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Band page - Avian
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| Friday, September 29, 2006 - Avian album news | An update from Avian:
"Hi everyone, Yan here. Just wanted to update you all on what's going on. All of the songs for the next CD are written and almost ready to be recorded. Lance, David, and myself, are currently finalizing the arrangements and once that's done we will be ready to record! Here are the working titles of some of the songs: 'The Lost And Forsaken', 'Thundersoul', 'Beyond The Hallowed Gates', 'Time And Space Part II: Unlock The Mystery'.
We do have a name for the CD and another excellent cover from Mattias Noren, but you're going to have to wait for that. The recording lineup for the next CD will be identical to the first: Lance King - vocals, David Ellefson - bass, Yan Leviathan - guitars, Jonah Weingarten - keys, Roger Moore - guitar solos. We will be using a different drummer this time; we will announce his name a bit later on. On the live front, we are working on setting up a couple of shows toward the end of the year and a possible mini tour of the mid-West in the spring. Stay tuned for details. So that's pretty much what's going on with the band; if all goes well, we should have the cd out by early next summer."
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Band profile
 What is your name and your current position in the band?
Yan Leviathan - Guitarist, founder, songwriter
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
Avian began when I was on my flight home from Progpower USA III. I was so inspired by the festival that on the 3 hour flight I formulated a plan that would eventually become Avian. First, I had to write some songs. Then, I had to find a studio to record them, and finally, I had to find musicians to help me out. Luckily, everything fell into place when I was introduced to David Ellefson by the studio's owner.
From there, David brought in his F5 band mate Dave Small to do the drums. David was also friends with Lance King and the two had always wanted to work together, so this was the perfect opportunity. Lance then introduced me to his Pyramaze band mate Jonah Weingarten and we hired him to do keys.
Another of Lance's former band mates, Roger Moore, came in to do all of the guitar solos on the cd. During this time we signed on with Intromental Management and their main job was to find us the best possible record deal. They did a great job, and we signed on with Massacre Records, Nightmare Records, and Hot Rockin' Records. The cd just came out, and here we are ;-)
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Our beginning was a little different than most bands. Instead of getting together with some guys, rehearsing, writing songs, and then playing live. Avian began in the studio; it was basically just me, and the plan was to hire some studio musicians and record some tunes. When David Ellefson and Lance King joined, it obviously elevated Avian to a whole new level. At that point, we were a new band, but we had some very well known professional musicians on board. So in reality, Avian never really was a "local" band. As far as making it in the industry, there was never any real worries about getting signed or finding distribution, thanks largely to David and Lance's presence (not to mention we had some pretty decent songs ;-))
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Our latest album is also our debut; From The Depths of Time. Anyone into true power metal along the likes of Savatage, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Hammerfall and the likes should enjoy listening to this cd. As an added bonus ;-) you get a really cool 16-page booklet done by the great Mattias Noren that is filled with fantastic artwork (you can't download that ;-)).
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Our style is old-school-traditional-metal with a touch of modern metal thrown in ;-). We didn't consider any other style because with the line up we had and the kind of songs, it was a natural fit. If we would have tried it a different way, I don't think it would have turned out nearly as good as it has.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
One of my favourite moments is when we were recording the vocals to Time Is All We Need. We were in Lance's Nightmare Studios in Minnesota. It was a late winter's evening and the Sun was setting on the horizon when Lance began laying the vocals down. I remember sitting there and listening to him sing while a light snow was falling outside; it was a purely magical moment that I will treasure forever.
 Another favourite is when Lance and I had an impromptu acoustic jam at Progpower USA VI. Again, it involves Time Is All We Need. We grabbed a couple of stools and a guitar and just started playing it. A small crowd gathered as once again Lance delivered a magical performance. That was a lot of fun.
How is the writing process in the band?
Usually, I'll come up with a cool guitar riff and build the song around that. I'll keep adding to it until I feel it has what it needs. Then, I'll play around with the arrangement until it sounds right to me. Next, I'll make a demo of it on my computer using a drum machine. Once I feel that it's ready, I'll listen to it for a few days and develop lyrical ideas. The lyrics take the longest, sometimes a year, because I go back and redo them over and over until I'm 100% satisfied with them.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
I've loved music ever since child hood. Like many other kids, I wanted to be a professional musician when I grew up. As a teenager I tried to join bands but I could never find the right situation, or group of musicians with similar goals and/or musical tastes. Then, as a few years went by I realized that I wasn't going to be able to make a living as a musician. So, I enrolled in a university and studied engineering and mathematics for a few years. Although I didn't have time to join any bands, I still practiced whenever I had some free time. As fate would have it, Avian came to be during my last couple of semesters at school. I then had to make a choice, so, I decided to devote all of my focus and attention to Avian.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
My father is my biggest idol. Musically though, the late Criss Oliva had a huge impact on me as a guitar player. I was fortunate enough to see him play a few times and I am very grateful for that. He was a truly special musician.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
No regrets yet!
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
Nope ;-)
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Lyrics are very important to me. I am a huge Rush fan and was always fascinated by their lyrics. I try my best to write thought provoking lyrics that give the listener something to think about. To me, it's very disappointing to hear a fantastic song ruined by bad lyrics.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
That's a tough question that could take pages to answer ;-). In short; from a fan's point of view, it's fantastic. You have so many choices now that you could spend all of your time just listening to new songs that you don't even have to pay for! For artists, it's horrible because you spend all of your money making music, and you don't get it back ;-)
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I don't worry about that stuff; I just focus on making the best possible music I can; whatever happens, happens!
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Live every day to the fullest; it might be your last.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Usually it involves a lot of computer work; emails, interviews, working on songs, lyrics. I pretty much work on and off from about 8 a.m. to about 1 a.m. everyday.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
I like watching TV a lot; I get some really good ideas for songs from that. I like spending time with my wife, when she's not driving me crazy ;-). I pretty much like being at home, I don't venture out unless I have to.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
I'll tell you as soon as it happens.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Well I would never go to an island because I hate the ocean. If I were going to live on top of a mountain, I would take my mp3 player, which has my entire collection on it.
Alright, if you really must know ;-)
Albums; Dream Theater's Scenes From A Memory, Iron Maiden's Brave New World, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here.
Movies: The Big Lebowski, Kingpin, On Her Majesties' Secret Service.
Books: The Rama Series by Arthur C. Clarke, The List of Seven by Mark Frost, and Imajica by Clive Barker.
What is your favourite joke?
What is Enya's last name? Ass
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
We are currently writing our next cd, which should come out in 2007. We have a lot of great material that we are very excited about. Hopefully some tour offers will come in and we'll hit the road for a bit.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for checking out Avian. (By the way, the correct way to pronounce Avian is; A VEE YEN).
Added by Steen - 11/8/2005
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