Interview:The Shadow Theory
DEMI SCOTT
Hello Demi, Hello The Shadow Theory,
it has been a while since the last interview. But I am glad to have you here to talk to me and my readers. And I would be happy to hear something about the progress of your band since we last talked. So let’s start with the questions....
1. Please introduce The Shadow Theory anno 2010 to us first. What has changed since we last talked?
Demi: The Shadow Theory is practically a meddling in influences, a blend of totally different "Music Schools”. It will be up to the audience, whether this blending is successful or not. The only thing that changed is the final line-up actually. Johanne James is now playing the drums for us. Needless to say that Johanne is an e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-t performer, whose drumming can take your breath away from the very first listening. I’d also like to clear something out, for just once, given the opportunity. Since as you know that Johanne, Devon and Kris are/were members in other well known bands as well, some fans of these bands think that “The Shadow Theory” is competing or ‘threatening’ these bands. That’s of course very very wrong to think. We’re fans of them, as well as fans of all good music, and that’s what we do here too. This band is not to be considered as any of us’ side-project. It’s just a freely alternative approach in metal music. “If you like it, you buy it. If not, then don’t.
2. Do you still remember your first meeting with Mr. Graves? Can you share these impressions with us please?
Demi: My first contact ever with Devon was almost 5 years ago by e-mail. The first face-to-face meeting was one year later, while he was touring with DeadSoul Tribe. I’ll use the same phrase me and Devon usually use to describe this: “The Universe conspired on our favor, so that we finally meet”.
3. After four years you soon will release your debut album “Behind the black Veil”. Congratulations. We are all excited to hear the new tunes. Who wrote all the lyrics? And what’s the meaning behind the album title: “Behind the black Veil”?
Demi: Devon wrote all the lyrics exclusively, and I along with Arne made the music. I can’t say much about the ‘meaning’; there’s a lot of ‘hidden’ ones in the album. You’ll have to listen it again, and again, but eventually, the final meaning will depend in each individual listener’s point of view.
4. So, well it is Devon’s first concept album. Can you tell us something about it? What’s it all about? As far as I know it is about a rockstar.....
Demi: It is Devon’s, and everyone’s in this band. It’s an inescapable timeless maze of thoughts, a non-stop Deza-Vu. It’s about a decadent drug-addict rock star, being guest in a house, being lost in time, lost in his own subconscious. I mustn’t explain more of this, you know. I’ll have to let you figure it out yourself.
5. What about the fan responses on the first song which you uploaded to your MySpace page, called: “The sound of flies”?
Demi: The so far feedback is astonishing! Everyone loved the song, and it was just one little piece of what’s in the album. No song is similar to another; I can personally guarantee you that. Everybody is curious to listen more of this, and it amazes me the fact that we have no negative feedback at all!
6. From your point of view: What do you think about the new album? Are the fans ready for prog-rock, psychedelic, and symphonic metal stuff?
Demi: Depends on which kind of fans you’re referring to. Open-minded fans of metal music, will accept it heartily I suppose. If; just if, this album becomes a successful one in long term, one reason will be because me and Arne composed based on no musical ‘recipe’ at all. We composed freely. Devon did the same on vocals, and Kris with Johanne performed more than just great! I’ll give you an additional hint: If you listen closer to the melodies, you’ll find several “hidden” tributes from us, unto great musicians from all genres of Rock, Metal, and even other Music genres. Yep. This album is full of hidden shadowy stuff!
7. So how did you arrange your keyboard parts, Demi?
Demi: It sometimes starts as spare ideas in keyboards. Arne comes along with spare guitar parts. That’s the prime ‘raw material’ me and Arne have to exchange, study, enrich, and finally bring together into final standalone songs. So, once that’s done, then I have to decide on my behalf for the final sounds and frequencies I desire to fill with additional sounds and melodies, ambiences and effects, in order to balance the whole song’s atmosphere, and meanwhile, -very important to me- to avoid sounding like a show-off keyboardist. Instead of using a single workstation keyboard, I used my Mac and various “plug-ins” as a sound source. I’d hate to sound as frequent and perfect as that “Demonstration” button, usually found on most keyboards. Keyboard parts’ place, in a metal band, is to mainly keep securing the atmosphere, the rhythm section, and the groove, not destroying it.
8. Are you also playing other instruments on the new TST album? And if which other instruments do you also play?
Demi: On this album, all I play is keyboards. That’s what I play best. I do play a little guitar or flute, or percussion at home, but that’s just for my own entertainment. I’ve had attended courses in piano, harmony and orchestration as a kid, but what appeals me most of all, is composing on my sequencer.
9. Will we see TST on tour sometime soon?
Demi: It’s a little too soon to answer this. First, the album has to get released, so that people have a full concept of what’s going on in it. In addition, Devon, Kris and Johanne are committed to their other bands as well, and all such priorities will have to be respected. Once touring dates suit us all, we’ll be out on tour. Hopefully soon.
10. Leave a message for all your fans and my readers last but not least.
Demi: Allow me to share one advice I got as a musician, many years ago..: Becoming one of those musicians being in bands, who think that by doing this “job” may someday mean: “big money”, more food in the fridge, expensive clothes, nice chicks and faithful surrounding “courtiers”…well… such so - called musicians should better change direction into other professions. The “virus” of Music, doesn’t interact the same with all of us. On some musicians, it completes them as human beings, but on some others, it destroys them at the end. It all depends from what kind of feedback you request from Music. It’s great to listen to it; it’s great to study it and always to try to become better in it, with no actual purpose or aim; just to please your own soul and your friends’. So simple! To those musicians or bands that rehearse in a small room, a basement, or a garage, just for the fun of it, without any further ambition, having just a terrific time jamming along with a few friends; this is what I personally call: “Respect!!!” That’s my message, for now.-
www.myspace.com/theshadowtheoryofficial
www.theshadowtheory.com
www.myspace.com/demisscott
Demi, I thank you bunches for this rocking interview. It was a real pleasure. Thank you for taking your time. I wish you and the boys all the best for the upcoming album. We will talk again soon and I hope to see TST on the road next year if planned, best wishes Susi
© 10 2010 by Rocket Queen *Promotion*