April 12, 2005

Interview with Rob Moratti

Each artist I have interviewed has shown me something new and deeply personal about what it takes to find your niche, develop your own sound and then jump the hoops to get the music out to the listeners. Rob Moratti is an artist that like many others has always had music as one of the key points in his life and has worked very hard and stayed focus on his goal … or would you say his Final Frontier? All puns aside, Rob has been enjoying some well-deserved success from his hard work but has not let it go to his head. In Rob I find a grounded, well thought out and determined individual and while he is having fun with the success he is also taking this success and looking for what there is to learn and what to use in the future to continue to grow! I’d like to congratulate Rob and the band from Final Frontier and suggest you stop by their site, http://www.finalfrontiermusic.com/ after the interview to see what else these guys are up to!

1. To start out the interview I would first like to start by asking for an introduction of Final Frontier as a band, we know that you guys have been friends for quite some time and would like to hear how this group came to be…

Hi my name is Rob Moratti, singer of Final Frontier. Mladen and I have been friends now for almost 20 years and we both saw each other through the years developing into the musicians we are today. We both had projects outside our friendship and kept busy trying to get ahead in the music business. There was always alot respect for one another because we knew how serious we were about the music and how much work we both put into it. We had always kept a close call no matter what and we knew it was just a matter of time before we would form a band we can finally call our own. So now here we are after 15 years we finally decided to give a shot and the results have been unreal to us. We still sometimes cannot believe how much chemistry Final Frontier has created. We're very fortunate for this.


2. I would also like to take a moment to ask you to introduce yourselves, the artists, song-writers and men behind the music…

Okay lets start with:
Rob Moratti - Lead Vocals and Background Harmony Vocals
Mladen - Guitars, Bass and Keyboards
Lawrence Falcomer - Lead Guitars
Micheal Shotton - Drums

Mladen and I do all the songwriting for the record, Mladen also takes production responsibilities and the only hired gun behind the scenes is Michael Shotton on the Drums.


3. To cover all the bases I would also like to ask you to tell us about your new release High Tension Wire, the third installment under the banner of Final Frontier. Would you tell us about the recording process and how you feel this album is different than the first two waves?

High Tension Wire is our 3rd album but the 1st with Frontiers Records. It's by far the strongest CD we've done in every way possible. The songs are very powerful and the production is definitely world class and most importantly to us the performances were on top of the game. I love every record we do but we're discovering something new all the time and we're getting stronger with each release.


4. I feel each release shows a window into the lives of the artists as well as into the music industry. What do you feel High Tension Wire says about where you are as artists and also what does it say about the music world of today?

I think as an artist I find myself finally where I always wanted to be … Really! I couldn't be happier about the music and voice I have discovered especially with Final Frontier.

There was a time when a record similar like High Tension Wire was released and it would make a huge impact everywhere but unfortunately things have really changed. I don't think the music world knows what it wants anymore


5. Many of the reviews I have read about Final Frontier share the common thought that you don’t look at the music scene and say what kind of album fits with all of this, but rather you look inside yourselves and ask what music is in there and how do I want to play it. Do you think this sets you apart from others in the industry of today?

That's very true, it's obvious the music speaks for itself. I never followed trends … I've always been the kind of guy that did what I did because I love it, this way if the music kicks off then that's great and if not then I'm still happy and proud of what I've done.


6. Another thing I have picked up in your music as well as the reviews is that you could very well be the band to carry melodic rock into the mainstream, your depth and experience coupled with you powerful enthusiasm makes me think that this is definitely possible – Your thoughts on that?

I hope you're right, Kathy! If the time is now for the music scene to accept this style of rock (AOR) than we are definitely ready and prepared to grab it by the horns. It's all about timing.


7. Getting back to the album, is there a song on High Tension Wire that is special to you, perhaps a favorite you could share some of the story with us; and why it is meaningful to you?

Every song is awesome to me but if I had to choose one today then it would be “Listen To Your Heart”. I can see myself letting my son or daughter take a listen to the song as they get into their teenage years. Like a little reminder and a lesson in life and that I'm always there with no matter what decisions.


8. One thing I really appreciate about you is the quality and sincerity behind each song. Would you tell us a bit about the creative process and how it works for you when you are writing a new song?

Every song is formed around a melody and a title that help create the chorus. This is what makes Final Frontier's sound. Our focal point in every song is always the chorus and the melody.


9. I see that the album has been released in both Europe and Japan; what are the plans as far as North America is concerned?

We might consider a tour in the province of Ontario and just outside the city of Toronto. I would really like to hit the USA, but no plans yet.


10. Any plans for a tour to support this album and show the fans what you are capable of doing live?

Very much so, Mladen and I are considering Europe and possibly Japan. Talk is in the works so we'll have to keep our fingers crossed.


11. I have been listening to the new album just about non-stop since I got it and have to laugh because even though I am so content with what I have I must know – What’s next? What can we expect from Final Frontier in the time to come?

Thank you Kathy. We will start writing the 4th CD starting in May so you can surely expect another CD. I'm now in the middle of planning a video for the title track "High Tension Wire" which is very exciting. It should be complete sometime in June.


12. Is there a message you would like to send out to all of your fans to close out the interview?

Hi everyone and Thank You for all your support! Check out our new CD "High Tension Wire"!
Final Frontier will be coming to your city!
Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Rob Moratti

Posted by Kathy at April 12, 2005 01:35 AM