Next month there will be a premiere of Cloudscape’s third album. The
band always played melodic metal with progressiwe touch. But third
album seems to be the most mature dics Cloudscape recorded so far.
Global Drama was of course main theme of conversation with leadsinger of
the group – Mike Andersson, but there wasn’t the only theme – feel
free to read the interview below…
Almost every musician claim their latest album, as the best in band’s
discorgaphy, but i will agree with you if you’ll say that Cloudscape
just recorded it’s best album 😉
Hehehe, well, we really do think that Global drama is our best album
this far. I mean, we are proud of all albums we’ve recorded but, when it
comes to the songwriting and performance on Global drama we dug deeper
into our minds ´creating it with a deeper musical thought so to speak.
But, I really hope that we will continue to feel that the ”new” album is
the best one to date because, I can’t imagine recording a new album and
thinking ”eh, we are releasing our 3rd album but, the second one is the
best”. When I compose songs for a new album I always have the ambition
to compose the best songs ever. The most important thing is that our
fans appreciate our music. There will be fans that will think that
Global drama is the best album and there will of course be fans that
still will like our first album the most.
What’s the difference between previous albums and „Global Drama” in your opinion?
I think that our first album (released in 2005) is more of a melodic
metal album where you can hear certain influences. There were a few
really old songs on that album as well that was written long before we
signed for recordlabels.
Our second album (Crimson skies, 2006) shows a little darker side of
Cloudscape but, even more melodic than the first album. But, On Global
Drama we show the whole spectra in my opinion. There are metal songs
that are rawer and more agressive compared to anything we’ve done before
and there are songs that are more atmospheric and dynamic compared to
any songs we’ve done before. Global drama is even darker than Crimson
skies but, the melodies are still there and it ”sounds” Cloudscape but,
with more angles of everything. There are even 2 songs that are up to 10
minutes long on Global drama which are quite progressive. So,
personally even if I’m proud of the first 2 albums I can easily say that
Global Drama is my favourite album and the most thoughtout album we’ve
recorded this far.
Could you shortly say what are the lyrics about at „Global Drama”?
The lyrics on Global drama is about everything that people can relate to
and also lyrics in a more brutal or science fiction-like way, hehehehe.
All songs are dramatic, all lyrics are dramatic stories in one way or
another….well…..= Global drama;)
The case of keyboards in Cloudscape is interesting. You and Bjorn
Eliasson are playing all the parts. But keyboards in Cloudscape sounds
as good as played by fulltime keyboard player.
How did you divide keyboard parts within two players? And how does it look like at the concerts?
It’s
me and Bjorn that composes all music for Cloudscape so, I play the keys
on the songs that I have composed and Bjorn plays on his songs.
When we play live we use a backtrack (pre-recorded keyboards). Since we
don’t use keyboardsolos or stuff like that we think it’s better for us
as a band using a backtrack instead of hiring a keyboardplayer. The 5 of
us are close friends since many years back so, I don’t think it would
be fair to invite a new member to the band;). We use chord progressions
and atmospheric synths and do not use it as a solo instrument so, that’s
one of the reasons we decided to have the keyboards in a backtrack
instead of letting a keyboardplayer playing it. The thing is that, most
of the bands I know of (even bands with a keyboardplayer) use backtracks
when it comes to keyboards in order to keep the whole atmosphere of the
songs live.
Didn’t you afraid including sitar and pipes motives at the album?
They are more popular instruments nowadays in metal music… I have to
say, that they fits perfect to your tracks, but didn’t you hasitate to
put them on the album?
No, not at all. I really like the ethnic side of Cloudscape and so far
it seems that has become a trademark for the band. I love sitar, flute,
pipes, percussion etc etc etc. If I wanna write a song in a certain way,
then I just do it without any hesitation;):
What was the reason of changing the label? Weren’t you happy with promotion, or simply your contract expired…
Our old label did a good job so, there ain’t no hang ups there.
Nonetheless there were a few issues that we weren’t happy with but,
that’s between us and that label and we wish them all the best for the
future.
I heard, there will be video to „Cloack and daggers” track. Can you
tell what is the script of the clip about? And can you tell something
about process of filming?
As we speak the video is being filmed in Lofoten in Norway so,
unfortunally I cannot tell you very much about it just yet. The band
scenes were filmed in a barn in Malmoe (Sweden) but, the whole story,
actors and environment is filmed in Lofoten (Norway). It will be
finished in a few weeks.
Are
you gonna play your own tour in Europe as headliner promoting „Global
Drama”? Or mabye you are concentrate on festivals only?
We have already performed at a bunch of festivals and also have a few
ahead of us but, when it comes to tours there is nothing planned yet. We
really, really wanna tour Europe but, we haven’t got the opportunity
yet so, please keep your fingers crossed and spread the word about
Cloudscape and I’m sure we’ll tour europe quite soon;). If we’ll tour I
do not think we will do it as headliner but, maybe as support to a more
well known band.
Did you consider record some live material to put it on DVD?
We are talking about it and we are filming a lot of behind the scenes
stuff when we’re on the road to have bonus material but, these things
won’t be released until we have recorded a real live DVD so, plans are
there but, no details or anything is settled.
How did it happened, that Mattias Noren made your artwork and
booklet? Mattias said some time ago, he won’t make the artworks
anymore… well – for some time 😉
That’s correct. Mattias have quitted ´creating new booklets and stuff
but, since we are close friends to him he decided to create Global drama
for us;).
You sung in Planet Alliance – allstar project and also in
Audiovision… Is it hard to invite you for guest apparence? Or mabye
you don’t restist such proposals?
If a musician or a recordlabel contacts me for these kind of matters it
all comes down to the quality of the music and also what musicians are
involved. So, I do not take all proposals since I don’t wanna look like a
„session vocalist” because, Cloudscape is my main band and the band I
perform live with. I love doing guest appearances and project albums
but, it’s all about timing, the music, musicians if I decide to do it
etc etc.
I also want to ask you about second Silent Memorial album. In oposit
to metioned projects you sung all vocals at the album. Do you know when
we can expect release date of this album? What can we expect with this
album?
This album will most likely and finally be released at the end of 2008.
There are several reasons for the delay considering the music business
is what it is today. Silent memorial plays far more progressive music
than Cloudscape but, still I think it will appeal to fans of Cloudscape.
Many of the songs are a bit like Dream Theater stylewise but, with an
own touch;).
Sometimes
rock/metal musicians listen to different music just to get distance…
What are your musical influences and favourities?
Bands I listen to that don’t play hardrock is „Yes, Incognito, Brand new
heavies, Bee Gees, The Trammps, Enigma, Antonio Vivaldi, Hans Zimmer,
Toto etc etc etc”
Bands within the metal genre I listen to are „Whitesnake, Yngwie J.
Malmsteen, Symphony X, Kansas, Rush, Dream Theater, Fates Warning,
Mercenary, Meshuggah, Porcupine Tree etc etc etc”
Thanks for your time, I hope you will play the concert somewhere in Poland.
What do you want to say to your Polish fans as an outro?
My pleasure. Yes, we hope to rock Poland in a not too distant future:).
To our Polish fans I wish to say that we love all of ya and we hope to
meet you on the road. Please check out our new album (Global drama) and
spread the word about Cloudscape as much as you can.
YOU RULE!!!!
Yours sincerely: Mike Anderson (Cloudscape leadsinger)
http://www.cloudscape.se
http://www.myspace.com/cloudscapemetal
Questions: Piotr Spyra
