June 14, 2004
Interview with Jeff Scott Soto
Sometimes to see things as they really are we need to change our perspective and open our eyes and minds to what lies behind the obvious. Jeff Scott Soto’s first solo release was titled “Prism”; something that takes ordinary light and shows us all the colors of the rainbow …
As an artist Jeff is a powerhouse on stage that breaks away from the norm to bring us the music in his soul, indeed bringing us more than one-dimensional music. His second album’s title is “Lost in the Translation”, and perhaps this again is a subtle hint to do more than just hear the music but rather to feel and experience the message behind it.
Jeff is a highly respected artist on many people’s lists of favorites, and he has got to that level by doing it his way … Perhaps we can all learn something from him on top of just enjoying his great music … Enjoy!
1. The name Jeff Scott Soto requires no introduction, we all know and love your music, but for posterity I would like to take this moment to ask you to introduce yourself, Jeff Scott Soto; the man behind the music.
Well, for those who have only heard of me with Yngwie, Rock Star or even little event/jams only have a fingernail of who & what I'm about. It's really too lengthy to discuss as there are far too many avenues & chapters of this strange ride to refer to a few. The best way, as in most cases, would be to visit my or ones' site as usually that's where you can get a full history of someone & their life without having to repeat it every time (I get bored talking about myself, actually).
2. Before we get into the music I would like to take just a moment more to talk about your attitude towards the music and transversely record sales; through your words and actions we see that the music is what is important to you, not the sales\money. I have noticed in my experience that those artists who are prone to think like you are being finding success, what are your feelings on this?
I guess I'm a bit calloused around the edges about success &/or money because I never quite achieved past a certain point so to me, every year is kind of like starting over really. I'm not jaded by the lack of sales or money intake because the passion for song always took precedence. Now, had I been very successful during anyone of these stretches or projects, I could see where the concerns of retaining certain levels would be an issue. In some ways I'm lucky & in others not, as I don't know what it's like to be a household name, but the longer it takes to one day get there, the more I will appreciate every drop of it. Dwindling record sales, stealing music, genre changes, etc. have been with us through the history of music making. No one artist or genre has a long shelf life & it's just a thing to come to terms with. I just feel staying true, not necessarily staying within the comforts or boundaries of one's beginnings, but keeping it real in everything you do pays of more than the cheap attempt to sell music...or yourself!
3. Now, into the music there has been some big news concerning your current projects, your third solo effort Lost in the Translation, the news of a collaborative effort with Neal Schon and other great artists, live performances, the Queen festival in May where do we start? To begin with, how are things going with Lost in the Translation?
Amazing, yet very, very new. With the last one, Prism, I had 15 years of material I drew from, basically a lot of songs I never recorded or released properly made up that album. This new 1, every track is brand new & I'm actually still writing it as I record it. It's the MOST spontaneous record I've ever been involved with because there are NO demos, NO references, just trial & error on what works & what doesn't as the tracks get completed. I also brought in a different drummer for this album I was very excited to work with, Glen Sobel. He is 1 of LA's premier & sought after rock drummers at the moment so it was great he squeezed in his time for me. The rest seems to fall into place when the drum tracks are solid, which then makes it easier for me to make for strong melodies & vocals.
4. Each album that s released is something of a gamble, but a solo album is more than that, it is expression of self and where you are at that point in time, how would you describe the way this album feels and what it is sounding like?
For one thing, it's definitely heavier than the last...Prism was a melodic gift I gave to many fans that loved the early Talisman & Eyes style I did so many years back. But this time, I wanted to get some more meat, more potatoes & more grind in the machine. The majority of the tunes are heavier, some in the melodic style of Prism & little ballads. I do use these album as a personal expression, but I also like to show my musical muscles here & then ... what's the point if you just do the same thing year after year?
5. Prism has made its way into a lot of avid AOR fans collections, and is a highly respected album. What has the long term response been from the fans and how do you look at that album today?
I'm very proud of it of course, I was a bit worried in the beginning it was too 'soft', but the bottom line was at that point, I'd done enough of the heavier albums & thought if anyone wanted that JSS style, they're better off getting those albums. I didn't want to compete with that sound when there was another side of me that had been avoided for some time. But now that I'm pretty much doing a few select things in my upcoming musical releases, I can once again do an album without thinking about it. As I said, I wouldn't want to do Prism 2 as much as Prince doesn't wanna do another Purple Rain...ok, bad example, he sold about 14 million more albums than me on that 1!
6. The music world is a buzz with talk about the collaborative effort with yourself and Neal Schon; what do you feel is the most exciting part of this arrangement, what s the first thing you think when it crosses your mind?
