/HJvc-lR9_B4/s1600/inus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT2SHv5bjI/AAAAAAAAAPM/HJvc-lR9_B4/s200/inus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: This was the first time we created a really long song. It was a challenge but I think we succeeded. The song “Skenet bedrar” had several different faces and went through many changes before we found the final version that we recorded for the album. </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The song is almost 22 minutes long, it couldn't be performed properly as a whole so we recorded it in several sections that were later reassembled in its final form. <span style="color: #333333;">The album was produced by Kaipa together with Leif Mases who also recorded the San Michael’s albums. </span>Leif managed to reproduce the sound we wanted, as close as possible to that of our live gigs with less reverb and more punch to the drum parts.<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: “Inget Nytt Under Solen” includes a slightly jazzy atmosphere. What were your influences for it? I have to say that most beautiful keyboard work is done on this record, in my opinion. Would you mind telling us what instruments you used for this album?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"></div><h1 style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Hans: I don’t recognize your description “jazzy atmosphere” but there are many other influences Swedsih folk music, classic music and rock. I play <st1:city w:st="on">Hammond</st1:city> organ, Grand piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Mellotron, Yamaha & Korg synthesizers, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Logan</st1:place></st1:city> string machine, Hohner Clavinet,</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> vibes, marimba and prepared piano. </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I have an impression that all other songs on this album are under the shadow of “Skenet bedrar”, as this is so great. Would you agree with me?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Maybe the other songs are overshadowed by “Skenet bedrar” but there are several great songs on this album. The song “Korståg” is considered to be a classic Kaipa song. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: For your next album, Mats Löfgren joined the band to be the lead vocalist and did a very good job. What were some of the influences behind “Solo”? Also, what’s behind the name? It seems like the same as the English word “solo”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT2r83wjvI/AAAAAAAAAPU/EWOOKQO9lFU/s1600/solo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT2r83wjvI/AAAAAAAAAPU/EWOOKQO9lFU/s200/solo.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: On the two first album I wrote most of the songs. On this album Roine Stolt was the main composer. I’m not sure we really knew what direction we should choose. But it ended up with shorter and sometimes simpler songs. The artwork for this album is made by a close friend to the band “Lars Holm” I think “Solo” is the name of one of the figures in his painting. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: How much were Roine and the other band members involved in creating the music for Kaipa’s 70’s albums?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: As I mentioned before Roine and I were the main composers in Kaipa. Roine’s involvement increased until he left the band 1979. The arrangements were mostly made the whole band.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Dan: Could you tell us about some of the lyrics on the early Kaipa albums, for all of those people in the world who don’t speak Swedish? I know this is probably a hard one because you guys released quite a few songs that all had lyrics… Just pick something that comes to mind that you think we might enjoy.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: The main message in our lyrics was probably to celebrate the power of love and the beauty of nature. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Dan: Also, who wrote the lyrics for Kaipa in general?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: On the two first albums Roine and I wrote the lyrics but also Ingemar Bergman in some places. When Mats Löfgren joined the band he became the main writer. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “Händer” introduced many changes to the band’s sound and lineup, and I believe that majority of your fans have been disappointed with this and next album “Nattdjurstid“. Not that I’m trying to blame you or make you feel guilty, but what happened? Did it have anything to do with Roine leaving?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT23kTC2JI/AAAAAAAAAPc/DEU5761h3jc/s1600/Kaipa80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT23kTC2JI/AAAAAAAAAPc/DEU5761h3jc/s200/Kaipa80.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: No I don’t think it had anything to do with Roine leaving. Just listen to what he did with his own group “Fantasia” a few years later. I think it was more a question of what happened in music business generally these years. We wanted to continue our musical journey, not playing the same style over and over again. Many other famous band went in the same direction and symphonic rock was just not in fashion during these years. In a way I think we was progressive anyway, we were looking for new challenges, even if it is the albums from the 70’s that are remembered both regarding Kaipa and other bands.</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: And then after “Nattdjurstid” the band disbanded and you continued as a solo artist. In the period of 1984 – 1989 you recorded three solo albums and released them under your label. Tell us something about these records.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: During the 80’s I recorded three solo albums “Tales” 1984, “Visions of circles of sounds” 1985 and “Houses” 1989 (listen at: <a href="http://www.myspce.com/hanslundin">www.myspce.com/hanslundin</a>). The music on these albums was a melodic progressive music, mostly instrumental and would probably attract prog rock fans. When these albums were recorded many musicians recorded solo albums playing almost everything themselves. So did I, but I had a few guest musicians (Roine Stolt – guitar, Ulf Wallander – saxophone among others) playing on a few tracks. When I listen to theses albums today I wish I had used more real musicians for the recordings but now this is history. The two first albums were released on LP and the last on CD. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: There’s an interesting detail for me. I found recently that you’ve collaborated with former Yugoslavian musician Blagoj Stojanov. I come from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Serbia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, so that’s why I mention this. How did you get in touch with him? Tell us a bit more about it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: At that time I collaborated with “Boris Petrovski” who worked with theatre in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Uppsala</st1:place></st1:city> and I wrote music to some of their performances. Blagoj was in Sweden at that time, he was a friend of Boris son Viktor and they asked me to record two songs with Blagoj. I don’t remember all the details but the songs were released as a single. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hagen</st1:place></st1:city> is another project you’ve been involved with, and an album “Corridors of Time” was released in 2001. What about this? I’d say that Swedish folk music has become your sphere of interest. Am I right?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT3JJvMAQI/AAAAAAAAAPk/xaGhePenTw0/s1600/HagenCorridors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT3JJvMAQI/AAAAAAAAAPk/xaGhePenTw0/s200/HagenCorridors.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Hans: I’ve always liked the special feeling in Swedish folk music tunes. They often contains both a melancholy and merry feeling at the same time that goes directly into my heart. There were some folk influences already on the first Kaipa album 1975 but today I feel it’s a more integral and natural part of the compositions and the Kaipa landscape.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">In the late 90’s I was invited to play in a musical project called Hagen, mixing traditional Swedish folk music and progressive metal. We recorded an album “Corridors of time” that was released 2001. Another member of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hagen</st1:place></st1:city> was Per Nilsson who is now the guitar player in Kaipa. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I think working with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hagen</st1:place></st1:city> gave me a lot new inspiration. I had written a lot of songs, I just didn’t know what to do with them but in 2000 I decided to record an album (KAIPA: Notes from the past) which was the beginning of Kaipa part two. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: The new millennium brought us the return of “Kaipa”, but with a different lineup. Who initiated this idea? Also, why was the name “Kaipa” reused? </b></span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: The album “Notes from the past” started as solo project. I asked Roine if he would like to play guitar on the album and help me to get back into the recording process again after my long hiatus. I didn’t have any intention to release it under the name Kaipa. Per Nordin who made the artwork for the album told me when he heard the music: “this is exactly how Kaipa should sound today so why don’t you use the old band name?” I asked Roine if he thought it was a good idea. He said yes and suddenly Kaipa was reborn.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: This new turn brought us a different Kaipa. Roine rejoined you and as a product of this collaboration, we were given “Notes from the Past”. From the title, it sounds like this album is very retrospective, would you say so? Also, why did you decide that this album would be done in English, along with all other future Kaipa albums (as far as we know).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBlockText" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT3XxwghuI/AAAAAAAAAPs/j-ahyPgqoPw/s1600/notes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT3XxwghuI/AAAAAAAAAPs/j-ahyPgqoPw/s200/notes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: With “Notes from the past” I wanted to record an album with brand new music but with a lot of inspiration in the song writing and sound structures from my own history. If you listen carefully to the last minutes of the album you can hear fragments of several melodies from the old 70’s Kaipa albums.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoBlockText" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBlockText" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In the 70’s there was a market for progressive rock in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region> making it possible to act and tour in our own country and it was most natural to sing in Swedish. Today the situation is totally different, the market for our music is now the whole world so it’s most natural to use the English language.<br /></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: New Kaipa kinda brought forth a new sound. Was that natural growth or did you want to start something different? How would you describe your musical status now? The fact is that with this reincarnated Kaipa you’re more closely to the fans of bands like Karmakanic, The Flower Kings, Transatlantic, etc. and that’s fine with me, hehe.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: The unique sound of Kaipa is the sum of the original compositions and the personality and high quality of the individual musicians playing in the band. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Do you think that re-forming with Roine brought a surge of popularity to Kaipa?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Of course it did. Even though many people maybe had heard about the old band most of them didn’t know how we sounded. Many people discovered Flower Kings because Roine played with Transatlantic. In the same way many people discovered Kaipa because Roine was playing with the band. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Was that hard to find a vocalist for the new Kaipa? Patrik Lundström did great job, and I have to say that his vocals, especially on “Notes from the Past” remind me of Goran Edman’s vocals of Karmakanic. In fact, when I first heard it I thought that Edman had sung on that record! How did you get in touch with Patrik, as well as Aleena?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: From the beginning I worked with “Mikael Olsson” from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hagen</st1:place></st1:city> as singer but we soon realized it wasn’t a good idea. Roine mentioned Patrik as a potential singer, I had heard him on a Ritual album and thought it was a good idea. I contacted him and the rest is history. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I had written one song “A road in my mind” for the album “Notes from the past” where I wanted female vocal. I asked Patrik if he knew someone who could perform the song with both energy and passion. Aleena Gibson and Patrik are old friends and he thought Aleena could try to sing this song. She came to my studio and from the first note she sang I immediately knew that this was exactly what I wanted. Today she’s a very important part of the Kaipa sound. Aleena is not only a brilliant singer she is also a famous songwriter. Listen to her music at: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/aleenagibson">www.myspace.com/aleenagibson</a> </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Some critics say that Roine sort of “paved the path” for Kaipa on Notes from the Past, Keyholder and Mindrevolutions, and you were sort of in his shadow, but I (and many other critics) would disagree with them. Aside from the fact that Roine is a great musician and talent, as well as friend of yours, it seems to most that you were the main man behind Kaipa. Am I right?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Kaipa (part 2) has always been my project but Roine had a lot of influence to the final result especially on the album “Keyholder”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT3wJWnyNI/AAAAAAAAAP0/i5lenNudVTI/s1600/Per_Nilsson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT3wJWnyNI/AAAAAAAAAP0/i5lenNudVTI/s200/Per_Nilsson.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Roine departed before the recording of Angling Feelings, but you quickly found a new guitarist in the form of Per Nilsson. Many people know him as a guitarist of Swedish melodic death metal band Scar Symmetry, but I would bet very few fans of that band would imagine he’s a guitarist for a band like Kaipa. How did you find him? No doubt he’s a great guitarist; so how would you compare his style with Roine’s? They both grew up in different times, listening different artists, what is it that Per brought to the band?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: I first met Per Nilsson when we both played in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hagen</st1:place></st1:city>. </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I immediately realized that he is a very diverse and gifted musician able to play any styles in his own personal way. I actually asked him already in 2002 if he wanted to be the guitar player in Kaipa some time in the future. I had a feeling that the collaboration with Roine Stolt shouldn’t last forever.<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Both Roine and Per are great musicians but they have different styles and starting points. When I formed Kaipa in 1973, Per wasn’t even born. So he grew up in a totally different musical environment. I know that one of his heroes is Alan Holdsworth, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: How is it to work with Jonas Reingold? He’s probably one of the most renowned bass players around today and personally one of my favorite musicians.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: A real pleasure. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT4ddkaWHI/AAAAAAAAAP8/9hmLUhFpN4c/s1600/itwoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT4ddkaWHI/AAAAAAAAAP8/9hmLUhFpN4c/s200/itwoe.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: “In the Wake of Evolution” is your newest album, and it is, well… it’s evolution. An emotional record, if I can say like that. What’s your experience on making this album?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: I think “In the wake of evolution” is a logic development and continuation of the previous album “Angling feelings”. I never decide in advance what to do or in what direction I shall take the music. It was like if the inspiration took me on an unpredictable ride when I wrote the songs for this album. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: I personally feel like In the Wake of Evolution is Kaipa’s greatest album since Solo. How</b> <b>would you compare Kaipa’s albums, looking back at all of what has been released under that name?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Yes I think “In the wake of evolution” is our best album but</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> every album is like a separate story and they all have their highlights. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: The elements which adorn your new album are great guitar solos, originality in the structure of melodies and their imaginative blend with excellent vocals. From the distance of few months since this album has been released, do you consider it a worthy effort? I truly do.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: Yes definitely. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Dan: Speaking of the vocals… how do I say this… some people had problems with Aleena’s voice on Angling Feelings. I will admit she was very “emotional” on that album. She seems to have been toned down a bit on “In the Wake…” What do you think about this?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: I think she’s always been truly emotional and I don’t think she will change her way of singing just because some people have “problems” with her voice. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: What about live shows? Do you have in plan doing them? Maybe a few venues? I have to admit that I’d like to see a live DVD of Kaipa where you would perform two sets, one based on the 70’s albums and the other one based on the post-millenium era. What do you think?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT4pqvRcoI/AAAAAAAAAQE/9Z8b5DOSCbY/s1600/Kaipa+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAT4pqvRcoI/AAAAAAAAAQE/9Z8b5DOSCbY/s200/Kaipa+2010.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: I’m probably a bit like the bull Ferdinand </span></i><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights. </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve always considered this second edition of Kaipa to be strictly a recording project. I’ve spent eighteen years of my life (1964 – 1982) sleeping in a bus, eating cheap food, taking care of all my equipment, doing all the booking and all other things you have to do when you’re poor and play in a band trying to be famous. I don’t regret a single day but that is history and I just don’t want to do it once again under the same conditions. If the conditions were different today and we could just concentrate on playing our instruments and always have the chance to do a proper sound check maybe I could reconsider this decision but the prog market is very small that’s just a fact. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">It would also be very difficult to play the Kaipa music live without including several extra musicians. If you listen carefully to our albums you can notice that sometimes there are up to four or more different guitar or keyboard lines playing simultaneously. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Would you tell us about your favorite bands/albums of all time? What/who are your influences? Also, what gear/equipment you use?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Hans: I don’t like rating music and after all the taste changes from one day to another. Maybe you expect that I spend my time listening to a lot of progressive rock but that’s not the case. I like all types of music (including progressive rock) as long as it contains good melodies and performance. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">There was a time when everything was “real” instruments and you could turn real knobs to change the sound. Sometimes I miss that time and I still own some of these instrument like my <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hammond</st1:place></st1:city> organ and Yamaha CS-60 Synthesizer but I seldom use them when I record nowadays.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="RU" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">I use a Studio Logic master keyboard to control a lot of different plugin instruments in my computer. Several different self programmed electric piano and clavinet sounds together with organ and different mellotron sounds are the basic foundations in the recordings. The only real synthesizer I use for solos and melodies is a Nord Lead 3 synthesizer which I mostly connect to a guitar amplifier and wah-wah pedal to produce my typical distorted sounds. I also play Melodion and Grand Piano. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="RU" style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><span lang="RU" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Nick: What plans do you have for the future? Are you planning on releasing any more solo material? Are you perhaps working on a new Kaipa album? Are you planning on collaborating with someone else for to do something?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans: My future plans are still written in the stars, but I’m very curious to find out what message they’ll come up with. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Do you have any messages for the visitors of Prog Sphere?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hans:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">It’s time, we’re closer to the edge than yesterday</span></i><o:p></o:p></h3><u1:p></u1:p> <br /><div style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">We must break this circle find another way</span></i><o:p></o:p></div><u1:p></u1:p> <br /><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Let our children’s children celebrate this day</span></i><o:p></o:p></h3><u1:p></u1:p> <br /><div style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">When we found our way </span></i><o:p></o:p></div><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>Nick: Thanks for the interview, Hans. I hope you enjoyed in answering our questions. All the best! </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin: 0in -0.75pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-66884561963133934272010-06-11T08:00:00.005-05:002010-06-11T08:00:00.203-05:00Nicklas Barker, My Brother the Wind<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Nicklas Barker is a well-known name in Swedish progressive rock circles. He’s been working with the highly appreciated Anekdoten since 1991, but also he’s involved in other projects and bands. The last, but not least of them is My Brother The Wind, a psychedelic rock oriented project that came up as an improvisational journey. Find out what Nicklas says about it, but also do not miss the chance to find out what’s going on with Anekdoten. Enjoy!</div><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><br /><br /><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hey Nick, Nick is speaking. Thanks for the interview. So, the newest info coming from you is that there are only a few days left before My Brother The Wind’s album called “Twilight in the Crystal Cabinet” is released. Tell us, please, what can we expect? Who initiated the idea about starting this new band?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALHZHqRBMI/AAAAAAAAAN0/J30vcMH5isA/s1600/mbtw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALHZHqRBMI/AAAAAAAAAN0/J30vcMH5isA/s200/mbtw.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: The idea was that Me, Mathias, Ronny and Tomas would meet up in a studio and just improvise for a couple of hours. We had never played together before so we didn’t know what to expect. We talked about it for some months and decided to take the train to Ronnys hometown Åmål where his friend Love has a analog studio. We wanted to stay true to our aim and inpirations so we needed a computer free and totally analog studio. We had 3 michropones on the drums three other on our amps. So it’s recorded live on 6 tracks. The sound you get is so natural and homogenic. The tracks on the cd are in the same order as we recorded them. We just started playing and let things happen. The mixing was done in real time the day after and we only used a tape echo, a reverb, a flanger and one compressor. I’m very pleased of the result. <br /></span></i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I had an opportunity to hear the preview of “Twilight in the Crystal Cabinet” on the band’s official MySpace page and I have to admit that this sounds really promising. The sound is pretty raw. It’s evident that in the basis of this band lies psychedelic sounds, so would you tell us where did you get from such influence?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Well we all comes from different backrounds but and we never discussed anything about how it was suppose to sound or anything. I think the first notes on the album set the feeling and we just continued from that. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALHvOqlLhI/AAAAAAAAAN8/uoCpTmq4HTY/s1600/titcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALHvOqlLhI/AAAAAAAAAN8/uoCpTmq4HTY/s200/titcc.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: The cover art of the album is pretty interesting and I am sure it fits well with the music presented on this piece. Who made it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Anna Sofi from Anekdoten made the sleeve. She also does all the Anekdoten sleeves. <br /></span></i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Are there any plans for a tour with MBTW? I saw an official announcement on the band’s Facebook profile that you will be “probably opening for U2 or Madonna”, haha.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Well we have some gigs coming up and we are very willing to tour. I hope things will kick of when the album is out. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How did you come to an idea for the name My Brother The Wind? Pretty interesting name. For some reason it reminds me of a psychedelic band from the 70’s called Socrates Drank The Conium. Have you listened to them?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALIIQD18iI/AAAAAAAAAOE/F319UHAWNow/s1600/anek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALIIQD18iI/AAAAAAAAAOE/F319UHAWNow/s200/anek.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: No I haven’t heard them. I took the name from a Sun Ra record which I love and suggested that. We had many suggestions but we found this suiting us well. <br /></span></i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: So what’s going on with Anekdoten? A retrospective-compilation has been released by Kscope in 2009, consisted of 2 discs with completely remastered tracks. Are there any plans for Anekdoten in the near future? I have to say that I would love for you guys to release a new album.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Anekdoten are currently recording demos and writing. We have a lot of material but since we aren’t in any real hurry we want to be well prepared this time before recording. We are going to record analog this time and and try to record as much as possible live in the studio. We will have something out in late 2010 or early 2011.</span></i><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALIYWSsYxI/AAAAAAAAAOM/_CTkKbc1kFk/s1600/mello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALIYWSsYxI/AAAAAAAAAOM/_CTkKbc1kFk/s200/mello.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You had an interesting experience in 2008 playing on Melloboat together with Opeth, Comus, Bo Hansson, Katatonia, among others. How was it? I envy all the lucky bastards who got to see that. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: It was great to finally share the stage with our friends from Opeth and Katatonia. The event was great fun and I was totally blown away by Comus. An amazing trip! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: In less than a month we lost two great musicians who have each influenced many, many musicians. Of course, I am talking about Bo Hansson and Ronnie James Dio. Could you tell us about about how they influenced you? I would imagine Hansson influenced you more than Dio, but I felt it would be nice to mention him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Well I’m a big fan of both and I guess they have both influenced us in one way or another. When I was a teenager Black Sabbath’s Mob Rules and Live Evil made an big impact on me and still does. I love Dio’s voice. I ususally borrow words from Dio when I working on songs before Jan Erik delivers the real lyrics. For some reason they suit Anekdoten very much. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Bo Hansson was one of the greatest and unique composers of all time. His influence is on me is hugh. He had a this very personal touch that was instantly recognizable. In my world he is up there with Hendrix and Coltrane when it comes orginality. I miss them both. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Anekdoten’s first album is surely one of the best albums of the genre in 90’s. I would say this album is one of the best in my collection. How did working on this album then?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Well it was traumatic experience. We really did’t get the sound right and was in a hurry. The songs were great but we were unexperienced. I v’e been listening to lately when we remastered the tapes for the exclusive vinyl edition that will be out soon and I kinda enjoyed it. The new vinyl edition will be the best sounding Vemod release so far. It comes with a bonus 12" with Sad Rain. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I don’t want to disturb your privacy, but on the first releases of Anekdoten you appear as Nicklas Berg, and on “Gravity” it says you’re Nicklas Barker. How come?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Got married. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALIvb7zsII/AAAAAAAAAOU/PjvvZUXlKWU/s1600/nucleus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALIvb7zsII/AAAAAAAAAOU/PjvvZUXlKWU/s200/nucleus.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I’ve always thought Nucleus has a lot of influence taken from King Crimson’s Red era, with addition of some Starless elements, but in a new, innovative way. How did this blend of old and new occur?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Well actually the idea was to blend Black Sabbath with Univers Zero. It doesn’t really sound like that but the result was good. Of course we where under influence of the current music scene in the 90s like Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Portishead and I think that is obvious in some parts<br /></span></i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Is “From Within” an album which got you on the level of musical independence, leaving the past, when you were a cover band playing King Crimson songs?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Well maybe we parted from the obvious KC influence here. Two important influences here was Motorpsycho and Landberk. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “Hole” is a song which is probably one of the largest band’s trademarks, and I cannot avoid comparing it to King Crimson’s “Epitaph”. Not that I’m trying to ask you for differences or similarities, but can we consider “Hole” as an homage to the KC song I mentioned? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: No not really. I have no memories that Hole had something to do with Epitaph. As I said before we were very influenced by Motorpsycho and Sonic Youth at the time. I guess the mellotron makes it similar to Epitaph. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: A song “Seljak” from Gravity in my native language (Serbian) means “a peasant, nomad”. Was that intentional, or does that word mean something in Swedish? What’s the story behind it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Hmm I think Jan Erik was dating a a woman from Serbia at the time and maybe he got the title from her but I’m not sure. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALJDff5FCI/AAAAAAAAAOc/LZSyQd5cw6Y/s1600/atod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALJDff5FCI/AAAAAAAAAOc/LZSyQd5cw6Y/s200/atod.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “A Time of Day” is so far your latest studio album, released in 2007. And I have to praise the vocals on this release, as in my opinion they sound excellent. The albums is a bit more rocky. Do you think that you’ve made a turn with this album?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Well maybe but we don’t think in terms of doing changes in our direction. The songs just popped up. I think we can hear some Cantebury influences and maybe some Amon Duul and Popol Vuh in some parts. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Considering you have been releasing Anekdoten albums every four years, maybe we should expect another album in 2011? :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Yes or late 2010. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALJfhKyA0I/AAAAAAAAAOk/W5l5lMTn_zI/s1600/mortemacabre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALJfhKyA0I/AAAAAAAAAOk/W5l5lMTn_zI/s200/mortemacabre.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Together with your fellow Swedes Peter Nordins, Stefan Dimle and Reine Fiske, you’ve started a project back in 1998, called Morte Macabre, an homage to horror soundtracks. And so far you have an album called “Symphonic Holocaust”. Whose idea was it to start a project like this? What are your favorite 70’s horror movies? Were you inspired mostly by Popol Vuh or Goblin?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: None actually. This was a spontaneous thing and we improvised over the themes. I guess you can hear influences from those bands but at the time I had not heard Popol Vuh or Goblin that much. The recordings were done in a day and much of it was spontaneous. The idea came up when Landberk was asked to do a horror movie soundtrack cover for a italian compilation. Only Stefan and Reine was interested so they asked me and Peter if we were interested. <br /></span></i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Are there plans for recording a new Morte Macabre album?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Not at this point. We had some plans a year ago but I really don’t have eny energy or inspiration for Morte Macabre at the moment. But you never know. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What are your all-time favorite bands/artists? Could you mention some of the albums that wholesomely influenced on your musical shape? Give us a few names from the deep underground, I think that everybody already know of King Crimson or VDGG, hehe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Magma, Univers Zero, Talk Talk, Trettioåriga Kriget, May Blitz, Roy Harper, Bo Hansson, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, Beatles, Amon Duul, Can, Sun Ra...<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hmm that was not so deep underground but I’ll continue. Children Of One, Anne Briggs, Frumious Bandersnatch, Cressida, The Advancement, Flower Travelln Band, Spring, Hairy Chapter, il Baletto Di Bronzo, Gracious...<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What kind of gear do you own? Also, how many instruments do you know to play and which are they?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: Guitars: Gibson SG, '61-reissue,Ibanez Artist, Gibson Les Paul Standard, Ibanez Concorde 12 string and a Ibanez 6 string <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Amps: Hi-Watt modified by Marcus Resch <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Peavey Classic 50 <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Cabinet: Marshall JCM 900, Lead-1960 <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Effects: Fuzzface, Line 6 DL4 Delay modeler, Octavia, Wah, Univibe and volume pedal custom made by Marcus Resch, MXR compressor, A/B switch, Big Muff <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mellotron M 400S <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Fender Rhodes <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Pianet <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Theremin <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><b><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Do you have any hobbies? Also, do you have a full daytime job or are you completely involved in music?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="SV" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nicklas: I work as a record dealer buying and selling vintage vinyls. That is my full time job and hobby. Playing music is my therapy. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thank you for the interview, Nicklas. All the best with your new band, hope to hear much more from you.</span></b></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><object width="415" height="335"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pkee89yPPJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pkee89yPPJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="415" height="335"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-70283402970753122252010-06-09T08:00:00.006-05:002010-06-09T08:00:10.427-05:00Martin Horntveth, A Gentle Giant<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">No, Martin Hornveth is not a member of Gentle Giant if the title of this interview made you think so. Martin Hornveth is actually the drummer of Jaga Jazzist, a Norwegian jazz band with more than 10 musicians. They have recently released a new album this year called “One-Armed Bandit”. I talked with Martin about new album, other projects, their connection with progressive rock, etc.</div><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hello Martin. How have you been?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: I’ve been working like a dog and I miss touring again!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: So, it’s been 5 years since you’ve released What We Must and this year you’re back in the game with a brand new album called One-Armed Bandit. Why that long break? What happened with the band during that break? Some of band members have quit. Tell us a bit more.</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALDLJO0FVI/AAAAAAAAAMs/tHIj7Xqlyac/s1600/martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALDLJO0FVI/AAAAAAAAAMs/tHIj7Xqlyac/s200/martin.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Between 2002-2005 we toured constantly and we thought we should take a break before we started going on each other’s nerves. It was supposed to sbe a few months but it ended up being almost two years before we started to rehearse for a new album.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Many of the members started their own solo carriers or joined other bands. At one point we were all so busy with composing, world tours, producing that we were a bit worried about the future of Jaga.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Many of the members that quit around 2005 were original members that wanted to do other things. Two of them are soon to become doctors, others has totally different jobs. The main thing is that we’re all still close friends and the new members inspires the “old” ones J<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Let’s talk about your new album. One-Armed Bandit received very good reviews. Are you satisfied with how it turned out? How long did you work on this album? Would you compare the way it was made with the process that made the previous one?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALDNUzNNTI/AAAAAAAAAM0/_k_BkxmaZ3w/s1600/oab.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALDNUzNNTI/AAAAAAAAAM0/_k_BkxmaZ3w/s200/oab.gif" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Yes, we’re very satisfied with the album. It’s so much rehearsing, quarrelling, discussing, organizing, arranging etc. with Jaga Jazzist but when the album finally was out it felt extremely good. We started to rehearse with the new members Øystein Moen and Stian Westerhus from the Norwegian noise/jazz band, Puma some time in 2007. The first song we tried was ”Prognissekongen” and people were quite shocked in a positive way of which direction Lars was leading the band into.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">On What We Must we wanted to rehearse more like a rock band and we were jamming a lot with the arrangements but this time Lars had written 80% of the music and it was quite complex with written scores for all instruments. There were others that wrote music for the album but we ended up using 99,99% of Lars’ music.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I wonder have you ever been in a situation that after you had an idea for an album and you start working on that led by that idea, in the end the result turns out to be quite the opposite from</span></b><b><span style="color: #550055; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">what you intended?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Many times! On the ”A Living Room Hush” album it was like that for at least 50% of the album. But after we learned more about studio technique and possibilities with arranging we know a bit more about what we try to find. But sometimes we play the same song over and over for hours to get somewhere we haven’t been before<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALDrljUjlI/AAAAAAAAAM8/S_mBbc7qGdQ/s1600/Jaga%2BJazzist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALDrljUjlI/AAAAAAAAAM8/S_mBbc7qGdQ/s200/Jaga%2BJazzist.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: My opinion is that with this new album you made a turnout to more prog rock sound in comparison with previous works. This time there are more electronics and programming, more dynamics, I’d say. Was that just intentional or was it a logical sequence of circumstances?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Well, it’s absolutely more prog-ish than before, but if you listen to ”The Stix” you might</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> <i>think that it’s way more electronic/programmed than this one. Anyway, we wanted ”the best</i> <i>from both worlds” this time. In the early song writing process I remember Lars experimented with a ”Justice” (French band) type ”House” beat in all the songs. We talked about mixing the “uber-electronic” sounds with a more prog-rock or even jazz-rock sound. Justice meets Mahavishnu Orchestra or The Knife meets Zappa. The process is all though much more interesting than if the result ends up like planned. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How did you get in touch with John McEntire of Tortoise? I see mixing of Jaga Jazzist album as something really hard and have to praise John for the work he did on One-Armed Bandit. What did he bring to the album?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: We originally wanted Jørgen Træen to both produce and mix the album. For Jaga he’s become a very important person for our sound and development. But a couple of months before we had planned to mix he got ill and couldn’t work for a very long time, so we had to find another person to help us finish the album. Lars and I were discussing different solutions and persons we’d like to work with and one of them was John McEntire, whom we obviously have been inspired by for years. Jørgen hadn’t really got the chance to start his brilliant way of transforming the material into something new so we thought that the rough mixes of the album sounded to vintage or old school and wanted John to help us get a more modern or fresh sound. In addition to have pretty much the same taste in music and sound as us he also bring in a lot of “playing around with effects and synthesizer” that eventually gave the electronic feel that we felt were missing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: As a successful indicator of the new album’s quality, I would like to point out that the album has entered top 10 of the Norwegian national record sales charts in the first week. Seems like you did a good thing in enabling two of the tracks from the album to be available for free on the Internet. Do you think that Internet should be used in such a way by all bands? Or is it more of a detriment in general?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: A few years ago it felt corny and sometimes wrong to give away songs for free, but the way the whole industry has become it’s much more of a necessity in the whole release plan and way of promoting the album. I personally don’t like how people feel that music should be “for free” and I don’t think they have a clue about how much work and money there is behind an album. This change in the whole music scene made it almost impossible to make our last album and we had to find totally new ways of getting the money for studio, producer, mixer etc. For Jaga it’s always been a non-profit band, but this time it was harder than ever to make it happen. That said, we use Internet and all it’s possibilities for all it’s worth all the time, and have been doing that since 1996. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: JJ is an orchestra band, as your line-up is consisted of approx. ten musicians. Would you tell us how the current line-up of the band looks, besides you, Lars and Line? I have to admit that it seems hard to follow all those changes, so let’s make it clear :)</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALEcDU0ndI/AAAAAAAAANE/S-UPH-igWVo/s1600/jj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALEcDU0ndI/AAAAAAAAANE/S-UPH-igWVo/s200/jj.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: The current line-up besides Lars (Guitar, saxes and clarinets), Line (Tuba, glockenspiel and vocals) and me (Drums and drum-machines) consist of Mathias Eick (Trumpet, upright bass, keyboards and vibraphone), Øystein Moen (Keyboards), Erik Johannessen (Trombone), Andreas Mjøs (Vibraphone and guitars), Even Ormestad (Bass and keyboards) and our newest member, Marcus Forsgren (Guitars and FX)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Stian Westerhus (Puma, Nils Petter Molvær, Monolithic) played on the album and a few gigs but he was too busy with other bands and has been replaced by Marcus Forsgren from The Lionheart Brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: During all these years you’ve been involved in other projects beside JJ. Solo work is probably the best way to satisfy your own ego so to speak, do you find it to be helpful for Jaga Jazzist to release your own material on the side? Please introduce us to some of your other projects and contributions.</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: In the beginning all the side projects and other bands were struggling with JJ’s busy calendar and plans but after a while we all understood that these bands helped the members to try out other ideas and genres that wouldn’t fit into Jaga’s music. So instead of quarrelling about peoples focus, we started encouraging people to start own projects and solo carriers. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALEhAB3qcI/AAAAAAAAANM/3ZiX7qPH1yY/s1600/martin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALEhAB3qcI/AAAAAAAAANM/3ZiX7qPH1yY/s200/martin1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In the early 2000’s I was making a lot of electronic music and were touring a lot with my solo show but after a while I quit because I didn’t like traveling alone. Being part of a huge band with two family members close all the time I often felt lonesome in an empty hotel room or backstage. So besides of a pop group called “The National Bank” I been mostly composing music for TV dramas, radio theatre, short films, dance performances, children’s television etc. It’s too much to go through all of it but it’s all presented on my myspace site: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/martinhorntvethcomposer" target="_blank">www.myspace.com/martinhorntvethcomposer</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Let’s make a retrospective of your albums, starting from Jævla Jazzist Grete Stitz to One-Armed Bandit. How would you describe every of these albums?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: “Jævla Jazzist Grete Stitz - 1996” was actually a best of album. Our debut album was supposed to be our last. Ha-ha! It’s full of various styles, genres, humoristic ideas but still a lot of serious music. It’s fun, but still a bit embarrassing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">“Magazine EP - 1998” was just an EP that later was released on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Smalltown</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Supersound</st1:placetype></st1:place> as full-length release. Also this one is extremely varied and the only red thread is the melodies and harmonies that always has been our trademark. It’s two songs recorded in two different studios and a third song that’s recorded live. It’s also a really quiet, folky song with vocals and a drum&bass remix.. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALEzdYtBWI/AAAAAAAAANU/pMOG2_vauZU/s1600/lrh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALEzdYtBWI/AAAAAAAAANU/pMOG2_vauZU/s200/lrh.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">“A Living Room Hush - 2001” is the album that chanced JJ and has always felt like our “real” debut. It’s our first album with Jørgen Træen and he really opened our eyes but musically and sound/recording wise. We came to Jørgen with a lot of songs and ideas but came out with something completely different and we felt that we’d “seen the light”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">“The Stix - 2002” is many of the member’s favorite album; because we think we made something unique with this album. We’d been experimenting with sounds, genres and electronics for a while but on this album we felt that we’d made it into our own style.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALFBu_R9mI/AAAAAAAAANc/U7lm2tv2mWA/s1600/Jaga+Jazzist+%5B2005%5D+What+We+Must.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALFBu_R9mI/AAAAAAAAANc/U7lm2tv2mWA/s200/Jaga+Jazzist+%5B2005%5D+What+We+Must.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">“What We Must - 2005” was as the album title describes a must for the band to make. We had to go someplace completely different and get rid of most of the things we’d been doing over the last five years. The album is guitar oriented for the first time, it has a lot of “rock band” feel instead of “jazz band” or “electronica” feel. There’s no programming or drum machines and was very inspired by bands like “My Bloody Valentine” and “Sonic Youth”. It also has some early fooling around with prog-rock and “quasi world“. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">“One-Armed Bandit – 2010” was sort of a comeback album for Jaga. On this album we wanted to continue what we’d started on “What We Must” but take it to a new level. We also wanted to bring in the electronic sounds from “The Stix” and the madness from “A Living Room Hush”. You can track some parts from early albums but the most important was to have fun while playing the music. We wanted to play complex, sometimes corny, sometimes beautiful but most of all fun-to-play music. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Is making music for Jaga a tough task? Where do you find new elements for new tunes? I guess that you and Lars are the most focused members of the band when it comes to creating new songs, but how much are the others in on that process?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Making music for JJ is extremely difficult, and it’s seldom other than Lars that manages to do it. We all try but it doesn’t go through the needle eye. We don’t want Jaga’s music to sound like anything else and that in addition to writing for 9-10 members makes it very, very hard.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">For “One-Armed Bandit” Lars worked really hard and set a goal to write a new song for each rehearsal. It ended up being 99,99% of Lars’ music on the new album and that’s basically because he managed to write enough music and create a “universe” for the whole album. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The other members are very involved in shaping the music into what it becomes but that’s only “done in advance”, meaning that Lars writes music that fits the musicians well. He knows what we all stand for and except for the drum parts the whole new album was composed with written scores. In the rehearsal process we’re all involved in jamming on the riffs with different instruments, rhythm parts, instruments playing the melody, percussion, arrangements, drum programming etc. We’ve never rehearsed as much as for this album and that’s a BIG part of the song writing process as well as the actual composition.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What does Prognissekongen mean? I’ve tried to translate that using a Google translate tool, and it showed me “Prog elf king”, Is that correct?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Ha-ha! Yes, for us it’s more like King Of Prog Nerds, but the exact translation would be something like Prog elf king. The title is describing both the music and our love/hate approach to the genre. We like a lot of it very much but something of it is just hilarious and comic, but still we like it because it’s funny… Hard to describe in English, but hopefully the title speaks for itself.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How much of Jaga’s sound is based around progressive rock? Which bands are your favorites, as well as influences?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALFbmER50I/AAAAAAAAANk/RWqccn3fhsA/s1600/martin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALFbmER50I/AAAAAAAAANk/RWqccn3fhsA/s200/martin2.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Very little. People have been calling us a prog band for a few years now, but we never understood why. I’m not saying that we weren’t a prog-band, but we didn’t know because we’d never listened to it. We started to check out some Progressive around 2004/2005… Well, over the years we’ve been introduced to some bands but we never liked it, and most of the time we thought the music was really ugly and dull. Around the making of What We Must we heard some bands like “Yes” and “Mahavishnu Orchestra” and for the first time we wanted to dig into this genre. We’re interested in songs and melodies and not so much riffs and jamming so maybe that’s why it took so many years for Jaga to feel the connection with Prog? On the last album we’ve “fooled around” with this genre a bit more and are very happy about being called a prog-band. I guess the influences haven’t been that many prog bands except for the ones already mentioned and a few others like “Robert Wyatt” and “Genesis”. It’s more the way of thinking and the “open mind” that has inspired us. “Over the top” arrangements, sudden key and time changes, corny fanfares, pompous church organ, complex melodies and time signatures etc. Actually, Lars was very inspired by slot machines or One-Armed Bandits when he wrote the songs and that inspired to a lot of the stuff mentioned above plus the title of the album.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Would you tell us about some funny situations from the tour? Being in a band with so many members probably leads to a lot of interesting situations, such as someone being left behind when the band goes on tour, or something.</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: This recent tour has been so far quite calm and under control. Probably because we have some new members, a new crew and just had a fantastic time together. On previous tours we were sharing the same bus for 7-8 weeks and since we’d lived on top of each other for years it became a lot of tension, some aggression, quarreling, leave-behinds etc, but this time it’s been pretty calm. That said, for us the friendship and music is very important, so too much “sex, drugs & rock n’ roll” wouldn’t be acceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I guess you will probably know why do I ask this, but are you a gentle giant? :D</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALGAQ65meI/AAAAAAAAANs/3ybVk3Iyf_s/s1600/martin4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TALGAQ65meI/AAAAAAAAANs/3ybVk3Iyf_s/s200/martin4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: I’m a very gentle giant :-) I think the man on the “Gentle Giant” album could be the “Prognissekongen” that Lars thinks of. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lately I’ve been thinking about that band and the resemblances with our band. We were watching a live concert with Gentle Giant in John McEntire’s studio and I didn’t know that the members were SO good instrumentalist. It was really cool to see them change instruments all the time and play them all so brilliantly. We have a couple of members doing the same thing and it was truly inspiring to see.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Besides being a musician in an eminent band, you also have a serious role in your life, that of a father. How do you find time to balance between these “two worlds”, if I may?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Being a father has been a fantastic change in my life. I’ve been used to work 14 hours a day, 7 days a week except two-three weeks holidays and it was absolutely about time to prioritize my son and girlfriend. I love touring and living in a bus for weeks, but nowadays I miss my family after two weeks. I think that’s a good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Is there anything you’d like to add now that I’ve run out of questions?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: I’d like to add that if it was up to the band we would have traveled all over Europe including you country, the states, Australia, <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> and all the other places we haven’t been before. I hope the most eager JJ fans will travel to the nearest cities to see us all though it can be a bit far away. Traveling with this band is very expensive and promoters struggle hard to make it work so it’s not that we don’t want to come to all the places we’re invited. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thanks for the interview, Martin. We wish you and your family all the best.</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Martin: Thanks and hope to see you some time in the future!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><object width="410" height="252"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/40lqREiOfwg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/40lqREiOfwg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="410" height="252"></embed></object><br /><br /></div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-88325767370684444562010-06-07T08:00:00.009-05:002010-06-07T08:00:00.375-05:00Rikard's Questions (In an Infinite Universe)<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>We at ProgSphere are proud to present an interview we made with one of our musical idols, the songwriter/keyboardist/guitarist/lyricist/accordianist/otherstuffist of BEARDFISH! We tried to make the interview comprehensive, so it would be futile to attempt to plumb its depths in this despicable synopsis. Read and enjoy! Be sure to stop by Beardfish's forum, shown here: http://forum.spa-networks.co.uk/punforum/index.php - to discuss Beardfish with fellow fans!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYWvZk6SmI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/YCdTefOVec0/s1600/rikard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYWvZk6SmI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/YCdTefOVec0/s200/rikard.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Hello Rikard! Welcome to Prog Sphere, “don’t forget to bring the fish!” We’re gonna start with some of your side projects, because we want to hear about them and I’m sure you don’t get asked about them as much as you do about Beardfish! We hope that’s ok.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Sure! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Tell us about your old album Cyklonmannen. To me, this album seems to have been made in the style of one of Bo Hansson’s old works. Could you tell us something about the book you based it on? Bo seemed to enjoy using works that were well-known to the English-speaking world, but I’ve never heard of Cyklonmannen. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYXF-1uChI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/PVNITm7s1kw/s1600/cyklonmannen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYXF-1uChI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/PVNITm7s1kw/s200/cyklonmannen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Cyklonmannen (The Cycloneman) is a book written by the Swedish author Sture Dahlström and it’s part of a series he called cyklonsextetten (the cyclone sextet) and although I don’t think he ever got around to actually write six books in the style of Cyklonmannen (I count five) there was this particular period in his career that I appreciate very much. First and foremost, Sture was, and still is, Sweden’s only true beatnik writer to this date (at least that I know of) and his writing is a reflection, I think, on his adventurous life. He lived in Spain for most of the time, he was a jazz musician (double bass and guitar) and I think that shows in his writing, it’s fluent just as good music is when at it’s best. The books in the cyclone sextet and particularly Cyklonmannen are told at a very high speed. The book is about an inventor and ladies man (all of his lead characters are btw) who travels to New York to seek a patent for his new invention, the pest harness, a transparent body condom that shields its user from every sexually transmitive disease there is. On his trip he has many encounters with all sorts of crazy characters and the book is so wild, sexual, psychedelic and free in a sense that only really good literature is! It’s too bad most people don’t speak Swedish coz in my opinion it’s a must read! When I read it (the second time, mind you!) all this music started popping up in my head and I just had to make an interpretation of the book. I like the album and the only regret I had is that I didn’t finish it before Sture passed away. I talked to him on the phone once and he was very interesting to speak to! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Another one of your projects, Bootcut, was also formed around Bo Hansson in a way, but this time you were inspired by Hansson’s work with Janne Karlsson. Can you tell us more about this? I also read somewhere on the Beardfish forum that you have another album’s worth of material that you might release at some point. Any word on this?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYXX3n99gI/AAAAAAAAARE/4GnCljfJABU/s1600/bootcut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYXX3n99gI/AAAAAAAAARE/4GnCljfJABU/s200/bootcut.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Bootcut is a duo that has been around since 2000, so we’re celebrating 10 years this year! We most often make songs with only keyboards (mainly Hammond B3, but also some synthesizers and stuff) and drums. We’ve done a whole lot of fun stuff in these ten years, we’ve been a house band at a jazz club, we’ve accompanied other artists in their live performances (and this works out pretty good since I play the bass on the organ) when they’re singing or playing the guitar or horns or whatever – we’re a pretty solid foundation to layer stuff on! We’ve released two albums; “Hammond VS Drums” in 2002 and “De Fluff” in 2006 and as you mentioned, we do have a third one recorded but we haven’t gotten around to releasing it just yet. It’s mostly an economical question. We may just put out a vinyl with an mp3 code or something, I like that idea…</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Why do you think this “organ and drums” setup is so popular in Sweden? I’ve seen a great deal of bands from your country that arrange themselves exactly like this, or at the very least, around the organ/drums model, even if they use other instruments.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rikard: I have no idea.. probably because of H&K.. When we started out the only other band that I knew of who were doing it (besides H&K) were Sagor & Swing (or Happy Hammond in Slumberland, as they started out – but back then they had a saxophone player as well) and our style was totally different than theirs, and it was and is very different from H&K as well, apart from the instrumentation! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Your second album with Bootcut employs the use of a bass, as well as a few other instruments. There are even vocals on some tracks! My question is this: why did you lie to us?! There’s supposed to be only a Hammond and drums!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYXmYLN7qI/AAAAAAAAARM/iBEsm_9wF8c/s1600/df.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYXmYLN7qI/AAAAAAAAARM/iBEsm_9wF8c/s320/df.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Hey now! The bass was used on one track, and it’s the one track where I don’t even use a Hammond – I play a Wurlitzer piano and we wanted to record it (The Immortal Session) as a sort of jazz trio thing. The same with the vocals, one track! We didn’t want to make the second album with JUST organ and drums because we had been doing these gigs where we had guest musicians coming up on stage to join us in making good music and we simply wanted to translate this onto a record and ergo: De Fluff was made. The guest appearances are just icing on the cake, Petter and I cover up 90% of the album by ourselves…</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: YET ANOTHER one of your projects, Gungfly, is going to have its second album released soon. Tell us about this project, and why you have so many projects in general. Too much music in your head?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYX_PnLKMI/AAAAAAAAARU/gy6PaZ255Z8/s1600/gf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYX_PnLKMI/AAAAAAAAARU/gy6PaZ255Z8/s200/gf.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: You’ve already answered the question within the question! I make a lot of music and I practically always have something going on, mainly because music is all I do.. All day long! Gungfly is my attempt at a project where I decide completely for myself and record most of the instruments myself (on the new album it’s gonna be a 70/30 split, songwise) simply because I like doing it and there are people encouraging me to do so. The new album will be a diverse range of songs, more so than the last one. It has everything from forrest-smelling 60’s progpop to metal to surfguitar! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: How much has Bo Hansson influenced your work with Beardfish? As we discussed before, he obviously influenced the music of some of your other bands/projects.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: In general I can’t say that I’ve been very influenced by Bo in my songwriting, but he is one of the main reasons I started playing organ, together with Jon Lord. The only song that comes to mind directly that I feel personally is inspired by Bo (and that’s only in part) is “Coup de Grâce” with Beardfish (the slow part with piano and guitar). There are probably other places in all of my projects where someone could point to the speaker and say “Hey! This reminds me of Bo Hansson” but it’s never intentional and I’ve never seen him as one of my big inspirations for writing music, although I love his music!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Can you tell us about some of your other influences besides Bo Hansson? I know you like to listen to Gentle Giant and King Crimson. Personally I’m quite partial to Van Der Graaf Generator, as well as those two. Oh, and Beardfish of course. I think hear some Samla Mammas Manna, or perhaps some Flasket Brinner, in Beardfish. Am I correct? Are you a fan?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I like all those bands and I’m sure there are influences from all of them, especially Gentle Giant and King Crimson, not Van Der Graaf Generator though – haven’t listened a whole lot to them. Other influences are Frank Zappa (who might even be my biggest influence in the writing of Beardfish material between 2005 and 2008!), Jeff Buckley, Henry Cow, Jimi Hendrix, Opeth, Astor Piazzola, Nirvana, Stravinsky, Soundgarden, Made in Sweden, ZZ Top, Angelo Badalamenti, Baron Bane, Kogo, Foo Fighters and of course Beardfish itself, playing with those guys is the biggest inspiration I can think of… I could go on and on… basically every good artist out there who’s album I’ve listened to more than once would end up on this list!!! And don’t forget books and movies!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I asked Andy in our interview with him what the chances would be of you two doing a tribute album for Bo Hansson. He said he would love to do something like that. What is your response?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I have no comment on that… If we would decide to do something like that… we would! That’s all I can say. I love Andy’s music and we had a great time when we played together, that’s all I’m gonna say for now. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Where do you get inspiration for your lyrics? I have an opinion that you present a very “normal” life through them, but expressed in mysterious ways. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: You got me! I don’t particularly enjoy writing about broadswords and fair ladies or stuff like that (and I’m biting my own ass a bit here, because in one of the new Beardfish songs there are some pretty storytelling type lyrics for one song!)… I like writing about stuff that happens in everyday life and I like to twist it around, sort of like; what if this would have happened the other way around, you know… I like writing what I feel about things. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYYYckGC1I/AAAAAAAAARk/x02mSa_CW6U/s1600/ds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYYYckGC1I/AAAAAAAAARk/x02mSa_CW6U/s200/ds.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Let’s switch to Beardfish now, starting with the band’s artwork. Dave’s album covers are getting better and better with each release. Do you have cover art ready for the upcoming album? My favorite so far was definitely Destined Solitaire’s, with the art that linked to the music in some ways, such as by showing Bob Dylan on the cover eating cornflakes, and someone’s head exploding due to the frustration of ALGEBRA!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Yeah, David has done some great stuff but he didn’t do “Destined Solitaire”, that was a guy named Spencer Bowden! He’s a very talented young artist living in Hawaii who approached us and said he wanted to do the album art so we checked out some of his stuff and thought it was excellent! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Where did you think of the name “Beardfish”? Do you like bearded fish? Do they taste good? Do you feel like it fits the band’s image and irreverent sense of humor? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: We have no reason at all for the name. it came up during a brainstorming for a name and we didn’t even like it at first but once we started playing and noticed that people actually remembered it we decided to keep it. I know they do exist though and they have beards! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYYttKRHsI/AAAAAAAAARs/vJheD4-QYlY/s1600/bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYYttKRHsI/AAAAAAAAARs/vJheD4-QYlY/s200/bf.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: One very interesting thing about Beardfish and its lyrics is how you write dialogues and monologues that somehow manage to fit very very well into the music. This somehow adds an organic feeling to the music, while also somehow managing to keep it very strange. What’s your take on it?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I almost always write the music before the lyrics and when there already are melodies you have to fit the vocal phrases with the words which sometimes can be quite tricky, but it’s worked up until now! Maybe that’s the secret. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: An interesting thing about the first Beardfish album, Fran En Plats Du Ej Kan Se, is your usage of Swedish vocals. Why did you decide to do that only on the first album? An equally good question would be: why sing primarily in English in general? I suppose most bands do it nowadays, what with English being the “de facto lingua franca”. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYY5ZfhajI/AAAAAAAAAR0/8AzEcE1GHPE/s1600/fepdeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYY5ZfhajI/AAAAAAAAAR0/8AzEcE1GHPE/s200/fepdeks.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Yeah, sure! We never made a decision about it, it’s just based on the fact that I haven’t written anything in Swedish since that album. Those three songs are the best Swedish lyrics I have ever written and when I tried translating them for the booklet on the rerelease of the album in 2007 I had a big problem finding a good rhythmic feel for the English version. It came out as totally different lyrics, which fortunately only the Swedish speaking community will ever know! And then narrow it down to the Swedish Beardfish fans and they’re not that many, so – haha! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: What inspires you to write stories such as those on “The Sane Day”? There are elements from this album that show up on later works, as well. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: That’s something I appreciate in Zappa’s work that I’ve tried to apply to Beardfish as well – the conceptual continuity (as Frank put it). The stories are there to tie it together and help paint a better picture! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYZJeW0HqI/AAAAAAAAAR8/iL4OY5_UeXU/s1600/SIT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYZJeW0HqI/AAAAAAAAAR8/iL4OY5_UeXU/s200/SIT1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: You’ve been creating stuff pretty much constantly, I’d say, what with the amount of albums you’ve released since you began. Especially from the SiT 1 until the upcoming album, 4 albums in 4 years, and every one better than the one that came before it! What is it that keeps you focused? Especially you, who besides Beardfish, have other projects such as Gungfly and Bootcut. You must be a real workaholic. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: We work fast when we work, that’s all I can really say about that. There can be periods when we don’t do anything for a while and then we decide to start writing and rehearsing new material and then we basically know that in a couple of months we’re gonna be recording a new album. We just like to make music.. We don’t force it.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: While Beardfish’s style (whatever the hell that is) always seems to remain somewhat consistent, the albums can vary considerably. For example, Sleeping in Traffic Part 1 is pretty mellow compared to the sublime chaos that is Destined Solitaire. I would imagine this reflects the lyrical content, because the content on DS was pretty chaotic, while SiT1 was more about lazy afternoons and that painful feeling of opening your eyes after a good night’s sleep. Am I right?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYZkv9ELqI/AAAAAAAAASE/QPBqeNMFbBA/s1600/bf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYZkv9ELqI/AAAAAAAAASE/QPBqeNMFbBA/s200/bf1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I’m gonna refer to a previous question here and say that the lyrics almost always come to after the music, so in this case we’re rather dealing with the song writing. But we have a certain style and I guess it’s based on my writing and how the guys and I play our instruments. The lyrics reflect the musical content, rather than the other way around as you described.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Does the opening track of Destined Solitaire, “Awaken the Sleeping”, perhaps allude to the previous two Beardfish albums?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Yes, it was a way for us to say that we were done with sleeping in traffic.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Speaking of the chaos on Destined Solitaire, would you mind revealing, through your infinite grace, what some of these songs are about? Occasionally I am able to tell (such as with the title track, “In Real Life…” and “Abagail’s Questions…”), but “Until You Comply Including Entropy” is simply an enigma to me. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYaCk-t10I/AAAAAAAAASM/3SWG4i8g1EU/s1600/bf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYaCk-t10I/AAAAAAAAASM/3SWG4i8g1EU/s200/bf2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: But, see – do you really want to know? If you have your own little version on what it could be about, you could leave it at that. Maybe I’ll just destroy it for you? I could tell you that it’s about my life, it reflects me and my view on the world (and it’s usually not a good view, at least not in Beardfish lyrics) that I was seeing that particular day when I wrote it. The “outside my door, everything’s different..” part is about mustering up the courage to go outside and meeting people and stuff and quickly realizing that it’s not fucking worth it because to you they’re all blithering morons.. A pretty pissy attitude, I know! But that part reflects a night at a disco, in the middle of the meat market, where you see the “best” version of people… drunk, egocentric assholes who are there in pursuit of status, not even happiness! And everyone’s just glaring at each other because no one is really happy and no one really wants to be there.. On the other hand, that’s just a part of the lyric – some of it is actually pretty positive! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Destined Solitaire seems like the most eclectic opus Beardfish has created so far, and that’s saying something! It goes from almost dark symphonic on the intro, to a sort of hard rock/metal epic in the form of Destined Solitaire, the title track, to a few chaotic masterpieces, and then to a jazzy instrumental epic named Coup de Grace. What were some influences in the creation process of this album? Was Opeth in particular responsible for the title track, perhaps?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I think I had listened to Opeth quite a lot around that time, yes! Regarding influences for the album they were quite diverse but mostly it came from a state we were all in and none of us were very happy, you know. The verse on “Where the Rain Comes in” is heavily influenced by Bruce Springsteen though! And Coup de Grâce was inspired by the bandoneon player Astor Piazzola. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: What’s your favorite Beardfish album? Which was the most fun to create, which one was the most difficult?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYaKIJ1l4I/AAAAAAAAASU/cmk62VdSpzk/s1600/saneday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYaKIJ1l4I/AAAAAAAAASU/cmk62VdSpzk/s200/saneday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I think “The Sane Day” was our favourite to create, we had a great time. But the recording of the new album was also very funny and creative! We had a great time. Destined Solitaire was the worst recording of them all. We were not in a good state as a band and we were under a lot of stress because we only had five days to record 76 minutes of music! It turned out great though, so maybe we should hate ourselves a bit more and all our albums will be grand! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Most people seem to name Sleeping in Traffic Part 2 as their favorite BF album. Why do you think that might be? Personally, we both (Nick and I) enjoy Destined Solitaire the most, by far. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYaR26JYQI/AAAAAAAAASc/FSqltbCtT6s/s1600/SIT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYaR26JYQI/AAAAAAAAASc/FSqltbCtT6s/s200/SIT2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I think SIT2 is an easy album to like, because it has some very accessible tunes and melodies and it also has a 36 minute song and that makes most progheads cream their pants without having even heard it… Also it was praised by a lot of reviewers. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I believe Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon said it best: THE HAMMOND ORGAN IS THE GREATEST INSTRUMENT KNOWN TO MAN! I think I might be paraphrasing slightly. Anway, I agree with him completely. Any thoughts?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I love the Hammond organ, it’s one of my favorite instruments as well, but lately I’ve been in love with the grand piano and my Gibson SG! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: The Hammond organ is almost a staple instrument in prog and jazz, but there are not many musicians in the genre who use the accordion, and Beardfish has quite a few bits played on that instrument. Do you like playing accordion? I wish there was more of this sound and at the other side I’d like to hear you playing an album full of accordion and that doesn’t have to be Beardfish. Maybe I just gave you an idea, who knows! Perhaps you can be Lars Hollmer’s spiritual successor. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYammHmKeI/AAAAAAAAASk/YwTcawpyY-E/s1600/acc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYammHmKeI/AAAAAAAAASk/YwTcawpyY-E/s320/acc.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: The accordion is an instrument that is very dear to me. It was the first instrument I learned how to play as a child, my grandfather taught me. We almost never bring it on concerts though because we have so much gear already (because of me playing both keys and guitar) but if we had a big production I bet we would. I love playing it! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: What other instruments do you own? I know that you possess a Gibson SG guitar which is an amazing and pretty expensive piece. Also, what’s your studio/live equipment like? Amps, pedals, etc. There are for sure a lot of “tech freaks” who want to know more about this.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYa6rmmGPI/AAAAAAAAASs/1TutHutwGoE/s1600/rik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYa6rmmGPI/AAAAAAAAASs/1TutHutwGoE/s200/rik.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: I basically use the same stuff live as in the studio. My amp is a 50 watt Marshall Vintage Modern head going through a Marshall 1960 Lead 412 cabinet. When overdubbing guitars I’ve been using this bad boy’s overdrive and it’s sweeeeet! I’ve also used a Music Man HD150 head in the past and an Ampeg V2 head, also a Peavey Valveking combo but since I bought the Marshall it’s all I use! In terms of pedals I use (in this order): a George Dennis Volume/Fuzz pedal, a modified Cry Baby Wah, a MI Audio NeoFuzz, a T rex Dr Swamp overdrive, a Boss Tremolo, a Line 6 tone core Echo Park, a Boss Tuner and a Boss Reverb rv-5. In the past I’ve used an Ibanez Tube Screamer a lot and a Big Muff, but I don’t use them much these days. I’ve also used a Digitech Whammy pedal quite a lot but right now it won’t fit on my pedal board! In</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>terms of guitars I’ve mainly been using my Gibson SG for the past couple of years, and it has now grown up and acquired a Vibrola tremolo! I also play a Fender japan Strat quite a lot, especially for solos, but sometimes on whole gigs. I have a Gibson The Paul from the 70’s that I use sometimes as well, it’s a real heavy metal guitar! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYbVLZp4QI/AAAAAAAAAS0/D0KUhENYXN8/s1600/bf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYbVLZp4QI/AAAAAAAAAS0/D0KUhENYXN8/s320/bf3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>When it comes to keyboards I have been using the Hammond B3 in the studio this time around, to everyone’s rejoicing! If I could, I would bring it everywhere but usually we don’t have the space to bring it on tour, unfortunately. I also use a Nord Electro 3 for all the electric pianos and the clavinets and the mellotron sounds. An Arp Pro Soloist is also my weapon of choice when it comes to lead sounds, it’s an awesome synthesizer! The</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>organ i use live is a Nord C1 Combo Organ and it is (in my opinion) the best organ emulator on the market. On the new album we’ve also recorded some grand piano, a Steinway (don’t know the model). </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>David uses a Roland Jazz Chorus 412 combo at the moment. He has a lot of fun pedals too! A NeoFuzz just like me (I had mine first, haha!), a cry baby, a blue box fuzz, a satchurator overdrive, a whammy, an Akai head rush delay pedal… and probably some more stuff that I’m forgetting. He plays a Yamaha SG guitar, a Gibson Marauder and a Fender Jazzmaster.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert plays a Fender Jazz bass through a HH (guitar) head through a HH 412 (bass) cabinet – it’s that simple!!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>And finally Magnus plays a Tama Star Classic kit. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: You use a lot to overdubbing on your albums, how do you cover that sort of stuff when you guys play live?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: We do the overdubs to fatten up the recorded music to compensate for an energy that comes to life when we do concert, so it’s a bit the other way around!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: So, ProgSphere has interviewed bands from Norway (Pictorial Wand, Jaga Jazzist, and many more) to Peru (Flor de Loto). Would Captain Flurry be proud of us?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Haha!! Yeah, he would! HAR HAR!!!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: If you recall, during the recording process of the album that will be released soon, a few people were a bit antsy about news on Beardfish’s forum. We eventually came up with a game where we would add words to a sentence to construct a super silly phrase, in the end. Someone suggested Beardfish include this sentence backwards in one of their songs. Now, we won’t insist something so stupid (more like, stupidly awesome!) but we would like to know. If you had to make a song based around the sentence “Hell yeah, any bloody freakin' news, you wondrously good, piratical, grogdrinking people-cakes?”, what might it be like? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Oh, man! I’d probably have to sing something to you to make this work… It sounds like something for Tenacious D to wrap their minds around, haha! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Speaking of the new album, is there anything you can tell us? Perhaps a name, any more song titles besides those you have mentioned on the forum? Perhaps some song lengths?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYbrj7eihI/AAAAAAAAAS8/C0EQOJIzeGI/s1600/Beardfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAYbrj7eihI/AAAAAAAAAS8/C0EQOJIzeGI/s200/Beardfish.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: There isn’t much to tell yet, unfortunately… I’m so in the middle of it all that I feel like I don’t want to spill too much for some reason. It’s a harder album, in a sense that it has a couple of songs with more distorted guitars in them than usual! We’re working on the album title, and I think we have it, but the risk is always there that we might change it, and in that case I don’t want to tell you now, you know! I can tell you there is one song that is 15 minutes and it’s probably the most classic prog song we’ve</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>ever done and at the same time it has some crazy metal parts to it so we had a guest vocalist who came in and did some growling on it, a friend of mine named Jimmy Jönsson. There is also gonna be some saxophone on a couple of tracks!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: In your eyes, is there a sort of “Swedish music scene”? I have a theory that there is a sort of Swedish subgenre of progressive rock, similar to Italy’s RPI, or England’s Canterbury Scene. It seems to be characterized by keyboard/organ-driven, energetic and cheerful jazz-rock, with elements of Swedish folk music. Some artists/bands with the typical sound are, to me, Bo Hansson, Samla Mammas Manna, Beardfish, Klotet, Sagor & Swing, and many more. Do you have any thoughts on this idea of mine? Is it something that has been thought of before? I call it SvenskProg, by the way!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: If it’s a common thing with many Swedish bands, I think it can be traced back to our traditional Swedish folk music perhaps… But I’m not sure either. It could just be that bands mimic one another… That’s a tricky question and it’s not one that I will find the answer to here, tonight – sorry! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Just before we end, I must ask, as I ask everyone I interview: are you a fan of dogs? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: Yeah, sure! Not a big “hey I gotta get me a dog so I have to walk it and pick up its poo everyday” kind of fan, but my family have had dogs all my life and so I like their company. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Thanks for the interview, Rikardo, I’m glad I’ve found my shogun moustache fish at the bottom of the sea (Note from the editor: I have no idea what that was supposed to mean). Do you have anything to say, as we end the interview?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Rikard: No, not really! Just thanks for reading and keep your ears and eyes open for the new album!</i></div><br><br />
