1. Congratulations on the release of your new album Dream Zone in Europe and the USA. How do you feel it’s been accepted by the critics so far?
- Thanks. It’s appreciated. There’s been lots of wonderful and great reviews of the new ON THE RISE album – “DREAM ZONE”. I think it’s amazing of course. Especially after all the work that has been done. It’s been joyful and quite rewarding process to follow.
2. Many of our readers are not that familiar with the term “Melodic Rock.” Could you describe what you feel the term means and what other bands you feel fit in that genre?
- Melodic rock is all about the melodious, strong and catchy song. The beautiful melody lines on vocals and harmonious background vocals. Great guitar riffs. All together it’s the ultimate combination of good performing and great music. Toto, Journey, Survivor, Whitesnake is just a few of many bands who are fitting in the genre of melodic rock.
3. In 2003 your debut album was accepted in the rock community as a masterpiece of music. Do you feel that Dream Zone has big shoes to fill and since 6 years have passed between albums you must have been writing from a much different place?
- The new ON THE RISE album – “DREAM ZONE” have been a pleasure to work on and it’s been quite wonderful to follow the amazing respond on it. It’s been overwhelming and it has passed the debut album in so many ways. I haven’t felt any big shoes to fill in at all. I’ve just been continuing the musical journey where I left the debut album in 2003.
4. Christian Wolff appears in many of the pieces on the new album. Can you give us a little bit of his background and how you guys came to meet?
- I met Christian Wolff through the net. He’s been around writing for a few artists and had his debut on the “Ambition” album released by Frontiers. It’s been a pleasure and interesting collaboration in so many ways. Great songwriter.
5. We were big fans of the title track Dream Zone. Can you tell us what that song is about and the inspiration behind it?
- Glad U like it. The song “DREAM ZONE” has been inspired by the beauty of the dreams we all have. Pure and simple. The hope and inspiration we catch up on and reaching out for everyday.
6. It must be rewarding to produce your own music. Do you think you could ever work with a hired producer after being your own boss?
- Definitely. It’s always a pleasure to work with others. Collaboration is a magical thing. It’s about to learn and develop as a musician as well. There’s always something new or new technical stuff to learn every day. That’s what I love about making or working with music. It’s never the same. Always something new coming up. It’s all up to yourself how much effort and energy you’re putting into it. Thereafter the result is shining through.
7. On this album with the exception of a few songs you play all instruments (guitar, bass, keyboards, etc.) Do you have a band for live gigs or are you still working that out?
- Yes, still working that out. The main foundation of playing live is already set by having two albums released. So finding musicians is a chapter by itself. Hopefully it’ll be an easy process to go through in the future.
8. We are based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Any chance of a Great White North tour in the future and have you ever-played in Canada before?
- Never been to Canada before. Would’ve been a pleasure to play there of course. Only been flying over Canada when I’ve been travelling to USA. Canada is very similar to NORWAY. The nature and those beautiful colourful four seasons that we all love so much.
9. Equipment: What guitars do you use on a day-to-day basis?
- I’ve got a Eugen Guitar crafted by hand in NORWAY. For the time being I’m using lots of different software in my home studio and I supply it with different amplifiers in the main studio. To colour it and add that little extra that is needed to let it sound real good. Besides that I’m pretty much sure I’ll be dropping by and get either a stack by VHT/Fryette or maybe Mesa Boogie for live performance in the future.
10. If you could see any band live (living or passed), who would they be and why?
- It would’ve been a pleasure to see any kind of artist/band in the genre of AOR/melodic rock these days. The quality and the songwriting are well done from every one of them out there. So I really hope we’re all making it by getting the main melodic rock scene back on the track. To get the attention of what this strong music deserves. ‘Cause the hunger is so obvious after it’s played on the radio’s these days.
11. Sebastian Bach the former lead singer of Skid Row has recently ventured into the Country Music field because he says, “Rock is nothing but a nostalgia act.” Do you feel this way or is rock still growing and breaking new ground?
- Music styles are always in progress. Same goes for rock. Even country music. Even though it’s pretty much the same when it comes to high quality and the beauty in its genre. It’s lovely to see artists or bands finding new ways to express their feelings weather it’s about music or any other things in life. Rock has always been criticized for a few years and before U even know it’s up and going again. Getting positive critics. Rock has always survived any kind of fashion in music. The mainstream music. The one of a kind that comes and goes. If someone is starting to play or finding a new style they appreciate, then it’s understandable if they’re making a choice and following that kind of path. It’s easier to make a living that way I guess. It’s wonderful. I’m glad on everybody’s behalf. So happy to see if people make it by building the solid career weather it’s on the melodic rock scene or with country music.
Thank you so much for doing this and we wish you continued success and longevity in the future. Next time maybe we can hook up for a phone interview time permitting.
- You’re welcome anytime Bill. Pleasure doing the interview. Yeah, why not. SKYPE is a great tool for interviews and to stay in contact with colleagues and friends around the world.
Tweet
