Interview with Arjen Anthony Lucassen

Fascinated by music and a deep need for making it he was inviting the greatest artists of the rock and metal world to join his projects. Right now everyone wants to take part in them. In an exclusive interview for Opinia, Arjen Anthony Lucassen talks about his albums, inspirations, the Abbey Road Studio and reveals secrets from the mighty walls of the Electric Castle.

You’re a multi-instrumentalist. Which instrument do you feel most confident with?

AAL: Definitely the guitar, that’s where it all started. Though I also really like pounding on the bass and fiddling with the knobs of my synths. (laugh)

Why did you start Stream Of Passion when you already had Ayreon?

AAL: It was originally going to be a solo album for Marcela. Most of the songs were left-overs from the „Human Equation” album. Somehow it turned into a band.

You live in Holland, yet most of Stream of Passion musicians come from Mexico. How did you manage to record the album remotely?

AAL: Only (part of) Marcela’s vocals were recorded in Mexico. I would have preferred to record all her vocals in my own studio though. Lori’s solos were recorded in Sweden, the rest was recorded in Holland.

You’ve played lots of music genres – which one is closest to you?

AAL: Metal/hard rock is the easiest for me, because that’s what I grew up on. I prefer to listen to more proggy stuff though.

Arjen Anthony LucassenDo you have any dream artist that you would like to join your album? If so, have you already made the first step?

AAL: All the artists I have worked with so far were my dream artists! I’m making dreams come true all the time. (laugh)

When you cooperate with other musicians you either invite them to your studio, join them in theirs, or just receive ready tracks from them. Which way do you prefer?

AAL: I prefer to record singers in my own studio. Instrumentalists can send me their solos digitally.

Apart from science-fiction films, what else inspires you to write stories on your albums?

AAL: Science fact.

What were the criteria for choosing songs to the „Timelines” album?

AAL: My own favourites, the fan’s favourites and the songs that would appeal to new listeners. Also the songs had to fit together well, as not to interrupt the flow of the music and the story.

According to many artists, the best album is always the latest. Which album are you most proud of?

AAL: Not the last album this time. At the moment I’m most proud of „Electric Castle” and „Human Equation” as a whole.

As a declared Beatles fan what was it like to record and have mastered your side project „Strange Hobby” at the Abbey Road Studio?

AAL: Very cool indeed, I must have crossed the famous zebra crossing about a hundred times and took equally as many pictures. (laugh)

How do you evaluate development of your music and yours as a musician?

AAL: I’m becoming a better musician all the time, but often that doesn’t mean that the music gets better. That’s for others to decide I guess!

What else would you like to be doing if you weren’t a musician?

AAL: Jumping from a very high building…

What are your future plans?

AAL: I’m finishing my new project called Guilt Machine at the moment. I think it’s my best project so far, and I don’t always say that!

Thank you so much for your time and may The Force never leave you!

Anna Jankowiak

Arjen Anthony Lucassen

Może Ci się również spodoba

Dodaj komentarz

Twój adres e-mail nie zostanie opublikowany.

Witryna wykorzystuje Akismet, aby ograniczyć spam. Dowiedz się więcej jak przetwarzane są dane komentarzy.