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Interview with Gerben and Joop Klazinga - Knight Area
It's really hard to really want to jump at the opportunity to hear a new prog-rock band, especially with many bands out there jumping on the bandwagon, trying to become the next Yes, King Crimson, or even Spock's Beard or Flower Kings. But that opportunity was quickly jumped at with Knight Area hitting the prog rock scene with with one phenomenal record, that not only aligns itself with many of the leading classic and contemporary bands, it gives them a run for their money. Coming off the heals of The Sun Also Rises, a record with it's technicalities and concept intact, I had the chance to interview Gerben and Joop Klazinga about the inspiration and the production, and found some interesting facts about everything from the mellotron to synthesizers to influences and to the unfortunate sad events that led up to the recording.
1. First of all, tell us about how the process and the production to The Sun Also Rises came together, as well as the concept?
Two tracks from the album have their roots in the eighties (The Gate. and Saevis.). We wrote and played it in the parental house. Hereafter Gerben played for several years in the band SANGAMO, but this band seldom came out of the rehearsal rooms. Early 2000 Joop advised Gerben to do his own thing and soon after Joop was very enthusiastic listening to his basic recordings, so he decided to join him. We finished the recordings in the spring of 2003.
The story of the album is a conceptual tale about a young boy (in fact it's about Gerben) in search for his identity (yes I know, that's not new). Most of the time he's in the shit, but at the end of the road he will find his routing. Besides this, the brothers lost their father in 2003. The album is dedicated to dad Klazinga ('The knight who lost the devastating Alzheimer battle'). During the recordings the four-year-old son of one of the guitar players died of cancer. One of the songs is dedicated to this boy ('A new day at last, for Ferry'; Gerben played a part of this song on the piano during the funeral). The album and lyrics are all about life and death/hope and fear/joy and despair. With this title we are trying to pick up the pieces. Sometimes music can heal the wounds.
2. What were some of the things/bands that might have influenced you musically and were there any literary works that have inspired you?
That's hard to say. We can't say our inspiration is this or that band. Of course, when Joop was 16 years old he saw GENESIS (with Gabriel) doing The Lamb. in Amsterdam. This performance had a lot of impact on him, but there are maybe more than hundred influences. Joop for instance loves a band like ANGLAGARD and a composer like J.S BACH, while Gerben is more into bands like EVERON, PAIN OF SALVATION and THRESHOLD.
Our intention is not copying the sound or the songs of 'the golden age', but we love the orchestrations, the chord changes, the melodies, the emotional things and the dynamics in the great symphonic bands from the seventies. For us, music is emotion. If you listen to music and your heart says: 'yes, I like that', than it does not matter if the sound resembles this or that. These days people are much too rational you know.
Most people think we are inspired by Ernest Hemmingway with the title 'The Sun Also Rises', but we were not. Joop made up this title and afterwards we heard it is a book of this writer. We only knew the book 'The old man and the sea'.
3. Tell us about your musical background, where did you get started, how did you evolve as a musician/composer?
When Gerben was 10 years old he started to follow classical piano lessons, but after 5 years he was totally into the symphony. So he stopped following the piano lessons and bought an old organ and a mini-moog. Later on he began to buy studio equipment in order to record his own music and that of others.
Joop started to play the flute after he listening to STEVE HACKETT's Voyage of the Acolyte where brother John plays some fantastic flute parts.
4. You used an Arsenal of musicians on that record, how did all that come together?
That was rather easy; Gerben plays in SANGAMO and also in a cover band. He possesses his own studio, which is regularly visited by several musicians. When we played them some of the basic tracks back in 2000, everyone was very pleased to participate on the album. Kees, the accordion player is a friend of Joop. His piece of music was included in the beginning of 2003.
5. Sonically, the recording of The Sun Also Rises is very discrete, making for an audiophile type recording, what equipment did you use in recording this record, any techniques that you would like to tell us about?