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</div>Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166486120885532276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-60066982645970987102010-06-04T08:00:00.002-05:002010-06-04T08:00:04.839-05:00Lalle Larsson, A Man with A Vision<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<i>Lalle Larsson is a pianist/keyboardist, a composer, a workaholic and just a generally great dude. During his career he's been involved in many different projects. Read on and find what Lalle has to say about Weaveworld, his collaborations with Jonas Reingold, Richard Hallebeek, his musical beginnings and so on.</i><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkCafzJzI/AAAAAAAAALk/1QmIkrfftMs/s1600/lalle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkCafzJzI/AAAAAAAAALk/1QmIkrfftMs/s200/lalle2.jpg" width="121" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hello, Lalle. Thanks for agreeing to this interview, I have to say that it’s been an honor for me to have a chance to speak with one of my favorite pianists/keyboardists- composers. How’s life these days?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Wow thanks, I appreciate the support. Life is good at the moment. I am excited about my new material for the next Weaveworld album. We have just finished recording all the drum tracks for that and it sounds really amazing! I will spend this summer finishing everything off. I will also be a part of some other creative projects that will happen later this year, so I´m not complaining. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: 2009 has been very successful year for you I would say, as you have released an album called “Weaveworld”, as well as a DVD called “Seven Deadly Pieces”. And also you’ve had time to participate on another project, this time playing fusion jazz with 3<sup>rd</sup> World Electric. But it seems like all that wasn’t enough for you, haha, as you also took part in the Karmakanic & Agents of Mercy collaboration, which recently released “The Power of Two”. How do you feel after all this?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Yeah, 2009 was a very creative year for me. It feels good. You know, ever since I quit my day job as a music teacher two years ago a lot of doors have opened. Now that I work fulltime with my music I get more things done and I can really delve deeper into my artform. I also think that the time was right for me to reach a bigger audience with my music and I am very fortunate to be able to share my vision with guys like Jonas Reingold and Reingold Records.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Is it difficult to create such music presented on Weaveworld? I see that project as a big house which has rooms filled with jazz musicians, a classical orchestra, a heavy metal band and you in the middle of that all, as a conductor.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkIfIg-hI/AAAAAAAAALs/dzxTADWBcto/s1600/weave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkIfIg-hI/AAAAAAAAALs/dzxTADWBcto/s200/weave.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: It´s always difficult to create good, authentic music I think. I do write a lot of music that I reject, I am very picky when it comes to my own music, it has to feel right - have a certain atmosphere. I start out hearing the music in my head and I get a vision of the overall feeling and what I want to say with an album. Sometimes the vision comes out the way I want it to and sometimes it becomes something else. Not neccessarily worse, just different. There are a lot of parameters to get right, arrangement, performance, sound, etc...</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What is it that makes a musician authentic? What musicians have the best reputation for authenticity, in your opinion? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Everyone has their own interpretation of what authentic is I guess. I don´t know... I think anyone who can communicate who they are and what they are feeling through their music will resonate with other likeminded souls. Music, like emotions, is a very universal thing.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Let’s talk about your musical beginnings, as well as your musical education. How did it all begin? Why did you choose to play piano? I believe you also played drums for a while, right? What other instruments do you play?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkPD9H3oI/AAAAAAAAAL0/H8Qr99uNdmo/s1600/lalle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkPD9H3oI/AAAAAAAAAL0/H8Qr99uNdmo/s320/lalle.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: My parents were both musicians so I was practically born with a piano in front of me. I don´t really have any memories of not playing. It wasn´t really a choice, music was more like a natural part of the environment and playing with sounds was as natural as anything else. Although I didn´t really get serious about practising and all that until I was about 14 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">When I became a teenager I wanted to be a rock star (laughs) so I began learning the drums and not long after that I formed my own band and I also took drum lessons for a couple of years. Apart from piano and drums I have also played the guitar for many years now.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What’s your opinion on putting labels on music? I guess that we’d both agreed that music doesn’t have any limitations; everything is based on feelings, right? Also, when you play, do you try to establish some kind of connection with your “soul”?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Yeah, a label is obviously something you need if you want to sell a product so that the consumer knows what to expect. I´ve read that my music falls somewhere between progressive jazzrock/fusion and symphonic metal. I don´t know... I mean some of my favourite artists like John Coltrane and Allan Holdsworth fall under the jazz and fusion labels, still I think they sound very different from anything else I´ve heard in their suggested genre. But they need to be put in a genre so that us consumers can find them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I don´t think that you can “try” to establish a connection to your soul when you play, either you are present or you are not. It´s like saying “do you breath when you talk?” Either you do it or you don´t, if you choose not to – it won´t take long before you die... while trying to talk... (laughs)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In my music improvisation is all about expressing myself and the way I feel. If I feel that I have nothing to say then the music will sound dead. Every note you play should feel important, that´s what I like in a musician, you know, if I hear a drummer for instance and I can hear that he is present and that every single hit on the drums is equally important, all played with conviction, then I usually dig it.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You are both a solo artist and an ensemble player. As a solo artist, I guess that you have many more possibilities while you play, as you can do different things. What does a musician need to have to make them a good solo artist?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Well, I can only speak for myself. As a solo artist I am usually also the composer so the music is all my vision and I pretty much have a clear picture of how I want everyone to play that music. If I am playing in a band it is usually someone elses material and someone elses feelings that I have to try to understand and capture. I become an interpreter, that´s the biggest difference to me. As a solo artist I´m just doing my thing, playing that which comes natural to me.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Your first solo adventure was an album called “State of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mind</st1:place></st1:state>”, and it’s interesting that this one was actually promo release, never released as a full-length. Why is that? Please tell us something more about this release.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: This is a recording I did after I had been doing a couple of solo piano gigs playing jazz-standards. I don´t even consider this a release. It´s more of a personal document. It is obviously not a typical “Lalle Larsson” album as I am playing in a more traditional jazz way. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I´m not saying it is bad but I feel that it is not 100% me, it´s a tradition. Even though it has some highlights. My first real official solo album is the teenage recording Ominox – Contemporary Past from 1993 (Liquid Note Records). All original material. So to be correct Weaveworld is actually my second solo album.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Electrocution 250 comes next, a very nice and successful combination of avant-garde and metal, which was made in the 90’s. What have been inspired you to make this?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkqx5O5GI/AAAAAAAAAL8/E1AkeFdbWMI/s1600/electriccartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAkqx5O5GI/AAAAAAAAAL8/E1AkeFdbWMI/s200/electriccartoon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: When I studied at the “American Institute Of Music” in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vienna</st1:place></st1:city> in 1992 I did some really insane demos together with guitar virtuoso Todd Duane. These demos were passed around all over the world and it became something of a cult item in the underground shred community. We were even offered a record deal by Shrapnel Records but for some reason that never happened. Then many years later Liquid Note Records wanted us to do something in the line of those demos, and that became Electrocution 250. We didn´t quite manage to capture the raw energy of the demos but it became something else. We were influenced by Todd´s early demos but also by cartoon music, Looney Tunes and that kind of thing. We just wanted it to be as insane and funny as possible, play as fast as possible and with a lot of humour. (laughs) It became an underground classic and was fairly successful in Japan etc.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Next in line was The Richard Hallebeek Project with Sebastiaan Cornelissen, Brett Garsed and great <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Shawn Lane</st1:address></st1:street>, who unfortunately passed away soon after that. This was an excellent fusion project, I think. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Thanks. Me, Richard and Sebastiaan each wrote three tunes for that album and then we called in the guests. It was a fun album to record. I lived at Sebastiaans place in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Holland</st1:place></st1:city> and we had a lot of fun hanging out. Rich and Bas are both great friends and wonderful musicians.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I dedicated my song Enigma to <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Shawn Lane</st1:address></st1:street> who sadly passed away. He was a true original and one of my all time favourite musicians.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAk8VzoHrI/AAAAAAAAAME/EGnQ-AxFtSQ/s1600/timeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAk8VzoHrI/AAAAAAAAAME/EGnQ-AxFtSQ/s200/timeline.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: In 2005, you joined forces with Sebastiaan Cornelissen again with addition of Gary Willis, forming Timeline. Why do you think this project stayed almost unnoticed?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: The record label Munich Records didn´t know who we were and they didn´t care about the album enough to do any promotion at all, so it just got lost unfortunately. It´s probably really difficult to get a hold of that CD now. I think that album deserved more recognition. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: During your career you’ve been collaborating with many musicians, including Philippe Ansari, the already mentioned Sebastiaan Cornelissen, Virgil Donati, Phi Yaan Zek, and latest one, but not the least, Zoltan Øbelisk. Would you tell us something more about these people you’ve worked with? Who was the most fun?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: I have done a lot of different sessions over the years and every one of them have been a great learning experience for me. Most of the studio work nowadays is done by sending wav-files via the internet. It´s a lot more fun to actually meet the musicians and record together live in the studio. In March I did a great studio-session with Agents Of Mercy - Roine Stolt & Nad Sylvan´s new band. That was a lot of fun, recording the oldfashion way. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Among the guys you mentioned Phi and Sebastiaan are both very close personal friends of mine so we are always having a lot of fun together. They are like brothers to me and we have been doing a lot of hanging out in <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Holland</st1:place></st1:city>. Unfortunately we don´t get to meet too often since we live in different countries.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: 2008 brought you into Karmakanic (although you joined the band in 2006 as live support, if I’m not wrong), appearing on “Who’s The Boss In The Factory”, an awesome album, which, by the way, I quickly put on my list of “top albums of 2008”. How did you get in touch with them? Also, what’s it like working with Mr. Reingold? Seems that he’s pretty busy these days.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAlPi-eOAI/AAAAAAAAAMM/BPNYdVnDesg/s1600/KarmakanicBandweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAlPi-eOAI/AAAAAAAAAMM/BPNYdVnDesg/s200/KarmakanicBandweb.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Jonas called me in 2006 because he needed a a keyboard player for an upcoming Karmakanic tour and I accepted. I ended up playing on their third album "Who´s The Boss..." and I´ve been a part of the band ever since. We have done several tours and albums together now me and Jonas. He is great to work with, a true professional. Bass-player, composer, producer, record label guy, studio engineer, you name it... Jonas has become a great friend of mine and he is a musical kindred spirit. He is also very funny! We have a lot of fun together. I really can´t say enough good things about him :)</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: In the recent interview with Nad Sylvan of Agents of Mercy, he told that Karmakanic</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">is in the process of making a new album. Would you tell us something more about that? What can we expect this time? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Yeah, Jonas is in the middle of working on the next album. He is sending me demos of new songs that he is working on and some of the stuff is already my favourite Karmakanic material. It will be released sometime early next year I believe.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Speaking of Karmakanic, what’s your favorite album? Few days ago, I was talking with my friend concerning the same question and we’ve agreed that every of three albums is way different in comparison to its predecessor and that’s what we like. How difficult is it to create something different, but at the same time to keep all of those basic “Karmakanic” elements?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAlWvxPIrI/AAAAAAAAAMU/KoP8qdYX16A/s1600/Karmakanic300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAlWvxPIrI/AAAAAAAAAMU/KoP8qdYX16A/s200/Karmakanic300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Yeah, all three albums are different. If I had to pick a favourite I would say “Who´s The Boss” and the live album.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Karmakanic is Jonas vision and the first two albums feels to me more like his solo projects done with a lot of studio/guest musicians, “Who´s The Boss” was beginning to sound more like a band I think, and the live album is definitely unique. The new album will also have more of a band feel to it. By now Jonas knows our strengths so when he writes he can for instance write with Göran´s voice and my keyboard playing in mind.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Why did it take so long for you to release “Seven Deadly Pieces”? I remember I was looking forward to it several times, but it seemed like it was never going to be released! In the end, it was worth waiting for, surely.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Mostly because we didn´t have a budget. I paid for it all myself and when people are working for free things take time. Plus we had some technical problems in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">But it was amazing that we managed to pull it of after all. It just shows that you can create something like that with hardly no budget. it took me ten years to realize that project.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What bands/artists do you listen to the most these days?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Lately I have actually listened mostly to my own music since I´ve been working several hours every day with the new Weaveworld. When I listen to other music for inspiration I tend to always go back to my old favourite artists and recordings. Now when Ronnie James Dio so sadly passed away I have listened a lot to Rainbow, Sabbath and Dio. I also always come back to the old <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Shawn Lane</st1:address></st1:street> demos/bootlegs and Holdsworth live bootlegs. Early Yngwie stuff and some Coltrane live stuff. Apart from that I listen to classical music and filmmusic a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I dig Ennio Morricone, John Barry, that sort of stuff. Now that I think of it I guess the latest "current " album I listened to was Jeff Beck´s latest CD.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Do you have a clear image/vision of your musical career? Can you see that far or simply you will make album based on your feelings of the moment?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAle1ZRQ-I/AAAAAAAAAMc/tuTrbX0_c2Q/s1600/Lalle-Larsson-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/TAAle1ZRQ-I/AAAAAAAAAMc/tuTrbX0_c2Q/s320/Lalle-Larsson-3.png" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Yes I have a pretty clear vision of where I´m going with my music. My plan is to release one solo album every year, this fall the second Weaveworld will come out and the third album will come out next year. I have only planned for a Weaveworld trilogy then I´ll see where the music leads me, but I will continue to build my catalogue with my own sound, I have only just started. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Do you have any hobbies or are you fully devoted to music?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: I guess that music is both my work and hobby. I do very little else than practise, compose and record. That´s my life. I do enjoy reading and watching good films for relaxation and I work out sometimes to stay fit, but that´s about it.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: As I think that I’m done with questions, is there anything what you’d like to say to our visitors?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Yeah, thanks for your interest and for taking time to read this interview. Don´t forget to check out my solo album Weaveworld and my DVD Seven Deadly Pieces if you haven´t already, ha,ha, promotion, promotion.... I have a second album coming out this fall so look out! Don´t forget to check out the new Agents Of Mercy that will also come out this fall! Some inspired music for you I promise!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thank you very much for the interview, Lalle. I hope you enjoyed in giving answers to my pretty standard question. All the best!</span></b> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Lalle: Thank you! I enjoyed your questions :)</span></i> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="415" height="335"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ktLA0RfrYLc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ktLA0RfrYLc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="415" height="335"></embed></object></div><br>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-5570386974387951202010-06-02T08:00:00.001-05:002010-06-02T08:00:05.225-05:00Alan Morse, An Engineer of Arts<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Is there any need for me to introduce one of the men behind one of the most important prog bands in recent years? I suppose it wouldn't hurt: Alan Morse, ladies and gentlemen! I had an opportunity to ask him some questions about SB’s new album, some previous releases, his connection with martial artist Chuck Norris and so on. So, put your favorite Spock’s Beard album in the deck, get comfortable, and read the words of Mr. Morse.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hello Alan. Thanks for agreeing to this interview. How are you doing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: I’m doing well, very busy. It just started raining, very strange for LA! I’m really excited about the new CD, people really seem to be liking it. And I like it too!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: So, Spock’s Beard is back on track, with brand new album “X”, which is by the way your 10<sup>th</sup> album. What can we expect from this record? 4 years since your previous selftitled album, what changed since then, and what are the reasons for taking that long to releasing a new album?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__NK39MDYI/AAAAAAAAAK0/0HTyS43Ahls/s1600/x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__NK39MDYI/AAAAAAAAAK0/0HTyS43Ahls/s200/x.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Wow, has it been 4 years?! No particular reason to take so long. It does take a long time to make a record, but not that long! There have been a lot of changes since then, we’re on a different record label. In fact, we didn’t even have a label until this record was done. Our awesome loyal fans preordered enough CDs to finance making it, so off we went!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How long did the recording process take? Please, tell us something more about the technical side of the new album.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: I guess it was about 6 months or so since we started really recording. We already had pretty good demos of everything. If you count the time demoing everything, it was probably 2-3 years in the making! And if you count writing, 5-10 years, since some bits were written long ago!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">It’s a long, and frankly often tedious process making a record these days. There’s a lot of tweaking, getting everything sounding right. One of the most fun parts is recording the strings and horns. It’s so cool to hear the real thing, the sounds you heard in your head actually coming out! But then there’s all the EQing and processing, seems to take forever!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Did anything change in the process of creating a song/album in Spock’s Beard? Or have you used some formula that has been in place since the early era? How much has Neal’s departure changed the recording process?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: It’s pretty much the same process as we’ve always done, except that the technology is very different now. We used to have to all huddle around the mixing board and tweak knobs as it went along. Now you can do most of it in the computer, so if you don’t like something, you can go back and fix it. This is both good and bad, because now it’s hard to know when to stop! Before you’d just have to live with stuff that was “good enough”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">As far as Neal leaving, the difference is that it’s more democratic, also a blessing and a curse! It’s much more difficult when you have four or five guys with more or less equal say weighing in on something, rather than one guy pretty much having the final say. Now mostly the writers on the particular song have the final say, but we all have much more input in general.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Have you started to use a pick, haha? By the way, how come you don’t use pick while you play? I suppose that you’re tired of answering this question, but I’m sure people would like to know it. :) Also, isn’t hard for you to play a tour without using the pick, doesn’t it hurt?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__NaJyCXWI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Hc_RfahcEPw/s1600/alan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__NaJyCXWI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Hc_RfahcEPw/s200/alan1.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Nope, still pretty much pick free, although sometimes I will use one in the studio – reluctantly – to get a particular sound, especially on acoustic bits. On tour I get an acrylic finger nail put on – I get some interesting looks at nail shops! That makes it a lot easier. I used to bleed on my guitar, it was messy and painful. I started playing fingerstyle because I started out playing upright bass and learned to pluck the strings on that. Then when I learned guitar I learned fingerpicking. So it was just a lot easier to keep going that way than to learn a whole new way of playing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Let’s get back to the music. I’d say “Spock’s Beard” was a pretty heavy album that had a lot of hard rock elements. Does the new album follow the direction of the previous one, or there will be more classic stuff, consisted of the elements from your early records? Some kind of retrospect to “The Light” or “The Kindness of Strangers”, maybe? Where would you place “X” in comparison with previous albums?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: I was trying to go for a more “classic Spock’s” thing, like our earlier work. I’m not sure if we did that, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. I think it’s one of our best, I really like it. There’s more stuff that really gives me chills on this record than there has been for a long time. I hope people out there agree, so far it seems to be going that way.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I guess this would be tough question for you, but what’s your favorite SB album? Also, do you have a favorite song, which you play live with some specific emotion? What’s the most difficult song of Spock’s Beard to play live for you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Surprisingly,The Light is still pretty hard to pull off, mostly because of all the sound changes I have to do – switching between loud & clean & really effected stuff on the fly. Also The Doorway has some acoustic stuff that’s just out there on its own, that’s pretty challenging. Especially if the lighting isn’t good, I can’t see what I’m playing!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__N1E4nnDI/AAAAAAAAALE/VZPmC-u10Nw/s1600/Spocks%2BBeard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__N1E4nnDI/AAAAAAAAALE/VZPmC-u10Nw/s200/Spocks%2BBeard.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: There’s a part in “As Far As The Mind Can See” called “Stream Of Unconsciousness”, maybe it will be silly to ask, does this one have anything to do with Dream Theater’s instrumental from “Train of Thought” called “Stream of Consciousness”?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: I don’t think it really has anything to do with that. It’s sort of a pun or play on words. John (Boegehold) likes to do that sort of thing. I don’t think I’ve heard Stream of Consciousness, I should check it out, DT’s awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I notice “Octane” is probably the album that polarized critics the most. Some consider it to be a weak album, while others think it was a huge hit. Why is that? Seems like “Octane” is a record which is deeply under the shadow of “Feel Euphoria”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: I liked Octane, but I can see why people might not have liked it so much. Maybe too much straight ahead rock? That’s partly why I wanted to go full Prog on this record, get back to what we’re known for. I guess we were trying to grow beyond the Prog niche a bit, reach some new fans. Plus I personally like straight ahead hard rock. But this time, we went proggier, if that’s a word! I’m really pleased with it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Speaking of “Feel Euphoria”, this album was compared by many to Genesis’ “A Trick of the Tail”, as Nick D’Virgilio took all lead vocals after Neal’s departure. How do you see this situation now? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Well, it just seemed the right thing to do at the time, and actually, I think it was. Nick’s got a great voice & wanted to go for it, so why not? We weren’t trying to “do a Genesis”, it just worked out that way.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: More parallels can be made to Genesis because “Feel Euphoria” is an album which has been welcomed and received very well, similarly to how “A Trick of the Tail” is one of the albums which has reached top positions on chart lists all around the world. Was that hard to continue without Neal on lead vocals, as well without his presence in the process of creating? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Oh yeah, it was a shock. But I actually really enjoyed making that record, it was kind of new and exciting. But was a big adjustment!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__N-4oGHWI/AAAAAAAAALM/hPPQGL_ym7A/s1600/Spocks%2BBeard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__N-4oGHWI/AAAAAAAAALM/hPPQGL_ym7A/s320/Spocks%2BBeard1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “Spock’s Beard” contains “As Far As The Mind Can See”, which is a more then 15 minutes. Is there such a long epic on “X” or maybe even longer than “The Great Nothing” from “V”? I am sure a lot of fans will be expecting something big on the new album. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: There are a couple of pretty long ones one the new one, but I don’t really care about that so much. I mean, it’s not a contest who can write the longest piece. For me it’s much more about writing something good, that flows, that makes some sense. That has some structure to it, a beginning, middle and end. If it wants to be long, then cool, but I don’t set out to write any particular length, although it seems to be a very big deal to some people…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You released your first solo album “Four O'Clock and Hysteria” in 2007, and it seemed like no one expected you to make a jazz fusion album. It showed a side of you that we’ve never heard before and I consider this album as a homage to classic 70’s fusion albums. Tell us something more about this album. Where did you get the idea to make this?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__OF4b9HwI/AAAAAAAAALU/vhOlqTcK37s/s1600/AlanMorse4oclockhysteria72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__OF4b9HwI/AAAAAAAAALU/vhOlqTcK37s/s200/AlanMorse4oclockhysteria72.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: I decided to make a solo record, and after a while I thought it would be fun to do all instrumentals and not have to worry about vocals. I don’t sing all that great, and my favorite parts are always the guitar solos, so why not? Plus I always loved all those old Jeff Beck records, so I guess I decided to make my own. I really love that record, it’s one of my favorites!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “Four O'Clock and Hysteria” is an album where you gathers best of DiMeola, Zappa, Vai, Lukather with addition of your own recognizable touch. What musicians influenced you in its creation? Did I get any of the right names?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Well, you missed the most obvious one, Jeff Beck, but yeah, I like all those guys. Zappa especially. There’s maybe some Satriani influence in there, and a bit of Adrian Belew. So yeah, all of the above!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Can we expect second solo album from you some time soon?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: I’ve been thinking about it, but it’s a big commitment. I may have to do another one. I went on a lyric writing binge a few years ago & I have notebooks full of stuff. It would have to have vocals on it, which would be fun. Who knows?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: This would be probably interesting for our visitors: It’s known that you have worked with martial artist Chuck Noriss. Would you please tell us more about that? As you probably know there’s a joke told about him somewhere on the internet every two minutes, would you say any of them are based on reality?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__OOGHcSOI/AAAAAAAAALc/0ioXRE239C8/s1600/alan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S__OOGHcSOI/AAAAAAAAALc/0ioXRE239C8/s200/alan.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Well, I played on a track for him but I never actually met him. I guess that’s why I’m still alive! It was interesting. He’s better at martial arts than music. But he’s better at music than I am at martial arts!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You’ve also worked on a couple film-related projects/soundtracks. What was that experience like? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Mostly really fun. I really enjoyed doing that kind of stuff, it was creative and fun and challenging. I’d love to do it again, but it’s not very likely!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You are mainly a guitarist, but also you played several more instruments. What are they, which one is hardest to play, and which one is the most fun to play?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Oh, I play a bit of a lot of things – cello, saw, theremin, ukulele, whatever! A friend gave me a handmade 4 string banjo I really like playing. It might make an appearance on a record sometime!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The Theremin is probably the hardest to play. Those things are really a bitch to control, very hard to stay on pitch. It took a million takes to get one decent useable track. I like stuff with frets, it’s way easier. I don’t know how violinists do it, very hard to play in tune.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Aside from being a musician you also happen to be an electrical engineer. Is it hard to manage being part of a decently high-profile band that does a lot of touring as well as a job like this? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Sometimes it’s tricky, but we don’t really tour that much. There are long periods where we don’t do much of anything, and then flurries of activity, like right now! It’s good having both, because I can make a decent living and still go off and play rock star now & then. A good balance.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Would you name 5 albums that have influenced you throughout your career?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Gosh, pick any five Beatles records! Or five <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bowies</st1:city></st1:place>. I guess I’d have to pick Sgt Pepper, Alladin Sane, A Night at the Opera, Blow by Blow, and a Charlie Parker record.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Do you have anything to say for our visitors?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Thanks for indulging us all these years, it’s really been a great ride. Couldn’t do it without you all. And please buy the records, it’s a lot of work to just have people pirate them, that’s really uncool.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thank you Alan for being part of this interview. All the best with upcoming album and tour, hope to see you some time on the European tour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Alan: Love to see you, everybody come out & say hello!</span></i></div><br><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-53694199072357906052010-05-31T08:00:00.000-05:002010-05-31T08:00:07.491-05:00Roye Albrighton of Nektar in no man's land<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: First of all, I would like to thank you for agreeing to do this interview for our up-and-coming blogzine, it’s a pleasure for us having you, Mr. Albrighton as an interviewee.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: My pleasure entirely, thank you for the invitation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: So, let’s start from your early music beginnings. How did your musical career begin? When did you start playing? Which groups have been your favorites as a young man? Please tell us something more about your early life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mFOIoWqbI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/vuMdaKL1BAQ/s1600/roye4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mFOIoWqbI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/vuMdaKL1BAQ/s200/roye4.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: My first venture into the world of the guitar came at the age of 10 when my brother who is 10 years older than myself brought home an old Spanish guitar with one remaining string on it. I was fascinated by this instrument and took it from there really. I found out how to re-string it and spent most of my teens in our back kitchen area learning to play it. Back in those days, pop music was much the same as now and I used to look for something different which is when I found the American blues artists. As a teenager I would walk into town and look for anyone who would play together with me… This was pretty easy really as the guitar was making a big breakthrough in the UK thanks to likes of the Shadows, etc etc. My home town was <st1:city w:st="on">Coventry</st1:city> which was the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s motor city and there was an abundance of pubs and clubs that had live music every night, so finding somewhere to play was not difficult. As a learning musician my ears were open to everything and I used to love the guitar bands like “the Ventures” and “Spotniks”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How did you go about forming Nektar back in 1969? Who was the most influential when the band started its musical journey?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: I was in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Hamburg</st1:state></st1:place> in the late 60’s playing with my outfit called “The Peeps” in the Top Ten club on the Reeperbahn and during the day there was not a lot to do until the clubs opened at night. It’s then that I walked past the Star club and heard a drummer practicing. On further investigations I got to know Ron Howden who was that drummer and we then jammed together for the next week until my band had to leave for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I told Ron that if they ever needed a guitarist/singer just give me a call and sure enough 3 months later I got a telex asking to come over… This was then the start of Nektar.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Many bands have influenced Nektar it would be difficult to list them all but I think it’s safe to say that Beatles and Hendrix played a large part.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Have the fact that Nektar was formed in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Hamburg</st1:state></st1:place> pushed the band as one of the carriers of Krautrock? I know that scene was characteristic of German bands, and you guys played music that was similar to theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mGkiHDHzI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/xHIx0xn0IM4/s1600/Nektar%2B%2Bstudio%2BKoln%2B1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mGkiHDHzI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/xHIx0xn0IM4/s320/Nektar%2B%2Bstudio%2BKoln%2B1971.jpg" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: Nektar were in a kind of “no mans land” back in the 70’s. We were all Brits playing our own brand of music living in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> and when we came up with the name for the band we decided to substitute the “c” for a “k” in the spelling just to make it look a little edgier. Unknowing to us this is the way that it is spelt in German, and so from that moment on we were branded a Krautrock band. If critics found similarities in our music to that of the krautrock movement, it was purely by accident.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How did it look back in time to create music for Nektar? Did you have some “fixed” tempo in composing songs or everything was a product of jamming, improvising?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: Most of the material that was on the first two albums were taken from extensive hours of jamming and rehearsals… It was really only on “Remember the Future” that we made a conscious effort to put together an album that was to fit the purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Would you tell us what equipment/gear you guys used back in the 70’s? We are all witnesses of the constant growth of technology, how do you see it now, speaking of instruments/gear/stuff?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mHEULLyBI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Qy-iDmsY6DY/s1600/nektar2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mHEULLyBI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Qy-iDmsY6DY/s200/nektar2.png" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: The guitar rig I used for several years at the start of Nektar was really what was left over from other bands. It consisted of a Selmer PA amp, a pair of 4x10 PA columns (which had 2 blown speakers in each) and a echo unit by Schaller that made more noise than sound. “Taff” Freeman had an old <st1:city w:st="on">Hammond</st1:city> M3 and a Hiwatt amp and 4x12 and Mo <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Moore</st1:place></st1:city> had a Triumph bass combo. Ron I believe had a Ludwig kit. Nektar’s equipment evolved into the equivalent of moving house every day and by the time we got our first hit (Remember the Future) we had accumulated a ridiculous amount of gear that we would take on the road. I am a big leslie guitar fan and would carry around two full size leslie 122’s loaded with JBL drivers. By the time we did the (recycled) tour in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> we were making use of two 40 foot tractor/trailer units. After leaving Nektar in ’76 I went through the whole multi rack scenario including the use of the synth guitar that is until one day just before a show the whole lot broke down. So I gritted my teeth and played straight into the amp. From that day on I never used a rack again and to this day only very few effect pedals. I realized on that night that the true sound of the guitar was hidden from me for years.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How would you describe Nektar’s music on your own? Some would say that genre labels are ok, but do you agree? If today there’s a debate about progressive rock music, I believe that majority would say it’s about mellotrons, flutes, and time changes, while the other side says it’s too vague to judge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mHQ5txSZI/AAAAAAAAAKM/NqYLOIX-HJw/s1600/nektar3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mHQ5txSZI/AAAAAAAAAKM/NqYLOIX-HJw/s200/nektar3.png" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: It’s difficult to place any kind of tag on Nektar music simply because it’s always evolving into something else from album to album. The term “progressive rock” is a fairly new description and I don’t think that Nektar’s music fits into this category. I can understand the uninitiated wanting to place many bands into this arena but for me the mellotron/timechange/flute thing is nonsense. I was always led to believe the word “progressive… or… progression” meant moving from one to the next which is what music does. It moves onto the next section. Strange that people think otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Nektar was on a 20 years long hiatus, since your last album in 1980 “Man in the Moon”. What happened for all those years? You have released your first solo album in 2002, followed by reunion of Nektar. Would you tell us something more about this?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: Since Man in the moon I was involved with several different projects, but mainly my own. I was deep into the synth guitar for a while but as previously explained that came to an abrupt end after the release of The Follies of Rupert Treacle. Between the mid 80’s and the reunion show I just took stock of everything and of course my illness played a great part in the void. The actual reunion show was a blast, after coming together of the original band after such a long period of time and having very little time to rehearse..it was amazing how it all came together.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “The Prodigal Son” was Nektar’s first album after the aforementioned hiatus. Are you satisfied how this album has been received?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mHxzzgfrI/AAAAAAAAAKU/_YMot3J_TH4/s1600/ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mHxzzgfrI/AAAAAAAAAKU/_YMot3J_TH4/s200/ps.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: No offence to the drummer who appeared on that album but I wish that Ron had been with me on the recording. The production was ok but could have been a lot better had we not have been under pressure of a budget. I would love to rerecord that album again with some adjustments to the arrangements and of course with Ron and use of a bass player.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “A Tab in the Ocean” is probably one of the best releases of Nektar so far, as many critics consider this album being essential for the genre. This album, together with other albums from seventies, has been remastered by Dream Nebula. Why did you decide to remaster these albums?