Sentimental Illness

SI #33 This is Tanya Elizabeth & Eddie DeCesare | Monochromatic Black

Tanya Elizabeth and Eddie DeCesare are benevolent souls: Kind people who give of their time and opinions and whom I am immensely impressed with as musicians and people.  Monochromatic Black isn't just another 'female fronted' metal band. To be honest, I really don't like that Monochromatic Black is oftentimes compared to Jinjer or Arch Enemy, simply because both bands have women as front persons.  I know everyone wants to have a reference point ahead of time when discovering new bands, and I've been guilty of it too, but these are people with their own style, and the band has its own sound, which sounds nothing like the bands people compare them to. I guess we all need a starting point when it comes to art, but it's my hope you'll dive a little deeper with me. Originally, we had a much different show prepared, but limits on time and availability (this was recorded during the holidays) kept us tight and didn't allow us to dive as deep as we'd hoped. I hope you'll give this band the attention they deserve, even if I didn't, simply because.... again.... they are super interesting, talented, and absolutely worth your time.  All I know is that I had to have them on the show because they are truly special people to me. I'm hosting them today, because I want you to discover the band before they head out on tour at the beginning of the year. Before their schedules no longer allow them to work with the smaller guys like me. I want you to know what you're in for and who you're going to meet and listen to. I want you to know them, so here's your chance.  Let's welcome these extraordinary talents. It makes me truly happy to have them on the show today.  What a great way to end the year! Ladies and gentlemen, Tanya and Eddie from Monochromatic Black!!! ---- Time Codes: 1:00 When interviewers ask the same dumb questions over and over 1:45 Bands and video games 3:30 When the talent overrides your curiosity 6:30 Tiring of comparisons 8:50 The progressive element of metal 10:50 The music and feel comes first 13:00 When Jinjer was a groove metal band 15:30 When we release music before it's ready 18:45 How does Monochromatic Black overcome being classified as a 'female fronted' metal band? 22:00 Meeting your heroes in person 24:00 The hardest parts of touring life 27:00 When it comes to gear, drummers have it the worst 30:30 Having interests outside of the band 33:00 Being in the right place when it matters 35:00 Knowing what you want to do, no matter what ---- I'm a former professional drummer hosting challenging conversations with other artists/creatives about mental health, new music, weekly news, and spiritual truths. Please consider supporting the show. Watch every UNCENSORED show here: https://www.patreon.com/thisissentimentalillness Copyright 2024 Sentimental Illness - All Rights Reserved Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

SI #30 This is Michel Teyssier | Fields of Næcluda

Let's get to the man of the hour, Michel Teyssier of Fields of Naecluda! Today on the show, we are digging deeper into the music I love the most.  Today's featured artist (and his band) is a French progressive rock band that brings some of the most incredible and delicate music I've heard in quite some time.  Now, when I say delicate, I don't mean soft.  I mean musical choices where the ideas are there and the band, through compression and dynamics, feeds you this musical data one morsel at a time.   If you're a fan of Porcupine Tree, Haken, Temic, or Dream Theater, I am 100% positive this band is for you.  Incredibly performed and written, this could be, and SHOULD BE, your favorite new thing.  I love love love it.  .... and you will too. So... Ladies and gentlemen... dialing in all the way from the middle of Europe, this is my guest Michel Teyssier! ---- Time Codes: 2:00 Gratitude for the vocal booth 6:00 Introducing Fields of Næcluda 10:00 Becoming a professional musician 14:00 Raising children to be independent 17:00 The order of releases and intent 21:00 Michel is where he needs to be right now 25:00 Working with a singer from Senegal 29:00 We are all the same 32:00 Proving something to himself 35:00 Does Michel have a drive to be remembered? 38:00 Michel is NOT preaching anything in his music 42:00 Leaving a musical legacy isn't all he cares about ---- MONOLOGUE:  I'm in the process of recording another book, which is a how to... it's a different experience because it's hard to create something evocative that's basically a business how to book.  So, that's been interesting figuring it all out.  Being home more and working on auditions feels great, but I admit it also makes me feel, at times, kind of pathetic (i get it that it's my own experience as I'm not actually pathetic) because it never fails that the moment I take a break to eat or relax my voice, my family comes home and sees me sitting on the couch. Which... is just great.  ---- I'm a former professional drummer hosting challenging conversations with other artists/creatives about mental health, new music, weekly news, and spiritual truths. Please consider supporting the show. Watch every UNCENSORED show here: https://www.patreon.com/thisissentimentalillness Copyright 2024 Sentimental Illness - All Rights Reserved Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

