Interview with Damon Shulman in march 2006
Schon seltsam, wie manche Dinge zustande kommen. Vor einigen Wochen war ich tief ins Hören der Remaster Edition von Gentle Giants Album "Free Hand" vertieft ("On Reflection" ist ein traumhaft gigantisches Werk. Ich wundere mich jedes Mal, dass es den Song überhaupt gibt, dass ein Mensch die kompositorische Vorstellungskraft und eine Band die interpretatorische Technik besitzt, diesen Luxus von Musik überhaupt lebendig machen zu vermögen!), da krachte es gewaltig auf dem Flur, es folgte eine Schimpfkanonade. Ich rannte raus und sah meine Frau Katrin vor einem Scherbenhaufen stehen. Sie sah nicht entzückt aus. Der ganz besondere Zug um ihre Mundwinkel hieß mir, mich gleich wieder ganz leise zu verdrücken…
Um eventuell auf mich zukommenden negativen Dingen sofort auszuweichen (ich sollte doch nicht sehen, dass sie das gute […] Geschirr runter geschmissen hatte!), hatte ich plötzlich ganz intensiv zu tun. Mir fiel auf die Schnelle nicht Besseres ein, als mich ins Internet aufzumachen. Auf der CD-Hülle von "Free Hand" war die Internetseite von Gentle Giant abgebildet, ich rief sie auf, und schon waren Geschirr, Geschrei und der Rest der Wirklichkeit vergessen. (Böse, ist es nicht?!?) Nichts konnte ich finden, was darauf hindeutet, wann denn endlich die Urgewalt von "Octopus" remastert (und mit verlockenden unbekannten Bonusstücken ausgestatteten) aufgelegt wird.
Jedoch entdeckte ich die Seite von Damon Shulman, dem Sohn von Phil Shulman(, einem der drei Brüder, die mit Kerry Minnear Gentle Giants frühes Herzstück ausmachten. Phil Shulman stieg 1972 nach "Octopus" aus Gentle Giant aus.) Damon Shulman hatte in der Prog-Szene in den Neunzigern mit seiner Band Different Trains Aufsehen erregt, als das einzige Album der Band deutliche Inspiration von GG aufwies.
Auf der Webseite wird die neue CD von Damon vorgestellt. Feuer und Flamme war ich, Geschirr hätte ich zerschmeißen können! Der Kontakt zu Damon kam ganz einfach zustande, ich fragte an, ob er Interesse an einem Interview hätte, er bejahte. Die Fragen gingen raus, die Antworten kamen rein. Geschirr zu zerschlagen ist wohl wirklich eine positive Sache! Aber lest selbst:


ragazzi: "Please talk about your development as a musician since the very first beginning."
Damon: "The first instrument I played was the violin. I was tutored between ages 4-7 years. I don't believe I was a particularly good student. I was too naughty and much preferred playing football with my mates. However, I always maintained an interest in music simply because it was always around the home. I was in complete awe of my father, and wanted to be like him so asked if he would teach me the trumpet. My father tutored me for a while and I did ok but, by the time I was 9 punk music had become popular, which was strictly a guitar based music. Consequently, I wanted to play the guitar. However, I learned the bass. It was ostensibly easier to play, but my uncle Ray (Shulman), who I respect immensely, showed me comprehensive ways of using the instrument.
I was playing bass professionally by the age of 11. I started playing the guitar around the same time but it became my main instrument at about the age of 18 when I developed an interest in jazz. I have learnt how to play many different instruments since then, mainly out of necessity for recording and composition purposes. I have played the drums in local bands. I have played the keyboards, percussion, mandolin, xylophone, recorder and saxophone in the studio, but would never profess to be an expert in any of these instruments."
ragazzi: "Do you have learned all instruments do you play by yourself or with the help of your father? And which instruments do you play?"
Damon: "As I said previously, my father assisted me with the trumpet when I was a child. He also helped me out with the Saxophone much later. I was also taught many tricks by my uncle Ray on the guitar and bass but I am quintessentially a self-taught musician."
ragazzi: "Please let us know something about the finding of your studio 'Room 15'."