There are very few artists I've met in my 20 year career who've I admired & left me with a good feeling impression. The 1st was Brian May, who several years ago, he had no idea really who I was but in the event we ended up onstage together jamming, he made me feel like a peer an equal...a brother. It really means a lot when someone from a stratospheric career can be so humble & normal, where Neal is the 2nd I've encountered. From the day we met, 2 days after he tracked me down, we've been like brothers or old friends, & the excitement of this new band is beyond words...this is just his emotion alone. He had Deen Castronovo in already from the Planet Us thing that never happened with Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony (who were plotting a VH comeback quietly which was the eventual demise of Planet Us) so as he wanted to continue the initial start of it, he needed someone who could complete his vision. Luckily for me, my recent high profile & relentless work schedules made for so much fodder about me in musical circles, every time he turned, looked or listened, my name or voice was popping up somewhere or my name was being mentioned by someone as a ' you should look into him' type of thing. I jumped in feet 1st & had 3 songs written to Neal's ideas within the 1st week we were exchanging songs. We then brought in the baddest mutha on the bass, Marco Mendoza, who is known more for his sideman work with Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy & Whitesnake, to complete the picture. 2 days of rehearsals, we went straight into the studio to track 6 songs any of us barely knew & voile', it was magic....add water & stir! The most insane, intense, melodic...you name it, creations I've ever been involved with. The vibe & feeling is as I mentioned, beyond words.
7. How would you describe this album? What can you tell us about the style, the songs and the over-all feeling of the album?
So far, we're working on making demos ... just because there are power hitters on this doesn't assure an immediate record deal. But we do have extreme management, great tunes & I think it's just a matter of time, sooner than later. The material really is a mixture of all our favorite riff bands, with a cool modern twist. There's everything from Jimi to early VH to Led Zep to Audioslave on this stuff. There's even a hint of Journey at times, how could there not be obviously, but even I was so influenced by Steve Perry's way of writing & singing, sometimes Neal's Journey-isms send me down that path, try though I may to make sure it doesn't just sound like Journey Part 2, that's the last thing he or I want. But then again, just to contradict myself, Neal & I did co-write a song that didn't make the cut for the new band because it's SCREAMING Journey-song all over it...of course it will be the 1st single on my new album!
8. When I think of Journey I think of one of the most powerful bands of our life times, and as I watch what you are doing and hear your music I get a very similar feeling, what has it been working with Neal Schon, can you tell us about the energy when the two of you work together?
Hmm, funny how I just kind of answered that before reading it! Neal is very fast & effective when he works, very much like me. I don't like things to take too long & I have a very short patience fuse in working with those who are slow & not able to keep up with me...1 of the main reasons for so many bands, styles & changes in my career. This new band keeps me well on my toes & gives me that challenge I remember so many years ago.
9. Your voice and spirit seem to become one when you sing, can you tell us a bit about what music means to you and what inspired you to make it such a huge part of your life?
I've been singing as far back as I could talk so music definitely got injected into my soul without knowing or feeling it. Thank God I have the skills & contacts that have enabled me to do this because everyone has a calling in life, whether if be a gardener, shoe repairmen or rocket scientist, we are born to give something back to the world & this is mine...I feel as much as it's a choice for what I want to do, I owe it to people to share this voice & talent.
10. With your busy recording schedule I was impressed to see how many live shows you have on the calendar, would you say that live performances fuel the artist within, helping you stay focused in the studio?
This has been the most difficult & swamped period of my life, i have not come up for air in about a month & a half, & only getting worse. i think by summer things will finally slow down a tad & i can take a breather to get ready for the onslaught of the new album, shows & new band with Neal come fall/winter time. I'm literally exhausted, but the adrenalin of knowing the final results in everything keeps me charged 24/7.
11. You have always been a Queen fan and now have become such a key part of their yearly tribute to the fans; what can you tell us about the Official International Fan Club Convention, and what you are looking forward to most about this years show?
Well, i can sadly say, this will be the last outing doing any Queen tribute or show along these lines after May. I never wanted or intended to become a 'tribute' artist & as I recently had this conversation with Brian, it's not fair to take these long hard working years to be looked upon as that...Brian said I deserve more than to be perceived as a mere tribute singer & as much as I have a blast doing them, i have to prove my personal self to these die hard Queen fans now. I love hanging out with these Queen nuts as i was once 1 of them & can relate to the great music all weekend so I just look forward to getting sauced with them as well as entertaining their shirts off again!
12. With such a busy schedule what do you do to "Strike A Balance" in your life; what activities out side of music do you enjoy?
I play basketball just about everyday at my local gym to unwind & get my blood circulating, but other than that, things like vacation or sitting by the pool don't interest me. As I said early on, if I had the 3.5 million dollar house & the 14 Porsche's, I could see possibly becoming a bit more lazy, but then again...no way! I see Neal who has all of that & his hunger to play music & have a new chapter in his career is that of a 20 year old, & the guy just turned 50!
13. Many of our visitors are aspiring musicians looking at you as inspiration to keep trying; do you have a message to them?
The same as I said, stay true, stay hungry & keep it real ... there's room for all of us, even after 20 years, I'm looking for my place, we can all get a piece if we stick to it, but never give up ... giving up is for people who never wanted it!
14. Well that s all the questions I have, would you like to close with a message for all your fans?
We're all a little grayer & older but still doing it together, a trillion thanks, let's keep the ride alive for Part 2 & 3 coming soon!
Thanks, JSS
Posted by Kathy at June 14, 2004 02:09 PM