SI #29 This is Michael Decker | BornBroken

This band, BornBroken, is kind of everything for me. They are heavy, brutal, tight, incredibly well recorded, and everything is well written.  Let's be honest... they are all the things. Today, I'm fortunate enough to have on the original of originals: The man behind the legacy of the band, Michael Decker.   If you like hard hitting, straight in the middle of the gut, right down the middle of the alley, heavy music, with no punches pulled, then BornBroken is for you. So, let's get ready to mosh, baby. Calling in from the magical world of Quebec Canada, this is BornBroken's Michael Decker. Welcome brother! ---- Time Codes: 5:00 What is a normal show, anyway? 9:30 Michael was a super independent kid 14:00 Art and design 19:00 Getting into arguments with family members 23:30 Seeing oneself as an artist first and foremost 28:00 If being normal is actually normal 32:00 Managing every aspect of the band 37:30 Christian Donaldson did the production work 42:00 Does Michael get tired of comparisons to Corey Taylor? 46:00 Pantera and Exhorder sound a lot alike 51:00 Writing about things that we were denied of 56:00 Hurting people and moving on as a better person 1:00:00 Who is Mike Decker, really? THANKS, AS ALWAYS, to Jon Asher from Asher Media (PR) for putting this interview together. You're the best, brother.  ---- I'm a former professional drummer hosting challenging conversations with other artists/creatives about mental health, new music, weekly news, and spiritual truths. Watch every UNCENSORED show here: https://www.patreon.com/thisissentimentalillness  Copyright 2024 Sentimental Illness - All Rights Reserved Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

SI #28 This is Blake Fleming | Author | Dazzling Killmen | Mars Volta

Blake Fleming has kind of done it all.  When I sent my prescreen questions, Blake said he's an open book.  Granted, most say this, but I get the sneaking suspicion that Blake is telling it 100% like it is.  He's been a part of some of the biggest bands in the world including Dazzling Killmen and Mars Volta. He's worked with Sean Lennon and so many others like The Ropes, Kim Taylor, Israel Nash, and the Lemonheads. He's lived that life, and it is good.  To quote Blade Runner, he's probably seen things you wouldn't believe, like ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.... or something.  Blake is an author and solo artist on top of being particularly talented at pretty much everything he touches and now he's here.... just like Freddy Mercury.  Ladies and gentlemen, an amazing drummer and inspiration, Blake Fleming welcome! ---- Time Codes: 7:00 Blake is an amazing talent 10:00 Opening for Eddie Vedder 15:00 Extremism in art 21:00 Great bands coming up in the 90's 25:00 Being a character versus the real musician 31:00 No timpani solos 36:00 Blake started drumming at 8 years old 41:00 Blake has always been a transparent artist 46:00 Talking about Blake's book of rhythms 51:00 Ted Reed's Syncopation 56:00 Playing at very high levels 1:00:00 Stewart Copeland's soundtrack recordings 1:04:00 Living in the Catskills 1:09:00 Working on new solo projects and books MONOLOGUE:  Getting past vocal work milestones.   Turned 58 on Monday.  That's weird. Who knew I'd be here?  Why are we never where we thought we'd be? I was supposed to be a contender.  ---- Watch every UNCENSORED show here: https://www.patreon.com/thisissentimentalillness I'm a former professional drummer hosting challenging conversations with other artists/creatives about mental health, new music, weekly news, and spiritual truths.  Copyright 2024 Sentimental Illness - All Rights Reserved Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

SI #27 This is Christian Mayfield & Anson Clark | Acacia Ridge

Acacia Ridge is a band that I've grown quite fond of over the last year, and I finally have a chance to interview someone in the band to give me the clarity I seek.... about the band's mission, purpose and future hopes.   Anson and Christian are founding members... love when bands introduce classical instruments to create a new soundscape. Reminds me of my first experiences with Kansas, which changed the musical landscape for me.   Now, don't get me wrong.  Acacia Ridge is no soft sell... they are the real, hardcore, deal and it's my honor to host them here. Joining me from the distant lands of Utah, please welcome Christian and Anson from Acacia Ridge to the show! ---- Time Codes: 2:00 Welcome to Christian and Anson 3:00 What is Utah like, really? 6:00 The fastest growing cities in the US 9:00 The Osmonds and Brainstorm 13:00 Naming bands after locations 17:00 Sincere to a fault 21:00 Lyrics, melodies and the business of the band 24:00 What does loneliness look like? 27:00 Seattle's KUMA 31:00 The purpose behind the band 35:00 Driven by desire to be understood 38:00 Dingwall basses and Nolly Getgood 42:00 Putting time into the details in the songs 46:00 Established bands taking chances ---- THIS WEEK IN HISTORY: Yesterday was NATIONAL NO SUGAR DAY..... which in America is like saying.... national nobody eats day.  It's anathema to who we are and our culture.  Of course, nobody is really doing this, but it's a nice sentiment.  I'm back on the dole as my monologue mentions, at least it cooling down on my sugar intake... diabetes and all that. What is your take on our eating habits here?  The land of fat angry people with guns? In 1995, Oasis released "What's the Story Morning Glory" to acclaim and whatever else, selling 347,000 copies in its first week.  ....and now, they are back together again.  Do you have a take on Oasis in general?  My first encounter with them was in print, where PJ Harvey stated that her work is artistic and challenging, unlike Oasis, which just cracked me up.  ---- I'm a former professional drummer hosting challenging conversations with other artists/creatives about mental health, new music, weekly news, and spiritual truths. Please consider supporting the show. Watch every UNCENSORED show here: https://www.patreon.com/thisissentimentalillness  Copyright 2024 Sentimental Illness - All Rights Reserved Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sentimental-illness--6163498/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].