Steel Notes Magazine December 2016 | Page 111

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