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Interview with Danny Vaughn - From the Inside
First of all I'd like to say congrats on the excellent "Visions" album. It's truly a treat for those that love melodic rock.
Thanks very much. I've been overwhelmed by the great reaction to the album.
How did From the Inside begin and how did you come to work with Fabrizio Grossi?
The concept is one that Frontiers came up with and has done with several other singers. Take a strong voice and put some perhaps unexpected songs behind that voice. In my case, they had played me one that was done with Kelly Hanson and I liked it very much. So the first FTI was done mostly with songs by other writers. It was the first time I had ever done that and it was a very unusual challenge. They picked Fabrizio as producer and we hit it off right away. We come from different places, musically, but our love of music is the same.
The first From the Inside album was very well received, was there any doubts about the success of doing a follow up?
Well, I think there are always doubts, yes. This one has some differences. This time half of the songs were written by myself, Fabrizio, and Eric Ragno, so I feel that I had more of a personal stake in this one.
And are there any plans for a third album under the From the Inside project name? (If so I hope it won't be as long of a wait between albums as with the first two)
No plans yet, but I can't see why we wouldn't if we find the right songs. As for the time between, well, you have to remember that this is a project only so I have my solo albums, Tyketto business, and other things that will usually come first.
Jimi Bell was just brought into the fold for "Visions". How was it like working with him?
I honestly don't know. Remember, these days a lot of albums are done on line. The music was all put together by Fabrizio and Eric in Los Angeles. They worked to get the backing tracks all properly arranged and in place before sending them out to Jimi to have him play on them. By the time I got the tracks they were done and ready for vocals. It's not the best way to do an album, in my opinion, but you have to remember that we are working on much smaller budgets than in the old days.
There are two songs on "Visions" that I believe are just incredible. The first is "Push Me Off". How did the songwriting process go for this song? Any thoughts you would like to share about it?
Thanks, I was happy with the way that one came out. It's really a simple song, actually. Eric and Fabrizio had sent me the music for it and I was able to slot my melody and lyric ideas right into place without making any changes. Sometimes it goes very simply like that.
The second is "Telemetry", the lyrics are very clever and your voice is just amazing. Who came up with the lyrics for this and what was the inspiration?
Telemetry was one of those examples where I sometimes need to be reminded to sit back and have fun. So the lyric was perhaps a bit silly but playful. I keep pages and pages of notes and scribbled ideas that I go through from time to time. They can be written on bar napkins, toilet paper, anything! The word Telemetry just struck me. I like the feel of the word. I am a great lover of language and sometimes all you need is a word to have a feeling. So I had to do a little on line research to see what it actually is.
For those that are just discovering your music with From the Inside, what past works of yours could you recommend fans listen to next?
Without a doubt "Traveller". I think that album speaks out the most about what I am about. After that it would be "Soldiers And Sailors On Riverside". Those are my two favorites.
I know you recently did a song for the Northern Lights Orchestra. How was that experience and do you know when we can expect that to be available? I know a lot of people are anxious about this one.
How do people find out about this stuff? :-) I honestly don't know when that will be coming out. It was for a number of good charities and the people involved were very impressive. I was contacted by Ken Mary, who is a drummer I have long admired, about doing a song for it. In this case, all the material was written so all I had to do was re-record the vocals. I remember telling him afterwards that I really loved what the guitar player was doing on it. He said, "Yeah, George is always good for coming up with great ideas". "George"?, I replied. "Yeah, he said, George Lynch". So, unbeknownst to myself, I recorded a song with George Lynch. I'm quite proud of that.
As for Tyketto, any plans for doing another Tyketto album?
I can't say there are any plans, now that Brooke has permanently left the group, but we are discussing it. First we have to settle into who we are with a new player and then we need to write songs that will be true to what Tyketto has always sounded like. There are some ideas kicking around, though.
What album are you most proud of recording?
Again, that would be "Traveller". It's the deepest I was ever involved in any of my recordings. I was the main song writer but I was also the producer and handled all of the finances, all the nuts and bolts and headaches of making a record. I loved every second of it.
And is there a particular song of yours that you believe represents your voice the best?
Now that is something I couldn't begin to answer. Not one, no. There are moments in a number of songs that I feel represent me well. I think that's a question better asked of the fans.
Who were your influences when you first started in the rock business? Have these changed over the years?
They do change because you pick up more influences as you go. The first band I ever saw live that made me want to be a rock star was Blackfoot. They were larger than life and delivered with more sweat and guts and glory than any band I have ever seen. Musically, my influences are all over the place. The Beatles, Steve Miller, Whitesnake, Mr. Big, Stevie Wonder, Kansas, King's X, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, the list is endless.
The music industry in general seems to be in a strange crossroads, with illegal file sharing and other things being blamed for the lack of album sales. Yet some bands are doing well with exclusive album contracts (The Eagles recently sold over 3 million copies of their latest album, and it was a Walmart exclusive), others by offering music for sale online, and then there are artists that are seeing a surge of popularity due to being featured in music rhythm video games (Dragonforce broke the Top 20 in the US after having a song playable in Guitar Hero III). Do you think any of these things are having an impact on the industry and where do you personally see things headed for the music business at this point?
I wish I knew. I don't think the big player in the industry really know where to go next. You can download so much for free, and I'm glad of that because too many record executives who don't know a damned thing about music were growing unbelievably fat off of the hard work of others. But on the other side, if everything is available for free, most artists won't be able to afford to make recordings at all. More and more I've seen smaller artists appeal to their fan base to help finance their next record. It's a great idea, and a lot of hard work. My only worry is that, when something is free, we don't hold it of any intrinsic value any more. Music becomes like potato chips. Munch one, grab the next one, and you don't even think abou t what you're consuming. I worry that music will have less meaning for people as time goes on.
Do you think any of your music will make it into the Guitar Hero or Rock Band video games?
I think "Forever Young" is a perfect candidate for it!
Thanks for your time and we appreciate all the amazing music you have been such a part of over the years. Any closing comments you would like to leave for our readers?
I never know what to say at the closing so I will simply say a heartfelt thank you to everyone that has been part of my still being here and still making music. Thanks for your support.
All the best,
Danny Vaughn | 
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Written by Alanna - 10/9/2008 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | 
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Comments: 166
Ratings: 46 | | I was going to recommend VISIONS to you Alanna but it seems you are ahead of the game.
I listen to this CD and it is excellent slab of AOR rock. Kind of reminds me of a cross of Kansas (mid 80's) and Survivor. JB's guitar work is great. I was not that Familiar with Danny Vaughn but I am now sure to check out his past recordings.
Posted by Little Drummer Boy
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 |
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| Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 
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Comments: 245 | | Little Drummer Boy:
Thanks, you would be spot on to recommend "Visions" to me, its an awesome disc! I'm glad you are enjoying it. I wasn't really familiar with Danny Vaughn (was but was not) either but have been trying to remedy that.
Try out TYKETTO's "Don't Come Easy", its more in the 80s style (which was the era it was recorded) but sounds splendid. I prefer the warmer tone of his voice now but he was a superb singer then too. :)
Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 |
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