Steel Notes Magazine
www.steelnotesmagazine.com
experience that we all grind through
together.
- Business and music, how did this relation
change during your years and how is the
economic crisis impacting your experience in
your view?
It has affected the way that labels support
music. Everyone is very cautious in every
aspect of the music business, from labels to
promoters to bands, so we all have to
continually look at creative ways to make
music as great as it can be despite all of the
economic fallout, while all of the time
keeping the most important part of the music
business in mind… THE FANS!
- Which difference in music do you see from
the golden era of metal between 1980-1990
and now?
Almost every aspect of the music business
has changed. There’s the economic
difference, the change in interest from the
fans’ perspective, and the fact that the type
of music that people enjoyed then is not the
same type of music that people enjoyed now.
What is popular changes.
- Music drives business or business drives
music?
These days, I think business definitely drives
music.
- What do you think is the main component
for a successful band? Skills, country,
connections, great music?
Everything starts with great music.
- Is there still room for personal creativity or
is it mostly about being commercial?
I think right now there is a huge amount of
room for personal creativity. As a matter of
fact, personal creativity is the only thing that
sets bands apart from each other with the
advent of accessibility with social media.
- What is it that you don’t like in the music
business and what keeps fascinating you?
I don’t like almost everything in the music
business LOL, except that creativity is still a
driving factor. The astounding way that the
music business can set all time lows is
completely fascinating. It makes you wonder
how music can even exist when there really
isn’t much of a reward for it these days.
- To young people who want to play and tour
now, what would you suggest to do and what
would you suggest to avoid?
Do what your heart tells you to do and try to
convey truthful art through your music.
- Which is your life turning point where you
understood you would become a singer?
I started out singing, so I didn’t have much of
a choice LOL!
- I saw you have a degree in psychology.
How did it impact the role of music in those
years? Was it hard to get the degree?
I think it provided me with some
introspection and it made me aware of the
Steel Notes Magazine
www.steelnotesmagazine.com
111