January 15, 2004
Interview with Hugo
Hugo is one of a kind regardless of the similarities with another great performer of our time, and the experience of interviewing him has solidified my feelings of respect and admiration of this great melodic rocker! As you read this interview I am sure that you will agree that he is one of the most true to the music artists actively recording! His love of the music and passion for the performance is clear in his words and thoughts. The new album Fire In The Night is certainly one of the most anticipated of the year and promises to surpass all of our expectations! For all the news, updates and samples of the new music on this great artist be sure and log on to his official website at http://www.hugomusic.net!1) At the end of your interview on hugomusic.net you released a very candid statement concerning the similarities between you and Steve Perry. We would like to start this interview in our tradition of asking you to tell us about yourself, Hugo; the man behind the music.
Well, first of all I love making melodic rock!! It's been a part of me forever and I will always keep this a priority in my life!! It is the greatest feeling when someone writes saying that my music has helped them through a certain time or they used a ballad for a wedding song!!! I'm really happy to be having a new album coming out now!!! My life is real good and music is one big part of it!!!!!! I'd say I'm a pretty happy guy, Kathy!!!
2) We see a lot of music that is described as being "in the style of ..." but when we listen to your albums starting with Valentine and most recently the samples from Fire in the Night we feel an original style coming through clearer and clearer with each release, what's your take on the overall feel of this new album?
This album is a next step for me!! I have John Mennen producing with me!! He is a great producer. I have given John total creative freedom to make this album rock, but also take a more updated approach to the production itself!!! John has produced R and B artists as well as metal bands so he has the ability to keep a rock track loud and in your face and use this cool drum loop for a ballad!!! I think you'll be happy with the final mixes-God knows it's only been a year!!!!! We just wanted it to be the best that we could deliver!!!
3) We understand that on top of having a great line up of musicians performing on Fire in the Night we see that you have played nearly every instrument on one song or another! Can you tell us a bit more about what your inspiration was for doing this and how it feels now that it is done?
My good friends from the Evolution band played on it as well as some other friends!! It was a natural choice! We have been playing live and getting real tight - they really play well!!!! Basically, my decision to play some instruments is that being a songwriter, you kind of have an idea of how the song that you are recording should sound like!!!! There is a song on this album called "Just So You Know" and it is an acoustic guitar ballad. Eddie Jelley is one of the greatest players that I have ever heard but when he didn't quite feel the way the song was meant to be played, I just picked up the guitar and played it down and we rolled tape. Honestly, I am not a good guitar player, but the part worked and we kept it!!!! I guess that being a songwriter requires playing an instrument or two! --- just in case someone doesn't show up that night to record!!!!!? ha ha
4) The production of Fire in the Night is Outstanding; even the samples online sound better than many albums do from disc! Are you as pleased with the finished product as you had hoped to be?
Actually Kathy, the small bits on the site that you heard were just pre mixes - John and I though it would be great to get some of the tunes to the people just to let them know that we really were alive and recording!! Some people heard this stuff and thought it was final mixes - We have been tweaking these songs for 6 months after those songs were put up on the site. I am glad that you liked what you heard -- I do promise you a great album!!!!!!
5) Now that the album is complete can you tell us which tracks are your favorites and a bit about the one you had the most fun recording?
I really don't know how to answer!! I really love to sing the ballads. "I'll Learn To Live Without You" and "Just So You Know" - my favorites!! The others just rock out!! "Dawn" was fun to sing as well as "Its The Love"
6) You said after the break up of "Open Skyz" that you were excited about the prospects of a solo career away from "the corporate bullshit" that had been such a nightmare through the years. You have since continued with positive feedback on a solo career, would you say that the key factor is the freedom from the labels or are there other aspects to consider?
Absolutely!! It's really amazing what can happen when an artist doesn't have someone telling them how to sing a certain song or how to wear your hair!! In the past with my other bands, we always had people tell us what they thought was the thing to be doing --We never really had the opportunity to let go and really tap into ourselves as musicians/writers!!! As great as it was, it was so frustrating -- I am really happy to be where I am now!!!