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: It was decided to remaster because of the weak levels on the originals. Since then I have taken one of those originals and boosted the final levels myself to today’s expected levels and found there to be very little difference at all to the Nebula remasters.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I believe your manager is Mark Powell, who’s is also Caravan’s manager. Sorry if this isn’t true, but as a fan of Caravan, I would like to ask do you have an idea what’s going on with them? I know that you have had it in mind to do a co-headline tour with them in 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: We did actually do a combined tour with Caravan under the wing of Mr. Powell, and you are right he is no longer associated with Nektar since 2004. I believe that Caravan have disbanded.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I remember a sentence in some review for “Evolution” where reviewer wrote something like “how’s it possible that bunch of oldies make such a good album”. In my country we have a proverb which says “No hit without old man”. My opinion is that this album showed that Nektar has much more to say, what has been proved to be true on Evolution’s follow-up “Book of Days”. How do you see it now?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mH5KYjMKI/AAAAAAAAAKc/4TI98_gz1W8/s1600/roye3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_mH5KYjMKI/AAAAAAAAAKc/4TI98_gz1W8/s200/roye3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: I guess it works the other way around too “how can such young guys make such bad music”. I think your countries proverb is about right. There is no substitute for experience. Nektar’s brand of music changes all the time and I think that it is the “no borders” attitude that keeps the writing fresh and sounding actual.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: 2009 brought us the live album “Fortyfied” with which you celebrated the band’s 40th anniversary. So, how does it feel, being involved in something for 40 years? It’s like a lifetime. Do you agree?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Eoye: Several lifetimes I would say, although it only feels like yesterday when we all congregated in that cellar and came up with “Journey to the center of the eye”. 40 years is a milestone in a band’s history and you can count the bands who celebrate this on one hand. And they all seem to be right now.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What are your next plans for Nektar? Any new albums? Maybe a solo album or another project?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: I am in the process of finishing writing the next Nektar album which has the working title of “Juggernaut”. Hopefully this will see the stores in early 2011. I really do want to make a new solo CD, but this time without synth guitar. In fact without synths at all.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Do you have any message for the visitors of our website?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: Thanks for taking the time to read this and please keep on supporting live music. It’s what keeps us going.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thank you very much for this interview. Best wishes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Roye: My pleasure.</span></i><br /><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-3101477978458113492010-05-29T14:00:00.001-05:002010-05-29T17:26:51.512-05:00Epignosis, the ProgArchives Reviewer-Musician.<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Prog Sphere's special collaborator Jorge has contributed this interview with ProgArchives legend Epignosis. E-Pig (as he is amusingly called), is the only PA reviewer that I know of that has also created his own prog music. There may be more, but I am not aware of them. Anyway, Robert was kind enough to agree to this interview. So enjoy!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Good day Robert! For those who haven't heard of you, tell us about yourself. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_l6uc4ItxI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Q_Om2vrGefE/s1600/epignosis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_l6uc4ItxI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Q_Om2vrGefE/s320/epignosis.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1983. I share a birthday with Billy Ray Cyrus, Tim Burton, Elvis Costello, Gene Simmons, and Regis Philbin (good thing I don’t sound like all of these people together). I’m a husband and a father of two children, which so far has been one of my most enriching roles. I’ve played music for twelve years now, but I’m relatively new to recording the things I come up with. I’m still a progressive rock neophyte, really, since I’ve only been listening to it for ten years and I’m still exploring some of the “classic” artists of prog. Aside from music, I love to cook, play games, read and write books, and I’ve acted on stage from time to time. I used to be a teacher at an alternative education facility for people (in my case, young men) who made poor choices and were not welcome in public school again until they completed our program. That was the best job I ever had, but unfortunately due to severe budget cuts our school’s contract was not renewed. I now do various work for kgb (the Knowledge Generation Bureau, not the Russian secret police!), including quality control and marketing. That has proven to be a very fun and liberating line of work, and it allows me to concentrate on making music in the morning, as that seems to be the part of the day when I am most creative. Also, I’ve never ridden on a plane before (but I have ridden an elephant, a camel, a train, and a tank).</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: How did you get into the music business? When did you go from being a fan to becoming an artist?</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: Girls and Dad. I grew up listening to country and classic rock (Boston and The Eagles were favorites in my home). My dad and my late grandpa played guitar, even playing in a band together for many years. At a very young age I would sit at the bar and sip Shirley Temples and listen to the music and flirt with the women. When I was 12, my dad asked me if I was interested in learning how to play the guitar. I said that I wasn’t, and he told me that girls liked guys who played the guitar. I told my old man that he was out of touch and didn’t know a thing about girls these days. He left it at that. When I was 14, I was bored, and I snuck into my father’s room and took his 1950s Sears Silvertone acoustic, put on a Johnny Cash record, and just tried to see if I could play “Folsom Prison Blues.” I did not play “Folsom Prison Blues” that day. I didn’t play anything that day, nor did I play anything for many days to come. And my fingertips hurt! However, I found some dusty old Mel Bay guitar instruction books, and I began learning the chords. When I was 16, we got the Internet. I met a lot of people through chat rooms and various other virtual avenues. I wound up meeting a young girl who chatted with me for a bit before telling me, “My sister loves guys who play the guitar, and she’s your age. You should talk to her.” When I was 19, this sister and I got hitched. I reckon Dad was right. Since then, I’ve played mostly in country bands. Country music is fun and easy to play. I made some good money having a great time. However, as a teen, I was involved in a 5-or-6-person band called Soulfire, and we played (among many other things) my earliest “complex” songs. We also did plenty of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collective Soul, Eddie Money, and Pink Floyd covers. Some of us once did “Comfortably Numb” in a church talent show. Now that was interesting. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Where did you get the name 'epignosis'? It reminds me of a similar word in Spanish... Do you like the nickname "e-Pig" that people have bestowed upon you? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: My real name is a commonplace one (even in music), so it was important that I chose a moniker to distinguish myself from others. After trying on several in my head, I decided on “Epignosis.” Epignosis is a compound Greek word. “Epi” is a Greek preposition meaning “toward,” and “gnosis” is, of course, knowledge. The concept embodied in this word is moving toward a perfect knowledge of something (or someone) even if perfect knowledge can never be attained. For example, I may know my wife well now, but the more I spend time with her and listen to her, the deeper I know and appreciate her. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>e-Pig...”electronic bacon?” Wish that were possible! Let’s just say that I don’t hate that nickname, but I’m not proclaiming it from the rooftops either! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: What are your top 3 bands/artists motivations/inspirations and why?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: My three favorites are: </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>1. Kansas - This was the band that made me crave deeper music, both compositionally and lyrically. My first experience with Kansas was listening to my dad play “Dust in the Wind” on his guitar, and I honestly believed for a long time that Kansas was just another country band (I had heard “Carry On Wayward Son” on the radio many times of course, but I never knew it was Kansas- go figure). I wound up buying a Kansas compilation album at a used CD store on the basis of “Dust in the Wind” alone. It had “The Wall” and “Song for America” on it though. The first time I heard “Miracles Out of Nowhere,” I was riding through the great hills of West Virginia. Later on, I would hear “The Pinnacle” for the first time on a snowcapped mountain in that same state. Each of my first listens of their greatest pieces seemed to take place amidst some breathtaking scenery. So many people sadly dismiss Kansas as a pop “AOR” band because of a few FM hits (which, to be honest, are miles better than what the radio typically churns out). They are so busy staring at the “dust,” that they miss the many luminous jewels. Every Kansas album had a few blues or pop songs (most of which I happen to love), but those first six albums were drenched in brilliant songwriting. My second favorite album of all time, however, is the oft-overlooked reunion Somewhere to Elsewhere, which combines a modern production with complex yet heartfelt songs. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>2. Yes - While Kansas ushered me into a progressive rock, Yes expanded my consciousness of music. I only knew “Roundabout,” “Your Move / I’ve Seen All Good People,” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart” when I went to Raleigh, North Carolina to see Kansas open for Yes on Yes’s Masterworks Tour. Kansas was, as I expected, amazing, but then Yes took the stage. I had no idea what to expect. These guys played eight songs in two hours. Eight. I was completely irritated and ready to leave, to be honest. “When will these guys quit and go on to the next one?” I huffed. Yet after the show, as we lined up behind all the other cars to go back from whence we came, we couldn’t help talking about both bands, and how interesting Yes was (none of us really knew much about them). We were so involved in our conversation and the music of that evening that my friend, who was driving, made a wrong turn and we wound up almost to Winston Salem. The next morning, I could not shake some lines and melodies from my head: “I get up, I get down,” and “I still remember the talks by the water, the proud sons and daughters that knew the knowledge of the land.” I had to obtain these songs, and I did. And I love them. Tales from Topographic Oceans is the greatest album ever. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>3. Echolyn - Echolyn crafts some of the most heartfelt and creative stuff I’ve ever heard. Mei is a mind-blowing masterpiece- I know no other way to describe it. Cowboy Poems Free touches me in many ways, as it is a collection of portraits from 20th century. America - it resonates with me so much, because I see so many young people ignoring the “cowboy poems” of older folks in favor of sugary water, so to speak. Recently I was on a train, and they assigned a man named Joe who was born in 1922 to sit next to me for a while. We rode in silence most of the way, occasionally making small talk, but eventually we got to talking about ourselves, and he told me about how he worked as a young man on a Nebraskan farm, and how he only ever saw snow fall sideways (he laughed as he said that), and also how he was drafted in 1942 and served in the South Pacific during World War I. As he told me his war stories, he became grimmer, and said, becoming distant as though staring into the past, that those are things he can never forget. At any rate, I am awestruck by Echolyn’s vocal arrangements, powerful lyrics, and musical fortitude. And they sound like they have so much fun doing it. If I got my choice of bands to jam with, I’d love picking a few with this crew. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>As far as non-musical inspirations are concerned, I write about the Bible and about history mainly. I have written love songs, but those are songs only my wife has heard. This may seem to be a narrow scope, but I find that the Bible and history in general are limitless sources of inspiration, and frankly it is what interests me most when it comes to lyrics (as opposed to space travel and/or sex). </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: As far as I know you write, play all instruments, sing, record, mix, produce and release your own records, is that correct? How hard is to be an independent artist in the prog scene? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: I’m not sure I’d consider myself a part of any “scene,” so to speak. I just make some homegrown music and put it out there for folks’ enjoyment. But if I take what you ask to mean how difficult is it to be an independent progressive rock artist, I don’t see it as hard at all, really. I have absolutely no one to answer to. I write when I feel like it, I record when I feel like it, and I do as I please with all of it (so long as my children cooperate!). I absolutely love being independent and not having the stress that comes with the alternatives. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>My situation is not without limitations, however. Having multiple people in a group offers diversity in songwriting and playing styles, which helps keep the music fresh, and this is challenge since I do everything myself. My recording abilities have always been at the mercy of my financial allowances, which are never generous- my “studio” evolved over several years. Also, I am no doubt missing out on some measure of expertise that could polish my music (although, as I’ve said before, I’m not altogether sure I’d want my music “polished”). Still, I am very happy with the way things are, at least for now. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Do you or have you ever toured or played live shows? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: At this stage (no pun intended), not really. I have played in churches, but that’s about the extent of it. It isn’t that I’m opposed to it, of course- I would love to play this stuff live with a full band. However, I have two very young children, a wife, and steady work that keeps food on the table. I love dreams, but dreaming about electricity doesn’t make the room any brighter. That said, I have a real itch to find some people interested in (and willing to commit to) doing this material in front of people, so hopefully that will be a reality someday. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: I guess as a ProgArchives active collaborator/reviewer you often find/listen to obscure stuff, what's the latest great musical discovery you have made? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: I’ll name a few recent discoveries, if that’s all right: </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>1. Pictorial Wand. Face of Our Fathers is astounding. Every track has something exciting and memorable. I love the tone of the instruments, and I think the vocal department (with both male and female) is especially amazing. People need to check this one out. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>2. Children of Nova. Complexity of Light combines the bombast of symphonic rock with the hyperactivity of The Mars Volta, and the singer even sounds similar to Cedric Bixler-Zavala - brilliant work. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>3. Osada Vida. Uninvited Dreams is not an album I have reviewed or even own at this time. However, I have heard the music from it many times on the DJ Tony show at www.aiiradio.net (he broadcasts on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 12 EST, playing some great new prog tunes). At any rate, this is fascinating music, and I intend on order and review the album. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>4. Shadow Circus. Whispers & Screams is a complex and hard-rocking record that is a musical rendition of Stephen King’s The Stand. There are so many fantastic instrumental moments, as well as catchy vocal melodies. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: I really like Your first album, 'Still the Waters' it is very calm, ambient, and minimalistic yet technical and progressive. Tell us about the recording, which i know was a long process. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_l68PHQYAI/AAAAAAAAAJs/XoMfunbYnQM/s1600/epig_stw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_l68PHQYAI/AAAAAAAAAJs/XoMfunbYnQM/s200/epig_stw.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: Long indeed. All five songs were conceived in very different ways. The title song evolved from my tinkering with some new recording software that was geared toward techno music, so I tried actually making up techno. I know that’s pretty impossible to hear given the final product, but I still have the original files somewhere - maybe I can release it as a bonus track on the 25th anniversary edition of Still the Waters! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I wrote “A Pearl in a Field” almost entirely during a weekend while my wife was away at a conference. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“Move” began as my attempt to learn King Crimson’s Fallen Angel by ear. Not long after I started trying to play it, the chords of that “Move” starting taking shape. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>One way I write new music is by placing my fingers at random on the fret board or on the keys, playing, and just seeing what it sounds like. If I like it, I start to build around it. “An Everlasting Kingdom” happened that way. I was sitting in my living room, just fooling around, and those initial chords came out. I must have played it a hundred times that evening just so I would not forget it! However, quite a bit of that song (like the entire second half) came from bits and pieces I had written at least a year or more before, and it all worked together well, I felt. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The monster, “No Shadow of Turning,” took forever and a day to write and record. As with the previously mentioned song, it was built from various sections I had written throughout the years. Recording it was hard because for some reason, my program decided it had had enough of my nonsense and for a while it crashed every time I opened the files to this song to work on it. However, it is my favorite of the five pieces, I believe. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I think the two major reasons the album took so long to record are financial limitations and the fact that this was continually a learning experience. I was figuring out how to do it while acquiring the equipment at the same time, and I know the album shows that. I don’t mind. It is what it is supposed to be, and I’m glad about it. </i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Jorge: Where can we find/buy Still the Waters and the upcoming new album?<o:p></o:p> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Robert: Still the Waters can be downloaded for 10 USD here: <a href="http://www.mymusicsite.com/MediaDetails/AlbumMediaList.aspx?albumid=2926">http://www.mymu<wbr></wbr>sicsite.com/Med<wbr></wbr>iaDetails/Album<wbr></wbr>MediaList.aspx?<wbr></wbr>albumid=2926</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><i>Since the next album will be in CD format, I plan on using a more conventional method (perhaps CDBaby), but I am undecided about that as yet.</i></div></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Do you sometimes look back at the album and wish you had done a particular detail differently? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: Oh sure. It was never my intent to make a masterpiece, as it were - but after almost four years you have to say, “Okay, enough’s enough- here it is.” This is as much a finished product as it was a learning experience for me. Listening back, I often think, “If only the bass were more prominent here,” or “I could have sang this part better than that.” </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In terms of composition, though, no - I would not do a single thing differently. While my execution / production may be questionable in many places (and people are welcome to say so all they want - I won’t argue with them), the composition itself is where my heart is, and I would not have put the album out there if I felt the need to rearrange anything.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Each piece is exactly how I wanted it to be. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Having said that, if I do get the opportunity to perform these songs before a live audience, it would thrill me to rearrange and do something different with some of them. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: What’s the harder part for you to write, the lyrics or the music? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: The lyrics are much harder than the music for me. The music is easy because I am not bound by connotations and phonemes, syllables and meaning. Making music usually happens naturally and freely, and even when I have to “work” on a composition, there are numerous possibilities. Writing words for me involves forcing them to fit the melody, which isn’t always easy to do gracefully. Then making them say what you want them to say without being obvious or “too literal...” it’s difficult. And I’m a wordy mess anyway, as you can probably tell by now. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I mentioned earlier that I sometimes begin writing music through placing random notes together and seeing what happens. I work that way with my lyrics. I begin singing gibberish over the music until my gibberish takes form and becomes clear words. Those words then get sorted out into phrases, and then sensible lines. Eventually a song is made. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Once in a while though, like the music will sometimes do, the lyrics just fall onto the page, and no silly exercise is necessary. It’s rare, but it does happen.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: What music were you listening to while you wrote 'Still the waters'? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: Well, because I worked on the album for almost four years, there was plenty. My top three that I mentioned earlier got a lot of plays during that time, as did Genesis, Jethro Tull, Porcupine Tree, Miles Davis, Rush, The Mars Volta, and Spock’s Beard. But I listened to so much stuff, and not just prog of course. I love Peter Frampton, especially his album Now, and I indulged in quite a bit of Alice in Chains as well as this amazing Celtic rock band I’ve listen to since I was eleven called Seven Nations. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Does the album have some religious meaning? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Bible is my primary source of inspiration, and all five songs are rooted in very specific passages. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“Still the Waters” compares Jesus’s calming of the sea in Matthew 8:23-27 with the first words in the Bible (Genesis 1:1-2). This is significant because the Bible uses water throughout to describe salvation (such as Moses leading Israel through the Red Sea, or the ritual of Christian baptism). </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“A Pearl in a Field,” with its sparse lyrics (only four lines), quite simply fuses the two parables of Jesus in Matthew 13:44-46. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“Move” is a song that combines several Old Testament typological portraits of Christ and essentially describes salvation. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“An Everlasting Kingdom” has lyrics based on the first chapter of Ezekiel, in which the prophet describes his terrifying vision of God. The chorus, however, is based on Psalm 145:13. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“No Shadow of Turning,” shows God's enduring faithfulness - that He is not like us. God does not waver in His love for us, nor does he forgive sinners begrudgingly. What's more is that God will not lose any He has called to Himself. It is a requirement of God's character that He not lose a single one He has saved. The title comes from James 1:17. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>As an aside, I’ve seen a lot of people complain about progressive rock with Christian lyrics as being “preachy,” and I’ve never quite understood that. Plenty of lyricists of various spiritual paths write religious lyrics and are not dismissed as “preachy.” I guess if lyrics have any concrete meaning then people get offended. None of my lyrics tell the listener what to do. My words aren’t meant to convert people - they are meant to celebrate Jesus, lament sin, and pay heed to the Bible.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: I read reviews at ProgArchives that some reviewers claim that other reviewers are biased toward your album because you are a long time collaborator, what can you tell me about this?</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: It’s no question that I have made several wonderful friends - people I would call friends despite having never met them face to face - on Prog Archives during my time as a member. It’s also no question that many of them have listened to my work and have written a review of it. I’m sure I have more reviews because I am a collaborator and an active participant in the forum. I interact with people on Prog Archives on a daily basis, so it should be no surprise that my album received a large quantity of reviews (for a new artist). </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The question is, did those who reviewed my album highly do so to spare my feelings, curry favor with me, or perhaps “increase” my chances of “success” (whatever that is)? </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Knowing them as well as I do, I can only tell you that these are not the kind of people who bite their tongues or hold back their true feelings. For example, we have varying political and religious views, and many of us have engaged in heated debates about such topics on the forum. No, I can tell you these are genuine people giving their earnest opinions, and I’m grateful for how such a diverse, opinionated people have received my work, and especially thankful for all the critiques. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The accusation should really read like this: “There’s no way in hell these reviewers could actually like Still the Waters as much as they say they do, because Still the Waters is a lousy album.” Which I guess is fine - sometimes I think the same way about albums like Pawn Hearts or ELP’s debut, to be honest. However, I know one extremely important, mysterious truth when it comes to discussing music, and I’ll share it with everyone, so pay attention. Are you ready? Here it is: People have different tastes. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Unfortunately, some people take the charts here extremely seriously, and will rate albums with five stars or one star, as though there’s no in between, doing so just to see their favorite bands “pull out ahead” and “eliminate the competition.” That’s extremely disingenuous and there’s plenty of it going around. But it’s one of the hazards of letting anyone make an account and submit ratings - of course, I feel that the pros far outweigh the cons at Prog Archives, because I love the diversity of opinion and how everyone is welcome to give theirs. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>And you know what? I sold the most downloads the week after my album got its first one star review. So there! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The bottom line is this: No one has gained anything by giving my album five stars, and no one has lost anything by giving it one. If some people sleep better at night rating my album one way or another for the sake of manipulating “the score” (silly concept, that), then let them sleep better. Their ratings won’t change one note of the music. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: We have heard that you have a new album coming up, can you tell us about it? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: My second album is called Refulgence. While it maintains the sound and feel of Still the Waters, it represents two little challenges I have made for myself. The first is to write more concise pieces. The second is to rock harder. I am very comfortable with my acoustic guitar and a long winding road of a song, so to speak - this time around I want to leave that place of comfort, for at least a little while, and let it rip! Of course, the softer side won’t be abandoned either. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Expect more female vocals from Tasha. Her involvement on Still the Waters occurred as a last -minute addition. I love her voice, and she’ll be handling a fair portion of the lead singing (much to the relief of my critics, I daresay!). </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Was it produced under similar circumstances as 'Still the Waters'? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: Well, it’s not produced yet! Not fully, anyway. I’m about halfway through. As far as recording it goes, I am pretty much using the same equipment and programs that I used for Still the Waters, but during the making of Refulgence, I have the benefit of the criticism and experience I’ve gained. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The album will also be released as a physical CD. I used a downloadable format for my debut, but it’s been a real headache for a lot of reasons and folks seem to prefer a tangible product (I know I do). And I now have the financial wherewithal to make that a reality. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Are you into sports? Soccer fan? Any favorite team for the upcoming FIFA world cup 2010? :D </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: Whichever team Pele’s playing for these days, that team will definitely win. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Something else you'd like to add? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: I’m also currently working on another project, a collaborative effort with two others and I’m really excited about it. Knowing the music I make, imagine me working with an avant-prog drummer and keyboardist in addition to a metalhead, shredder. This will be something amazing or a complete disaster. Or maybe an amazing disaster. I can’t wait to find out! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jorge: Thank you for agreeing to do this interview :) </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Robert: My pleasure.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166486120885532276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-84386715515298432382010-05-26T17:00:00.005-05:002010-06-01T17:42:41.225-05:00Flor de Loto - The Kings of Andean Folk Metal<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I recently spoke with Alejandro Jarrin (the bassist) of Peruvian Prog Fusion band Flor de Loto about their music creation process, their influences, and a little bit about Rush. If you haven't heard of Flor de Loto you will be excused for now, because the Peruvian prog scene is pretty out of the way for most people, but you must certainly check them out posthaste! One of the best new bands of the past few years, to be sure. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Hello Alejandro, would you mind introducing yourself? Please feel free to give an introduction for any members who couldn’t make it to the interview as well.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: I´m Alejandro Jarrín, bass player of the progressive rock band from Perú "Flor de Loto". The other members are: Alonso Herrera (guitar and vocals), Jorge Puccini (drums) and Junior Pacora (wind instruments and backing vocals)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: “Flor de Loto” means something like “lotus flower” in English. The lotus is a symbol used by many cultures to represent a lot of different things, but it is generally used to represent beauty. Do you feel this symbol is used to represent the beauty of your music? I find it fitting, personally. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_WBebhISZI/AAAAAAAAAIk/gQef2CEOI6Q/s1600/fdl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_WBebhISZI/AAAAAAAAAIk/gQef2CEOI6Q/s200/fdl.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Well, hehe, to be honest, the name Flor de Loto was suggested by the father of a former drummer we have back in the year 2000. We liked the name. Nevertheless, i think the name suits perfect with the tipe of music we make because all the fusion elements we add to it. The artist for the 3 albums is Andrea Lertora. When we first released or first album "Flor de Loto" we wanted the artwork represent the songs in it, so when we contacted Andrea we show her the master of the album and said to her: just feel free to paint all the stuff our music makes you feel. We did not have to watch any preview until all the art was finished. The result, for us, was amazing... So we decided to keep working with her for the albums to come.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I think you guys made the right choice.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Yeah, she is an amazing artist</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Let’s talk a little bit about each album, starting with the first. “Flor de Loto”, which was released in 2005, is the only one of the three that is entirely instrumental, and it’s also possibly the most experimental of all of them, even if only by a little. Why did you guys make the choices you did?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/1628/cover_303162862009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/1628/cover_303162862009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Alonso and i started to play together back in 1998. We just hang out at a drummer friend of mine´s house and jam for hours. Most of the songs of our first album are a result of those jam sessions. Then in the year 2001 when we recruited Jorge to play drums and Rafael Valenzuela to play wind instruments we decided that it was time to record the songs. We worked with a Peruvian producer called... Lalo Williams who helped us give form to all that jam based songs. At the middle of the recording process, Rafael decided to live the band due to music differences, so we called Johnny Perez to replace him. This was a very important change in the band because Johnny came from a folkloric music background and was very interested in fusing Peruvian folk music with rock. That is when the band... Decided to make that kind of fusion. We liked how the songs were without lyrics so that´s why we decided to make that first album completley instrumental.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: While you always made sure to add a lot of Andean influences to your music, Madre Tierra, especially on tracks such as “El Charango Perdido” seems to have these more overtly presented than the other albums. You also decided to add vocals to this album, but not that many. Same question as before, why was this album made the way it was? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/1628/cover_5559152862009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/1628/cover_5559152862009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: To make the second album we decided to make more "developed" songs instead of jam based songs, so each one of us started to compose songs on their own and then showing them to the rest of the band. Johnny´s folkloric backgrounds were a big influence on us for the making of the songs, that´s why "Madre Tierra" has a lot of fusion. Also, Alonso started to work with his voice and wrote the song "Desapareciendo". We liked the result so we decided to add some singed songs to the second album. Also for the production of "Madre Tierra" we worked again with Lalo Williams.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Mundos Bizarros, the third album, has more vocals than the one before, but it also has many more “metal” influences than the two previous albums. I hear distinct power metal chords and much more heavy guitar work than on the other albums. It also seems like flute was pushed a little farther back in favor of more guitar compared to the previous albums, which might have to do with the fact that you guys got a new flautist. Same question as the last two, why was this album done this way?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/1628/cover_3655152862009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/1628/cover_3655152862009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: The songs of "Mundos Bizarros" were written by Alonso and I. We both have a lot of Metal influences. Alonso is fan of bands like Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, almost all 80´s hair metal bands :D. I listen a lot to Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Riverside, etc.. Also, for this thrird album we worked with 2 producers, Rodolfo Cáceres, who also listen to a lot of Metal, and Julio Caipo who is... one of the best guitar players in Perú and fan of classic Progressive Rock. That´s why this album is stronger and with less fusion that the previous 2 albums. For this album we have Juniro Pacora playing the wind instruments, who have a totally diferent stile that Johnny.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Unfortunately the extent of my Spanish is only enough for me to know how to ask to use the bathroom. That said, I would love to know what some of your lyrics are about. Would you mind telling me what a few of your lyrical songs are about?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Yes. The lyrics were written by Alonso. They are very introspective, talking about the inner conflicts all the people have to deal with, the "Bizzare worlds" that we all have inside us.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: You guys create very eclectic music that blends ancient Andean folk with modern heavy metal and various other elements. How would you describe your music? Do you think the ProgArchives tag: “Prog Folk” is adequate? Honestly I find that tag to be very vague and in need of review, as it doesn’t make much sense to me to put bands like Jethro Tull and Flor de Loto in the same label, unless the label is “bands that make awesome music”. Do you guys consider Flor de Loto to be “prog rock”?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Los Jaivas for South America is like Yes or Genesis for England. There are a "Cult" band for the progressive and fusion music lovers. Of course there are a big influences in our music, but i would´t say there are our mayor influence. There is a classic rock fusion band from Peru Called El Polen that is also a Cult band down here. Sadly, their singer died today :(</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I will make sure to check them out. I recently discovered a few bands from down there like Los Jaivas, Flor de Loto, and Supay, so I'm hungering for more.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Cool, you should hear Fragil, is the most known progressive rock band from Peru.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I'll check them both out :) What other sorts of music do you guys listen? Do guys listen to much “prog rock”? I can hear influences from bands like Rush and Jethro Tull in your music, but that might just be a coincidence (especially Rush). That said, there’s a flute section in Nubes Obscuras that sounds like it could have been played by Ian Anderson.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_WB9fcqN2I/AAAAAAAAAIs/ZXQ9_7v54ok/s1600/fdl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_WB9fcqN2I/AAAAAAAAAIs/ZXQ9_7v54ok/s200/fdl1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Junior has a lot of jazz and latin music background, he began playing rock music with us. Jorge and i listen to a lot of progressive music form the 70´s, in fact wen i first met Jorge it was playing Rush with some other musitian friends. Alonso is a huge Metal fan just like me. He also has a lot of Flokloric latinamerican music background because of his father that sings that king of music... I also listen to some world music like Dead can Dance and Kitaro.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Do you guys have plans for a fourth album yet?</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Yes but maybe for 2012. We are planning to record a live album this year although, to be released 2011. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: How about other projects? Do you guys have anything in the works? Solo albums, other bands? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Alonso plays in a Black Sabbath tribute band. Junior, who is a session musitian, plays with several Latin folk music and jazz bands.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I think we're just about done, so I must ask the question I ask everyone I interview, just for fun: do you like dogs?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Yes.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Do you have a dog? :D</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: No, I use to have but i live in an apartment now so it´s kind of difiicult. Jorge has 2 dogs, Homero and ??? i forgot the other dog´s name.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: A shame that you can't :( Just to conclude: is there anything you would like to add that I might have forgotten to ask?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_WCEalCfLI/AAAAAAAAAI0/pxqCun1MnFQ/s1600/fdl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_WCEalCfLI/AAAAAAAAAI0/pxqCun1MnFQ/s200/fdl2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Well, we have played at international progressive rock festivals like Rio Art Rock festival (Brasil), Baja Prog (mexico) and Crescendo (France). This year we are going to play at the Crescendo festival version in the French Guyane. We would love to play at some prog festivals un th US ilke the Nearfest, progday and Prog in the Park, maybe in the future.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I would love to see Flor de Loto at NearFest someday. I live sort of near where NEARFest does their show, but I've never been to one yet.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: shame on you. I would love to have a festival like that near the city i live.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Well, I had intented to go last year, because Van Der Graaf Generator and Beardfish were playing, and they're two of my favorite bands, but I had already gotten tickets to see BF open for Dream Theater at Prog Nation, and I had tickets to see VDGG separately. So I figured I wouldn't spend the money, since I'm poor :P</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: He, he. Well, if you were at prog nation you are forgiven.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Ah, fair enough. Unfortunately Pain of Salvation and Beardfish had to drop out, but the show was excellent anyway.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: I was in DT´s concert in Lima last March. Absolutely amazing!!!!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: One of my friends is studying in Santiago, and I tried to get him to see DT as they passed through Chile, but he didn't get the chance. They're so great live. I'm thinking of seeing them again, since they're gonna be near me when they tour with Iron Maiden. Tell Alonso that I saw Iron Maiden twice on their gigantic world tour. I assume that's him wearing the Iron Maiden shirt in a lot of the band's photos. I have the same shirt :P</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Yeah. We saw Iron Maiden in Lima last year, and we opened a Paul Dianno concert last year in Lima.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: That's pretty cool. Maybe you guys will be able to open for Iron Maiden themselves soon.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Let´s hope so. We would like to open for Rush if they come to Peru someday.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Well, they're starting a tour soon, so let's hope they extend it down to South America!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Alejandro: Crossing my fingers.</i></div><br />
