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Degree Absolute
Degree Absolute
Posted on Apr 26, 2006
by Anders
There are extremely many talented and very good progressive metal bands releasing material right now. One of those bands is the American band Degree Absolute, a band concentrated about mastermind Aaron Bell, who also answered this interview. With him he has the musicians Doug Beary and Dave Lindeman, a couple of heavyweights. Below this you can read almost everything there is to know about the fantastic entity Degree Absolute and their selftitled debut album.
Hi there, will you please start off by introducing yourself?
Aaron Bell (guitars, vocals, other instrumentation)
A small introduction of the rest of the band will be great as well, together with a bit about what they contribute to the band with!
Doug Beary (drums) has played for many, many years and is probably best known as the drummer for Defyance. Dave Lindeman (bass) is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and contributes to Laughing Alone, Questions, Confession, and Ask Nothing of Me.
You are soon ready with your new release, how do you feel about it?
It's taken a long time to get to this stage; I'm very glad it has been released.
What do you expect from it?
That's a good question. I'm not really sure. At this point, I'm just relieved.
When you started out to write/compose new material, what did you then want to accomplish with it?
Writing and recording new material are outlets for me. There aren't any grand designs, no insightful statements to be made. I really enjoy making music… that's all.
Do you feel that you have accomplished that?
Yes, at the time of creation. There's always a need to continue and evolve as life changes, though.
Where do you find inspiration when you write music?
Numerous things… life experiences, a phrase in a book, a general mood… each song is different.
Is there anything specific that have influenced the writing process to the new album?
Musically, I don't believe there was anything specific that influenced the writing process. There were many smaller concepts and moods that contributed to the whole, but not any one specific thing.
What do you want to bring the world with your music and how do you want people to receive your music?
I don't have anything novel, nor do I have anything profound to say. I just like to make music.
Will you initiate us in the lyrical universe of the band, which themes do you touch etc…?
The lyrics are very straightforward and generally fall into one of two categories: external or internal. That doesn't really say too much, I guess, since anything and everything can be classified as either external or internal, but…
Where is the inspiration for the lyrics usually found?
It is closely related to the inspiration for the music. Similarly, it can come from anything and each song is different.
Will you pick out your 3 favourite tracks from the new release and guide us through the music and lyrics, and tell us how you got the idea for the music and lyrics, etc…?
My favourite songs from this album are 'Pi', 'Ergo Sum', and 'Distance'. 'Pi' was charted out before any notes were played, which was very interesting. 'Ergo Sum' basically wrote itself and 'Distance' is one of the oldest selections out of the lot. Actually, it was the first Degree Absolute song that was available online.
How important is the lyrics compared to the music?
On this first album, lyrics are fairly important. However, it's important for music to independently generate a mood. For me, the most powerful songs are often those without any lyrics.
Do you have any touring planned in support of your new release?
There are no plans to tour.
How do you look upon the future of the band?
Right now, demo versions of new songs are near completion. Ideally, I'd like to be in the studio before the end of the year to record the second Degree Absolute album. It might be difficult, but that's the goal at the present time.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with our readers?
Off the top of my head, if I limit myself to the pop/rock/metal realm, in no particular order, I would say "Bloodflowers" by The Cure, the Devin/Ocean Machine "Biomech" album, "Vespertine" by Björk, Bowie's "Outside", and the first Mr. Bungle album. It's very tough to choose, though.
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Thank you! I appreciate the interview.
Aaron Bell (guitars, vocals, other instrumentation)
A small introduction of the rest of the band will be great as well, together with a bit about what they contribute to the band with!
Doug Beary (drums) has played for many, many years and is probably best known as the drummer for Defyance. Dave Lindeman (bass) is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and contributes to Laughing Alone, Questions, Confession, and Ask Nothing of Me.
You are soon ready with your new release, how do you feel about it?
It's taken a long time to get to this stage; I'm very glad it has been released.
What do you expect from it?
That's a good question. I'm not really sure. At this point, I'm just relieved.
When you started out to write/compose new material, what did you then want to accomplish with it?
Writing and recording new material are outlets for me. There aren't any grand designs, no insightful statements to be made. I really enjoy making music… that's all.
Do you feel that you have accomplished that?
Yes, at the time of creation. There's always a need to continue and evolve as life changes, though.
Where do you find inspiration when you write music?
Numerous things… life experiences, a phrase in a book, a general mood… each song is different.
Is there anything specific that have influenced the writing process to the new album?
Musically, I don't believe there was anything specific that influenced the writing process. There were many smaller concepts and moods that contributed to the whole, but not any one specific thing.
What do you want to bring the world with your music and how do you want people to receive your music?
I don't have anything novel, nor do I have anything profound to say. I just like to make music.
Will you initiate us in the lyrical universe of the band, which themes do you touch etc…?
The lyrics are very straightforward and generally fall into one of two categories: external or internal. That doesn't really say too much, I guess, since anything and everything can be classified as either external or internal, but…
Where is the inspiration for the lyrics usually found?
It is closely related to the inspiration for the music. Similarly, it can come from anything and each song is different.
Will you pick out your 3 favourite tracks from the new release and guide us through the music and lyrics, and tell us how you got the idea for the music and lyrics, etc…?
My favourite songs from this album are 'Pi', 'Ergo Sum', and 'Distance'. 'Pi' was charted out before any notes were played, which was very interesting. 'Ergo Sum' basically wrote itself and 'Distance' is one of the oldest selections out of the lot. Actually, it was the first Degree Absolute song that was available online.
How important is the lyrics compared to the music?
On this first album, lyrics are fairly important. However, it's important for music to independently generate a mood. For me, the most powerful songs are often those without any lyrics.
Do you have any touring planned in support of your new release?
There are no plans to tour.
How do you look upon the future of the band?
Right now, demo versions of new songs are near completion. Ideally, I'd like to be in the studio before the end of the year to record the second Degree Absolute album. It might be difficult, but that's the goal at the present time.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with our readers?
Off the top of my head, if I limit myself to the pop/rock/metal realm, in no particular order, I would say "Bloodflowers" by The Cure, the Devin/Ocean Machine "Biomech" album, "Vespertine" by Björk, Bowie's "Outside", and the first Mr. Bungle album. It's very tough to choose, though.
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Thank you! I appreciate the interview.
Degree Absolute website
Degree Absolute "Degree Absolute" review
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