INFERNO PRESS 03/2004 - TRANSCENDING THE MUNDANE Interview 1. Why should someone take the time and effort to check out your music? It certainly something that fans of heavy, dynamic progressive music can enjoy. Its some fine melodious music full of the mellifluous sounds one comes to know and enjoy, from my new age/electronic background, as well as the crushing wall of 7-string electric guitars, and when you merge those two sonic concepts with a healthy dose of odd-meter times, majestic epic sound suites and harmonious vocal arrangements, you have an interesting hybrid of musical styles. Well, of course, then there is the issue of self-expression, and the artistic statement thang.   2. Obviously, I have enjoyed Inferno immensely- it appears to me that this disc is more song oriented without losing the progressive and ambient influences of past albums- was this the direction you were headed with this album? Yes, and thank you for that. INFERNO is definitely a more cohesive and focused project. My persepctive on music has always been to synthesize a myriad of musical genres, putting my personal spin on them. I find it a real challenge, and artistically rewarding, to take songs with interesting dynamic, tone, mood and time changes and format them as pop songs. Melody, focus and restraint are as important to me as atmosphere, bombast and self-indulgence. Of course, with 8 and 11 minute songs, that approach sometimes exits the window like a falling piano.   3. What led to your return to Long Island? How have things been going since you've been back? I am one of those NYers who have a love/hate relationship with the state. I love the multi-ethnic, artistic and cultural aspects of NY, especially Manhattan, but the cost of living and the crush of economic pressure and job competition is daunting. Things are going good (see next question), and I'm looking forward to working on CD#4 as soon as possible. Now, if you mean how are things going GLOBALLY since I've been back in NY, well... I don't think the answer to that hinges upon my triumphant return to NY as much as it does politicial machinations.   4. How does becoming a father change your life? That's a very simple question and a very complex question. All the apparent answers are correct, but I can say everyday is a learning experience. It certainly changes your priorities and expands your emotional focus. Compromise and balance are really how I'm going about it, but to say it's a personal revelation, is an understatement.   5. Have you or do you plan to see Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11?If so, what were your thoughts? I don't get out to the movies that often, and I get enough political discussion, debate and discourse in my daily existence, so I will probably wait until the home video release. In the progressive political circles, some of the themes and sentiments involved in that movie, have been circulating for quite sometime. While I share alot of common political ground with Michael Moore, I honestly don't have the time to see it right now. Spiderman 2 is more of a cinematic priority.   6. Being an enivronmental activist, I'm sure you would've preferred to see Al Gore in office- have you encountered any politicians who truly care about the environment and are willing to make progress in in this direction? Well, I would actually prefer to see Ralph Nader in office to be honest, but certainly our current political regime is no friend of the environment or responsible ecological concerns. That said, I don't want to dwell on all the technicalities of Gore was president, so I will - say to answer the second part of your question - not really. It seems we're going to need some kind of global wake-up call and civilian movement to really shake things up in Washington to take these issues seriously. In a world where the stock market and commodity accumulation are the extent of political concern it seems, and our government representatives are too financially beholden to their business and fiscal special interests, it's an uphill battle.   7. I see you are into wolves (Samantha is actually spending 2 weeks in Wolf Park in Indiana next month), what are some misconceptions the public have regarding these intelligent and harmless creatures? You may want to pose that question to the governor and assemblymen of Alaska, where hunting wolves from helicopters is sport. I can't begin to express my rage at those who would seek government sanctioned sport from killing creatures that we drove to the brink of extinction only decades earlier. Raising public awareness and concerns regarding the plights of wolves and all endangered wildlife is another grave environmental concern.   8. You are also a very talented artist and your graphic design never fails to impress- if someone is interested in using your services- what information would be useful for them to know? Thanks, man... check is in the mail. Most of my work is entertainment related (re: music and publishing), but I do supply a wide range of graphic design and imaging services, from corporate identity to advertising campaigns, book and CD covers, ad infinitum. I try to temper my conceptual approach with a healthy dose of contemporary visuals and personalized flair. Design is both a job and a hobby for me, so... basically, my only pre-requisite is payment ontime, lol.   9. How much time do you get to play and write music? At this point in your musical career, are you content to continue as an independent solo artist? Less than I have, and not as much as I'd like. I wouldn't mind working with a label to assist in the financial and promotional aspects... basically a label is just that, it handles the business end of the industry. That would also free me up to compose more often. Many independent artists - without the benefit of third party assistance - spend most of our time on promotionand exposure. In a corporate-dominated entertainment industry, it tests one's conviction and artistic ambitions to continue to ply your trade when there is such a glut of product out there.   10. I really liked Todd's voice on Virtality, but he is astounding on Inferno. Do you feel working together on a second album allowed Todd to be even more comfortable perhaps? You should see Todd's choreographed knee-shakin dance moves. I'd like to incorporate that into the CD cover design and the accompanying DVD release one day. The main reason there is more of Todd on this CD is that we had a less restrictive time constraint. I can pretty much cover most of the musical bases with the exception of vocals, and Todd is such a strong melodic vocal force, I am composing with Todd's vocal sensibilities moreso than ever before. Hopefully we can keep our fruitful collaboration evolving together, regardless of his dancing prowess.   11. I'm eagerly anticipating a new F5 album from Chris Rikin- what's he up to these days? Chris is actually in the studio at this EXACT MOMENT. From what I understand, all the music is finished, he's just fleshing out the vocal arrangements with Leann. I've only heard the music at this juncture but if that's any indication, it's going to be a great CD.   12. Have you heard any new albums which have blown you away lately? Nothing I've heard recently has really blown me away. The industry seems to be really single song oriented moreso than ever before -- too much filler not enough thriller. I am looking forward to picking up Musicology by Prince and perhaps the new Death Angel. The Fates Warning and Vanessa Carlton CDs due later this fall are highly anticipated, and of course, some independent musicians I'm looking forward to, and supporting, are F5, Hubi Meisel, Redemption, Prymary, Echo Us and Bryant Wilder.   13. Final comments? Please add anything we missed. If you liked VIRTUALITY, you'll definitely enjoy INFERNO. If you didn't like like VIRTUALITY, you'll probably still like INFERNO. If you didn't hear VIRTUALITY, well, then you need to hear VIRTUALITY AND INFERNO. So visit http://www.theambientmind.com or http://www.cdbaby.com for further information, and to check'em out. Muchos gracias in dvance.