Damon: "Room 15 was created out of financial necessity and of course my passion for music. I have a wife and 3 children that I need to provide for. When I was in the band 'Different Trains, virtually everything was paid for by management, but when the band split I was completely on my own.
As a solo musician not playing gigs I could not establish a reasonable income to contribute to my family. It would not be fair of me to expect my wife to carry all the financial burdens. However, I still needed to compose, create and disseminate. Fortunately, I have very good friends who helped me build Room 15. I can now create music without having to compromise or paying extortionate studio fees."
ragazzi: "Why this long break between your last music works?"
Damon: "Well, the building of my studio took some time so, that would account for much of the delay. However, some of the songs on this album were quite complex, not just musically but lyrically and emotionally, so I took some time establishing the right ambience for certain pieces.
It was also my first project working entirely on my own so, I had to get used to having no 'third party' affirmative confirmation of my performances. I guess it takes a while to get the confidence to believe what you have done is right. Also my day-to-day life was not particularly conducive to recording. I have to work a 'regular job' and obviously spend time with my family.
However, once I realised the album was coming together as a fully rounded piece of work I gained a serious momentum and the final product actually materialised much quicker than I had originally intended."
ragazzi: "Is the album "In Pieces" official released? Or do you plan to release it in the future?"
Damon: "'In Pieces' was never really released officially. It was the product of some recordings made towards the end of my band 'Different Trains' and a few sessions I had done with John Jowitt and Paul Cook from the band 'IQ'. Initially, it was going to be released by a record company in Germany but they pulled out at the last minute so I was left high and dry. There were some good moments in many of the songs recorded so I wasn't prepared to let them just gather dust on a shelf. Consequently, I pieced together an album and asked my wife, Lorrie, who is an I.T. lecturer to create a web site advertising my existence. To my surprise I received many e-mails asking for a copy of the work. I had to run them off one by one. Many of the people who heard the album were extremely complimentary and sent me positive and supportive e-mails, which was very encouraging. Since the release of 'A Brief Moment of Panic' there have been a few queries from people regarding 'In Pieces' which, has necessitated a legitimate print and release of the album. It should be available through Alucard on gentlegiantmusic.com within the next few weeks."
ragazzi: "The music of Gentle Giant is an influence in your music since Different Trains and more now with your new album "A Brief Moment of Panic". Are these influences growths in the last years, or from your very first beginning as a musician? Do you have other influences?"
Damon: "Of course, Gentle Giant is a massive influence on me. It's in the genes. Even if I had never heard their music I am sure I would compose in a similar fashion. However, I have many other influences both from the past and present. When I was a kid I was obsessed by a band from England called XTC. I still listen to their albums particularly 'English Settlement'. It's wonderful music. But I have also been affected by many other musicians such as Frank Zappa, David Byrne (Talking Heads), The Band, Buffalo Springfield, Little Feat, Steely Dan, Brian Wilson, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Steve Reich. More recently, I've been influenced by English folk music. I particularly like John Spiers and Jon Boden who work as a duo but also appear in the band Bellowhead. It's terrific stuff. All the people I mention are definitely influences on me. But, I like or even love other bands and musicians music, for instance The Beatles or Paul Simon, but I could not honestly say that my music is directly influenced by these people, though sometimes I may wish it was."
ragazzi: "Your music is very complex. How do you get the ideas? Are all the arrangements the work of yourself or have had you got help from other musicians?"
Damon: "It's all my own work. Whether that is a good or bad thing remains to be seen. When I write it tends to be the result of how I'm feeling at a particular time. In order to express my emotions or feelings in music, it has to be me that sets the agenda. However, my moods are changeable and I generally never complete a composition in one sitting. The process of writing may take days or weeks. Consequently, one song will often present me with different questions and answers, which, will sometimes result in musical and lyrical dissonance. That said I always hope that this will provoke a positive response from the listener, whatever the music appears to be suggesting. I do not deliberately set out to be complex in my music, but I do believe all people have complexity in their lives. I simply try to reflect this in music."
ragazzi: "The cover of "A Brief Moment of Panic" is white, just with a person sitting with the head on the knees. What does this mean? Are you the person sitting there?"
