| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
With the new
CD" Tamorok" out, there has been positive responses and questions like "What
took so long for the new one". Well, I'm back in the studio daily writing
trying to get a head start on the next one. |
| 2.Arc Angel are seen as one of
the classic, if sadly underated, bands of the melodic rock scene in the 80's.
How did the band come about and why do you think the band never made that
final big leap into mega-sales? |
With a handful
of demos written by Michael Soldan and myself, I was approached by David
Wolff, who later became my manager, brought the material into Lennie Petze
at Portrait/CBS. I was signed to the label and put together the project with
the help of several area musicians.
It was never a band per se. When
the record came out, it started to make some noise in Europe , at the same
time David Wolff discovered and managed Cindi Lauper, who as you know had
5 #1 hits. So the ArcAngel was put on the back burner, so I had asked for
a release........Following were the Cannata solo records. |
| 3.How do you approach your songwriting
and where do your ideas come from? |
From a melodic
angle, I will sit for a while with my synth , fooling with some chords and
sounds, till something takes shape. Lyrically, once I have melodies , the
words come that just seem to fit the notes. |
| 4.Have any of your songs ever been
covered by other artists and if so,which ones? |
Wanted: Dead
or Alive (ArcAngel CD) was covered by a Canadian band, April
Wine. |
| 5.What are your views on the current
state of rock music? With the widespread use of the Internet have you found
it easier to gain exposure? Can you still get radio play in the
US? |
I find a lot
of "commercial stuff" sounds the same. The original pioneers of the different
genres had a distinct sound. Certainly the internet has created internationl
possibilities that once needed major label push for that exposure. Airplay
is still very difficult in the major markets. College radio is much more
open. |
6.If you could put together a 'dream'
line-up for a band, who would would you have in it and why? |
Peter Gabriel,
lead vocal Greg Lake, bass/vocal, Robert Fripp,guitar, Keith Emerson, keyboards,
Jeff Cannata, drums/vocal. Why?............Why not ! |
| 7.How difficult is it to get gigs?
The package tours of bands seem to do well in the US (Poison, REO/Styx, etc.)
- would you ever consider touring on one of these? Or do you prefer to remain
studio based nowadays? |
When a painter
creates a portrait,still life or any other piece of work in his studio and
then puts that piece of art on display at a gallery for the public to
see........I always wondered why he doesn't go on "the road" and "paint"
in front of a live audience ??
I'm sure they would like it
! |
| 8.What music have you been listening
to recently and are there any new artists you think may have a bright
future? |
I usually listen
to the PBS stations over here, mostly classical stuff, for contrast of when
I have heavier guitar driven bands at mystudio for an extended period. Although,
I did come across Porcupine Tree, a prog band just signed to
Lava/Atlantic........I like them. |
| 9.Who would you like to work with
in the future? |
Peter Gabriel
/ Steven Spielberg / Mutt Lange |
| 10. Message for your
fans... |
Give peace a
chance......I know that's borrowed from a great man, isn't everything
? |
