Cleft [Interview]

Cleft are fucking nuts. Some bands just grab your attention through sheer force of intent – and this instrumental turbo-prog duo is definitely one of them. TMMP got talking to guitarist Dan about their upcoming set at 2000 Trees – and this is what came out…

You’re due to hit 2000 Trees 2015. How’re you feeling?

We’ve had a hectic and challenging few months due to illness so it feels like it’s come out of the blue to me actually. We’ve been burrowed away writing loads of new material for our next album, so we’ve not had much time to think about gigs and festivals. It’s only now that it’s so close that I’m realising we’re actually doing this festival, playing with so many amazing bands. It’s going to be an excellent weekend!

Musically, you’re pretty out there. If an inebriated stranger were to ask what you sound like, what would you say in response?

I’d describe ourselves (to an enormously drunk and unmusical stranger) like a cross between Yes, Slayer, and Mr Blobby. But to a normal human person, we’ve been categorising ourselves as “turbo-prog,” which seems to have stuck now.

We play riff-based progressive music that we’ve condensed down to the length of an average to short pop tune due to our very short attention spans. We’re exactly the same as the Beatles – if the Beatles were an instrumental, gear-obsessed drum/guitar duo with a penchant for filthy riffs and odd groovy rhythms…

What made you decide to stick with the guitar-drums duo format? Would you consider expanding the lineup?

I think we just both thrive on the challenge of Read more…

Posted on 02 July 2015

Paolo Raineri [Interview]

TMMP regulars will have read much about experimental instrumental group KoMaRa, comprised of David Kollar, Pat Mastelotto, and Paolo Raineri. Here, TMMP talks to the ‘Ra’ in KoMaRa…

How’re you feeling about the release of KoMaRa’s debut album at the end of this month?

I’m excited, can’t wait to release it! I’m really curious about what people will think about it! We worked really hard to make it better and better: billions of different versions, overdubs, changes in structure, thinking what to do.

And Pat’s team is just great: Adrian who helped us a lot with sounds, structure, mixes; Bill recorded amazing voices over the album and did some mixes; Denis with his stunning graphic work for CD [and] vinyl and, of course, Adam [Jones, of Tool] who created the creature of KoMaRa. Unbelievable team and very nice persons.

I want to mention also my bandmates David and Pat: it’s really a pleasure Read more…

Posted on 25 June 2015

David Kollar [Interview]

For KoMaRa, boundaries are not boundaries. They are merely silly notions, ideas to be ignored. That cryptic name refers to the first two letters of each core member’s surname – those members being Slovakian guitar maestro David Kollar, King Crimson drummist Pat Mastelotto, and Italian trumpeter Paolo Raineri – and their music cannot be easily categorised.

KoMaRa’s music is best described by stating what it is not. Jazz, fusion, rock, prog, industrial – KoMaRa represents none of those genres in their pure or traditional forms. However, the trio in question do borrow elements from each: Improvisation, attitude, balls, storytelling, and grim, gritty harshness – not to mention a middle finger raised in the direction of compromise.

Here, TMMP talks to the “Ko” from KoMaRa…

KoMaRa’s debut album is coming out at the end of this month. What thoughts/feelings are going through your head at the moment?

It was a very Read more…

Posted on 15 June 2015

Marco Minnemann [Interview]

For regular TMMP readers, drum legend Marco Minnemann will need little introduction by now! Creator of EEPS (TMMP’s second-favourite album of 2014) and brand new album Celebration (reviewed on TMMP here); the skin-beater currently backing up Joe Satriani and Steven Wilson; and one third of globally notorious fusion heavyweights the Aristocrats (alongside Guthrie Govan and Bryan Beller), Marco Minnemann is, to say the least, a truly rare talent and artist.

Here, Marco talks about his brand new album, creativity, darkness, and rubber animals. Enjoy!

Your new solo album Celebration is out now, less than a year after your last one, EEPS. How do you manage to maintain such restless creativity?

Well, I’m enjoying the writing and playing music world and ideas sort of sometimes fall from the sky or get triggered by experiences. So inspiration is present if you walk through the world with an open mind and a lot of imagination.

Plus, portable studio equipment makes things really easy on the road. So, there are virtually no Read more…

Posted on 05 June 2015