Virgil Donati Mind the Direction of the Sound
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SEVEN THE HARDWAY – where did the name come from? I think it was Mark who came up with the name. According to him, it just popped into his head. The meaning is open to interpretation. For me it represents the continual struggle we face in life, and ‘Seven’ symbolises the seven virtues, seven deadly sins, or the seven wonders. You chose ROY Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, JUDAS PRIEST, HELLOWEEN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) to mix the debut album – has the band collectively produced this release? We thought he would be a good choice, bearing in virgil donati mind the direction of the sound. He has had great success mixing heavy bands such as Judas Priest Interview By Ray Deegan ‘ASSAULT DOWNUNDER’ and Halford, so we thought he could bring out the essence of the band. Tony, Mark and I co-produced, although I would have liked to have had more time. But it seems we’re always working to deadlines. Mark practically re-invented his singing style to sit with the music. It was hard work, but I think the This November, Virgil Donati will return home for a long anticipated results are there. This band sounds like it has the potential to attract Australian Clinic Tour. After a decade of return OZ tours with some of a more commercial audience – is that the intention musically? the most amazing musicians and collaborations, Virgil’s vast and loyal I really think that adding the human voice as an fan base will be treated to a clinic tour of monumental proportions! instrument will naturally attract an audience that may not be interested in purely instrumental music. In a history making first, Virgil and Drumscene have banded The extraordinary power of the human voice is undeniable. The fact that it’s an instrument we’re all together to marry education and performance, publishing a specially in possession of, and that the message it carries is far more accessible to the general public may have compiled clinic tour ‘educational handout and sound supplement’, for something to do with it. The masses can therefore Virgil’s national “Assault Downunder Tour”. relate to it, and the potential to be drawn in by vocal music is far greater. But the primary intention of the band is to play rock music with a progressive edge This November, Virgil will take fans through some of his unique and to the best of our abilities. practical concepts first-hand in a presentation like no other. How do you view STH as a musical vehicle for your expression and playing? It obviously marries genres So in anticipation of this fantastic event, and to bring fans up to that people best know you for, but it’s still different speed, Drumscene caught up with Virgil recently to talk about life, again? I try not to place restrictions on my musical expres- drumming and all things musical! sion. I think this is a departure from the type of projects I’ve produced in recent times, but I enjoy With several new projects on the make, I started by asking him laying it down hard and heavy at times. Having said that, there are some ‘moments’ on this record. It about the commercially creative progressive rock outfit - SEVEN THE takes a few twists and turns occasionally. Having been so prolific for so many years - is it HARDWAY (STH). difficult for you these days, to find musical projects that inspire your creativity? No, not at all. These days, one of my biggest sources There are some familiar faces joining you on this project, plus a couple of new comers. Can you tell us about the formation of STH? Tony MacAlpine and I had spoken about producing a heavy, progressive rock record with vocals for quite some time, and STH is the end result. Mark Boals and Tony actually initiated the writing process while I was out on the road in 2009. By the time I had returned to LA, they had already written a batch of songs. That’s when I became involved, and started recording the drum tracks, and also wrote a few of the songs. We asked a young Argentinean, Stefania Daniel to join us on guitar, and we brought in Doug Shreeve on bass. Doug has been working with me in Planet X and my solo band. He’s an incredible talent. 16 DRUMscene Issue 62 of inspiration comes from recording in my studio. I “If your standards are high, So it’s about the balance between improvisation I’ve written for the ‘Assault Down Under Tour’ in this writing some great material. I’ve also just started with the best in the business. I always enjoy hang- love the recording process, no matter what project I the effort and output required and the absolute exactitude of the execution of issue, you can get a good indication of the very ideas work on a special project with a great Indian film ing out with Bunny. He’s quite the storyteller. I just may be working on, or whatever the style of music. never diminishes. The nature printed ideas? that I’m working on in my practice. You can also see composer, Sandeep Chowta. That band will feature played on a track for the amazing Australian guitarist There’s something about hitting that record button, In a way yes. When you improvise it is presupposed how these ideas can be expressed musically in the Sandeep, a great Indian guitarist, Tony Das, as well Brett Garsed. He’s currently working on a new solo which demands the best performance you can give. of drumming is quite physical, that you take risks and can’t foretell results. But transcriptions of the songs, and of course, you can as Charles and Doug from my band and also John record. Allan Holdsworth called and asked for me to There’s a sense of gratification that comes from com- and it demands a lot of focus there is also an element of our repertoire, or our hear it in context of the music on the CD ... Daversa on trumpet. John is an impressive player, be involved with his next recording. There are some pleting a track to your satisfaction. Of course, hind- and energy to stay sharp. inventory of ideas that will naturally surface in our …Which pre-empts my next question. You have a and composer. He has a contemporary big band here orchestration and arranging gigs coming in which sight can sometimes change your perspective, and playing, even if spontaneously, and it’s the bending special educational handout that has been pub- in LA, and when they play, it’s one of the few times I really enjoy. So all in all just trying to create and your enjoyment can be totally shattered (Laughs). However, what feels different of these ideas to suit the moment, and to weave in lished in this issue of Drumscene to coincide with I’ll actually make an effort to see a band live. We interpret music, and obsessed with making beautiful Sometimes I’ll just record some ideas I’m developing now, is that the effort is and around the improvisation that creates this bal- the tour. Can you give a synopsis of these exercises will be touring India in January, and subsequently sounds that will communicate with the audience. with my practice, and that can be a big help. You ance. It becomes the improvisation. For example, on and what can be achieved by mastering their use? recording. There are also plans for a new CAB live www.seventhehardway.net can listen to playback and get the audience perspec- nourishing, both physically the included CD, the tracks Groups of Five, Groups Firstly, there is a complete transcription of the debut DVD recording. That’s with the legendary Bunny www.virgildonati.com tive. It’s a great way to enhance your practice. and for the soul.” of Seven, Seven–Five Sixteenths and Seven-Five STH single ‘Guilty’. There are a few random selec- Brunel on bass, a wonderful player, who’s played Being someone who has such a strong physical Triplets are set in stone. I’m playing ideas as written, tions from my ‘Double Bass Drum Freedom’ book, approach to playing and life in general – what and it’s in the straight 4/4 sections in between the which I will demonstrate at the events. I’m including physical challenges do you face as the years pass? layered grooves that I’m interacting with the bass. transcriptions of parts from various tracks off the VIRGIL DONATI I mean, is it harder or easier to maintain your high On the other hand what Doug is playing is impro- CD, which I will also play on the tour. Hopefully TECH SPECS physical standards based on how you’ve trained attention at various times shifts from the physical vised in reaction to my set parts. Whereas on the these will help bring a deeper understanding of some yourself your whole life? and mechanical challenges drumming confronts us improvised Drum Butter and 6/8 Drum Ghee, you of the parts I’m playing on these tracks. I decided If your standards are high, the effort and output with, to the musical and rhythmical challenges, and may hear similar layered grooves that appear spon- to include one of the most recent concepts I’ve required never diminishes. The nature of drumming eventually we learn to respond and interact with taneously and while one layer is a set idea, the other been working on, and that is creating grooves from is quite physical, and it demands a lot of focus and other players.