:: AEON ZEN

You were pretty young, when you started to write the songs for your debut album. How did you get into metal or music in general?

I actually received a lot of formal musical education when I was younger which has undoubtedly influenced my appreciation of progressive music. After playing a lot of other styles, particularly rock and metal, I found myself drawn more towards progressive music, because to me and for my tastes, it’s really at the top of the pile musically and artistically. The playing is fantastic, the production is generally very good and in my opinion often better than many other styles of rock and metal. I felt that I wanted to explore more of my instruments, and progressive music was definitely the way forward for me.


This album was made with you Rich, and your student friend Lloyd Musto on drums. The rest are guest musicians. Will you keep this or are you searching for a steady line up?

I enjoyed the technical process with this album, as working with my guests allowed me to write music to actually suit their different ranges and voices. As most of these guys were in different countries to ensure good communication I actually had to write out their parts in a score, and then of course they had to be able to read this to record their paarts. And I have also had the ok from Time Divide Records (my record label) for a follow album and I hope to persue a similar format for that as well. Its very early days yet though but I can tell you the new material so far is I think very strong and I’m actually really excited about the follow up. I have also been working for the last few months on the Aeon Zen Live band for 2010 dates and I will have some announcements veery soon for you on the line up. I do have a full band in place but at the moment contracts prevent me from saying the line up, so sorry about that. But I will come back and tell you when I can! (Laughs)


You have four singers, four different voices on your album, why...and why did you decide just for this combination?

I contacted many singers to be a part of the album and i was lucky enough to have four incredible singers reply that were interested in working on the Aeon Zen album. That would be Elyes Bouchoucha of Myrath, Andi Kravljaca of Silent Call and Seventh Wonder, Andreas Novak of Mind’s Eye and Nils K. Rue of Pagan’s Mind and Eidolon. I wanted to create something different to anything I had done before and I also wanted to achieve an effect with the album that was truly breathtaking and I was sure I had enough quality material to stand up on its own and be noticed. The fact that these great singers and guest musicians wanted to get involved and be a part of the project as well was flattering for me and I think it really helps the album go that one step higher. I also sang a couple of tracks too, so I think this adds even more to the diversity of the album. So I would say this definitely isn’t a typical album, that’s for sure!


The responses about your album “A Mind’s Portrait” are very good. What are your feelings, when you read or hear them?

I was personally really pleased with the finished album and to then get such amazing comments like “album of the year” and “best newcomer” was just incredible and is really motivating for me. Selfishly (laughs) I made this album for myself, as the sort of music that I would want to listen to, so the fact that so many other people enjoy it and have written so positively about it is fantastic and I am very thankful to everyone that has done so.



Are there tour plans for Aeon Zen?

I have a great setup with some great gear, the latest Roland digital mixing desk, in ear monitors etc. For my live band infrastructure, and this definitely helps the band to play this complicated music and we are rehearsing hard now through to the new year. Time Divide Records are sponsoring the live setup for me and I know they are hoping to work with other labels and venues to get us out to play soon. I’d love to hear from your listeners via my website on www.aeonzen.com if there’s any particular event they want to see us at.


Do you have side projects?

I do, I have a contract to write with the singer Jonny Tatum for his 2010 solo album, Jonny works in the US band Eumeria with the keyboard player Bobby Williamson – who you may know as a member of the band Outworld. It is a more commercial sound though that we’re going so for, so I don’t have such a free hand to create long complicated musical structures, but of course I enjoy it too.


From where do you have all the ideas for your music?

My musical ideas generally come from playing lots of music really! (laughs) Of course I’ve got many influences when it comes to my playing and writing styles, Yes, Focus, Dream Theater, Megadeth, Skid Row, Opeth, Death, Cynic, Porcupine Tree, the list’s endless really. But it mostly comes down to playing guitar or keyboards, whatever the instrument happens to be, and see what comes out. I often write music solely on the computer without an instrument in sight as well. I just starting writing and go where the music takes me. Once I start there are always plenty of ideas.


Try to imagine THE perfect band…which members should play there?

Apart from Aeon Zen! (laughs) That’s a tough one! Off the top of my head I think I’ll go with...well obviously firstly Andi Kravljaca of Silent Call, ex-Seventh Wonder, he really does have a fantastic voice, so if you haven’t heard him then check him out! Otherwise I would go with Daniel Gildenlow of Pain Of Salvation on vocals, Paul Masvidal of Cynic and Mats Haugen of Circus Maximus on guitars I think, Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater on keys, Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree on drums, oh and of course myself on bass. That looks pretty interesting to me! On paper at least (laughs).


At least, do you have something special to add, some words for our listeners?

Well, thank you for having me and also thanks to everyone for listening now. Especially to those who have taken the time to buy, listen and appreciate my work. I do work very hard to produce music to the best quality I can and it’s the positive feedback that I’ve had that is very humbling. Thank you. So to sum up – I would love for Aeon Zen to be heard and enjoyed by many more people and I’m sure that the live band will increase the awareness of Aeon Zen, so those without, please pick up a copy of my album, A Mind’s Portrait from www.aeonzen.com and I really hope you like it! And of course, enjoy the rest of the show!

Thank you for taking the time and the nice interview.