Well Tommy ("Hashman"), that's a little difficult question. We would say, let all bands come to Holland to our studio and they will have this great sound (currently even better because we acquired a new Hill analog mixing table).
6. No modern progressive band has really tapped into the DVD-Audio or SACD high-resolution 5.1 surround mix yet, have you been interested in releasing any recordings in this format, perhaps in the future?
O yes, this will be the future and we think we have to follow the new technical waves. We know a prog band like RPWL. already is doing a 5.1 surround mix on stage.
7. I noticed that there were lots of analog synths on this record, among them the mellotron, do you own one, or any other notable vintage keyboards, and if so tell us about them. If not what do you use to emulate them. What also intrigues you about the mellotron's sound?
Yes, Joop does own a mellotron, but it is out of order; it needs a proper restoration. The sound of the original mellotron is supreme; there are no synths that have as much impact as the mellotron; its sound goes right to your stomach. For example, listen to the CD's of the Swedish bands like ANEKDOTEN or ANGLAGARD. The latter uses on stage 3 genuine mellotrons; their sound is really enormous. Furthermore we have an old ARP String Ensemble. Unfortunately Gerben's old mini-moog 'died' a few years ago.
We used the following keyboards during the recording: SC Prophet 5, SC Prophet 600, PPG wave 2.3, Hammond XB 1 organ and Roland JV 1080. These are Gerben's keyboards. For live sessions Joop will add the Yamaha Motif 6 (Oh, sorry, that's not a vintage one).
8. What was the basis for signing to Laser's Edge in the States? Are there any other record deals pending worldwide?
When we finished the recordings, we sent a demo to 15 record companies all over the world. We received 10 very positive reactions. First we talked to some Dutch labels, but here we missed the professionalism. After that we had long discussions with German and Swedish companies, but they did not have good distribution in the Benelux. Then we came to meet a Dutch rock journalist. He advised to talk with Ken Golden from the Laser's Edge. One phone call and everything did work out fine. The Laser's Edge is a big record company with distribution all over the world from Japan to Denmark, so by now we don't need another deal.
9. Are there any plans on to tour behind this record? Have you been interested in playing some of the Progressive Rock festivals in the States such as Nearfest?
A few weeks ago we formed the band that's going to play our music live. We are working with two keyboard players and two guitarists. So if there are bands needing a support act or festivals and booking agencies, please contact us on info@knightarea.com. In a few months we expect to be ready to bring you an expert symphonic show! And If we are asked to play in the States, we would be very honoured.
10. Where do you see Progressive Rock going in the future?
We think it's a shame that our music genre (progressive or symphonic rock) does not get the attention it deserves. The only thing you hear on the radio are stupid, aggressive and simple tunes by artificial 'artists'.
Hashman: I could not have said that better myself.
11. Is there anything on the radar for yourself or Knight Area in the near future, are you working on any other projects at this moment?
Playing our music live would be excellent, releasing a new album within a few years. Gerben also plays in the band SANGAMO; they also have plans creating an album. Guitarists Rinie and Mark and also bass player Gijs participated in a new progressive project called NOVOX (the boys of the former CLIFFHANGER without vocalist). They hope to release their album in a few months. Gerben played some keyboards on the new IXION album.
12. What are you currently listening to at this point in time?
Joop: BACH, SATIE, ANEKDOTEN. Gerben: RPWL. and IQ - Subterrania DVD
13. Any other things you would like to say?
All the best to the visitors of RevelationZ webzine. Hope to see you soon!
Gerben and Joop Klazinga
KNIGHT AREA Band are:
Gerben Klazinga - keyboards
Mark Smit - vocals
Mark Vermeule - guitars
Rinie Huigen - guitars
Gijs Koopman - bass guitar, bass pedals
Pieter van Hoorn - drums, backing Vocals
Joop Klazinga - keyboards, flute
Website: www.knightarea.com
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Written by Hashman - 4/17/2004 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Drs. Bep vander Bips (Anonymous) - Saturday, May 22, 2004 | Good Story guys!
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