October 25, 2004

Interview with Hal Marabel of ARENA

Today’s interview is with Hal from Arena, who many of us remember from Bad Habit. I am happy to bring this glimpse into the life of an artist who has had success in the past and has kept progressing in his own style to continue bring music that is both great for today and timeless in its own rite! It was a pleasure to interview Hal and find out a bit more about this very smooth and classy and artist who not only knows where he is going but how to stay balanced and of course how to “Show Me The Way!”

1. Thank you for taking the time to let us get to know you a bit better, fans develop such a perception of an artist through his music, it’s nice to get some one on one time to understand the music from the artists perspective. To start off, please tell us a little bit about yourself, the man behind the music?
Well, I’ve always burned for music ever since my Dad taught me how to play the guitar when I was six years young. At first I was into acoustic music by artists like John Denver and Donovan but I soon got into glam rock

2. Throughout your career you have had the chance to work with many different artists on a variety of musical projects. Of the artists you have worked with is there one who has had a particular influence on you?
I always enjoyed working with producer Christer Hermodsson (producer of ARENA) since he has a very interesting musical background with many different styles in his baggage. This makes for a very stimulating collaboration experience for me. Christer has taught me a lot about drums grooves and percussion for instance.....
Also, I enjoyed working with Pete Sandberg on his solo album PUSH a few years back. He’s a very special person to be around and has a lot experiences to share.

3. Your latest release has a very modern sound to it mixed with some great vocals and an upbeat tempo, already you have had two very successful singles from the album, how do you feel about the finished product?
I like it a lot actually - this actually was the first time that the end result turned out just the way I had hopes it would when I wrote the songs. Of course the overall production could have been better had I had more resources to work with but under the circumstances, I’m very pleased with the final outcome.

4. The bands you have worked with in the past have all had at least four or five members, now it’s just you and Dennis Radoicic, have you had to make many adjustments in the way you work together?
No, actually I prefer working like this.... I find it easier to stay focused and follow a set direction with a project when fewer people are involved. Too many strong wills can be very straining on creativity. Of course there is a band for when we play "live" but they’re all paid-per-gig so they don’t have anything to do with decision making.....

5. Each artist and band have different methods and styles for composing music, how do you go about bringing a song to life?
For me it’s always the melody, hook and beat that come first. The lyrics come last and it’s not always easy to find the right words to fit to a set melody. Also, I prefer working with several songs simultaneously as I feel being in different moods fits well with working like this. The beat and groove are also important.

6. All of your life you have been athletic … soccer, basketball, karate, fencing, just to name a few. Is there anything else you do in addition to this to keep a balance in your life?
Having a good balance between the different things you do in life is very important. It helps me to channel my energy so that negative energy is disposed of and positive energy is created and maintained. A good workout helps free the body mind and stay focused.

7. Before you became a professional musician, was there something else you wanted to do with your life, was there ever anything else you wanted to be when you “grew up?”
I always wanted to work with music, sports or education, something where I could express myself in one way or another - not only for my own development but also to help other people as well.....

8. “Heaven” and “Show Me the Way” your two singles have had great success in
Sweden and Europe, do you have any plans for promoting them in the U.S.?
We don’t really have an angle yet on entering the US since it is hard for non-US acts to break into that region but we shall nonetheless try to find good ways to move in that direction if the opportunity arises.

9. I know you are a family man, since you have been so busy with your work with ARENA, and the new release, how do you manage to find time to keep everybody happy?
Ha, ha..... Believe me, its not always easy..... Let’s just say that I’m lucky to only need 4-5 hours sleep a night......

10. If you were driving on a deserted stretch of highway with only one CD, which CD would it be?
Hmmm, interesting question.... obviously there’s a lot of excellent music out there but I’d probably have to say that I’d choose something like a greatest hits album with either Queen or ABBA. So many good songs + a unique sound that still holds not to mention - fantastic arrangements. "In For The Count" with Balance is not far behind though....

11. Of the many places you have performed, traveled or, just visited, is there a place that holds a special place in your memory, somewhere you would like to return to again and again?
Well, I did love Crete (Greek Island) + the Canary Islands when I was there privately but as far as touring I’d have to say - The Bad Habit tour in the former Soviet Union back in 1989. We were there for five weeks and just had a blast - the gigs were excellent as well.....

12. Hal, again, thank you for taking the time to let your fans get to know you better, is there anything else you would like to say to your fans today?
Than for having me. I’d just like to say a big "Thank you" to each and everyone who has supported us by buying our CD, it means the world to me of course. I hope to see you sometime if we get the chance to come play in your hometown.

Cheers
Hal Marabel

Posted by Kathy at October 25, 2004 09:07 PM