December 06, 2004

Interview with Faithfull: Sergio Sabino

The name Faithfull for a group says a lot about the band itself! As you read this interview, I think that you will agree that this bunch of guys is doing this for the love of music and as a way of expressing themselves. Faithfull strikes me as a very approachable and fun loving band and it’s nice to see a band who is having fun doing what they love. Their album “Light This City”, released by Vinny Records is a solid AOR album with each instrument played to the extreme. I would say to watch for more from this band, as they are very serious about producing high-quality, high-impact music that can sure get your feet tapping! For more info about Faithfull watch the Hot News section of the site as they are very good about keeping us updated or check out http://www.faithfull_band.com/ … Enjoy the interview!

1. My first introduction to you as a band was your CD “Light This City” and as my toes started tapping I was excited to ask the first question of the interview, which is, for you to take a moment to formally introduce “Faithfull” the band...
Sabino: Faithfull is a melodic/hard rock band of 5 guys addicted to music. That addiction induces the band members to an uncontrollable urge to compose songs. Although this situation nobody from Faithfull is looking for the cure.

2. One thing I would like to ask about specifically is how the Faithfull formed, how the line-up was established, how long you have been together and perhaps even how you decided on the name?
Sabino: It all began when I met Rui Martins (guitars) in 2000 and listened to some songs he had already recorded at home. I loved the songs so much that I proposed to record them with my voice and present a demo to record labels around the world. After completing it with 12 songs and while we were waiting for label's responses, we've decided to invite some friends who were musicians to show our work live. It was when Sergio Ramos (drums) and Nuno Ledesma (bass) came aboard, and the name "Faithfull" revealed to be a great adjective to describe our fidelity to what we believe and to the sound we've always loved.
After getting some labels responses, we’ve decided to sign with the Spanish label Vinny Records that released our debut album "Light This City" in 2003. The licensing deal with the Japanese Marquee/Avalon made our album available in Asia during the same year.
Unfortunately, during this year, Nuno Ledesma had to leave the band due to his personal and professional life. Mario Ledesma then became a new member of this crew, along with Rui Rocha that brought his great experience on keyboards.

3. From the starting screech of the digital tires on Light This City it is a ride that takes us on an exciting trip down a musical path with each song delivering its own journey, is there one or two songs on this album you consider favourites that you could share some of the story with us and why it is special to you?
Sabino: I sincerely love all the songs from our album, but "There's No Turning Back" and "Please" say a lot to me. Maybe it's because I wrote the lyrics that transpire my deepest feelings about someone in the past. Besides an addiction, music can be an exorcism too.
"Light This City" is an album with many different environments. There are songs that show our "heavy" side, and some other that reflect our soft and romantic mark (always in an heterosexual perspective! :-) )

4. The production of Light This City is very professional, with each song being like a tightly wrapped package, who does the writing for the band and how do you as a band usually go through the creation of a new song, lyrics first then music or something else?
Sabino: When I met Martins he had already composed many of the songs and lyrics. He then composed a few more to complete the demo, and I wrote lyrics and vocal melodies for "Please", "There's No Turning", "Way Back" and a part of "Ending Song". When we went to the studio, we already had our homework done, we just needed a good producer to give our songs the life that they were definitely demanding. That's why we chose Luis Barros for that crucial task.
When I write the lyrics and vocal melodies I prefer to have an instrumental song to start with. It seems like it talks to you and many times is telling you what it's all about. Lyrics then flow naturally.

5. Speaking of something else, what’s on the horizon for Faithful, a follow-up album, touring.
Sabino: We would like to tour outside our country, but we know it's very difficult for a new band with a single album.
We've been composing our second work which we're loving to do. We're sure that people will love it too, and we really believe that it will drive the band to a higher landing and will allow us to reach a vast audience.

6. Also I know you recently opened up for Whitesnake. How was the reception and what was the experience like for you on both sides of the stage?
Sabino: Opening up for Whitesnake was like a dream come true for all of us. That band has been influencing and educating us musically all of our lives, so opening up for them was like showing our teachers what we've learned with them and how much we're proud to have them as references.
Reb Beach, Dough Aldrich, Marco Mendoza, Timothy Drury and Tommy Aldridge were very friendly during the whole day and night of the show. Unfortunately we didn't meet David Coverdale. It was great to find these rock stars keeping a warm relation with their fans instead of showing arrogance, as we find it sometimes in some other "stars".
Whitesnake proves on stage that age is just in our minds. This was a show we will never forget.

7. When I listen to the album I can hear some possible influences but wonder who you would list as influences as a band and individuals...
Sabino: All the members from Faithfull listen to many different music genres. I like to listen to pop, rock, hard rock, metal, jazz, but we all have one genre in common, and that's melodic/hard rock.
Bands like Whitesnake, Journey, Dokken, Queensryche, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Europe, Danger Danger, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Harem Scarem, Winger, Mr. Big, Skid Row, Toto, and so many others, are definitely part of our youth and "musical education", and we're very proud to have lived the golden era of rock, assimilating the best of it.

8. There are a lot of issues that affect a bands performance, creativity and their chance at becoming a successful group, what do you as a group do to help keep a balance amongst yourselves and in life?
Sabino: Friendship is the most important thing for any band, and that's what makes possible the good relation between Faithfull's members. When you have a solid friendship in harmony with a dream, some talent and hard work, you have almost everything to succeed. The other thing that doesn't depend on you, also crucial for success, is luck.
Aside from this last factor, which we can't control, I think Faithfull has everything to succeed. All we can say is that we give our best, and people can feel it in our live performance.

9. Many would say that you have luck on your side with your release of Light This City as there is serious talk of the resurgence of melodic rock and roll, how do you feel about the music industry currently and what do you hope for in the years to come?
Sabino: I hope that melodic rock revivalism is really out there, but its expansion depends on the music fans too. It's proven that less people buy CD's these days because of the high prices, and the internet became an easy/cheap way to get almost every album. This really worries me and I believe it's destroying the music industry and bands. Music fans don't realise that they're spitting in their own soup. It's obvious that CD's will have to be cheaper, but even so many fans' mentalities will have to change if we want bands to survive and making great songs with good studio productions.
In the last 10 years we've been watching to the decrease in the quality of studio productions of many great bands, and that definitely affects the final work. Among other factors this is due to the low budgets caused by low CD sales. I hope this will change in the future.
Regarding the new sound of our days, I like some of the new bands out there, but every time I turn MTV or listen to the radio (by mistake) I feel that there are a lot of "parachutists" in the media and major labels trying to "sell" something that I wouldn't accept, ...not even bribed.

10. Some of our visitors are inspiring artists who are looking for advice and creative ideas to help them get their name out, what advice would you give to those individuals?
Sabino: My advice to everybody who's trying to get some recognition for their work, is to keep faithfull to what they love to do, instead of listening to what many tell they should do. You're the real artists, not the media or the major labels!!!

11. Is there a closing message you would like to send out to music fans all over the globe?
Sabino: I would like to tell them to support their favourite bands, buying the albums and going to the concerts. Only this way bands can survive and feel that their effort is worth and makes sense.
Keep the good rock alive!!!

Posted by Kathy at December 6, 2004 03:23 PM