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</div>Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166486120885532276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-57019621804312428042010-05-23T18:00:00.015-05:002010-06-01T17:47:05.528-05:00Argos - The Canterbury Spaceship<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<i>Germans inspired by the Canterbury Scene? Interesting, right? I had an opportunity to talk to (well, exchanging emails is a form of talking, no?) Thomas Klarmann and Robert Gozon, founders of this German progressive rock act. We spoke about their beginnings, other projects, Canterbury... Enjoy!</i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hey Thomas, thanks for the interview. I understand that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argos</st1:place></st1:city> started as a solo project you began in 2005. Would you tell us where you got the idea to start the band?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: Five years ago I realized that the music I favored personally was mainly from bands or artists that embraced all kinds of different musical areas to create their own sound. Stackridge, Hatfield and the North, Caravan, Fruupp, Gentle Giant or Bo Hansson are some of my heroes from the past that worked with that formula. With <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Argos</st1:city></st1:place> I wanted to create original music like them, that could still surprise the listener by going from jazzy chord voicings to Beatles harmonies or electronic soundscapes in the blink of an eye ;-) So that was the task i set myself right from the start. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I am not sure, but somehow the name <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argos</st1:place></st1:city> sounds like it has something to do with ancient Greek mythology. Would you tell something more about this? Why did you use this name for your project?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_Re9pgRtKI/AAAAAAAAAIE/DbSLesVFfxA/s1600/argos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_Re9pgRtKI/AAAAAAAAAIE/DbSLesVFfxA/s200/argos.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: Around the time I started to write the first songs for the debut album, I saw an old Italian science fiction B Movie from Mario Bava called "Planet of the Vampires". One of the spaceships in this movie was called <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argos</st1:place></st1:city>. It stuck with me and so by chance I had found the name of our band without delving into Greek mythology but finding it in an Italian B Movie instead ;-). Another movie of Bava was called "Black Sabbath" so... guess what happened ;-) Later I found out that <st1:city w:st="on">ARGOS</st1:city> is also the name of a big Retailer in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This knowledge inspired me to think up the quirky songtitle "total mess retail" and some lyrics for a little tune I had written for our new album ;-) <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Robert started a project called Superdrama at almost the same time <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argos</st1:place></st1:city> began. Please tell us something more about this project.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Robert: Around 2004 I met Robert, a drummer and lyricist who was willing to play progressive rock music - we started gathering a band and soon met Thomas, who joined us on bass. Finding a guitarist was a little bit more difficult. First we only had covers: Firth of Fifth, Starless (King Crimson) and Dead of Night (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>) - after a few months we began to write our own material. Playing in a band is great fun, but as we all have jobs (and families!), we're sometimes not as involved as we could be! Well, at the moment of this interview we're about to finish an album that should be out before the end of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: <st1:city w:st="on">Argos</st1:city>’ first self titled album has been published in 2009 and this album is sort of homage to the <st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city> scene, and there is even a suite called “<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place> Souls”. Would you tell us a bit more about this record? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_RfEfIvlaI/AAAAAAAAAIM/Lu24TO_mIU8/s1600/argosst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_RfEfIvlaI/AAAAAAAAAIM/Lu24TO_mIU8/s200/argosst.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: I have to tell you, that I am the only member of ARGOS, who had any knowledge of the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:place></st1:city> scene when we did the first album. So I guess the whole <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:place></st1:city> influence comes exclusively from my side. Robert on the other hand is a big fan of Peter Hammill’s work, both as a solo artist and with Van der Graaf Generator. He also favours the music of XTC, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan to name just a few. Of course we both like Gabriel era Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes and the Beatles, which served as an inspiration for the other two suites on the first album. Ulf joined us after we had recorded demos of all the songs on <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">ARGOS</st1:place></st1:city>. He finally made the music we had written come alive with his amazing drumming skills. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: In a recent interview with Andy Tillison of The Tangent we asked him a question that we’d like to ask you as well: Do you see the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place> Scene as something of a cult phenomenon? What’s your opinion about it? Also what are your favorite albums of it?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: In my opinion the British Canterbury scene, much like the German Krautrock scene produced very original music by consciously excluding some of the Anglo-American influences like Blues, Soul or Rock and Roll and found some inspiration in Modern Classic Music, Modal Jazz and Avantgarde Music instead. The big difference between <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:place></st1:city> and Krautrock for me is the essentially "english" melodic and harmonic playfullness on one hand and the "teutonic" kind of tribal monotony and "spaciness"on the other hand. I personally always had a soft spot for the vocal style of Robert Wyatt, Richard Sinclair and Syd Barrett and loved Dave Stewart’s jazzy voicings combined with his “antifusion" melodiy lines on the keyboards when he played with Hatfield and National Health. You don’t hear to much of that essential english style in today’s charts anymore. Its mostly back to Soul and Rhythm’n’Blues with Amy Whinehouse, Duffy etc. So maybe today the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:place></st1:city> style has become a sort of dated cult phenomenon. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Canterbury</span></i></st1:place></st1:city><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> album favorites are: all Hatfield and National Health albums. The first three Caravan albums. And every album that features Richard Sinclair. He is my favorite singer and a great bass player too :-) I also like to mention the fantastic organ solo of Dave Stewart at the end of "Halfway between heaven and earth”. For me this is the quintessential <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:place></st1:city> organ solo. Just perfect :-))) <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “Circles” is your second album, released under the label Musea. In my opinion you served much more mature music this time, covering each element, starting from music itself to production. Was it easier to make this album, after your first one which opened the door for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argos</st1:place></st1:city>? How long did the recording process take? Give us some technical details about this record.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_RfKukQjcI/AAAAAAAAAIU/bgQdtuEL3Jc/s1600/argosc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_RfKukQjcI/AAAAAAAAAIU/bgQdtuEL3Jc/s200/argosc.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Robert: I really can't tell you much about the technical aspects, but to me it felt easier and more natural to make this record, because we started to feel like a band for the first time - some songs took quite a while to finish, Thomas and I had some older material which we worked out and arranged for the album and I think we can both say that we're absolutely happy to have both Ulf and Rico playing great stuff on this one! They are exceptional musicians and add a lot the music. I'm especially proud of the longer tracks we made - my influences are more classical prog like Genesis and, not to forget, Van der Graaf Generator and you can hear this on Circles, I think. We put a lot of effort in producing the vocals and working out harmonies, etc. this time which was great fun too! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
Thomas: I like to add that Rico our new guitar player was also heavily involved in the mixing and production process of "Circles". He has great "ears" and this forced me to work harder on the details during the final mixing. I personally learned a lot from him and the "mistakes" I made on our debut ;-) <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I consider Argos to be a band influenced strongly by 70’s prog rock, especially the Canterbury Scene, as we could ascertain from above. But what do you guys listen to and where do you draw inspiration for your music from? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Robert: Apart from the obvious influences I do like Steely Dan very much, and other artists from the 70s or 80s like Joni Mitchell or even the Pet Shop Boys - what I find fascinating is their approach to consider music as as Gesamtkunstwerk, more in the realm of classical composers or architects, the way I see it. Pink Floyd worked so, too. German music is not that interesting, I'm afraid. What I'd like to mention is the band Blumfeld, especially for the lyrics. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
Thomas: I like to listen to ECM Jazz: Eberhard Weber, Terry Rypdal, Ralph Towner, Bennie Maupin etc. Pekka Pohjola and Bo Hansson, who sadly have passed away far too soon are among my favourite composers of imaginary music. Jaga Jazzist, Motorpsycho, The Decemberists, Paatos, the Flaming Lips, Air and Elephant9 are some of the more contemporary bands I enjoy listening to. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How do you see today’s progressive rock scene? Do you think the internet has helped make new musicians more available to the public, or do you think new technology has suppressed the charm of old bands? Certainly, I have divided opinions on this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Robert: It's difficult: what counts in the end is the quality of the music, although that doesn't necessarily translate to the sales figures, obviously! Some older bands are artistically dead; I have to say, whereas others remain very active and are still able to produce great music. Neo-Prog, in general, is not an option, I'm afraid. IQ of course is and exception: beautiful melodies, a very strong singer and a wonderful live band. When it comes to innovation I would say that after 1978 most bands began either to copy the classical styles of Yes, Genesis, etc. or put things together differently (new influences from Jazz, Folk, Heavy Metal) like Motorpsycho or Dream Theater. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Have you been promoting <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argos</st1:place></st1:city>’ music live? Do you get any offers to play live? If you ask me, it’s bad that a band like yours doesn’t do gigs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Robert: Two of us live in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mainz</st1:place></st1:city>, the others up in the far north of Gemany. Playing live? It's possible, but unlikely, I would say. Unless the demand would be overwhelming... (hahaha). <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: We are all used to play music live with our other bands (Superdrama, Mutabor,...) The main problem is the distance of 700 km between Mainz and Greifswald, which obviously makes it hard for us to meet and rehearse. But… (like Robert just mentioned) if we are invited to play on a special prog event and don’t have to pay for playing there (Cheers to Andy Tillison from a 50 year old bass player with two progbands ;-)), it would certainly be much fun to perform the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">ARGOS</st1:city></st1:place> songs live. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You took participation on The Flower Kings tribute album with the song “Cosmic Circus/Babylon”. It’s nice choice, as “Adam & Eve” is one of my favorite TFK albums. Please tell us a bit more about this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: Robert had the idea of covering "Cosmic Circus" and to include "<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Babylon</st1:place></st1:city>" as an instrumental middle eight. When we worked out the arrangement for the Babylon section, we composed some new parts and thereby added some unexpected musical twist and turns to the original composition of Thomas Bodin which was much fun to do. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What are your all-time favorite albums?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_RfTZSvUDI/AAAAAAAAAIc/ONv3FW_pGBQ/s1600/thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_RfTZSvUDI/AAAAAAAAAIc/ONv3FW_pGBQ/s200/thomas.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: There are a few albums which still manage to unfold a certain magic for me after listening to them for so many times. Here’s an uncompleted list:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Caravan: In the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Grey</st1:placename></st1:place> and Pink<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Pulsar: Halloween<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hatfield and the North: The Rotters Club <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">England</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">: Gardenshed <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Fruupp: Modern Masquerades <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">PFM: Per un Amico <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Eberhard Weber: Silent Feet <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Bo Hansson: Lord of the Rings, Attic Thoughts <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Refugee: Refugee <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">etc... <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What comes next for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argos</st1:place></st1:city>?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Robert: A great third album, possibly with a long track (I can reveal this, can't I?). We do have some ideas, but we haven't really started working yet.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I’m off my questions, so if there’s anything you would like to say, the next few lines are yours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas: It was a pleasure to answer your questions, Nick. Thank you for giving us this great opportunity to talk about our band, influences, plans and the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">ARGOS</st1:place></st1:city> music. I also would like to say a big: THANK YOU to all the dedicated progfans and personal friends, who have helped to promote the two <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">ARGOS</st1:place></st1:city> albums. You know who you are :-)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thank you for the interview, guys. Hope to hear you more from you soon.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#999999"><br/><a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=104144524" style="font: Verdana">Argos Circles Out Now Trailer</a><br/><object width="425px" height="360px" ><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=104144524,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=104144524,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br/><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=193943261" style="font: Verdana">ARGOS (new album "circles" out now)</a> | <a href="http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=videos" style="font: Verdana">MySpace Music Videos</a></font></div><br>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-26076161493352816152010-05-20T17:00:00.000-05:002010-05-20T17:33:38.029-05:00Dan Britton: The Maestro of Many Projects<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I recently sat down for a live interview with Mr. Dan Britton of Birds and Buildings and Deluge Grander fame. The two of us talked about Italian Prog, Opeth, the five or so albums he is apparently working on at the moment, and much more. Be warned, Mr. Britton and I diverged from the topic at hand a few times to talk about stuff that had very little to do with the actual interview. I still find that stuff interesting, though!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Thanks for agreeing to this interview. I’d like to start with you telling us something about yourself. Whatever you want, really.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I am watching a movie called One False Move and listening to The Enid's 'Anarchy on 45' </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: The Enid are pretty good, unfortunately I can't get into much of what they've done beyond In the Region of Summer Stars besides a few albums from that era. Too ambient for me I suppose.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Yes.. me too! When I read about the Enid, I think "I'm gonna love this band" and when I listen to them, I think "myeh....".</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: You’ve been in quite a few bands over the years. I’m going to start with the first one that I know of, Cerebus Effect. I’m sure a lot less people have heard of this one than have heard of the others. What would you like to tell us about it? I like the music that CE made, which was sort of dark and heavy jazzy material, but the band didn’t last very long.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/2559/cover_546161322010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/2559/cover_546161322010.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Dan Britton: Well, they were a band for 3 or 5 years before I ever joined. Their formula was basically: Odd time signatures that everyone sync's up on, and the guitarist and bassist think of their own notes. So, if you know much about music theory, any *two* notes can sound ok together, but when I joined, eager to play actual chords and melodies, it got sloppy unless we actually talked things out. The guitarist and bassist didn't really like talking things out, and I understand why, because discussing musical composition in detail can be tedious. So we were lucky to make the one album, but after that, I think we all knew that it wasn't going to work. I think the album is ok, but it's definitely not my proudest achievement.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Deluge Grander is #2, which formed while you were still in CE, but before it disbanded, from what I understand. DG is very different from CE. This time you’ve got very grand and epic symphonic prog. I hesitate to describe it because I find that, in general, your music is difficult to describe, so I just leave it at “symphonic prog”. How would YOU describe Deluge Grander?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_ROGKvqLRI/AAAAAAAAAH0/O_TzqeyLsnc/s1600/Deluge%2BGrander%2Bdeluge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_ROGKvqLRI/AAAAAAAAAH0/O_TzqeyLsnc/s320/Deluge%2BGrander%2Bdeluge.png" /></a></div><i>Dan Britton: Symphonic prog is sufficient, IMO. The thing about Deluge Grander is that Patrick the drummer and Dave the guitarist don't have much in common as far as what they like to listen to. Patrick likes mostly heavy and complex stuff, and Dave likes Phish and jam-band stuff, though they're both into other stuff too. So part of the challenge with Deluge Grander is for me to write stuff that they will each enjoy, since people are generally most likely to play well on something they like. So I guess that means if you cross Phish with Spastic Ink, you get symphonic prog!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Honestly I feel like "Symphonic prog" is one of those things that's hard to define, yet "you know it when you see it"</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, there are some obvious superficial things like mellotrons, lead analog-sounding synthesizers, and an obsession with 7/8 that characterize it. But generally, I think it's attention to composition rather than improvisation that differentiate symphonic prog from prog in general.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Are there any plans for a third Deluge Grander album at any point in the future? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Why yes....but it's complicated. We are tentatively planning on releasing FOUR different albums, but pressed only in VINYL format, and probably in limited editions of 200 or less, possibly with hand-made artwork for each individual copy... And then we'll take some of the material from these four albums, and make TWO CDs, possibly with nice packaging as well. And then we'll take the very best of everything and make ONE super-incredibly-good album, and maybe release it for free (and in CD form too). So it's a ridiculously complicated scheme, and it might not work out at all, but those are the plans. I've got plenty of sketches for the material on those four vinyl albums already.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: That does seem pretty overwhelming! I definitely wasn't expecting something on such a grand scale.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Yep, one of the hardest things is deciding what order to release the stuff. I think we'll try the first record, and see how it goes. If only three people in the whole world are willing to pay $50 or whatever we charge for it, we might just drop the whole plan altogether.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: How do you see the first two albums compared to each other?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I think the second one is more "classical" than the first, and also a bit more "unified" in that there is an idea or philosophy that unifies the music and the artwork.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: What would you say that theme is?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, I don't want to give too much away, but it's about ostensibly divergent paradigms (modernity vs. the Luddites, for example) unifying, to everyone's surprise.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Sort of like trying to identify what "good" is, in an aesthetic sense, perhaps? "The form of the good"? I dunno, that just came to mind, since it’s the title of the album and all. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: In a way, yes. Of course, there's nothing too specific I'm trying to get across, since there aren't any lyrics or anything. "Art Rock" in a very literal sense I suppose.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Birds & Buildings, the final project I know of, is probably my favorite of the three, which might be because I’m a huge fan of jazz. Tell me about this project. The music is similar to that of DG’s, but darker and, as I said before, jazzier.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_ROVpvcdjI/AAAAAAAAAH8/AJjmGquX8QM/s1600/BB_BtB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_ROVpvcdjI/AAAAAAAAAH8/AJjmGquX8QM/s200/BB_BtB.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Dan Britton: Yep. Malcolm the drummer is more of a DC-punk kind of drummer, but he's got an absolutely incredible mind for drumming. Brian the sax player is pretty much "Mr. Jazz" and doesn't really like "prog" very much, and he's never heard David Jackson or Mel Collins or Ian McDonald, which everyone compares him to. So those two guys and their reactions to the stuff I write determine how Birds and Buildings turn out.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Make sure to play some VDGG for him immediately! (one of my favorite bands)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, Brian sadly doesn't really like prog all that much. And Malcolm HATES VDGG. (I like them of course)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: You did an interesting thing with the cover art of this album, that is, taking it from a section of Genesis album’s cover art which had actually taken its artwork from a painting titled The Garden of Earthly Delights. Is there any particular reason you did this? Personally I find the idea of a small section of a painting that had already been taken from a larger painting to be pretty funny.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i>Dan Britton: Yes, but I really wish I had used a better version of the artwork. The CD cover looks pretty blurry. I really like all the old Hieronymus Bosch art. In fact, a few months after I joined Cerebus Effect, I tried to convince them to change the name of the band to "Hieronmyus." That portion of TGOED has birds in it, and what looks like a building of some kind, so it seemed like a good choice.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I read on B&B’s myspace that there’s going to be a new album out soon, but I haven’t seen any more word on that. Would you like to tell us something about “Multipurpose Trap”? How’s it looking so far?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I have actually been working on it quite a lot over the past week. It does move further in the "jazz" direction, and I think it also sounds a bit more American (and less European) in general. The first album is pretty tough to follow, but I think this one will at least be executed a little better (recording quality, etc.), even though there might not be as much intensity as there was on the first album.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Is there a tentative release date in mind?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Hopefully before the end of 2010.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: You say you like to create music based on the tastes of the individual members of the band. That seems like an interesting way to go about the creation process that seems to inevitably bring forth something eclectic. Do you see this process as unusual, or do you think other bands work in similar ways?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, I'm the main composer for these bands, and I think most composers in bands know that people play better when they're playing music they like. So I don't think it's too different from bands where one guy does most of the writing. But I'm not sure.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I heard somewhere that you were starting another project, but I can’t remember where, and I can’t remember what. Am I crazy, or are you actually starting another project?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, there's a group/project called "All Over Everywhere" that is about to release it's first album in a few months. This stuff is less proggy, but still pretty densely arranged at times. Then there's Elevator Machine Room with Chris Mack of Iluvatar/Oblivion Sun/Puppet Show fame. He and his wife just had their second kid, so we haven't rehearsed in a while, but we have enough material for an album, which I think will be a very good one.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I mentioned the artwork of B&B, but I’m also curious about the artwork of Deluge Grander. The covers both look very distinct and surreal. I would imagine they were done in the style of an early Genesis album cover, since I know you’re a fan. Am I right? Also, who painted (I assume they were painted) them?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_band/delugegrander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_band/delugegrander.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Dan Britton: Well the first cover we nicked from Thomas Cole, who died many years ago. Unfortunately, just after it was released I found out that a metal band called Candlemass had used the same cover! Kezia Terracciano did the art for the second DG album. She also did the picture for "Inaugural Bash" and "The Solitude of Miranda" on the first DG album, and all the inner art for Bantam to Behemoth. She lives in Italy, and I've never met her. But I suspect that any similarity to Genesis' album covers is purely coincidental. Though I admit I do love those old Whitehead sleeves. Forgot to mention... I actually gave Kezia some very detailed instructions for all this artwork. If you look at the art in BAB BTB and DG TFOTG, you'll see some clues for what are two complicated little puzzles of art.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I'll make sure to scrutinize them very carefully later.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: While your bands all sound very different, I happen to think there’s a common thread that combines elements of Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, and various other “First Wave Prog” bands with touches of Marillion, Porcupine Tree, and other things. Just kidding, I actually read recently that you hate it when reviewers do nothing but compare music to those that are generally “held sacred”. Well, I personally completely agree with you, but I would love to know some of your influences anyway.</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I think my main "influences" are Genesis (the chord sequences), Magma (the intensity of repetition and occasional dissonance), and Gentle Giant (the complexity). Now there's a lot of other music I like, but those three probably did affect how I write music. I am trying to branch out, though, and I think this new All Over Everywhere album will be regarded as a big change. And there is some stuff on the forthcoming second Birds and Buildings album that's almost like rap or techno music. Though not in a bad way, I hope.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Would you say that there are any particular prog “movements” you’re a fan of such as the Italian Progressive Rock Scene or the Canterbury Scene? I mention those because I'm a huge fan of both the former a bit moreso than the latter.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Oh, yes, I am heavily into the Italian prog stuff... And now it's to the point of "completing the collection"... I haven't really liked the last 10 or 20 Italian prog CDs I've bought, yet I keep buying them because I guess I just like the whole vibe. While I like the Canterbury scene in general, the music doesn't have the same impact on me as most 1970's prog.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WARNING: DIGRESSION FROM THE INTERVIEW!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Have you listened to Latte e Miele? they're one the bands I've been listening to the most recently. Their third album is definitely my favorite, especially because of "Pavana".</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Yes! I actually like their first and third albums more than Papillon. I'm curious about the new Marco Polo one, but a lot of the 1970's reunion acts don't seem to have the same magic as they did in the 1970's. There are a couple of really nice laid-back poppish tunes on Side One of Aquile E Scoiatelli as well. They almost remind me of a proto-Porcupine Tree in a way. Actually DG almost played an "Italian prog" medley at Progday. But I'm the only one in the band who really likes that stuff, so we didn't do it</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I would recommend you try "Marco Polo". It isn't very similar to their other albums, interestingly, but it's still very good. Almost reminds me of Banco with a different singer.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dan Britton: Unfortunately it's always sold for $19-30 on CD…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Yeah, imports... Still, didn't stop me. What was DG going to play in the medley?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: IIRC it was the opening piano bit from LDF, then a couple of Semiramis riffs, a 5/4 bit from BdB's YS (and I was going to actually sing in Italian), then a portion of a track by Modry Efekt (not Italian, but one of my favorite groups), then a bit from the last track on Reale Accademica di Musica's album, then the ending of Zarathustra.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Nothing of the "big three", eh?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: That's correct. It just seems more fun to do the less prolific bands, since that's what was so special about Italy.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Fair enough, though Banco is still my favorite!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I actually like their late-1970's work much more than the first three albums.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I can't say I like them more, but I do really enjoy Cando Di Primavera, Di Terra, etc. Anyway, we digressed a bit, I hope you don't mind.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Not at all, still on topic though, right? My influences and all…</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Of course.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: So is there any Italian prog you find overrated?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I would say Chocolate Kings by PFM.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Because for me there's one big one...</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: But tell me yours.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: For me it's Osanna's Palepoli. Chocolate Kings is ok if you get past the vocals.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Honestly I didn't know it was rated incredibly highly. Yes, the vocals are the problem, but the musicality is still top-notch. I agree about Palepoli, but I love the album Osanna released last year with Dave Jackson.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: And isn't it funny that apparently PFM thought Lanzetti would help them break English and American radio with that warbly voice?! I actually think Mussida, Premoli, and di Cioccio are all great singers already.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Maybe they figured since he sounds sort of like Peter Gabriel. I agree, I never had a problem with the singing.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: You know, that's one thing I don't hear, though everyone seems to say it. He sounds like Family's Roger Chapman, not PG. To me, at least.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I've always thought he sounded like PG to me, but I don't like either of them, personally.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Really, you don't like PG's singing?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I don't like Genesis in general, actually.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Shock, gasp, disbelief!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I have a feeling the blog is going to get a lot of hatemail from ProgArchives now. Well, I'll also say that I dislike Yes and Pink Floyd!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, you know it's actually refreshing to hear that for once.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Though I love VDGG, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, and King Crimson.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I was about to say "Are you sure you like prog at all?" You seem to gravitate towards the more obscure stuff.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I get that a lot.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: It does make it more fun to like a band when no one knows about them.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I suppose so. I dunno, I used to enjoy Genesis and Yes slightly, but they never did much for me. It's hard to call Jethro Tull obscure anyway, they're probably the most popular band that could be considered "prog".</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well Pink Floyd is probably more popular, though less prog.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Yeah, I didn't think about that. I honestly never even consider them to be a prog band.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>AND NOW BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED INTERVIEW:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: If you could work with any of your contemporaries, who would it be? Andy Tillison? Roine Stolt? My colleague says he’s seen you say that you’d like to work with Mikael Akerfeldt. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, yeah, but I doubt anyone as successful as those guys would want to work with me! I actually met Roine Stolt for a minute or two after DG opened up for Karmakanic/Agents of Mercy at Orion last year. Sometimes, admiring someone else's music doesn't necessarily mean a collaboration would be artistically successful or even enjoyable. The best way to collaborate is to actually compose and arrange something collectively, several hours a day, for at least a few weeks, and that is extremely difficult to organize when the rewards for a job well done are so small.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Tell us about the types of keyboards/pianos you use. Do you have a “rig” or just a big bunch of random keyboards? By the way, you had better not say you have a Hammond organ, because if you do, I would like to know why you haven’t based at least one entire album’s worth of material around it. Since it’s the greatest instrument ever made, you know (to paraphrase Arjen Lucassen).</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I just have two 88-key keyboards (a Yamaha T120 and an Alesis Fusion), both manufactured post-2000, so not at all vintage. I do have a Univox analog synth from 1974 that I actually found by the side of the road one day, covered in snow. And it works!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Seems strange that someone would throw it away...</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Yes. It was very weird to find that. And it was as I was recording parts for the first Deluge Grander album, so it couldn't have come at a more serendipitous time.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: You seem to be a fan of these sort of “downtuned”, eerie vocals, as they’re in a lot of your albums. It almost reminds me of the vocals on Camel’s Mirage, how they only pop in for a few lines of quick verse amongst the long instrumental sections. They even sound a bit similar. I think this comparison to “old prog” is justified, by the way.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Actually, funny you mention that. For the second Birds and Buildings album, I'm planning to have singing on every single song, but not by me, and not for more than about 1 minute per track. I don't know why people seem to think if there are going to be vox on a song; they have to stay around for a few minutes. For this music (the new BAB stuff), there are only a few small portions of each track where vocals would work at all, so it makes sense to just put them in when they work, but not feel obligated to have them when they're not helping.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WARNING: MORE DIGRESSION!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: My colleague Nick wants me to ask you what your favorite Opeth song/album is.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: The first two tracks on Ghost Reveries knock me out every time I hear them.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: The Lotus Eater on Watershed does that to me. That keyboard section, it's like "a jazzy Canterburyesque riff in death metal!?</b>"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I'm actually not a big fan of the first 3 or 4 Opeth albums. It amazes me when some people say they like those albums more than the recent stuff.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Honestly I like most of them equally except for Damnation and Blackwater Park. I find both of those to be boring. Well, Watershed is my favorite, but after that the rest are mostly equal to me.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Really, Blackwater Park boring?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I don't know what it is either, something about it seems... off... The Damnation thing is weird too, because I usually can't stand death metal. So it's weird that their least heavy album is my least favorite.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I wonder if you're just a subconscious contrarian. Because I'm like that sometimes.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Oh, I think I am.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I'm telling you, you'd like old Genesis... But just pretend no one else has ever heard them :-)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I've listened to old Genesis :P Quite a lot. I can't stand any album but Selling England by the Pound, and even on that album, I can't stand the vocals. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: That's amazing. So are there any vocalists you like? Banco's guy, I suppose?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Banco's guy is ok, but I prefer the keyboard sections in that band. I really love Hammill, Ian Anderson, Rikard of Beardfish, Andy Tillison. Akerfeldt is pretty good too. But I listen to a lot of jazz, which is instrumental of course.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: I guess you just prefer instrumental music in general.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Al Di Meola, Bo Hansson (listening to him right now), all that good stuff…</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Do you know Kenso?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I've heard of them. Japanese jazz fusion?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Sort of... you might really like their second album, called "II". Most of the rest of their stuff is a bit safe, but that album, especially the first song "Sora na Hikaru" (or something like that) is incredible. That track is probably my favorite instrumental piece ever.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I'll definitely check them out. They're actually on my list of bands to check out. I'll bump them up now that you've mentioned them.</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Have you ever heard Woody Herman's version of "Freedom Jazz Dance"? (Don't laugh)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I can't say I have.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: It's actually unbelievably good. People laugh at the mention of Woody Herman's name, but he actually did some fun and intense stuff in the early 1970's.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: His name sort of rings a bell, though I'm not sure who he is. I'm listening to it on Youtube, it's very good. I actually have Miles Smiles by Miles Davis, which has this track.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: He's a clarinet player who was big in the 1940's, then one of his managers committed tax fraud, and poor old Woody spent most of the rest of his life playing and recording to pay off the money he owed the IRS.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: This track sounds like it could have been made by Weather Report in the 70's.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: IMO Miles Davis' music was good mostly because of the other people on it.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: You could say his talent was picking good musicians then :P IMO what he inspired was more important than what he recorded. The era of jazz fusion, for example, there would probably be no Return to Forever or Mahavishnu Orchestra if not for him or Weather Report, for that matter.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Sort of a visionary kind of guy....but a bit overrated and overrevered in general.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Yes, Davis is a good example of one who is both over and underrated simultaneously.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Well, I think McLaughlin and Shorter and Jaco would have still made good music, more or less similar to what they did, regardless of Miles Davis.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>END OF DIGRESSION PART TWO!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: What are your plans for your record label, Emkog? Do you think you’ll use it to release albums by other bands?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: It will probably just be a label for stuff I'm involved with.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Last serious question. I’m sure there’s something I’ve forgotten to ask that I will remember tomorrow, but for now I think I’m done! Is there anything you’d like to add?</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: No, I guess that's it. If you think of anything else, I'd be happy to respond by email. Thanks for the interview!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: Of course! I have one last question though, but it has nothing to do with anything.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Ok, let's hear it.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan Thaler: I ask this to everyone I interview because I love dogs. Do you have a dog?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan Britton: Nope, sorry. But I'm not anti-dog.