7) To many people music is their personal release from the stresses of the work world, but for you music is your work; with that in mind what do you do to "Strike A Balance" in your life?
My life is good -- I have a beautiful, understanding wife who supports me in anything I do --We are expecting a baby in May -- I cannot wait!!! We're having a girl and she's not allowed to date any musicians ..... ever!!!!!
8) We are all very excitedly anticipating your new solo album but are equally as interested in the other aspects of your music; you hinted at the possibility of a new Valentine record and even an Evolution release, do you have any news on either of these prospects?
You know, everyone is so busy with the own things - It's sometimes hard to get together to talk -- let alone write songs. I'm always in contact with my buds from Valentine and although we'd love to do something soon, it gets difficult to schedule things!! Even the guys in Evolution -- We can definitely get something together -- We just have to stop and do it!!!!!! It is definitely something we all would love to do and have had some offers from labels -- but no news as of yet.
9) Evolution by description is a must see for every true Journey fan, would you give us a description of how a concert plays out and what you are hoping to give to the audience?
Kathy, I am having such a good time and when you go to a show, you could tell!!!! The band sounds great and I got this whole Perry thing goin on! We just think about putting on a great show like Journey would and it really goes over well!!! And again, its all about fun. Do I need to be singing Journey songs till 2 in the morning? -- Not really but watching the crowd react and seeing it grow -- its pretty wild. We play only once a month so you can imagine the anticipation and getting up there and sounding great --We love it!!!!
10) What are your overall feelings about the melodic rock industry of today and what would you like to see happen with it in the coming year(s)?
The industry has changed so much from when I was on Sony or RCA. Most of the people that I knew at these labels have either changed careers or have let go!!! The people that are left are so fearful of losing their jobs, they wouldn't dare bring a melodic act to the table for signing!! There are great labels like Frontiers and MTM that are here for the rock artists to get their music out there and that is a good thing!!!! Radio still sucks but there are definite hints of melodic on most pop songs today. They just need to replace their lead singers!!!!!!! -- I think!! I really think that the melodic world needs another Bon Jovi to come out and kick everyone's ass!!! Only then will we see real change in the way melodic rock artists are looked at!!
11) Do you have any words of inspiration or advice for those aspiring musicians and singers reading this interview?
I would have to suggest that if you don't play a melody instrument ... piano, guitar ...etc, you should learn to!! When you have the ability to write a song, it is the greatest feeling of all!!! After your first song is done, they only get better because they are yours and no one can tell you different. Your music will enable you to fly or run free or fall in love - It's pretty amazing when you can make this happen!!!!
12) If you had to narrow it down to one person in your life who has inspired you and given you the courage to do what you believe, who would you say?
Actually 2 - My mother was first in allowing me to play drums way too loud as a kid, grow my hair long in school -- totally encouraged me to go for it!!! And now my wife Donna enables me to continue and grow as a musician! Too many long nights in the studio can get hard for people to understand and she has been the best -- I really need to take her away on vacation now that this is done!!
13) What do you feel is the number one most important thing to keep in mind when creating an album?
I think its important not to stray from your original vision. I know that I am a melodic artist and most important is to keep the rockers punching and make the love songs as beautiful as possible. I think that I have achieved this with the songs and John's production as well!!
14) Do you have a special message for all of your fans patiently waiting for the release of Fire in the Night?
Oh man, do I!!!! -- Thank you so much for your patience. I do realize it's been a long time coming for this one but it will be worth it -- I promise!! Again, when you try to schedule sessions to record, sometimes you just have to wait a little longer to get it going but its done now and I get to deliver what I think is an incredible album!!! I'm sure you will too!!
Thanks for all the support and the great questions, Kathy. Speak to ya soon --
Hugo
Posted by Kathy at January 15, 2004 11:18 PM