VIRTUALITY PRESS Interview with UNDERTOW Magazine *"Virtuality" is a 72 minute long epic album which you composed and recorded all on your own. Why did you want to record it by your own? I've been disconnected from the band scene for quite sometime... well, actually more a self-imposed exile, and I finally got out of the creative slump I was in for the last few years and decided to put together my next musical project. It just so happened that I assumed total control over the direction my music was taking and I feel much more comfortable working as a 'solo artist' and enlisting the aid of guest musicians. The original creative remains mine, and untainted, and I certainly feel comfortable in this capacity, although I definitely enjoy collaborating with some of my musical peers without having to baby sit (lol).   *How long did the composing and recording take? Oddly enough most of the songs and direction of the VIRTUALITY project went from composing to completion in a relatively short time frame, I would say, over the course of 9 months, which, when working in solitude, is fairly rapid. The actual recording process, when not being inhibited by the typical musician crisis' took about 2 months.   *If you record an album like "Virtuality" how do you start and what equipment did you use? Basically I start by cracking open a case of Dr. Pepper, followed by what seems like an eternity working on the actual compositions, arrangements and song structures. Then, of course, I have to factor in the time rehearsing with Todd (Corsa, vocalist) and laying out my guitar tracks. All in all it always seems to come together in a more cohesive manner than I originally anticipated. Equipment-wise, the set-up is pretty basic. I composed everything on Triton workstation, and in the studio, all the guitar tracks were recorded with a Kramer Baretta and Ibanez 7-string with my trusty old Marshall combination amplifier. Quite basic, eh? Nothing like avoiding as many electronic pratfalls as possible, and I stayed as far away from choreographed dance moves in the studio as possible. Mickey (Producer) was in charge of that.   *Can you take us through the album and tell us all about "Virtuality" and what the philosophy behind the album lyric is? Well, the CD is somewhat of a non-linear excursion into semi-conceptualism, part and parcel to basic themes that contain similar topical references and lyrical themes. The theme behind virtuality is this: the world we know vs. the world that will be. It deals with our current existence playing against the theme of a hypothetical future. Simply put, how certain courses of action in politics and our social ecology have adverse effects on the world as we know it. There is at once a very personal, somewhat autobiographical connection for me within the political and environmental postulating, although 2 songs, 'Re-Define' and 'The Promise of Truth' are more blatant attempts at lyrical themes of self-awareness and interpersonal relationships.   *Who is Scott Mosher and what is your background? I am me therefore I am! Ok, that's even to existential for me. My background can be summed up as such: musician/graphic artist/activist/observer/pseudo philosopher and neurosurgeon which is a glamourous way of stating, I am the webmaster of the ambient mind. If this sounds a tad grandiose, I have been accused of having delusions of grandeur. Thankfully, I am in a support group for this, haha! Honestly, I find my right-side of the brain persona has truly overtaken whatever technical aptitude I once had. I define most of my self-image through my art, whether it be music, art, prose or personal philosophy. It just so happens, all of these spheres of influence happen to converge with a nice, complimentary ethos.   *How did you develop your talent? Certainly, lots of money, booze and chicks had no part in that. I take a little from the traditional schools of technique and emotion and basically form my own little, sociopathic institution. The ability to be a creative individual, while it may reside in each of us at differing levels of potential, really has alot to do with it, consciously or not. I find the key ingredients for my own progress to be tolerance, diversity, and actively acquiring knowledge. Thankfully I don't rely on my obscure flugel horn abilities anymore...   *How have the reactions been on your album so far? I've really only been promoting the CD for a little over a month at this juncture, but honestly, those who have taken the time to listen to it have been fairly well impressed. It is definitely something somewhat different from alot of other music in the public arena so I expected a stronger opinion skewed towards the extreme's, but irregardless of one's political posturing or viewpoints, at least on the musical merits, I have been definitely surprised. Of course, as I broad my public relations campaign into other markets, I will probably start getting a wider range of opinions, but I am all for constructive criticism as long as it's positive (LOL).   *How would you describe the music you play to somebody who has no clue about this kind of music? Believe me, that's been keeping me up at night. I have actually come to terms with the description: "Ambient neo-progressive cyber rock". I think that is something I can live with... at least until I come up with something using less adjectives and syllables. Any description that included the words 'ambient' and 'progressive' whether it's regarding music, books, food or theology, is going to pique my interest.   *Being that you are the only member of the band it will be hard to preform live. Is playing live something you would like to do and would you consider to form a band to be able to do this? Speaking of hell, I've heard they've had an incredible, virtually unheard of frost season down there? LOL. I have ruminated on that question for all of about 2 minutes. I think I am more comfortable in the position of being a studio musician, for lack of a better term. I like being the final arbiter of the projects, with is not exclusive to allowing input from other individuals involved, but I definitely have a preference for composing music with no reliance on other opinions and conventions. That being said, though, I think it would be a great experience to do a few shows along the lines of Pink Floyd, with a concept and the trappings of lasers, video, etc... A full multi-media experience. If done right, that could be incredible. Apparently, the music I write just lends itself well to modern technological resources, and the atmosphere would work well within a complete audio/visual performance. Almost like musical theater, but more cutting edge.   *If you have to create new music what works best for you? Financial resources are of course a beneficial element, for sure! Other than that, really, just getting into that creative mindset, a trance-like state where time and constraints fall away as one creates and molds. I just have to be inspired.   *Beside a musician you are also a gifted artist. You developed the artwork of the booklet yourself. Can you tell us how you see the digital art of the booklet in connection to your music/lyrics? Well thanks for those words, and to think I didn't even have to bribe you to say them. To some extent the art reflects the music, and vice versa. It seems, in any medium I create, there are some themes and motifs that just rear their ugly head. I can't escape from it. Certain elements of abstract surrealism and symbolism just is going to come across in anything I do, and that really became obvious to me when I saw how well the art and music blended together. Evidentally, they are all rather intricately connected and the only way I can truly represent this is just by visualization and conceptualization.   *You also did art designs for other bands. Do you except all assignments you get or do you focus on a certain type of art? Did I mention I am currently accepting all inquiries and assignments? Well, I am (LOL). The only focus I have is on a final product that both the client and myself are happy with. The journey is not really the focus, the destination is. Of course, I have my personal style, but I do try to expound upon my own limitations when I can, including when working with digital art.   *Your designs are digital, do you also paint in the traditional way? No, I am utterly without peer and sanity when I do (LOL). I am a very limited analog artist, as I like to call it, which is probably why I refer to my abilities as graphic arts and digital imaging opposed to fine art and illustration. Two different coins. Granted, but monetary currency, but different nonetheless. I much prefer to concentrate on atmosphere and concept.   *Which painters / artists do you admire? Now there's a question I didn't expect. I definitely like the work of alot of sci-fi and fantasy artists such as Michael Whelan, Jeff Easley, Brom, Keith Parkinson, Boris, Frazetta, Denis Beauvais, Wayne Barlow. Unfortunately the notoriety surrounding digital artists hasn't reached similar levels, but I think because digital art is still such a new field.   *How do you promote your cd? At swordpoint! Oh, sorry, it's not tru metal! Well, much to the annoyance to virtually everyone on any mailing lists and discussion groups, I have a rather long signature file including a number of URL's and links... Other than that, I've posted some contact information below where people can reach me. I also make it a point to post significant song samples and background information so anyone who is proactive enough to research, can get a fairly good approximation of the nature of my music and art. Of course, some people may become hallucinatory, confused, or even frightened from hearing and.or seeing my work, so, I have yet to comprehend if that's totally beneficial or not. (LOL)   *How important is the internet to you? Well, let me put it this way... just for the sake of access, it's been an incredible medium for expression. But of course, converse to that, the odd's of keeping one's individuality, let alone the ability to promote amongst all the corporate blanketing of cyberspace, definitely hinders the independent artist. I struggle against that everyday. Getting one's name out there amongst the other 10.5 million musicians/artists is a job worthy of heirarchies of middle management.   *If it is all over and done how would you like to be remembered? '... he was truly an allroundniceguy® but damn, was he one strange individual!'