Sceneazine.com
Third Ion
By Lady Spitfire
Third Ion is the product of a mutual love of prog,
video games, and science. A project talked about, envisioned, and anticipated by Justin and Aaron since they
met, by chance, in mid-2010. A few of the songs have
been in the works since shortly after that, but meeting Mike and getting him on board was the jump start
needed to truly get this band off the ground.
of great musicians while working there, and I have met
a ton on the road playing with Into Eternity, but I just
immediately really clicked with both of those guys. It
took almost 4 years to get the ball rolling after I met
Aaron, but we knew right from day one that this band
would eventually happen.
As for Tyler, I had produced his last two most recent solo records, and absolutely love his voice and his
ability to write interesting melodies. I had always hoped
to have him on some music of my own, so when he said
yes to being in this band I was thrilled. He is an amazing
musician, and a super rad guy and I think he fits just
perfectly.
What made you get into the present day?
The way I see it, and maybe it’s my hopeless romanticism about playing music – everything I have done in
my life has lead up to this point. This is the music I have
been meaning to play my whole life. Nothing else matter but the present and what I am doing now.
Now with the addition of Tyler on vocals, and the
first few songs demoed, everyone is extremely excited
about the future of this project and where it could go.
Planning is underway for an amazing live show, with an
emphasis on minimalism and mood.
The debut album 13/8Bit is tracked and nearly complete. Including the title track which is written
almost entirely in 13/8 time signature with a surprise
theme to it. 8-Bit musical renditions of every song will
be released as well, to pay homage to their 1980’s classic
gaming inspirations.
Explain the name of your band.
It was something Aaron and I stumbled upon, sort
of by accident, as we were brainstorming band names.
We thought a science word, like ion or atomic or something of the like, would be fitting for us, and somehow
we landed on something that makes a play on words of
the whole “third eye” thing... Within seconds of saying
it, we searched for thirdion.com and registered it – considering ourselves lucky, as a band name that isn’t taken
is tough to find!!
How did you guys meet?
I am one of the regular sound techs at the Exchange
live venue in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and if I
wasn’t, I may not have ever met Aaron or Mike. Both
of them, at separate occasions, were on tour with other
bands and happen to play at the Exchange. I meet a lot
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What’s life like for you outside of the band?
I am a full time musician, working mostly as a
recording engineer for local musicians and a live sound
tech around town. I am my own boss, and even though
it’s kind of a ‘feast or famine’ type of existence – I love it
and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I also have a project with Troy from Into
Eternity, and Flo from
Cryptopsy called “Digital
Doomzday” that I joined
after the original guitarist passed away in May of
2012. I don’t take a lot of
days off, but I love what I
do.
If you had the opportunity to create the biggest marketing campaign
involving music and your
personal life, what would
it be about?
Interesting question!
I suppose it would have
to involve some kind of
“follow your heart” kind
of motif, as I have always
lived by that. I trust my
gut and I chase music
and my dreams. It could
focus on the wide variety
of work I do as a musician to stay busy and pay
the bills, but of course I
would want it to focus on
my original music, which
is my true passion.
Whose your all-time favorite musician/artist and
why?
That is so hard to pick just one. I think Mikael
Akerfeldt of Opeth is just … the king. Amazing song
writer, he never repeats himself, always reinventing the
wheel, great guitarist, and possibly my favorite singer.
Easily my favorite death vocal, and top 3 for me for melodic singing. Just an absolute all around pure talent, a
true visionary in modern music.
Who were your heroes when you were young?
James Hetfield, Dimebag Darrell, Dave Mustaine,
John Petrucci, Jon Shaffer, Mike Portnoy, Gene Roddenberry, J. Michael Straczynski, Shigeru Miyamoto.
This really hasn’t changed now that i’m older.
So what’s the food like on the tour, assuming the
band tours? Do you do boxers or briefs? Tell us about
some of the memories you guys have as a band.
We have all toured extensively – but not together in
this band. Yet. Come september, I will have actual tour
stories for you! Boxers, most definitely.
With into eternity, I never ate very healthy on the
road. In america, unhealthy fast food is cheap... I would
love to do that differently. When we played in Japan,
you cou