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166486120885532276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-79494900096936451232010-05-18T13:34:00.004-05:002010-05-18T18:08:58.441-05:00Mattis Sørum - The Man with the Wand<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Mattis Sørum is the man behind Norwegian symphonic rock project Pictorial Wand. We spoke with Mattis about his involvement in other projects, the vision he has for Pictorial Wand, as well as his main influences. Find out what Mattis had to say for Prog Sphere.<o:p></o:p></span></i></h2><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hello Mattis. How’s life these days?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: Hi. Life is good, can’t complain. These days are used to work with promotion and new music for the next album.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Can you please tell us how did Pictorial Wand begin? Have you been involved in any other projects/bands before PW came to surface?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_LWWLmTg9I/AAAAAAAAAHs/BBz3SYpIss0/s1600/pw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_LWWLmTg9I/AAAAAAAAAHs/BBz3SYpIss0/s320/pw.jpg" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: Pictorial Wand was my first serious project (and only), and it grew out of one song. That song is “The king and his land pt 1” on the debut album. I was very fascinated with rock-operas at that time, had just heard “Journey to the centre of the earth” by Wakeman and wanted to do something like that myself. The King-song I had written the year before without any purpose really, but it became the first brick in a story for the double concept-album, A Sleeper’s Awakening. With that album developing, so did the idea of making a project which only released rock-operas or concept-albums, namely Pictorial Wand. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You compose music and write lyrics for PW, in other words you’re the main man in true meaning of the word. Is it hard to be behind the creation process?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: I am a little egoistic with this particular project, and have a very fixed idea about how I’d like the music to be. I mean, every album and song I don’t know how it will turn out, but still I could not share the creative process with anyone. I have another band where everyone work on everything and I love it, but not with Pictorial Wand. It’s either my way or no way, hehe.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Pictorial Wand has got two albums so far, so let’s talk about them. First one, named “A Sleeper’s Awakening” has been published in 2006 by Unicorn Digital. Please tell us more about this album, such as the story behind it, the composing process, as well as recording process. Are you satisfied with how this album has been received?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_LWDiXZ2QI/AAAAAAAAAHc/zN1OEkxCehc/s1600/mattis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_LWDiXZ2QI/AAAAAAAAAHc/zN1OEkxCehc/s320/mattis2.jpg" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: As I mentioned, the album grew out of that one song. I just started to write the songs, and I realised after a while that most of them ended up very long. That’s when I started to think about releasing a double album. I didn’t think economy, haha! Well, I just continued to write songs, until I had about two hours of music. In the meanwhile I also decided to make the seven deadly sins as a sort of frame for the story. The recording process was a loooong way, done in several different locations during three years. I ended up with using 16 or 17 musicians. I was also studying at that time and moved between different places. My equipment was in constant changing for the better, and that resulted in many retakes. I remember I changed the orchestra sounds three or four times! So these things took time. But the album got finished and released with great responds from the prog-media in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> and US. As a pleasant surprise it got nominated in all categories in the newly started ProgAwards in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> that year.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: The second album “Face of Our Fathers” was released again under Unicorn Digital etiquette. How did you get in touch with this Canadian label? Were there any other labels interested in releasing Pictorial Wand?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: Unicorn was one of many labels I sent my album to. They were the only label interested in releasing it, or crazy enough to release a double album from a totally unknown artist, hehe. But they believed in my music and I’m grateful for that.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What’s the story behind “Face of Our Fathers”? I have to say that there’s a noticeable difference in production in comparison with “A Sleeper’s Awakening. I also feel like this album is more “mature”. What do you say?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: I feel that I learned a lot from the process with the first album, when it comes to the production, arrangement, choice of vocalists and so on. I matured a lot musically, and the story is also a little more serious and down to earth, hehe. The story follows four characters, whose lives are woven into eachother in different ways. It’s about inheritance, and what burdens the generations leave behind them for the next.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Who did the art work for the albums? I especially enjoy how the art looks on the second album. How important is it for you to have good artwork for PW?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_LWMCtIkSI/AAAAAAAAAHk/X9UjakMhbrk/s1600/pwcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S_LWMCtIkSI/AAAAAAAAAHk/X9UjakMhbrk/s200/pwcover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: The artwork is important of course, and for the two first albums it was important for me that the artwork was done specifically to fit the story of the concept. Both front covers are paintings which now decorates nicely my home. The artworks were done by Hans Einar Beddari, a friend of mine from the studies.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Does the band perform live often? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: Never. Because this is a one man-project, it becomes too expensive to play live. But I hope to realise it in the future.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Which bands/artists have influenced you in the creation of Pictorial Wand’s music?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: King Crimson, Rick Wakeman, Ayreon, Flower Kings and more.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: How do you see the Norwegian progressive rock scene? Would you give us some of your all time favorites as well some of the bands we should pay attention to? There are a lot of good bands from there like Gazpacho, Magic Pie and Wobbler. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: The Norwegian prog-scene is developing big time these days. Although I’m far from any expert on Norwegian prog, I enjoy listen to bands such as White <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Willow</st1:place></st1:city>, Wobbler and Circle’s End.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What have you been listening to recently?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: Aural Moon radio.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “Scenes From a Memory” or “Images and Words”? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: Scenes from a Memory.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: “Thick as a Brick” or “A Passion Play”?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: A Passion Play</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What are your plans for the future?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: I have made plans for the next album and well into the songwriting. I am planning something much bigger than I have done so far, but don’t want to say much before I know more about how it will turn out.</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thanks for the interview, Mattis.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Mattis: My pleasure.</span></i><br /><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-60032392334530291842010-05-15T18:00:00.001-05:002010-06-01T17:50:15.798-05:00Prog Klot: Our Meeting With The Sphere<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nick and I recently sat down with (well, not exactly, but it was live!) Swedish band Klotet for a really fun interview. They punched us in the head as we talked of crows and dogs (I must always mention dogs!) and a little bit of music I suppose. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Hello Klotet! Why don’t you all introduce yourselves! Can each of you tell me something about yourselves? If you like, you can tell me something about another band member. Or you can lie, no one will ever know!</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mLCzuR5I/AAAAAAAAAGE/hnSrknVeoGA/s1600/klotet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mLCzuR5I/AAAAAAAAAGE/hnSrknVeoGA/s200/klotet1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Ok, my name is Påhl - I'm 28 years old and currently a student of Graphic Production. I play the guitar in Klotet and also play in a band called Villebråd. I have a dog. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: Hi guys! Mikal is my name and I’m a stone cold socialist. I like coffee and to play drums in Klotet. I live in Stockholm and work with moneyproduktion. Im very shallow when it comes to my hair.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: And the others: David play the bass, he's a sweet gentle man, very kind. Almost too kind. He likes astronomy, his cat Nutti and Ytron (swedish chocolate pudding). Milvesofia is very smart, almost too smart. She likes biology and animals but not insects. She plays the organ in Klotet and also in a band called Häxhammaren. She listens too psychmusic but also to OMD when no one is around.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: So, as I am an ignorant American who only speaks one language, I was wondering what “Klotet” means. For that matter, what do your album titles mean? And how about some of the more interestingly-titled songs? Speaking of the songs, (in lieu of lyrics) who comes up with the song titles?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mUbpc1KI/AAAAAAAAAGM/J144BRcfHeM/s1600/klotet3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mUbpc1KI/AAAAAAAAAGM/J144BRcfHeM/s200/klotet3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: We try to come up with the titles together. Basically Mikal comes along with a hundred titles that he thinks sounds funny and then the rest of us throws away 99 of them. Klotet means "the sphere"... "En rak höger" means "A hard punch to the head" but can also mean "a punch from the right side" - with a political meaning. "Det har aldrig hänt och kommer aldrig hända igen" means "It has never happened and will never happen again" and the whole album is related to the global financial crisis of the last year. Any specific titles you wanna know? </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: And our blogzine is called Prog Sphere, so we are basically Prog Klotet :)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: He, he. You're a part of us now.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Honestly I wouldn't know about any specific titles, but are there any that are particularly funny? Or interesting? Perhaps political?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: We had a song on the "Rak höger"-album that's called "En vanlig dag på jobbet, snutjävel" - that means something like "an ordinary day at work, fucking cop", that one is hard to introduce at some liveshows :-)</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Haha. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: We also have a song called "Dödad av döden" that is directly translated from the Motorheadsong "Killed by death".</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I must say I approve of the left-leaning titles, being incredibly liberal myself. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Great! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: What sort of music do you all listen to? What inspires you guys? As I mentioned when I gave my little plug to Klotet in my recent article, I can definitely hear Bo Hansson in your music, and possibly some Beardfish. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mhw8reOI/AAAAAAAAAGU/4Q5qOZndKU4/s1600/klotet8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mhw8reOI/AAAAAAAAAGU/4Q5qOZndKU4/s200/klotet8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Yeah, it hard not to like Bo Hansson, he was a great musicians and he was one of our main influences when we started. And concerning Beardfish we like them them a lot. We have played with them in the past. They are fantastic musicians, more skilled than we can ever hope to be. But we are also heavily influenced by music like Devo, Killing Joke, Goblin and some punk and hardcore music. We actually played some Bo Hansson songs on a gig last week as a tribute to the man. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Speaking of Bo Hansson tributes, did you guys like what I said about him and Klotet in my article? Would you have said anything differently? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Well, we definately like to think that we carry some of his legacy in the meaning that we focus on simplicity and harmony in our music instead of technical skill. That can not be said about most of the polished stuff that is called prog these days. But, there are many more bands that deserve that credit more than we do.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Tell me about your music writing process, do you guys just jam, or does someone introduce a general idea and you work around it? Or is everything rigidly planned to the MUNUTIST DETAIL!? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Yes, like you said it. Someone, usually Mikal or David, introduce a general idea and we work around it together. No magic formula. It often takes a long while to get a song finished... </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: So you guys released a new album this year (one of my favorite releases of 2010 so far, by the way!), which was in a similar style to your last release, if perhaps a little more chaotic. What was it like recording this one compared with recording the last one? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mrtPE9BI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-UKVI2dkUh4/s1600/klotet10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0mrtPE9BI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-UKVI2dkUh4/s200/klotet10.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Thanks for the kind words!!! It was a little bit more chaotic than the last one actually. We jammed some of the stuff together in the last minute. But the songwriting on this one was a lot quicker, we tried not to overwork the songs. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: During the last recording (En rak höger) we only had the studio for recording drums one extremely early morning between 3.00 and 7.00 so he's very happy that he got more time behind the drums this time... </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: So your myspace says Påhl is the one who draws the crows and skulls and stuff. I love these crows and skulls and stuff, and I think the drawings make fitting album artwork for such a chaotic (I keep using that word) and energetic band. I don’t really have a question to go with this, I just wanted to say I like the artwork. I suppose you could tell me about the artwork if you like, though. What does it symbolize? How do you come up with it? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Thanks a lot. We like the word chaotic, keep using it. The artwork is referring to the financial global crisis (as I mentioned before). The backsleeve is also quite obviously inspired by the Napalm Death album "Scum". </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: What’s it like being such a little-known band right now? Andy Tillison says that even slightly more well-known bands like The Tangent are struggling to get exposure in this over-saturated climate.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: We try not to be too concerned about those things. We would not be playing this kind of music if the only thing we wanted was exposure. But we're really happy that we can play in our close community and the record deal with Musea makes it pretty much possible for people like yourself (in freakin' AMERICA!) to get hold of our albums. So we can't really complain, considering... </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Do you guys consider yourselves a part of any specific cultural movement, however peripheral? Personally, I like to categorize things, and it seems to me like Klotet is clearly a part of the Swedish “Third Wave of Prog”, a term I like to throw around. Does “prog” matter to Klotet, or do you guys prefer to just make music and screw the labels? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: The term "prog" meant more to us when we started the band. At this moment we want to be free to explore whatever we feel like without caring about specific scenes and genres. It really doesn't feel like we belong to any movement other than grass root music. In our perspective most musical movements tend to be very elitist and the prog scene is no exception. Progressive music in these days is sometimes quite regressive if you ask us. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I would say prog tends to be even more elitist than some other groups. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Yeah!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan: And yet somehow, the more regressive the band, the more elitist they are, hehe.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: :-)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Your myspace says you guys have a demo in addition to your two studio albums. My question is this: where can I (and the other readers of the blog, I suppose…) purchase this demo? As a follow-up question in case you say “it is unavailable for sale” or something like that: Please? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: There are sadly no copies of that demo left, BUT is you listen to the last three songs of the "En rak höger"-album you won't miss a thing. Those tracks are taken directly from the demo.</i><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Påhl, you mentioned Villebråd before. It just so happens that Nick stumbled across a webpage about it a few hours before this interview. Can you tell us something more about it? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Mikal might get angry with me if I use this opportunity to promote that band :-)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: *giving pahl the angry eye*</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Don't worry, I was going to ask Mikal about any of his projects next. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Ha, ha! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: We'd love to hear about it.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: More projects - more questions.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Ok, we're currently working with our third album. It will be more pop-oriented than the last two albums. Don't know what to say really. Villebråd is actually one of Mikal’s favourite bands. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I had actually never heard of it till Nick stumbled upon the site today and showed me that you were in it.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Kudos for me!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Yeah, thanks Nick! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Mikal, are you working on any side projects? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: Me and Sofia had a psykadelic proggband when we where younger, drums and organ. You can listen to some of our music here: www.myspace.com/haxhammaren</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Ah, I was going to ask about that next, since you had mentioned it before. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Hm, that might be interesting. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Is that another one of what I like to call the "HK setup" (HK meaning Hansson/Karlsson)? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: Yeah, that’s true, lot of the inspiration came from them, but we also tried to broaden our music using fender Rhodes (through a leslie) instead of an organ.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Listening to samples now.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: Sweet.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Reminds me of Sagor & Swing, but with a spookier air. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: It’s poorly produced, sorry for that. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: It's very nice, did you guys release any albums?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mikal: One cassette that is extremly rare, 15-20 copies where given out, and one cd-demo of 10 copies. We never found someone to release them.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: That’s a shame! </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I know this will sound impatient because you guys just released an album recently, but what are you guys thinking about doing for your next release? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0m1hyx0FI/AAAAAAAAAGk/t63Gv8j2UCw/s1600/klotet15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0m1hyx0FI/AAAAAAAAAGk/t63Gv8j2UCw/s200/klotet15.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: We worked on a new song today, actually. It will probably be less melodic and more primitive than before. But with more rythmical complexity... But it's too early to say anything with confidence. Just testing some new ideas really. What do you recommend us to do? What do u want to hear? </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Some jazzy fusion.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: We ask the questions from now on :-)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Honestly I love what you guys are doing, but it might be interesting to hear some more instruments. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Klotet: Ok, that's cool. Like what?</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Yeah, maybe accordion?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Flutes, accordions… As far as I'm concerned there can never be too much flute or organ.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Saxes would be interesting. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Ok. We'll have to take lessons, but we'll try. Flutes are a no go, though... Sax is cool.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Well, it's up to you after all. I wasn't expecting to be asked, hehe. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Well, we want to please y'all. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Creating music is not my forte, I wouldn't know where to start.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Ask me to play accordion, though.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Nick, would you like to play the accordion?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Probably :D</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: You can stay at Mikal's house. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: You guys could have Rikard guest star :P </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: From Beardfish? </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Right! </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Rikard and Nick could start up a accordion/organ duo. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I like the sound of this. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: You could call yourself Rick and Nick. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: And I can... watch. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: It's fine with me, dunno about Rick, haha. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: How about touring, what’s it like for Klotet to tour? Is there a possibility you guys can come to the U.S? Ha, we all can dream… Maybe if a festival invites you, eh? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Or Serbia? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0nBHp8RiI/AAAAAAAAAGs/wXODUNDbvio/s1600/klotet7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0nBHp8RiI/AAAAAAAAAGs/wXODUNDbvio/s200/klotet7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: We have never been on a real tour, actually. We're not playing music for a living, and there are no big promoters for our kind of music. But if someone asked us we'd do anything in our might to make it happen. But it's hard to go abroad since we're all poor suckers. We pretty much only play for food/beer everytime so we only do gigs that we feel like and that are reasonably comfortable for us. But we would absolutely love to come to the US, and Serbia of course!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Come to NYC! There's more people here than all of Sweden.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Sounds frightening.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: To paraphrase Mr. Tillison.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Who? </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Andy, The Tangent.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Ah, sorry.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: His song Lost in London. "There's more people here than Sweden, and it's the lonliest place on Earth."</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: We are both obssessed with him, haha. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: He, he, he…</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: As a city-slicker, I can't sympathize, unfortunately, hehe. I love gigantic crowds. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: We like gigantic crows.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Japan has both gigantic crows and gigantic crowds!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Yeah, nice. Ha, ha, ha! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Maybe we would both feel right at home in Tokyo. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Ok, when do we leave?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Not yet.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Oh sorry.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0nTBSkCWI/AAAAAAAAAG0/U-FWel_B_Ws/s1600/klotet9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-0nTBSkCWI/AAAAAAAAAG0/U-FWel_B_Ws/s200/klotet9.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dan: So Påhl , you mentioned before that you have a dog! Please tell me about your dog, I love dogs. My old dog was a Norwegian Elkhound, and she was the sweetest dog ever (she died of cancer last year). My current dog is also the sweetest dog ever (I guess we have good luck with dogs). He’s a German Shorthaired Pointer that looks like a Dalmatian. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Here we go again... with dogs.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Shut up, Nick.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Thank you, Påhl :D</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Now it's really interesting... </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: He's always making fun of me for asking our interviewees about dogs. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: Both me and Mikal love dogs, especially my dog. He's a Swedish Vallhund, and a really great guy. He's three years old and is currently sitting and staring at me 'cause he's eager to take a dump. I'm really sad that you lost that Elkhound of yours, but its the way it goes I guess. It's so disturbing that dogs only live for a tenth of a normal life span. You should really wait until you're like 80 before you get one, cause then you wouldn't have to be around when it dies.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Yeah, she lived a good long life though. She had a lot of health problems for some reason. Cancer, an adrenal gland problem, and two cataracts, but she was very happy until the end.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: :-(</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Anyway, we should wrap up so your dog can take a dump!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Påhl: He'll be very happy.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Ok, so we're done with questions. Is there anything you two want to add? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Klotet: Thank you both for this. It was very fun and you did very well. Thank you so much for showing interest in our music and for supporting the small bands! We would also like to say thank you to the followers of your blog for reading this far. Have a nice night!</i></div><br><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="360" height="217"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/spOMqEnc9L8&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&hl=sv_SE&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/spOMqEnc9L8&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&hl=sv_SE&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="360" height="217"></embed></object></div><br>Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166486120885532276noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-45611282906453616442010-05-12T18:07:00.000-05:002010-05-12T18:07:07.725-05:00Guy Manning: The Unknown Wordsmith<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<i>ProgSphere recently completed an interview with Guy Manning of... well, Manning! He was fresh off of a recent appearance with his band at the Rites of Spring Festival in Gettysburg, USA, so in retrospect it would have been a good idea for us to ask him how it went. Not to worry though, there's plenty more spoken of in here, such as his album's concepts, some of the stories he's written about, curry, and cats! Please enjoy.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: First of all, thank you for agreeing to do this interview, we know you must be very busy, what with the recent appearance at RosFest (that I was unhappily unavailable to attend) and the fact that you are busily working on a new album. Would you like to tell us about this new album? Is it going to be similar to past albums?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-qri9c9jGI/AAAAAAAAAF8/B-Q_p2efF-Y/s1600/guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-qri9c9jGI/AAAAAAAAAF8/B-Q_p2efF-Y/s200/guy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Guy: No problem. Nice to be asked. Every album I do hopefully is slightly different and has got a different dynamic to it. And not ALL of them are concept albums (See later). This new one CHARLESTOWN has a large multi section piece at its heart and a wider array of instruments used in its arrangements. It has an instrumental on it (the first one since "TALL STORIES..." back in 1999). 2 more rocky orientated pieces and also 2 lighter more acoustic based pieces which act as album links (rather like For Absent Friends or Harlequin from Genesis' Nursery Cryme). I have tried to use the current live band more on this recording (including real drums) and this is the reason it is taking rather longer than usual to complete it. It should be released later in 2010.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: We understand that you’re a multi-instrumentalist. Would it be feasible to give us a list of every instrument you can play? Or would there not be enough room on the blog for that?</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: I don't play THAT many really! Guitars (Acoustic 6/12/Classical & Electric), Mandolin, Bouzouki, lots of Keyboards, Sampled Drums, Percussion, Vocals.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: What instruments do you consider the most fun to play, and what instruments do you consider the most fun to listen to? Personally, my top two are the Hammond organ and the flute. The latter especially if played by Ian Anderson or Joe Farrell. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: Not sure I can distinguish. I like to play the acoustic guitar because it feels natural to me but I get a lot of fun out of my keyboards (Hammond, Moog, Tron etc) and often this can be the catalyst for writing.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Speaking of Ian Anderson, we have read somewhere that your favorite Jethro Tull album is “A Passion Play”. Why do you not submit to the majesty that is “Thick as a Brick”? CONFORM! In all seriousness, “Thick as a Brick” is probably one of my favorite pieces of music ever made, and I just can’t feel the same way about “A Passion Play”. Not that I’m trying to attack you, but what is it about the latter that makes you love it so much? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: TAAB is magnificent what is NOT to like? But it is slightly flawed at the start of Side Two IMO. I don't know why I like APP so much. I just do. It is more disjointed but has more challenges in it I think and colours. It also hit a time in my life where it resonated. I think we all have those albums that are special because of the times in which we first heard them. The fact that they also toured it less and I was able to see both of the ONLY UK shows they ever did helps seal the memories for me.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: As an aside, I rank Jethro Tull albums as follows: Thick as a Brick > Heavy Horses > Songs From the Wood > Aqualung > Stormwatch > Roots to Branches > everything else. If you were forced to to create an arbitrary ranking for your favorite Jethro Tull albums by an annoying interviewer, what would it be? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: My own Top 5?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>A Passion Play</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Aqualung</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Thick As A Brick</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Songs From The Wood</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Stand Up</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>But it is a HARD choice as I love Benefit, Roots, Heavy Horses, War Child, Minstrel as well.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I apologize for all the Tull questions if you’re sick of them by this point, but I just can’t resist speaking of them to a fellow Tull fan. So, for one last one, how would you say influences from The Tramp fit into your music? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: Well for starters, the use of flute as a lead instrument I guess. We are lucky to have Steve Dundon with us (who has played with Mick Abrahams). Our joint love of Tull brought us together and he can play in that familiar 'overblow' way if asked to as well as provide the more traditional flute tones. Also, I grew up knowing that the lead person can stand up there sing and play his acoustic guitar within a full band setting because of Ian. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Naturally Tull can’t be the only music that has influenced you. What else is there? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: MANY! Tull, early Genesis, Roy Harper, Al Stewart, John Martyn, Lindisfarne, Hatfield & The North, Caravan, Renaissance, Alice Cooper, Wishbone Ash, Jefferson Airplane... A long long list! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Skip this question if you have already mentioned Italian Prog to your heart’s content. If not, however, tell us how you feel about it. Tell us some of your favorite bands/albums. Right now I am actually listening to “Come In Un’Ultima Cena| by Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso as part of a playlist I made of Banco and PFM. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2629/57/99/743184822/n743184822_1510913_3801597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2629/57/99/743184822/n743184822_1510913_3801597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>Guy: I do not get a lot of time to hear new music as I am too heavily involved (annually) in my own writing and performing, BUT... For more recent artists, I do have a soft spot for MAGENTA and (of course) BEARDFISH! Of Italian bands I too love PFM and BANCO (just got the new PFM remasters this week). Every now and then a new music comes along which I love, Jeff BUCKLEY springs to mind when GRACE came out.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I believe you worked on an Italian Prog-influenced projekt (sorry, couldn’t resist) with Andy in the past. Could you tell us about "La Voce Del Vento"? (I believe this means "The Voice of the Wind" in Italian, something like that?) </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: Simply a vehicle for Andy Tillison and I to work on some music together (not as MANNING or THE TANGENT). </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Sorry for spending so much time talking about other people’s music, but I hope you have enjoyed speaking about it as much as I hope to enjoy reading about it. Anyway, now I would like to focus on some of your albums. For starters, which would you say is your favorite if you had to pick (because of this insistent interviewer), and why?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v373/57/99/743184822/n743184822_1061293_8168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v373/57/99/743184822/n743184822_1061293_8168.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><i>Guy: A hard choice as I have not made my own "SGT. PEPPERS" or "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON" yet IMO. I will try share which albums have importance for me personally. If I had to pick an album that has been perceived to be the most representative of my works, it would be "SONGS FROM THE BILSTON HOUSE". A good collection of songs! The 'concept' (if there is one) is that all the songs take place/are set in a single room of an old run down house (over the years). This is not a true concept album IMO just a way of giving the overall collection of pieces a central theme. "ONE SMALL STEP... (Parts I-VIII)" from (ONE SMALL STEP...)" is a large acoustic based piece, because I wanted to write an extended suite around that instrument (like Roy Harper's "One of Those Days In England"). "NUMBER TEN" has my most successful long piece “The House On The Hill" on it. It just seemed to flow well and is a favourite in the live set. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Could you tell us something about the stories you have written about your albums? I understand most of them are "concept albums", and I find it very interesting that you have made so many. Because so many are, I feel like it would be more logical to ask you, which of these albums are NOT concept albums? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: The vast majority of my songs tell narrative tales, so I am not sure how to include all of these... I'll pick some highlights: </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In terms of creating true 'concept' albums there have been 2 - "THE CURE" and "A MATTER OF L:IFE & DEATH". These 2 followed narrative storylines (like The Lamb Lies Down...) </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>THE CURE - is about our impending chaos and destruction under Mans guardianship. It focuses on 2 central characters, the Patient and the Doctor. The Patient hears voices in his heads and has visions of another World; the Doctor wants to cure him of these. I cannot give too much away... Write to me off line if you want to know more about the story! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>A MATTER OF LIFE & DEATH revisits the character of ABEL MANN that I first introduced on the "TALL STORIES..." album. Abel is a man who having committed suicide finds that he has to write his own life story down in a journal before being allowed to 'move on' .</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The 'AMOLAD' album explores this story in far more detail. What brings him to his end and what happens next...</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"The House On The Hill" (from NUMBER TEN) is about bending Time & Space, Life & Death to retrieve a lost love (A happier version of 'Orpheus in the Underworld'!)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Ragged Curtains" (From THE RAGGED CURTAIN album) is about Mans relationship / symbiosis with Sea & Stone. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2629/57/99/743184822/n743184822_1510869_7172857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2629/57/99/743184822/n743184822_1510869_7172857.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>"Holy Ireland" (Parts 1-5) (from TALL STORIES FOR SMALL CHILDREN) was all about the 'troubles' in Ireland but works equally well discussed the impact and destructive nature of any institutionalized or fundamentalist religious views when approaching war/terrorism. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v141/57/99/743184822/n743184822_156542_5890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v141/57/99/743184822/n743184822_156542_5890.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>"Pillars of Salt" (From SONGS FROM THE BILSTON HOUSE") is about the sad passing of Sixties idealism. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Antares" (From SONGS FROM THE BILSTON HOUSE") is about a young girl placing a candle in the attic window facing out to Sea so that her father & brother (fisherman) could always see the way home. At the same time as this light goes out to Sea, star light from the giant red Star Antares travels across the Universe and mixes with the candle light in the room. Our own mortal light (like the candle) is brief, but the star light is eternal. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>There are many many more stories on my albums though!! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Speaking of concept albums, how you feel about the term "concept album". Who do you think made the first rock concept album anyway, The Beatles, Frank Zappa, or someone else entirely? One last thing: How do you see the evolution of the concept album? Clearly the idea has changed considerably since it was first created, since the original "concept albums" were incredibly loose in structure, and they only began to have a real story slightly later (with Tommy, etc). </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: To me the first was "TOMMY" as it told a narrative story. IMO Sgt. Peppers etc were collections of great songs linked under a "container concept" rather like my ANSER'S TREE album (which had a song for each member of the same family) or "...BILSTON...” with its songs in rooms idea. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Could you tell us something about your story-writing process? Do you write your lyrics first and then write the music? Do any writers inspire your lyrics? I myself am partial to Orwell and Twain. If not authors, perhaps musicians? If not musicians, perhaps types of cheese? I myself am partial to Camembert and Cabrales, among others.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v353/209/97/749743272/n749743272_1520529_8801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v353/209/97/749743272/n749743272_1520529_8801.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Guy: Ideas come from wherever they come from!! (He said enigmatically). I can get an idea for a story or a piece of a lyric or even a song title OR I can get some keyboard chords, a rhythm pattern etc... It just sparks ideas which are then developed further and are taken to the point at which they end. I do not really get ideas from other authors I think, but I am sure that I have been influenced by reading... Blake, Wilde, Orwell, Philip K. Dick! I do not eat alot of cheese either... Being a bit dairy intolerant, but I am sure that I have written many a good song after a great curry! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: To paraphrase Nick Park, the creator of Wallace and Gromit: "England is a nation of dog lovers". With this in mind, I must ask you. Do you love dogs? I sure do! My old dog, a wonderful Norwegian Elkhound, died of cancer last winter, and we are still mourning her loss despite having adopted a new dog (this time a German Shorthaired Pointer).</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: Sorry, never had a dog. I have currently 3 CATS!! I find them easier to look after with long hours tucked away in the studio! Lazy animals to be sure but good to pet! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I think I’m done with my questions, but you’re free to add anything you can think of! </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Guy: I am still a relatively unknown artist in the World even having released TEN albums of my own which have always been critically very well received. I do hope that changes! MANNING (the band) is currently enjoying a much higher profile such as being invited to perform at the UKs famous Cambridge Rock Festival and the prestigious Rites Of Spring Festival 2010 in the USA. We hope to play more and get out there to meet people who have not heard of me/us. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The brand new album is a 'tour de force' which we hope to reign in, mix and release this year. Let's see where that takes us! