January 10, 2005

Interview with Vince O’Regan

Today’s interview with Vince O’Regan of Pulse is a great look into an artist who has taken his experiences on stage and on the road and learned the importance of hard work, creativity and determination! I’m really enjoying the new Pulse album “World Apart” and getting to interview Vince and learn more about him as a person through the music has reinforced my feelings and thoughts on the future of this band. If you haven’t yet heard the new Pulse album check out the samples here in the Jukebox and I suggest checking out their website at http://www.rock2pulse.co.uk/ I hope you enjoy the interview and perhaps the greatest news is the promise of a follow-up Pulse album!

1. Your work with Pulse, Bob Catley and your performances at The Gods ensure the fact that many fans know your work and your name! I would still like to start out however by asking you to introduce yourself, in your own words, Vince O’Regan the man behind the music…
That’s a very good question, I'm Vince O'Regan born in Tullamore, Eire 1968 and I’ve been playing guitar since 1981. Been in too many bands to mention but managed to get my break in 2000 playing for Bob Catley, playing on the 2nd leg of the Legends Tour. I am the proud father of a little girl called Kiri (who keeps getting in my studio messing with my stuff ). I'm getting heavily into producing music at the moment & if I get any spare time I try my best to just sleep.

2. The latest Pulse album has been out now for a couple of months but is still the topic of many music lovers conversation. Would you take a moment to reflect on the writing/recording of “Worlds Apart” and share with us how the process went...
The writing & recording process for “World’s Apart” took 7 months from start to finish, but we were only recording for about 6 weeks. It was finished in November 2003 but we
were messed about by a label for 6 months before we signed to MTM. We wrote 25 songs for the album but couldn't agree which ones to use as with all the behind scenes problems with the first album we needed this one to be totally on the ball but I think we got it right in the end. There’s twp versions of the album MTM's master & our own master (which I think is best) but maybe that will be the Japanese release.

3. Speaking of writing, I love the work that yourself and Simon Abbotts did on the album. How was it working/co-writing with him and do you plan to do more collaborations with him in the future?
Working with Simon is great when he's available, but when we get it together we can come up with some very good songs. The next album is already recorded except for the vocals so when the time comes for album No. 3 it shouldn't take that long to finish. I’ve also got a solo album in the can but need to get the timing right to release it.

4. I am also interested in knowing how the writing/creative process works for different artists. When you are creating a new track is there a set process you follow, lyrics first/lyrics last or does each song follow its own creative path?
When it comes to writing songs there’s no set path time scale or anything like that an idea can come at any time (some very embarrassing) so its a good idea to carry a Dictaphone different artists need different songs so its good to have a wide variety of material ready just in case.

5. One of my favorite questions I like to ask the artists is for you to look at your most recent release, choose a song (one of your favorites) and share the story with we the fans to why it is special to you…
My favorite song on the album is “Talk To My Heart”, it was written 2 weeks after we finished the first album. All the band trouble had kicked off but Simon & myself still managed to write & this was the 2nd song we wrote. Its basically a love song but very bluesy which is the way I keep getting Simon to sing because sometimes he sounds so like Paul Rodgers its uncanny. I like the ups & downs of this song & you can tell it wasn't just thrown together.

6. The line up for this album is one of seasoned performers and musicians that bring a crisp, tight sound. Could you tell us how you went about picking the different members of the band?
The line up for the band came together very easy. Andy Mills (Bass) joined us just after the first album was done; as Al Barrow had joined Magnum. When we were ready to record the album we didn't want to go through the auditioning process so we asked Al if we could borrow his little brother to do the album. We think he did a very good job. When it came to keyboards everyone was busy so I did them myself which was scary at the time but I think they came out ok.

7. Now, with the moments leading up to today touched upon; I would like to look at the future and ask what is on the horizon for you, and of course your many projects?
At the moment I'm doing all the preproduction for the new Bob Catley album at my own studio (The Den) then we start the album in January. The next PULSE album follows that. Somehow I’ve got to get PULSE on the road again before September when I'm out on the road with Bob again … Then it all starts again.

8. One project I would like to ask a bit about is your work with Bob Catley. How is it working with him? When I interviewed him I found him to be a deep and somewhat serious man, knowing him more personally would you agree?
Working with Bob is great. I really can't begin to tell you how good it is. I've been everywhere and seen almost everything. When it comes to recording Bob’s very professional as you'd expect. Bob’s very serious about his music but keeps enough time to party … Don’t worry about that. The next time you see us out come and say Hello.

9. You have worked with many artists in the music scene and have had some great moments in your career. What moment or moments would you call your best?
At the moment the best moments have been seeing the albums released and on the shelves and not only recording with Bob but playing on one of the best albums he's done. There’s too many funnies to get on one page, but a good one was when PULSE supported
“Company of Snake’s” at JB's in Dudley. I was sick on the stairs leading to the stage and on the stage but forgot to clean it up … I don't think I need to say much more.

10. Are there any artists out there that you would like to work with in the future; perhaps you could tell us your dream line up for an album/tour?
There’s things in the pipeline for 2006 but I really can't say anything because I might get shot. I'd love to let the world know but I can't sorry.

11. As an artist who has established himself do you have any words of advice for those artists starting down the road of a music career or perhaps looking at signing their first contract?
The only advice I could give anyone is just don't give up and keep going. This is the advice given to me by one of my close mates Lee Morris from PARADISE LOST and it really does make sense because if you keep knocking the right doors one of them will open.

12. Many artists warn new comers to be very cautious when starting out, and some have started a trend of self-producing their music. What sort of changes do you think will come over the next few years?
Personally I think bands will do what TEN have done and release albums themselves on their web sites or sell them at gigs. It makes sense and cuts out the middle man plus there’s no one to rip you off.

13. With all of the new technologies available the music world stands to have a great future with streaming audio and video but also faces a serious problem with file sharing. What are your feelings about this double-sided sword called the internet?
I think the internet is great. There’s good and bad in everything but if you can use it to you're own benefit its got to be good.

14. Just before closing the interview I would like to ask a bold question, is there a project that you dream of fulfilling that you would consider your masterpiece and if so would you share just a glimpse of it with us?
Sorry there’s no masterpiece on the shelf at the moment. I'm too busy doing everything else maybe one day I could do something but not yet.

15. And last but never least do you have a closing message for all of your fans?
To everyone who's bought the two PULSE albums … Thanks and I hope you like them. There will definitely be another one I promise. We should be gigging in the first half of next year so come and see us and we can all have some fun.

Posted by Kathy at January 10, 2005 01:43 PM