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Band page - Emir Hot
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
My name is Emir Hot. My position is mainly as a guitarist and backing vocalist while doing live show. Besides I am a composer, producer and arranger of my songs.
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?
The style dominating in this band can be called melodic/prog metal with neoclassical touches and strong influences from Eastern European and Balkan music. Apart from this I play various styles such as classical, jazz, country, blues, funk. These are not always appropriate for this band but while performing as a solo or a session artist I play many different styles.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
My latest (and the first) album under this name, "Emir Hot", is called "Sevdah Metal". Many parts of this album are something that hasn't been heard before in Metal music. Mix of traditional Eastern Balkan music (sometimes 200 years old) and melodic/prog metal. That style in Bosnia is called "Sevdah". It sounds very "eastern" and for people that understand it, it sounds like a kind of blues (feelingwise) even though musically it sounds completely different than blues. Instruments used, apart from common metal arrangements, are some traditional Balkan instruments, but all strong guitar riffs are still present and dominating. All these reasons should attract a potential buyer to listen something new and then, hopefully, find it interesting.
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?
The history of this band has just started. We haven't played any live show yet and the album will be out in a month. Therefore there is not much history but I can tell how the album was made. The songs were written while I was still a student at "London Guitar Institute" (2006). The last year in July we entered the studio just after I graduated. At the time of song writing I didn't have a band. It was just me, my guitar and simple home studio, setup for recording demos. It took me about a year to have the whole thing recorded as a good demo. After I had my songs completed, I started looking for musicians. In the mean while, I got the record deal from "Lion Music" and I started to plan a proper studio recording. After several phone calls and bunch of e-mails, I made a deal with Mike Terrana to record drums and John West to sing. I was very happy to have them, because they are very experienced and professional musicians, so they helped me a lot to make this album worth, comparing to any other popular metal band. I played all guitars and bass and I programmed almost all keyboard lines. For the parts that I wasn't good at and wanted to record it live, I invited many guests to help this project to achieve an "organic" taste. I went to Bosnia and recorded some traditional instruments. I invited complete choir section of about 12 people. I have also given some solo parts to be played by my friends, to thank them for their support. After recording in London, I flew to Croatia to mix and master the album in the studio of a very good friend. There I found a bass player for the tour. All together it took me about 2 years for the project to be completed. We are now working on tour booking and, hopefully, next time we'll have some more history to talk about :)
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Yes, but I have never lost my faith in what I'm doing..
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Unfortunately it's still early to talk about such things. The "stable" line up hasn't been formed yet. During the recording time we had a lot of fun, but after some concerts, I believe I will have some interesting stories to tell.
How is the writing process in the band?
I answered this one before. On this album I have written everything, apart from an instrumental cover.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
When I was six years old, my older brother had a guitar. I simply fell in love with the instrument. I grew up in Bosnia so it was very hard during and after the war to make a living by being a musician. I had a couple of bands back there and I have released a couple of albums. We didn't make any serious money but I wouldn't say I have wasted my time. It was still a good experience. There was a question whether to stay and live there and not to be a musician, or to move abroad and make the music where it makes more sense. I decided to try and if it wouldn't work the first time I would have given up and went back to Bosnia. Luckily, everything is going well so far, so I am definitely an optimist.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
I don't think I have an idol, but my guitar influences are rock legends from 70's till nowadays and all the bands they have been with. I like Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Clapton. From 80's and 90's I like Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore and Paul Gilbert. Not just because they are shredders, but because they have incredible composing and arranging skills. I could name hundreds of bands I listen to but from all the above you can get the idea.
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.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
If you think of songs from my album, it's early to talk about that because the album is not out yet. But if you think of my cd collection, it's huge. For example, I have all Dream Theater albums but I'm not a big fan at all. They are good but too complicated for me and sometimes boring.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
I usually write about where the world is going. It's my kind of warning about where people are going these days. They are going wrong way and slowly destroying the world with the misuse of technology and nonsense wars. We are becoming slaves of the future and technology. Nothing natural on this planet is respected anymore and that's sad. I think that every responsible institution, association, government and people themselves should take serious actions to avoid a total catastrophe on the planet. Therefore, I find lyrics on this album important and something that can almost be read as an article - without listening music.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
That's a hard one. It definitely got worse for us (rock/metal) musicians but metal music somehow always finds a way to get around problems. Modern commercial industry for some reason is going to something that almost has nothing to do with music. I don't really know a good reason for that. Having said that, I mean that nowadays I can hardly see a person on a TV that knows more than 3 chords on a guitar or have some respectful vocal skills. With the arrangements is even worse. Those 3 chords are still played with two hands but the rest is almost all electronic shit. I almost see no future for drummers and bass players in the big popular music market and industry. With metal music this is different and still works but doesn't sell enough because media for some reason went against it. I am still an optimist that good things will get recognized again.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
To build a chip inside people's brain and make them understand that they are breaking a law and doing bad things to musicians and the industry. Joke aside; unfortunately I see no way to fight against that.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
1. Get punched hard,
2. That will make you understand where you went wrong and you should start figuring things out yourself clearly
3. The two above should finally help you make it to where you want to go
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I don't have a typical day. It's always different and in that way I don't get bored. I work for a company as a graphic and web designer. I mostly work from home in a nice environment. I don't have a rule when to wake up or go to sleep, it's always different and how I feel at particular moment makes me decide how to do things.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Mostly with my wife, but often with some good and honest friends. I have many friends that never talk about music and that makes me feel being up to date about what's going on around me.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
About 10 years ago I played a show with my ex band "Neon Knights" somewhere in Italy. We travelled about 400 km and on the sound check I realized I forgot my guitars in the apartment. I have never felt worse before the show than that time. Luckily, some guy from the audience ran home and brought me a nice guitar. The show was delayed for about half an hour but we made it.
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)
Albums:
Led Zeppelin - I,
ACDC - Highway to Hell,
Gotthard - Dial Hard
Books and Movies: I don't read or watch them. I would probably take some good live DVD's and bring educational books for computer software such as 3D Studio Max or something.
What is your favourite joke?
We probably have over a million in my country. They are all good. Here is one of the latest I heard:
A person had a feeling that all of his three kids and wife are constantly telling lies to him. Then he decided to buy a device which detects lies. Each time someone lies, the device starts beeping (bibibibibibibi)
The next day first kid coming back from school and shouting from the door: "Hey dad I went to school today and got all best possible marks". The device immediately started (bibibibibib)
Just after a minute the next kid is shouting from the door and couldn't even finish the sentence: "Hey dad I went to school today." (bibibibibibi)
Finally the third kid is coming and shouting: "Hey dad." (bibibibibibibi)
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
We're now rehearsing songs and making plans for the Europan tour which should start in September. Maybe we'll play a couple of shows on summer as well. After all that I hope I'll have enough ideas to write another record and move on as a well established band. That's all this is about.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
I hope people will recognise this new album as an interesting product and give us support on the start because we need it now. Thanks for giving me a chance to be on
your website. I have seen it, it rocks.
Keep on rocking and take a good care of yourself!!!
Added by Steen - 3/3/2008
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Band Information - Band Profile
(Steen)
Album Review - Sevdah Metal
(Alanna)
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