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: Thank you very much for agreeing to do this interview. We hope to talk to you again soon! </b></div>Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166486120885532276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-2638807005763142662010-05-10T21:05:00.000-05:002010-05-11T04:14:28.580-05:00Bo Hansson: A Retrospective with Eyes on the Future<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i8YozokSI/AAAAAAAAAt4/U5o9ApQFuXs/s1600/bohansson.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469828878898336034" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i8YozokSI/AAAAAAAAAt4/U5o9ApQFuXs/s320/bohansson.jpg" style="display: block; height: 216px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The recent death of one of prog’s legends (April 24th, to be precise) has saddened a lot of people, to be sure. There were strange rumors (perhaps propagated by some weirdo on Wikipedia?) that he had been lying on his deathbed, but I doubt anyone took them seriously. Perhaps they weren’t rumors after all. Regardless, I doubt he would have wanted people to mourn him. Well, I suppose I shouldn’t say that, I never knew him personally, and I know barely anything about his personality. I do know that he was a very humble man who was delighted to hear of modern recording artists “sampling” from his old work, however. I also know that he loved to associate with those who created music inspired by his (Eric Malmberg, to name one). </div><div style="text-align: justify;">That said, I have decided to use this opportunity to inspect the recorded work of this highly respected artist. I will be going through his four solo albums and then his three albums with Janne Karlsson. However, there is more. I will also be reviewing a few bands, artists, and albums that were directly inspired by this man. I will put to you, valued reader, that the so-called “Third Wave of Prog” we all (I hope) hold near and dear, which includes such incredible bands as The Tangent, The Flower Kings, Beardfish, and many, many more, would not have come about if not for the creations of this man.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bo Hansson’s Solo Work</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chronologically, these should be listed second, but I choose to list them first both because they seem to me to be more influential, and because I simply like them more. I am going to list the American versions of the albums simply because more people speak English than Swedish and because they’re the same albums (though with different release dates). Hansson’s solo albums are very similar in style, though with some slight differences that will be touched upon later. They contain MANY eclectic musical elements. They are jazzy yet symphonic, they rock, yet are atmospheric, they are folkish and simple yet adventurous and experimental. But lastly, they are instrumental, yet speak volumes. It is very hard to describe Hansson’s music, for nothing has been created that sounds like it. Some have come close in recent years, but they will be touched upon later. One contemporary album that comes to mind as something remotely similar is Takes Inspired by the Snow Goose by Camel. I find it to be distinctly possible that this album was heavily influenced by Hansson’s music, and perhaps if I get a chance to ask Mr. Latimer he may tell me. Regardless, the music shares similar qualities, and it also has the idea of being an instrumental rock concept album, perhaps one of the only ones in history at the time besides for Hansson’s. Let Snow Goose be a frame of reference for those of you who haven’t listened to Hansson’s material.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Lord of the Rings – 1972</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Sagen Om Ringen - 1970)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i8tim0IDI/AAAAAAAAAuA/lUxNq5k4aqY/s1600/The+Lord+of+the+Rings.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469829238011207730" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i8tim0IDI/AAAAAAAAAuA/lUxNq5k4aqY/s320/The+Lord+of+the+Rings.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 196px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This album is generally regarded as the best by fans, but I find it difficult to pick a clear favorite. One could say that it’s a bit different from the others. It’s much, shall we say, “dreamier”. I said before that Hansson was known for his instrumental concept albums. Well, this is his first one. An interesting one to start with, but considering his connection to Swedish folk music, I think it was fitting. Anyway, the music is infinitely more interesting than Led Zeppelin’s… </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Magician’s Hat – 1973</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Mellanvasen - 1972)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i9IhMu0tI/AAAAAAAAAuI/WFZwUE6UiPQ/s1600/Magician%27s+Hat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469829701489840850" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i9IhMu0tI/AAAAAAAAAuI/WFZwUE6UiPQ/s320/Magician%27s+Hat.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike the last, this one is not an instrumental concept album. It does have a bunch of LoTR-related songs that could be considered outtakes from the first album if anyone had any reason to think Hansson thought they were bad enough to exclude them from any album. In general, this album is more energetic than the one that came before, but the next two are along the same lines, so this isn’t surprising. Highlights on this album are the epic “Big City”, which is over 1/5 of the album, and the excellent track “The Sun (Parallel or 90 Degrees)”, which is, by the way, what Andy Tillison named his other band after (as he mentioned in his interview on this site and the band’s forum, after I asked). As Andy also said in the interview, he took that very song and covered it (with lyrics) for use on the Po90D album "The Time Capsule". As it happens I'm listening to this very song right now, and let me just say it is quite good. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Attic Thoughts – 1975</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Ur Trollkarlens Hatt - 1975)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i9RcYZwQI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/5PtbGhgci88/s1600/Attic+Thoughts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469829854815437058" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i9RcYZwQI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/5PtbGhgci88/s320/Attic+Thoughts.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Attic Thoughts is a departure only in that it no longer includes music inspired by The Lord of the Rings. However, Hansson seems to have decided to pick a new inspiration in the form of Watership Down. This would be fully realized in the next album, as only a few songs on Attic Thoughts seem to anticipate it. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Music Inspired by Watership Down – 1977</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(El’Ahrairah)</div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i93zDlqMI/AAAAAAAAAug/fVjz11e6f1o/s1600/Watership+Down.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469830513737181378" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i93zDlqMI/AAAAAAAAAug/fVjz11e6f1o/s320/Watership+Down.jpg" style="display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">As I said before, this album is his second instrumental concept work. In this case, almost half of the album is taken up by the sixteen minute epic “Born of the Gentle South”, which contains both energetic and mellow moments. This epic is the most energetic piece on the album, and the rest drifts more to the atmospheric side. Not to say it’s any worse than the other albums, though.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hansson & Karlsson</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i-Zc9gxgI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Yge593VboSI/s1600/Hansson+%26+Karlsson.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469831091921667586" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i-Zc9gxgI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Yge593VboSI/s320/Hansson+%26+Karlsson.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 171px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 252px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Hansson’s work with drummer Janne Karlson showcased the keyboardist’s skills a bit more than his solo albums did, which almost seems paradoxical when you consider the fact that this duet was simply drums and keyboards, with nothing else. It would be this duet that in later years would see more overt imitation, though it is likely his solo albums were more influential. Hansson & Karlsson’s style was quite jazzy; they were basically playing as an organ trio without the bass. The two of them decided to be more experimental at times, however, which was apparently seen mostly in their live performances. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Monument – 1967</b></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i-vcz_WhI/AAAAAAAAAuw/mMXN4S1qzw0/s1600/Monument.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469831469838850578" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i-vcz_WhI/AAAAAAAAAuw/mMXN4S1qzw0/s320/Monument.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The album begins with the adventurously named “Richard Lionheart”, which is a fun name for an energetic jazz song. The rest of the album is along these same lines. It’s great for anyone who enjoys jazz or anyone who enjoys the Hammond organ. Oh, would you look at that, I love both! Actually, he doesn’t use a Hammond for all of this album, but it’s there enough that I can sink into bliss. Karlsson’s great too, and that’s saying something coming from me, because I normally don’t even notice drumming. The two of them display a great deal of energy and clearly must have enjoyed working together. Some of the breezy piano style Hansson would later employ shows up on this album, but the forefront is the jazz.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rex – 1968</b></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i--_khiII/AAAAAAAAAu4/BTnk2KDFcVU/s1600/Rex.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469831736867260546" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i--_khiII/AAAAAAAAAu4/BTnk2KDFcVU/s320/Rex.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 317px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Rex is a great deal different from Monument or even the next album, Man at the Moon. It’s clearly much more experimental and out of control. There are fewer short jazzy tracks on this record, and instead there are incredibly long, extended jams. I’m all for jazz improvisation, but I greatly prefer the other two. </div><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Man at the Moon - 1969</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i_jRro0EI/AAAAAAAAAvA/P0C3gk3tPJk/s1600/Man+at+the+Moon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469832360204226626" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-i_jRro0EI/AAAAAAAAAvA/P0C3gk3tPJk/s320/Man+at+the+Moon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">From the track names, one would think that this album is Hansson’s first instrumental concept. However, it’s very difficult to tell if that’s true, so I’ll just leave that point aside. Except for an annoying recitation of the story of Genesis in the middle of the album, this album is of a similar style as the first. Excellent keyboard/drum improv jaz. That track can be ignored or skipped, as far as I’m concerned, for the rest is quite good. </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modern Work Inspired by the Master</span></div><br />
Despite the fact that he only released a handful of albums over his strangely long career (only one of which was not mentioned, but it never should be), Hansson has been an incredibly influential force in Prog music. Now that I’ve finished doing a brief overview of his albums, I’m going to do a rundown of six (well, five) artists who have been directly inspired by him. Anyone who hasn’t listened to all of these definitely should. In fact, it is my hope to influence you, dear reader, to listen to the music that I am about to describe. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rikard Sjoblom – Cyklonmannen - 2003</b></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jFRaDndnI/AAAAAAAAAvI/kJkJPXWuO5E/s1600/Cyklonmannen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469838650284406386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jFRaDndnI/AAAAAAAAAvI/kJkJPXWuO5E/s320/Cyklonmannen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Some (I hope many) will recognize Rikard as the organist/singer/songwriter/composer of Beardfish, a band much beloved by this blog. As it turns out, he released a solo album a few years back, around the same time Beardfish was starting out. This album, Cyklonmannen, was based on a book that I’ve never heard of. Perhaps it’s famous in Sweden? Anyway, some might recognize the structure already. Yes, this is an instrumental concept album in the same vein of Hansson’s The Lord of the Rings and Music Inspired by Watership Down! The music is similar too, though Rikard adds his own touches. This is no mere copy, though the music is clearly inspired by Hansson. One might think a side project of an already obscure band might be hard to purchase, but it can be easily bought from InsideOut Music’s online record shop. I’d bet there are a few more places it can be found, as well. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pär Lindh & Björn Johansson – Bilbo – 1996</b> </div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jObr7XjjI/AAAAAAAAAv4/Xchv3Nvv8dg/s1600/PLBJ-Bil.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469848722484989490" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jObr7XjjI/AAAAAAAAAv4/Xchv3Nvv8dg/s320/PLBJ-Bil.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 305px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Par Lindh is one of the lesser-known founders of Sweden’s own “third wave of prog”. Most people have (rightly) heard of Anglagard and (perhaps less-so rightly, in my opinion…) heard of Anekdoten, and surely the majority of those in prog today have heard of The Flower Kings, but Par Lindh remains a enigma. I myself haven’t listened to his albums as much as I probably should, which is a shame, because this album in particular shines out as a symphonic masterpiece made in Hansson’s image. It’s even about a similar subject. Perhaps it was intended to be a prologue of Hansson’s Lord of the Rings? Also good is Lindh’s & Bjorn Johansson’s “Dreamsongs from Middle Earth”. These shouldn’t be too difficult to find for purchase. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bootcut (two albums) 2005, 2006</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jN3AC-nCI/AAAAAAAAAvY/_OQSMxypIAY/s1600/Bootcut.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469848092230458402" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jN3AC-nCI/AAAAAAAAAvY/_OQSMxypIAY/s320/Bootcut.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I must go back to Mr. Rikard Sjoblom for a moment to discuss another one of his projects (his second of four, including Beardfish, actually). This band of his was actually designed around the idea of using just a hammond organ and drums to make music. Sound familiar? Clear influence from Hansson persists in these albums, which are nothing but joyfully jazzy Hammond jamming. These albums are an absolute must for anyone remotely interested in Hansson & Karlsson, or anyone interested in organ-driven jazz, for that matter. While these albums (titled Hammond Vs. Drums and De Fluff, respectively) are probably just as difficult to find as Cyklonmannen, it is still possible. De Fluff is purchasable from InsideOut Music’s shop, and I’m sure you can find Hammond Vs. Drums somewhere. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sagor & Swing (four albums, disbanded) 1999-2004</b></div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jOB1yy4-I/AAAAAAAAAvg/Yh21LZ1JIGY/s1600/Sagor+%26+Swing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469848278456787938" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jOB1yy4-I/AAAAAAAAAvg/Yh21LZ1JIGY/s320/Sagor+%26+Swing.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Rikard wasn’t actually the first person to emulate Hansson & Karlsson’s duet, Eric Malberg and Ulf Moller thought of it first! Actually, I doubt even Hansson & Karlsson invented the idea, so it doesn’t really matter. Sagor & Swing’s music is actually something of a cross between Hansson & Karlsson and Hansson’s solo albums. It has the improvised feel of the jazzy jam duet, but the dreamy, symphonic feel of the solo albums. I highly recommend all four, in due haste! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tomas Bodin – Swedish Family – Vintage Prog – 2004</b></div><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jOVgBIDBI/AAAAAAAAAvw/b2GZr00toio/s1600/Swedish+Family.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469848616208698386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jOVgBIDBI/AAAAAAAAAvw/b2GZr00toio/s320/Swedish+Family.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike the two albums previously mentioned, this album was influenced specifically by Hansson. However, it contains a lot of his influence, as well as many subtle nods to him. For example, Bodin renamed himself “Bo Dean” in order to pretend the album was actually a compilation album by an ancient, previously unknown band. This seems to be both a nod to Hansson, and an excuse to give Tomas a nickname that was also a homonym of his surname. Hansson and Flower King’s fans should both rejoice at this release, which is one of the finest in Bodin’s solo career. As this is a Flower King’s side project, the album should be relatively easy to find. </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Klotet (two albums) – 2008, 2010</b></div><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jOHzK3uuI/AAAAAAAAAvo/kY_Oo9pp7UY/s1600/Klotet+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469848380831677154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nronjueB61I/S-jOHzK3uuI/AAAAAAAAAvo/kY_Oo9pp7UY/s320/Klotet+1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I list this band last not because they’re least, but because I organize things in strange ways and I decided to put Bodin and Klotet at the end because they are, in my eyes, not inspired solely like Hansson (as the others are). Klotet is actually one of my favorite new discoveries. Their myspace describes their music as “punk prog”, but that seems more whimsical than accurate to me, as the “punk” tag belies the music’s complexity. If I were to describe it in layman’s terms I would simply call it “Bo Hansson on crack”, or perhaps “an instrumental Beardfish with more emphasis on guitar”. Either one would be an oversimplification though, and, like I said, there’s more to the music than just Bo Hansson. This music is guitar and organ-driven hard, jazzy rock. It is absolutely lovely to my ears. Catchy and accessible, yet complex and experimental. Oh, who am I kidding, I just love the organ… But the guitar is excellent too, and everything else! These guys might be the most obscure band of all, but with a little searching always yields results. Personally I got my copies on Amazon, which has a few more left. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What Comes Next?</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I think the best tribute to Hansson would be follow the musicians that carry on his legacy. Now that I mention it, what is that legacy, exactly…? For the sake of this article, let’s just assume his legacy is the wonderful Hammond organ. So, clearly we must listen to artists that make heavy use of the Hammond organ to carry on his musical tradition. I suggest following up-and-coming bands like Beardfish and Klotet. As for other bands, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email if you come up with another band I would like that makes music in this style. Peace!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166486120885532276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-42265680567735177522010-05-09T18:58:00.000-05:002010-05-13T09:43:20.243-05:00Nad Sylvan, an agent of mercy<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Prog Sphere spoke recently with singer Nad Sylvan, these days in Agents of Mercy. Read what he had to say exclusively for the readers of Prog Sphere.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Hello, Nad. How's life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: Hi Nick, life is great. Very busy right now with my house and garden, before my dad and brother arrives (from the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> where they reside). Also tracking vocals for the new Agents of Mercy album.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I would like to thank you for this interview, we both know you're quite busy these days. We hear the new Agents of Mercy is on the way, after all. would you like to tell us anything about it? What can we expect? Are there any guest musicians on the new record? We'll take any details you're willing to give us!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-So6M7Ft1I/AAAAAAAAAFc/ZQkx0T0xNL4/s1600/nads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-So6M7Ft1I/AAAAAAAAAFc/ZQkx0T0xNL4/s200/nads.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: Oh the new AoM album is quite intriguing! As always, it’s a pleasure to sing Roine’s songs. They are all so powerful and I feel as if they were especially written for my voice! And that is awesome. This time I have also co-written two songs with him and there are three songs written solely by myself, the rest are his. We recorded it in just one week in a very quaint retro studio in southern <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region>, just outside Malmö (were I actually was brought up) - Varispeed studios, so in contrast to "The Fading Ghosts of Twilight" - it isn’t recorded piecemeal. It has got a wholeness over it thanks to that – and you can feel it’s recorded live (with no click!). Very energetic. We have a new and young (25) very good drummer - Michael Wahlgren, who we got through recommendations from Lalle Larsson. He played on Lalle’s "Weaveworld" album. Other than that, it is me, Roine, Jonas and Lalle who plays/sings on the album. I also got to say, these new songs has more edge, more rocking and more attitude. You can actually hear that this is a band, not a project anymore!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Let's go a little bit into the past. What were the reasons for shutting Unifaun down? Did you only found it to create that oneshot album? I bet a lot of people hoped for more material from the band, especially the fans of Genesis since Unifaun was sort of an homage to it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-SpEe6NZJI/AAAAAAAAAFk/gX_7kf_JziU/s1600/unifaun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-SpEe6NZJI/AAAAAAAAAFk/gX_7kf_JziU/s200/unifaun.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: This is a tough question - and I have expected it to surface sooner or later. Let’s just say that it was a very timeconsuming project which took WAY too long to finish off. It started as a joke and grew into something very serious. I don’t think we understood at the time what we had gotten ourselves into! But the album did very well and I am very proud of it. Thanks to Unifaun, I am now with Roine. And since AoM took off like it did - I saw no real reason to do a second album with Bonamici. The problem is basically that he is working on different terms. As I see it, he did not have the same aspirations as I and hence he did not put so much effort into the project, things he was supposed to do were never finished - so I was very frustrated and eventually I felt we were better off apart. We haven’t spoken in a year, a sad thing - but I hope he is happy. So when Roine came along, everything just clicked - and finally I was working with people I could really relate to. That’s pretty much it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What artists, especially singers have been influenced you? I think I can recognize Peter Gabriel in your vocals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: Peter Gabriel is just one of them, and I suppose his influence is more of a subconscious thing. I just happen to have a timbre in my voice that is quite similar to his. It’s all natural, nothing I put on. Though I admit this was a beneficial thing when I did the Unifaun album! :) Other singers are obviously Phil Collins, but also Rufus Wainwright, Stevie Wonder, Gino Vannelli and Glenn Hughes to mention a few.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Would you mind telling us how you got in touch with Roine Stolt to found Agents of Mercy? Seems like AoM is going to become a full-time band now. Also, what's Roine like to work with?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: It was actually Roine who got in touch with me two years ago. I had known of him since the mid 70’s, so I was very glad to hear from him. He had heard and read about Unifaun, looked us up and just digged my voice. Yes, AoM is slowly turning in to a full-fledged entity. We obviously hit it off with each other big time with the European and US tour last year (The Power of Two). We are all very good friends, the aspiration level is over all very high and so recording the new album with the same line up was just a natural progression. We enjoy each others company immensely! How Roine is to work with? Very meticulous, self critical and extremely gifted. He is kind hearted, almost too kind sometimes and just a dreamboat of a chap! He gives me very much "free hands" to experiment and develop his and my own ideas. He is a true artist in every sense, bless him. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What was it like to share the stage with Karmakanic? People do not have so many chances to see such a highly-skilled group of musicians in the same time on one stage. One of the products of that tour was a live album, and I must say that you guys did amazing job. Could we expect some more "joint-ventures" like this in the future?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-SpUPhmcpI/AAAAAAAAAFs/fwAUKwMoP8g/s1600/ThePowerOfTwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-SpUPhmcpI/AAAAAAAAAFs/fwAUKwMoP8g/s200/ThePowerOfTwo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: I cannot see why not. I don’t see any other bands doing a dual show like we do, and I enjoy being the front man just as well as a side man. It’s all for the music you know. Karmakanic have a couple of albums under the belt whereas AoM only have one, so backing each other up was a cool thing to do I think. It didn’t really feel like it was all of a sudden Karmakanic, it was still US you know, up there on the stage performing songs we all enjoy. Besides, Jonas is currently in the writing process for a new Karmakanic album. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Speaking of Agents of Mercy so far, it's possibly one of the few bands whose influences are wide enough to have Genesis on top of Beatlesesqe arrangements with Floyd's depth, while still managing to be very progressive." If I were to ask you to describe the music of AoM in one word, how did you do it? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: Magic. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: You've lent your voice recently to an album by the Swedish art rock/pop band Fred. Tell us a bit more about it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: I was approached by a very friendly guy, Peter Lazar who just wanted my voice for this song he had written. If I like the rest of the material I could imagine recording it (enough for an album), but if not - I have told him so - I am out. :) I liked the song a lot, but AoM comes first as he knows. I like to sing other genres than prog and so I thought a little pop couldn’t hurt anyone! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: In some of the reviews of "Power of Two" album, I have seen you described as "eccentric". Do you consider yourself eccentric and what does that mean to you?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-Spys5TO5I/AAAAAAAAAF0/SwNwvLg_Ggs/s1600/nadsylvian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S-Spys5TO5I/AAAAAAAAAF0/SwNwvLg_Ggs/s200/nadsylvian.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: I suppose I do stand out a little, a tall slim long haired androgynous character looking like something out a 17th century novel! I suppose there is a little more drama over my presence than that of the "regular" progger on stage. I hope it is a good thing. Obviously Roine likes it, who now is letting his hair grow long again! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jorge: Speaking of "eccentric" and "The Power of Two", who chose the Nixon/Mao cover art and what does it symbolize? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: It is Roine’s drawing and I think it is supposed to depict the powers of two big nations.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: What sort of music have you been listening to recently? Have you discovered a band or album that has been so good it just freezes you in your tracks? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: All I can say is - Rufus Wainwright. All is great, all is wonderful. Goosbumps don’t even begin to cover it! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Is the music your life profession, something that brings you money, or you're under pressure to get up early every day and spend several hours somewhere where you probably don't like to be?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: I am a very privileged guy who can execute my music at work. And I sleep in every morning. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jorge: If you could work with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and why?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: Steve Hackett. I don’t think his drummer is doing justice to the Genesis classics when singing them. I believe I could challenge him! I would also like to work with Nick Beggs, his bass player. That guy is an amazing talent, besides he looks so cool and almost steals the show!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Do you have any plans for the future? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: No immediate plans. But we are taking AoM on the road again this autumn, and for the first time in my life - I wish that summer was already over! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I think we're done here. If there's something that you would like to say, now's a good time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: Yes, I would like to say this: What ever your dreams are, don’t you ever give up on them. Life is here and now, tomorrow you may be gone. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thanks for the interview, Nad. I hope I get the chance to see you live in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Serbia</st1:place></st1:country-region> at some point! All the best. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nad: Thank you!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Photos by Heidi Sverin</span></i></span><br />
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</div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-24837564267080379022010-05-07T16:54:00.001-05:002010-05-07T23:24:39.807-05:00Prog Sphere's interview with Andy Tillison, with addition of special guest Jonathan Barrett - part 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The Second part of our interview with Andy Tillison includes a special surprise in the form of The Tangent's bassist bassist, Jonathan Barrett. Read what they have to say about the Canterbury Scene, Parallel or 90 Degrees' upcoming album, Bo Hansson, Jaco Pastorius, dogs and many other interesting things.</span></i><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">You’re big fan of the “<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:place></st1:city> Scene“ and much of your music is built on its tradition. It’s interesting you’ve mentioned Caravan and Hatfield (and the North) in Cantermemorabilia. How do you see the scene today? Do you see the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place> Scene as something of a cult phenomenon?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs231.snc1/7826_192289315518_731940518_4426247_6885343_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs231.snc1/7826_192289315518_731940518_4426247_6885343_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b><span>I</span>t's a musical movement I always loved and felt an affinity for. Like VDGG, I got into these bands when I was very young, and they have always brought me pleasure. For thirty years and more. I think that obviously that scene is over. There are no statues of the <st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city> bands in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place>!! it's a shame that the Americans put their Jazz Rock musicians like Pastorius and Chick Corea on pedestals and give them Grammies, but here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>, our jazz rock scene is rather forgotten.<b> </b>Dave Stewart (National Health, Hatfield and the North etc) is easily up there with Corea, but his records are known to very few people. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: <span><span> </span></span>Interesting that you mention Corea, since I'm listening to Return to Forever right now.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: <b><span> </span></b>I loved the humor and whimsy of these bands, and I wanted to use some of their ideas and sounds in the Tangent from the beginning. After all, an awful lot of prog bands use Yes, genesis and Pink Floyd influences. We just looked a little deeper. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hi Jonathan. We weren’t prepared for a second member of The Tangent to join this interview, but we consider it a huge bonus! Now, I’m sure a lot of the “audience” would like to know more about you, so would you mind starting by telling us about yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs231.snc1/7826_192289295518_731940518_4426245_7631445_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs231.snc1/7826_192289295518_731940518_4426245_7631445_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon: </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hi Nikola, Dan, nice to meet you. I'm the new bass player with the Tangent, but of course I have worked with Andy T. many times before in the Po90 band and even before that in "A new Opera" and "GFDD". I've been playing bass all my adult life ( a long time :-)), and I have made it my business to play as much original music as is possible as opposed to cover versions etc. I've played for bands like Magna Carta, a British Folk/Prog band who have been around since the 60s, and was with them for 10 years or more, working with the drummer Paul Burgess who played on The Tangent's last album. I mainly concentrate on Fretless Bass which is where I am happiest, but sometimes Andy insists that I play a fretted, but I usually pretend to break a string! :-) I've always liked prog rock, but it's not everything to me, my influences are varied from John<span> </span>Martyn, Yes, Nick Drake, XTC.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: Y</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">ou actually answered one of the later questions, hehe. Ok, back to Andy!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Right! Ok I'm here!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Speaking of <st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city> (if you consider Camel a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place> band, as some do), I don’t know if you already heard, but Andrew Latimer has collaborated with David Minian on the latter’s upcoming album. I already heard some excerpts, there’s a really nice Camel-ish guitar solo that Andrew played and I have to admit that I have missed stuff like that. How do you feel about Camel? What’s your favorite album of theirs? How do you feel about Peter Bardens as a keyboardist?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Well, I first saw Camel in 1977 on the Rain Dances tour. I always liked them. I must confess to having veered away from them in the 80s, but I was happy to find them again on the Rajaz album and see them play again before they finished. It's also interesting that our guitarist Luke Machin is very impressed with Latimer, and he plays "Chord Change" from the Moonmadness album in one of his other bands. Bardens was a great player, a good composer and someone who I’ve always enjoyed. My favourite Camel albums are the first 5, I guess, with Moonmadness probably taking the crown. I think that the beginning of our song "Where are they now" owes a nod to Camel! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon – Would you like to tell us something about your influences and the sort of music you like to listen to? As you can see, we know a good deal about Andy’s listening habits based on past interviews we’ve read and things he’s said on the forum, but we know very little about yours. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon: <b><span> </span></b>OK. Well we've obviously touched on that earlier. I didn't mention Be Bop Deluxe (a passion I share with Andy), FOCUS, Pierre Van der Linden is one of my favorite drummers, James Taylor and Alison Krauss, Leonard Cohen, all sorts. Colin Moulding from XTC is one of the world's most under rated bass players, that's another thing that Andy and I share and we often listen to XTC after rehearsals.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: O</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">k, this next one is for both of you. The one after that is too, actually. You had first gig in almost two years, in New Mills if I am correct. How was the reaction of the audience, what was it like to play live after two years?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<span> </span>Andy here now. It was a great gig for us, just a small venue near where we live to test the band out before we play the Progeny festival in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>. The reaction to the new band was very positive and the 42 years age difference between the oldest and youngest members just melted away. We had a lot of comments about Luke of course, he's going to be a bit of a new star, a guitarist so young who can play this well is going to turn a few heads. But we enjoy playing with him, and for now it's nice to let him enjoy his moment!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick<span>: </span>You’re going to play at the Progeny festival on May 9th, together with Pure Reason Revolution and Pallas among others. Are there any bigger plans for touring <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs326.snc3/28907_427716820518_731940518_5943128_4164704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs326.snc3/28907_427716820518_731940518_5943128_4164704_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Yes. We do intend to get back into <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> again, after all that's where most of our fanbase actually is. Times are difficult for bands at the moment, there are way, way too many prog bands now, back in 2004 when we first played live there wasn't that much competition, but know everyone over the age of 45 has a prog band and plays bass in another, and most of them are so keen to do a gig that they will play for free and pay to get to the gigs. That makes it harder for bands like Tangent and maybe even the Flower Kings to get about these days. But we will try.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick:<span> </span>I know that you’re fan of Bo Hansson’s work, you even named Parallel or 90 Degrees after Bosse’s song. Are you aware that he passed away several days ago? How do you feel about that? Is there a chance that you and Rikard (another Bosse fan) will collaborate on a tribute album of sorts? Just wishful thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: Well, Bo Hansson is another childhood fave. I think I was 12 or 13 years old when I first heard "Lord of the Rings". After that i fell in love with the "Magican's Hat" album, and that's of course where I got the name for PO90. Po90 already did cover one of these songs on the Time Capsule album, where we added lyrics to the track we took the name from. I would love to work with Rikard on something like this. OK,. last question Jon answered was the one about his musical influences. We don't mind, he told me to answer the last few. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: T</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">hat's ok, got one for him again. Jon, despite how Nick and I try to avoid focusing on Jonas and Roine, etc, we can't help but think it must be a bit daunting for you to take the place of one of the foremost prog bassists in the world right now. How does it feel, exactly?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon:</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">He's obviously a wonderful musician, but I'm not really taking his place, it's my place now and I hope people will enjoy what I do. It must be the same type of feeling that Larry Klein felt when he replaced Pastorius in the Joni Mitchell band, but I am not shagging the singer yet (I'm not that desperate) :-)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span>Andy:<b> </b>From my perspective, Jonathan has brought something very characterful to the band. As you know the new album has become my personal favorite and Jonathan’s involvement has to have something to do with it! The track "Paroxetine" is only like it is because of the musicians who played on it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>Another one for Jon, inspired by the mention of Mr. Pastorius. Jaco Pastorius or Stanley Clarke? Naturally it’s very difficult to compare the skills of two different bassists, but I personally prefer the work done by Clarke with Corea in Return to Forever.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon:<span> </span>The more lyrical aspects of Pastorius. Hands down!! Look at "A Remark You Made" from "Heavy Weather" or "Refuge of the Roads" from Hejira. Wonderful stuff. Clarke spends too much time at the dusty end for my personal taste - obviously a great musician. Just personal preference.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Andy -<span> </span>You mentioned on your forum that Parallel or 90 Degrees has a new album coming up. How is this coming along? What do think we can hope to expect from it? Additionally, how did you feel about Jitters? It was a great deal different from other material Parallel or 90 Degrees has released over the years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v652/160/44/731940518/n731940518_2662799_4732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v652/160/44/731940518/n731940518_2662799_4732.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>Po90 is writing again, sure. We don't know when we will have a new album, but hopefully it won't be too long. I was very pleased with "Jitters" for sure; obviously with the Tangent and Po90 existing side by side, I didn't want to make those bands sound at all the same. There does seem to be a temptation to have side projects that don't sound entirely different from one another. I mean how different REALLY was Spock's Beard from Transatlantic back in 2002? How different is Blackfield REALLY from Porcupine Tree. To me, if you're going to have different bands, let them be different. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>That was one of my main problems with them both, haha. All four, that is.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>I think that the Tangent majors on the prog stuff, and Po90 has become a modern rock band, and that's two different avenues for me to pursue. Keeps me awake!! <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Now for Jon. How about you, are you working on anything on the side at the moment?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon: </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Yes! I'm still working with Linda Simpson from the old Magna Carta band, and I'm a writer myself and I have a band which performs that material. It's under formation at the moment, and it will probably be a very closely related lineup to the Tangent that plays it with the addition of a violinist/mandolin player. It's not a prog band at all, more Nick Drake/John Martyn like with the occasional outburst of musical violence!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy, you took participation on The Haiki Projekt compilation, appearing with the brand new song “The Spirit of the Net“. Who initiated this “projekt“, and what was it like working on it? As an aside, who was it that popularized the mispelling of “projekt” Was it King Crimson?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwUi4ek31FY/S-SJYzGMGhI/AAAAAAAAABA/wI4sQJzbHYQ/s1600/haiti_projekt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwUi4ek31FY/S-SJYzGMGhI/AAAAAAAAABA/wI4sQJzbHYQ/s200/haiti_projekt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>I HATE HATE HATE spellings like that, but people do seem to like them for some mystifying reason. I have NO idea why! I was invited to do the track via my management in Amerika and was obviously keen to be involved. I think it was Chick Corea's Elecktrick band where I first met that one, a technique that has been plagiarized by many, including some close to home! <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Ah yes, I forgot about the Elektric band.