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Interview with Neal Morse - Spock´s Beard
Well a little story before the interview is in order here, because this is one of the strangest interviews I have ever done. It all started with some guy called me up and said that there was a change that Neal Morse might not call me that day, so I waited and sure enough he didn't call at the scheduled time, so I had actually given any hope of him calling up, when the phone rang. It was Neal but he sounded confused, and that made me confused. But all in all it was a great experience to talk to Neal.
Here is what we talked about.
How are you doing?
I am doing pretty good, everyday is a new adventure you know? Everyday is different but today is good though...
Well I am sad to see you leave Spock's Beard, I really love your work. But I read your statement, and I respect your choice, for those who haven't read your statement, could you tell why you left Spock's Beard and what exactly happened?
Well probably they should go to Radiantrecords.com and read it... I mean if they really wanna know... I probably won't repeat it in the same way so...Well basically I started prying a year ago and I guess It just sort of hit me when I was praying, that God asked me to finish the "Snow" album, and then leave Spock's Beard... Uh em huh... well that is the short version of it anyway...There are lots of grieves you know... it was a lot of turmoil and a lot of heartache...
How is your relationship with the rest of the band now?
I think it's good... I had a good conversation with my brother last week and it is better now everybody has gotten over the grief of it a little bit... It was a real death for us all, and it still is... I miss them and if I let myself I could just get into how much I miss them you know? But I am trying to move on and do what is next... and I am excited of what is next... I am sure that they have those moments where they get sad too... it's like there is seven steps to grief and I have went through all those steps... you know total despair and not wanting to get out of bed... but spiritually I am in a place where God is calling me, and I can't look away... That reminds me of "Harms Way" That song of ours... there is harm here and it is really hard for us... it is hard in my relationship with my brother... I couldn't shake it you know? Anyway it is better now we are looking forward to what is next, and I think that they are excited on what they are working on I hope... And I am making some music too...
Oh really I thought you stopped writing music?
That is not true... it's so much a part of whom I am. The Lord called me to do something else, that is part of being under anyone really, you put yourself "OK God, I Am Yours" what ever you want, you get and then what ever you feel him calling you to do, you do. If he called me to clean toilets that would be what I would do... But I am still not sure what it is... it is sort of a day-by-day thing, and I have been writing and feeling being called to write so I am writing...
Not For Spock's Beard then, just for yourself then?
No and yes, or I don't really know for what I am writing... I am just kind of writing and trying to let go of any presupposed notions and just going for it... That is pretty much what I am always doing...
Well, I was listening to the special edition 3rd disc, and it sounds as if you have a lot of fun in the studio when you are recording...
Oh yes Spock's Beard is a lot of fun... They are fun and great guys and good hearted and you know... I see videos of other bands and I think oh what a shame they are not as good as Spock's Beard hahaha... I still think that Spock's Beard is the greatest thing ever... It is hard and I hope somehow that things will come together and It will be good for everyone, and it should be better, but I don't see how, God, he promises, trust me and follow me and it should be better I think hahaha... but maybe not in the natural world but in the spiritual world...
In my opinion your sound got harder on "Snow", but I also like the sound on "V", how do you explain this harder sound?
There are some heavy parts on there, the heavy parts are heavier and the sweeter parts are sweeter... It is an even more heavy contrast...
When I first heard the second disc I thought is this Dream Theater or something, it had that kind of heavy feel to it!
Oh there are some parts there...
But also I think that "Snow" captures some of the sound of the first album "The Light"!
Oh?...
I can see some parallels there...
Oh Really...
Yes! Maybe you haven't noticed?
I don't know I just go in there and do it, I am still so close to things and that stuff, that I don't really step back you know... I just don't draw those parallels and sometimes that is good.
What I gathered from what you are saying is that you satisfied with what you've accomplished with Spock's Beard?
Yeah I am very pleased with what we have done... I think that Spock's Bead is A great thing...
This new album "Snow" is a concept album. And that was the first time you did a concept isn't?
Yeah it is the first real concept album we did, that is right...
Why did you wait until now to make a concept album?
Well Um... I guess just because it came, it was just there...
(My Cell phone rings in the background and I get very confused)
The music kept coming and there was more and then there was enough for two discs, and to me it just seemed to make sense so we did it... the music wanted to tell a story... I had written "Carrie" a long time ago, I had written "Wind In My Back" a long time ago... and a few other things. Then I had written this sort of overture thing and it sounded to me like an overture... and the pointer was just pointing to tell a story... I didn't want to do that for many reasons, one of them was that it is difficult and you are not free, the songs and the lyrics have to fit together and make sense... and we didn't want to make sense you know hahaha... So the story came really slowly and the whole album came really slowly... It would be like little steps each day I would be wondering where we would go next... hahaha...
Well I really like the album!
Oh thank you- thank you, spread the word around
Well I have done that, I have made a review for the homepage so I am trying to spread the word as much as I can...
Good thank you...
Well I think it's my duty, that was about it, that was what I had and I just want to thank you for taking time to talk with me...
Well thank you man and thanks for writing about us...
Well ok! I guess I'll hear you later or see you later hahaha
Yeah you will man take care...
You too!
A confused and tired Mads Erdland Aanum | |
Written by Mads - 11/4/2002 |
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