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Yup...<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>Jon, how would you describe your playing style and how would you say it fits with whatever The Tangent’s style is? Also, what do you bring to the band creatively? How would you say you participated in the process to write/record Down and Out? On that note, how would you describe The Tangent’s “style“? The nebulous “Eclectic Prog” tag ProgArchives gives it doesn’t seem to do the band justice. Speaking of things people hate, genre tags! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>OK Jon is just running downstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>No problem.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon:<b> </b>My playing style is hopeful! I'm a fairly traditional bass player, in that I do like to just "put the floor down", but I also like to add certain texture and melody via the fretless bass. I find that one nicely singing note can do the job of twenty four super fast ones. On the album the basic songs were presented to me and I pretty much played what I thought would sound good with them. Andy had a few "certain ideas" which I executed as he wished, but for the most part it was a fairly free experience. I think the phrase "Progressive Rock" is a limiting tag of course, and feel sad that the necessity to label music that takes you on a journey still exists and still has the negative connotations which were popularized during the punk era. As for "eclectic" it's probably true but does the phrase "eclectic prog" mean anything more? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Personally I like to name things, call me a labeler, but not for any particular reason. Ok, the next series of questions are for Andy, we've run out of Jon questions, sorry to say.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon:<b> </b>OK, bugger off then!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<span> </span>This is Andy back to be mega egotistical.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>I don't think you have it in you to be egotistical.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick:<span> </span>Together with Guy (and Jon, as we found out before), you had a band called Gold Frankincense & Disk Drive. Would you mind telling us something more about this? Any fun stories to tell? I hear Hugh Banton was also a member, what’s he like?</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>GFDD was a bizarre band with lots of lineups and lots of changes of style (sound familiar?)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Running theme.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Not surprising.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Jona, myslef and guy Hatton (Not Guy Manning) started that one up and to start with we played anarchist influenced music with some proggy moments here and there. The band went through loads of changes and was sometimes an out and out punk rock band. By the time we played our last gig we'd become a kind of prog rock band, and yes, Hugh Banton had played with us at an evening of VDGG compositions. That was back in 1991. Guy Manning was in the band at the end, and of course we started up Po90 a year later, once again with Jon on bass. Hugh Banton is a great bloke. I went to the same school as him (think I said already). He's always been an influence on me. I've studied his playing for years. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Right now I’m listening to Ethanol Hat Nail, which is probably one of the most complex songs you have ever written. Can we expect <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place> Sequence Vol. 3 at some point in the future? Also, how did you come up with the name “Ethanol Hat Nail” if I may ask? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>I don't know about a CS3 at the moment. It was undoubtedly the most complicated piece, but it was reaaaally good fun to do. Unless you were the drummer. I am very pleased with it because despite all the complexity and musical fireworks, it still has a tune you can sing from time to time. It also has a sense of humour. For that reason I had to equate it with the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place> bands. They had tunes too, and that's such a good way into more involved music!<br />Oh!<span> </span>ETHANOL HAT NAIL.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">That wonderfully surreal name.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>NETANTHL EARTH AIL. NATIONAL HEALTH!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Haha!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Geddit?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">:-)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I should have expected that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br />Nick: I'd never get it, honestly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Well they did that. Funnily enough I asked Richard Sinclair if he realized that you could make the words "National health" anagrammatically from the words "HATFIELD AND THE NORTH" and he said they'd never realized that. I don't believe him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>To quote Batman: “I don't believe in coincidence.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>You just made me think of something. With the comment about humor being integral to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city></st1:place>, it seems to me that whenever a modern prog band includes humor with the music (such as Beardfish) the band is immediately equated with Zappa, even if the music might not remotely resemble Zappa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I am not a Zappa fan at all. But that's not without lots of respect for the man.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: <b><span> </span></b>I find his humour to be a bit too lewd and lavatory minded for me, and it just never moves me in the way it is supposed to. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon: A genius but stupid and the joke wore thin on me too. A fantastic guitar player. My favorite album is "Shut Up And Play your Guitar" advice, I wish he'd taken more often!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>I feel the exact same way, my favorite Zappa album is Hot Rats because it's mostly instrumental. In fact, that the only Zappa album I enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Hot rats. That makes sense. Yeah, we seem in accord here! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jon:<span> </span>I have written a nice song called "Hold still while I give it you in the ASS"<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Shut up and play your bass, Jon! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: At least, Zappa was the one who said: "To me, absurdity is the only reality." I would praise him for that, haha.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>I have no problem with that maxim, but I prefer Monty Python's realization of it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Yeah. Well that may have been derived from Oscar Wilde, but we'll let Zappa have it. For me Zappa's most endearing and TRUE quote is "Rock & Roll is not about guitars, it is about drums". No truer word...<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>We're with you on the Python, we are British after all!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Sometimes I wish I were British, though, we have Twain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Speaking of Zappa, I guess he was the entertainer, after all. <span> </span>Could you have imagined that you would get this far with Tangent and Po90? What happens next? Any new projects besides Po90 and The Tangent?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs492.snc3/26874_423232845518_731940518_5831189_876861_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs492.snc3/26874_423232845518_731940518_5831189_876861_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Well, I will be taking part in Jonathan's new project for sure, looking forward to that. As for "coming this far", it's all a question of relative perspective (sounds like a Rush song). We have made a decent impression on a lot of progressive music fans to be sure, and of course it's weird, because although it's a lot of people who like us, they are all over the world and they don't meet us in the supermarket. We only really get feedback from people such as yourselves and from people on forums or at gigs. So we are not big stars or anything remotely like that, we have perfectly normal lives (although my fiancée is laughing) and we are happy that there are people out there who like us. As I mentioned before, this market place is becoming very crowded by lots of new bands. And of course we have to keep up. It's quite difficult to do that. The Tangent has big plans for the next album, we are not saying what yet because if we do, someone will steal the idea because there are lots of people looking for ideas. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: So, Beardfish is going to release a new album later this year, and The Tangent is active again live, so maybe we could see you share the stages around <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> together with them! Maybe you two could come to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Serbia</st1:country-region></st1:place>!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>We'd like to bring the whole thing there of course. It’s always the money that prevents these things from happening. If we could be sure there were enough people in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Serbia</st1:country-region></st1:place> who'd come and see the band and pay for our costs, we'd be there tomorrow. But as I'm sure you are aware there are so many distractions from music. TV, jobs, games and it's really hard to motivate a lot of people at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Eh, it's the sad truth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b><span>B</span>eardfish and us get along fine, even though they have only met me. I know that Jonathan, Luke and Michael would love those guys. Here's hopin’.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>Are you sick of talking about Beardfish yet? Because the next question is about them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: Go right ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>As two big Beardfish fans, we’d love it if you could tell us which album is your favorite. Personally, we both think each one improves upon the one that came before it, so that currently Destined Solitaire is our favorite, but it will likely be supplanted by the one to be released this autumn. Do you agree? Or see the situation completely differently?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: I have heard Destined Solitaire and thought it was great. However I don't know it as well as I will yet. For me it's the Sleeping In Traffic series that I know and love the best, and of course I was on tour with them at the time they released part 2, so I got to know those pieces very well. Beardfish are one of just a few modern prog bands that I listen to for pure pleasure, along with Taal, Porcupine Tree and a handful of others. Love the Bootcut stuff as well.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: We're nearing the end! But a few more.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>My goodness!! <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I don't wanna end.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>We weren't expecting to get through them all, we could come up with more, if you like, haha.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<span>: </span>Jonathan wants to know have you heard the rhythm section on the track "Not that Kind of Girl" by Anastacia?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>I haven't, dunno about Nick.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Me neither.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>Now I do. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>OK. Well it's recommended. By Jonathan Barrett.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Seems like we missed a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: Next question!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>A lot of modern prog musicians don’t work with music as a full time job, likely because working in this “genre” so to speak, doesn’t pay as highly as it did in the early 70’s. I am aware that Guy works in IT, and Hasse Froberg of The Flower Kings works as a flight attendant (or at least he did when I read as much in an interview a few years ago…), do you have a full-time job that occupies much of your time, or is music your full time job?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v360/71/99/765574147/n765574147_1374691_4572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v360/71/99/765574147/n765574147_1374691_4572.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>All members of the Tangent are in music full time. That does not mean that we just do the Tangent, we have other projects, some of which are more "money earning" style of work. However we are committed to what we do and have made important life choices in order to pursue this, which will probably mean we are never going to be wealthy, but we will be more fulfilled than many richer people. That's simply a trade we make. We could all play music that made us rich, and if that's what we had wanted, we'd have done that instead. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>I think we're basically done here. Is there anything you guys want to add? Perhaps something about dogs? Or music, I suppose. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Umm... Jonathan had a cat once apparently. He likes Terrier dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: I like cats, but dogs are superior.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I dislike cats, just for the record.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>Roobarb is a sort of collie dog (australian red). <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>My old dog (died of cancer last year) was a Norwegian Elkhound.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<span>: </span>Excellent opinions vis vi dogs versus cats.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>I do my best.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>We were with a Northern Inuit at our gig the other day. Similar type of thing?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>Slightly. Let me find a picture. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Yellow eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.greatdogsite.com/admin/uploaded_files/1191386754norwegian_elkhound.jpg"><span lang="DE" style="color: windowtext;">http://www.greatdogsite.com/admin/uploaded_files/1191386754norwegian_elkhound.jpg</span></a></span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">She looked something like this, but her tail wasn't curly. The thing is, we weren't aware she was a purebred Norwegian Elkhound until after she died, when I came across a picture and shouted "eureka!"<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: B</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">eautiful dog to be sure.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v216/45/94/601098528/n601098528_768543_3372.jpg"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v216/45/94/601098528/n601098528_768543_3372.jpg</span></a>, this is she. Notice the sarcoma on her leg and the cataracts. And the bloating due to Cushing's Disease.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>Sorry!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I already have great interview title after this little convo about dogs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Arrfghh.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Well, she lived a happy, long life, despite the strange variety of health problems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: <b><span> </span></b>Good... that is all that matters, hope I do the same. And you two too.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>And everyone else! And Roobarb! Nick wants to kill me, he's gonna close now with a picture of his. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>Thanks very much for your time and effort putting this together... I guess it will be in Serbian in the end, but if Dan wants to post it on our forum, that would be very welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<span> </span>Nope, it's going to be in English. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy:<b> </b>Right!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I don't speak Serbian, haha.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: It will be in Serbian too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Dan:<b> </b>It will? Well, alright.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: Thank you both very much for this interview; it was our pleasure to speak with the man who’s behind the music of a band that’s certainly one of my favorites, and it was certainly a pleasure (and a bit of a surprise!) to speak with the band’s bassist as well! Now that we’ve reached the end, I would like to show you a picture I took some time ago which has been inspired by the artwork of “Down and Out”. The photo is here: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs370.snc3/23772_377457119607_537439607_3762079_2524335_n.jpg"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs370.snc3/23772_377457119607_537439607_3762079_2524335_n.jpg</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">I call it “Down and Out in Surdulica” (my hometown). <br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>Ha... we saw this on Facebook!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Nick: I guess you already did, just I had that in my mind for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy<b>: </b>Nice of you to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Andy: Best wishes to you both and a very good night from us here. Be in touch anytime.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Nikola Savić & Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04281197066952478624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-56004133547697296152010-05-06T06:58:00.000-05:002010-05-09T16:03:28.962-05:00Prog Sphere's interview with Andy Tillison - part 1<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><i>I still remember my first meeting with The Tangent 3 years ago when, for the first time, I heard "A Place in the Queue“, one of the best progressive rock albums released in the new millennium. In this two part interview, we spoke with the main man behind this band, a man who has produced several albums that have been highly appreciated in the progressive rock community. Find out what Andy has said about downs and outs, living in France, the process of making The Tangent’s latest album, as well as many other interesting things. Please, enjoy.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Hey there, Andy. First of all I would like to thank you for your time. Seems like so much has happened to The Tangent in last two years. As far as I can remember 2008 brought forth a collaboration with Beardfish, but it didn’t last. What happened?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v353/209/97/749743272/n749743272_1520501_8991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v353/209/97/749743272/n749743272_1520501_8991.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Andy: Yes... The Beardfish thing was really great and I enjoyed it a lot. But the problems were really too big to overcome. Beardfish of course are a Swedish band and live a long way from me, and last year was a big year for them. They had a big tour with Dream Theater planned, and a new album etc etc, so it was going to be too difficult to really get things off the ground. So I started to look around to find a band that could really "be" The Tangent. It took a long time!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: You were living in France in that period and then you moved back to England. And since it’s like you got your spirit back. How did you see your life and your musical career then?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: I think you are right about getting my spirit back. A lot of unpleasant things happened to me in France as perhaps you know. There's a lot about that on the album "Not As Good As The Book.” But once the Beardfish collaboration didn't work out logistically, I started writing again here in England. I think that the latest album "Down And Out" is my personal favourite of all the Tangent records, mainly because I was happy when I made it! That's a big thing. "Not as Good as the Book" was made during a very difficult time. I find it impossible to listen to now!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Isn’t it stressful for you to have so many “downs and outs“ when it comes to The Tangent’s lineup? Since “Down and out in Paris and London“ has appeared, I have stuck in my mind that its title has connected with all those “downs and outs“ in your life, and of course in Tangent’s “life“.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: The Tangent has never been an easy band to be in. That's for a lot of reasons, but mainly because for a long time it was not really a real band of friends. It was me and some guys from the Flower Kings, all fantastic musicians, but who lived so far away from me it was not possible to really know them. Also, everyone in the Tangent was doing something else, there was only ME for whom Tangent was number one priority. Of course some of the lineup changes were very painful - Sam Baine leaving, well that wasn't just leaving the band. We had been together for 12 years. It was also stressful when I decided to stop working with Jonas Reingold and the other Swedish musicians, because without those guys I would never have had the attention I got. So it felt like a really big risk. Yes, it has been a difficult few years, but at present everything is going well for me (but not for money) and I am happy here in England again.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: You said Down and Out was written during a happy period in your life, but it seems like a lot of the material on the album (sans Ethanol Hat Nail, I suppose) is a bit depressing. How do you reconcile that?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RwUi4ek31FY/S-L0is7243I/AAAAAAAAAAw/Dleaqe1U1kc/s1600/down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RwUi4ek31FY/S-L0is7243I/AAAAAAAAAAw/Dleaqe1U1kc/s200/down.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Andy: Heh! I try to share my experiences with people, that's all. The Tangent has always been about trying to do something that is real, something that means something to other people. I write about what has happened to me, I write about things that are going on in the world and inevitably it can't always be happy stuff. That's basically how I see my "job" as a writer, someone who reflects life back to other people. Some people don't even listen to the words of course, but I do try to make them worthwhile listening to!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: As a fan of the band, I have always looked to make connections between the titles of your songs and things that have happened around the band. Who were you addressing in “Where Are They Now?“ This song is lyrically connected with some of the songs from previous albums, right?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: Absolutely. "Where are they Now" was a little experiment to try and bring some of my earlier stories "up to date". I THINK it worked, and I hope it worked. Some of the songs in the past were about my teenage children. They are now adults; one is a teacher, the other a doctor. So I wanted to bring their stories up to date. And of course, "Earnest" from the "Place In The Queue" album died last year, so I had to say some special words for him. So that song is a series of little Vignettes based on earlier songs. Do you think it worked?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: I am more than sure it worked.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: Good! :)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I've always thought that the song was a nice tribute to someone who never got his proper due. It’s sad that people like him are simply forgotten while we idolize people like Churchill, Eisenhower, etc, even though all they did was give the orders for people to die.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: Yes.. people like that are my heroes, not TV stars! I agree with you 100%.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Tell us something more about the process of making Down and Out. There is, for the first time, a 100% English line-up. Please, tell us something more about new members.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs326.snc3/28907_427720540518_731940518_5943266_6088151_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs326.snc3/28907_427720540518_731940518_5943266_6088151_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Andy: Well of course things have changed since that album as they always do with the Tangent. But right now it does seem that we have a good and possibly stable lineup. Jonathan Barrett is the main man behind the rebirth of the group. I did need a great bass player to continue the tradition, and Jonathan is a really great bass player! For the album we brought in Paul Burgess from 10cc on drums, who did a fantastic job for us on the record. He is a very good friend of the NEW drummer in the band Michael Gilbourne who used to be in 10cc in the early 70s, before Paul. For the album "Down and Out" I bought a guitar and learned to play it for the album (I could play a little before, but not much).</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: You just answered my next question :)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: Of course we needed a guitarist for the live band and for our future. We have found an amazing player called Luke Machin. He is only 21 years old but can play like a legend. Theo Travis of course remains with us on Saxophones and Flutes, whenever he is not playing with Robert Fripp, Soft Machine, Gong, His Own Band, etc etc. It is great that we can all see each other more, be a band, rehearse together every week and talk to each other across the table instead of across the North Sea. That means a lot to me.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I wanted to tell you that I am listening to World Record right now. As you can probably tell, I am a big Van Der Graaf Generator fan, just like you are, and it would be great if we could get you to tell us something about Hammill/VDGG and his music. Is it a big inspiration to you? I like to talk about how I can occasionally hear flashes (and sometimes larger pieces) of Hammill in your work. Also, how do you feel about VDGG’s more recent albums?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: Big question. I could be here all night! Of course I love the work of PH and VDGG and have done since I was only 12 years old. The band have inspired me right from the start... I think the fact that I went to the same school as Hugh Banton (just after he had left) made a big impression on me. I first saw VDGG in 1976 on the World Record tour. It was an amazing night, and of course I wanted to follow that band straight away. I was at the reunion concert at the Royal festival hall in 2005 in London, and a few weeks later a saw them again in France. They were superb both times for different reasons. At the end of this month I will so to see Peter Hammill again in Manchester. As for the later albums, I have not listened much to "Trisector". I found the first one "Present" to be poor and disorganized and I found it spoiled my overall picture of the band which had never before made a bad album! But of course I will listen to it again and see where it goes. However, I very much doubt that it will be among my favorite VDGG albums.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dan: I would like to say that I saw VDGG live in NYC last year, the first time they toured the U.S. since that very year you first saw them.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: Yes. It had been a long time. It was great to see them play again. A very emotional night for me.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Since The Tangent’s beginnings you were surrounded by highly skilled musicians, some of whom have been on the scene for over 30 years. However, you were and are the one who wrote probably 90% of the music, right? Do you let others bring their own ideas, to interpret it in their own way or do you have a strict plan to follow in your head?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Andy: Theo Travis and Sam Baine both contributed compositions to the band, so there is no hard and fast rule that I am the only composer. I offered the same to Roine and Jonas, but neither of them brought anything forward. I do ask the musicians to come up with their own ideas. And I find this is the best way to get a more balanced record. That’s why the Tangent is sold under that name and not under the name of a solo artist. I don't want to end up as a solo artist really, but who knows what will happen?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: Many critics consider your vocals to be a weak spot of The Tangent, which is something that has followed you since the beginning. I personally don’t see the reason for that. I couldn’t really imagine The Tangent without your vocals. Would you mind telling me how you feel about that?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs306.snc3/28907_427720515518_731940518_5943263_782649_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs306.snc3/28907_427720515518_731940518_5943263_782649_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Andy: Well of course this has been going on for years. If I was worried about it I would have changed a long time ago. I think there's more to a "voice" than it's ability to sing well. I am first and foremost a lyricist, and I want to sing my own words and tell my own stories. It's as simple as that. There are many questionable singers in the history of Progressive Rock, Lee Jackson, Andy Latimer to name but two. Many people don't like Hammill for goodness sakes? I often wonder what people would think of Peter Gabriel if he turned up this year! The people who don't like my voice don’t tend to like the individuality of people's voices and wish I sounded more generic like Neal Morse or maybe Hasse from TFK. Great singers, but less character perhaps. Not everyone is after character, and I can understand and live with that!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nick: The song “Lost in London“ from “A Place in the Queue“ is one of my personal favorite pieces of music. Could we consider this piece autobiographical? One of my favorite parts of the song is the part where you sing: </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“We're all Yorkshire kids in London when it comes to being heard”</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Do you feel the same way you felt then, now?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwUi4ek31FY/S-L1ZEA5w0I/AAAAAAAAAA4/qz6q8GT6LIw/s1600/place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwUi4ek31FY/S-L1ZEA5w0I/AAAAAAAAAA4/qz6q8GT6LIw/s200/place.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i>Andy: Of course I do! London does have a pretty tight hold on England, and in the world of Prog Rock certainly. Whenever we play a festival here in England, we are surrounded by people from the wealthier South of England. I think they sometimes see us as a load of savages from the North! The whole story in that song is true, I really did hitch a lift to London to see record companies on the day McEnroe lost the tennis for the first time, I really did walk through all those places in the night, and I really did get nowhere with the record companies! And that's why I have to sing this stuff!!! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Nikola Savić & Dan Thalerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04281197066952478624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-86311027002791147792010-04-30T18:04:00.000-05:002010-04-30T18:04:45.043-05:00Amaseffer - 2008 - Slaves for Life<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/3789/cover_215232062008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/3789/cover_215232062008.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has been a while since I wanted to write a review for this newcomers' album called "Slaves For Life" released by Inside Out. Thus, the fact they engrossed this quality label, tells you a lot. So let's start.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amaseffer comes from Hebrew word which could be convincted as "People of the Holy Book". Imagined to be presented as the trilogy which concept is based under exodus biblical story. What we've got here is the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt. Amaseffer served ten, highly produced perfectly performed, songs which will keep your attention "on" all the time during listening this album. History of Amaseffer dates back in 2004, when Erez Yohanan decided to devote himself to researching historical facts of the above mentioned events. Shortly, after few weeks Yuval Kramer joined Erez, on guitars and a year latter they have got another member, second guitarist Hanan Avramovich. There were spoken that Andy Kuntz (Vanden Plas) should take participation as a singer, but unfortunately after many delays, both sides decided that's better to move forward and push luck with some other singer. After so many auditioning, they finally found spark in Mats Leven, who worked with Krux, Therion, Yngwie Malmsteen and Fatal Force. His joining represented really good stroke, what can be heard on the album. The album has recruited excellent line up, which, beside the standard one, contains: Kobi Farhi (Orphaned Land), who did perfect job with oriental vocals, Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy), Yotam Avni who performed growl vocals, Maya Avraham, Amir Gvirtzman, which flutes give indescribable atmosphere to the album, Yatziv Caspi, Yair Yona. The album has been recorded on several locations, in Germany, Israel, Sweden. Mastering is done by Markus Teske.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After this introduction parts, I want to surrender myself to music and try express the emotions it takes. It's very hard to place Amaseffer under some specific subgenre, but the sense which occupied me during listening album is that like you are watching the movie which plot could be described through the lyrical concept of the album. Soundtrack's atmospehere is maybe most approximative to determination of Amaseffer's sound. Atmospheric and ambient lines give some special grace in this musical journey, and it's easy to notice that every second, every moment while you are listening the album will be astonishing for you, listeners. Ethnic/oriental parts are something what push your adrenaline, and this album concerns of them. Someone will tell that it became a cliche, but for the people who comes from country which culture is based under that, it can be accepted with certainty it's perfectly done. Now, while I'm listening the album, I'm hearing the notes of Kamelot's bombastic symphonic sound, Evergrey's "darkness", classical guitar work taken from the best of heavy metal, Opeth's acoustics, Therion's harmonies, Symphony X's aggressiveness... If you notice something more, feel free to add. I don't know what are the members' influences, but they collected all the quality and mix it up. The art they created will find its place and stay engraved on the walls of historical legacy, exactly on the way as the concept of this story is remembered. This holiness has place in the shrine of the past and following times. I don't want to interrupt the story album carries, by separating the highlights, it's absolutely inconceivable to do. Every track reffers to previous and following ones. There's nothing more to say, check this achievement out, it will "buy" you completely. I already know what?s my choice for the best album in 2008.</div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-25439928535275871432010-04-30T18:02:00.000-05:002010-04-30T18:02:49.936-05:00Comus - 1971 - First Utterance<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/912/cover_4548211122005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/912/cover_4548211122005.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's always difficult to write reviews about the albums which came out over 30 years ago, just because of the fact that today we have absolutely overloaded market. And in such ocean of "chaos", I decide for a quite brave step of writing review for Comus' album "First Utterance", which has appeared in 1971. Seven served songs, mainly oriented as progressive rock with folk influences. Those what decorates "First Utterance" is the feeling of strangeness. Once you listen it, you will be covered with some kind of mystery wimple. A circus atmosphere, screams, vocal "contortions", violin tours, gracefully sounds of oboe and flute are just some of the elements which go over this release. Opening track, "Diana" has appeared as a single in 1971, and in fact all these elements I mentioned above are present in this song. I'd like to mention that Swedish band Opeth used the part from song lyrics as a title of the one song from their album "Ghost Reveries" ("The Baying of the Hounds):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And she knows by the sound of the baying, by the baying of the hounds</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By lyrical side, this song deals with violence and ravishment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next track is "The Herald", and personally it's my favourite from the album. Starts very smoothly by acoustic passage with addition of admirably female vocals of Bobbie Watson and flute that makes you feel soaring. I would especially highlighted intermediate part of the song, which is fulfilled with amazing acoustic decompositions of Glenn Goring and Roger Wootton. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Drip Drip" deals again with violence and musically it's a song inflated with energy, reanimated with vocal lines, with acoustic riffing and hand drums. Mikael Akerfeldt used the part of the sentence from the song for the title of the album "My Arms, Your Hearse":</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As I carry you to your grave, my arms your hearse</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now we come to my next favourite from "First Utterance". A song called "Song to Comus". Echoic vocals, followed by screams, with flute all over which fits very well, the changes in the rhythm, from fast to low and backwards. I'd say - "complete" song. Lyrically this one beside violence, also deals with murder and rape.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hymen hunter, hands of steel, crack you open and your red flesh peel. Pain procurer, eyes of fire pierce your womb and push still higher. Comus rape, Comus break sweet young virgin's virtue take. Naked flesh flowing hair her terror screams they cut the air.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The Bite" shows "wildness" over vocal and instrumental lines, but the sound of flute crushes diversion by producing nice melodies and placing them in between.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Bitten" comes as a continuation of "The Bite" and it's just an instrumental lane towards next song, consisted of a classical violin supported by harsh dark noise. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last song on the album, "The Prisoner", is a verdict of the story called "First Utterance". With amazing acoustic guitar channel, this songs develops and justifies "progressive" destination. It's dynamic, "mobile" song which ends this album with frantic vocals. As a fan of Comus, I'm waiting eagerly to hear something new from their hands, regards of they reunited and announced new album for near future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Comes the sunlight, summer day, Comus wakes, he starts to play, play, play, play, play, play, play...</i></div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-88306590691993834142010-04-30T17:58:00.000-05:002010-04-30T17:58:17.900-05:00It's.True.Mentality. - 2008 - Insomnia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/4532/cover_5150122452009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/4532/cover_5150122452009.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let me introduce these newcomers and represent them to wide audience. It's.True.Mentality comes from Poland. Founded in 2005, they distracted in 2007 and since then they work in standard line-up, consisted of: Andrzej Lebek on guitars, Grzegorz Haasa on drums, Anna Weyna on keyboards and Arkadiusz Doroszuk on bass. Their music can be qualified as variety of genres related to rock, but mainly they are characterized as progressive rock with heavier guitar sound. Until now, they've recorded "Insomnia", the album for which one I've got opportunity to write very first review for Prog Archives. At the beginning, I want to underline that this band is instrumental, without vocalist and I have to admit that I like this fact, just because their music is complete even without vocal fragments. Insomnia implies 5 songs, packed in almost a half of an hour of music, what's the biggest complaint related for this album. As someone who's impressed with Insomnia, I definitely ask for more music on this release, just because I've got an opinion that right when you're going to be ready for this album, it will eventuate. But, let's focus on these 5 served tracks, after all. Album starts with an intro, which begins with very interesting bass line, followed by nice drumming and kinda sepulchral riffing, what becomes larger and "alive" and at the end piano comes to the surface and with darkened decomposition fills the space. Those what remains as a question is, if intro is like this, then this album will hit you straight to the face and blow you away. The next song is called "Daily Nightmares", which comes with a bit of "funny" melodiousness at the very beginning and then develops to one of the main representatives from "Insomnia". There's evident the influence of progressive rock, especially speaking of keyboards. I really enjoy them and freely can say that instrumentation in this song is the range of Camel keyboards-sound. Middle part of the song is styled with beautiful guitar solo of Andrzej Lebek, and I have to praise also rhythm section, especially drums at the end of the song, which together with keyboards come to the first plan. Third song on the album is called "The Night is a Day". Starts with calm beginning, established by guitar decomposition, followed by rhythm section. The things which decorate this song is that 70ies progressive rock atmosphere, with very nice guitar lines and drumming, with Rhodes (?) piano which really takes my breath away. Personally, this is my favorite song on "Insomnia", and by the way it's the longest one, what's another reason why should this album be longer. Because the band fits very well with longer compositions and they should do more songs like this, definitely. Follows "Fear of a Sleep". A song with excellent beginning, accomplished with drums and wah-wah riffing. On the first listening of this song, I acquired an opinion that guitars are too "overlouded" and in front of the other instruments. But, I am glad that the song disallowed this statement of mine. Because, keyboards again. Seems like I am really obsessed with their sound. After "The Night is a Day", this song is the next joker. Finally, the last song on the album, called "Mistificated Paranoia". Abounded with dark and deep keyboards, you can really feel that mystification. It's nice to hear that bass overtakes and starts to "play" altogether with other instruments. Guitar solo is once again performed with the support of wah-wah. A lot of broken rhythms in the second half of the song, and keyboards solo are very remarkable, done into the manner of the best progressive rock bands. As I said at the beginning of this review, the biggest and the only complaint refers to the album duration. But, with my crossed fingers, I am sure that the band will have this on their mind, when the time for the succeeder comes. Polish scene has got another represent at the field of progressive, by having It's.True.Mentality. It's for sure. And now, I'm going to start this album again. </div>Nikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836759909581394874.post-25049638953543338682010-04-30T17:38:00.000-05:002010-04-30T17:38:58.183-05:00Welcome to Prog Sphere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S9tbz-fWEqI/AAAAAAAAAE8/mmBc1ImU4F4/s1600/PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2xOxTxpF8YE/S9tbz-fWEqI/AAAAAAAAAE8/mmBc1ImU4F4/s200/PS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hello, folks. I'd like to present you Prog Sphere blog, a blog where you can read news, reviews, interviews, ect. from the world of progressive rock/metal, jazz, fusion, and its commons. This site will not be used for sharing download links, so please don't share links and do not ask for them. At least, the internet is nowadays wide enough to cover all your needs... Er... Well, mostly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This would be my introducing words, and now, keep progging! See you soon.</div><br />
Nick aka AstralliSNikola Savićhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032086011490508166noreply@blogger.com0