Damon: "Yes. I am that man. Sitting there on the cover of a CD waiting for someone to come and tell me that everything in the world is OK. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone will come along to placate me. I hope that answers the question?"
ragazzi: "You have the music from your father, are your children having it this way from you too?"
Damon: "Absolutely. I have three sons aged 13, 10, and 2 years. My two oldest boys sing beautifully on the latest album. My oldest son is a real performer. He plays the guitar and has a wonderful singing voice. He has performed on stage and is a real talent and, like me, is an instinctive performer rather than coached. My second son is being formally trained on the piano. He is up to grade three and has passed all his exams with distinction. I am extremely proud of his progress.
He recently came second in a district piano competition and performed beautifully. My youngest son seems to be developing good percussive skills and seems to posses all of the appropriate aggression and humour to become a 'Shulman'type performer."
ragazzi: "Is making music your daily work or just a hobby beside your job?"
Damon: "Well, I wish it were my daily work but it doesn't make my daily bread. In the end I do not resent the fact that I have to work in a regular job to sustain my musical objectives. Having a job is good for me. It keeps me grounded and in touch with the concerns of good, honest people and conversely unscrupulous people. Music will never be a hobby for me and at the risk of appearing pretentious I should say it is an inexorable passion. My family's history dictates that I be a musician first and foremost. I will do what is ever necessary to sustain that history even if it means working 8 hours a day in a regular job."
ragazzi: "Why you don't have a band to play together? No other guys love the music you want to play?"
Damon: "I played in bands for many years from boy to man and eventually it simply became boring. Too many conflicts and betrayals take the wind out of your sails. However, sharing the musical experience is a wonderful thing and every now and then I do get the urge to form anew band.
I would love to perform the new material in front of an audience but this does not seem likely at present.
However, I do play in a band of sorts, which is kind of experimental and exploratory, but is based around jamming rather than composition and arrangements. I work with three exceptional musicians all offering their own unique talents, but it is more of an escape from my usual musical endeavours than a means to an end. It's called the iD Lab. We are thinking of releasing an album. Should be interesting."
ragazzi: "I don't know right to ask: What is this for a feeling: your father was a worldwide well known and successful working musician with albums and a strong fan base (till today). But you make all by yourself and no big label is sitting behind you and helps in any way?"
Damon: "It's no problem for me. In fact, I feel my father and uncles deserve more recognition for what they achieved musically. Towards the end of Gentle Giant you can definitely see market forces taking control of the bands integrity. I know my dad wouldn't have stood for it if he had still been in the band in the late 70's. Gentle Giant would have certainly evolved and lasted a lot longer if they had been self sufficient or independent of the corporate music business.
I am pleased to be where I am. I have complete freedom to write what I want and have the undivided support of my family. I couldn't wish to be in a better position."
ragazzi: "What do you have made between the albums? No musical activities in the eight years before "A Brief Moment of Panic"?"
Damon: "I've been a father and a husband. Of course, I continued to play music but when you have a young family your priorities change. Performers can be incredibly selfish people. They are often infantile and needy with over inflated egos. As a result they miss out on the essential sharing of events and emotions, which form character and an understanding of your own existence.
I wouldn't want to be like that. My family comes first, always, and during those eight years I devoted my time to establishing a comfortable life with my wife and children. I wouldn't have it any other way."
ragazzi: "How are the reactions of friends and family to your new music?"
Damon: "Completely positive. My father is incredibly supportive. He may even be a fan. My uncle Ray is and has always been there for me when I needed him. Lesley Minnear (wife of Kerry ) has been exceptionally accommodating with her time and input with this project. Everyone who were aware of what I was doing have only been positive."
ragazzi: "How long was the work on the eight new tracks?"
Damon: "All in all I think it took about a year to complete. The composition was basically established before recording, though some tracks evolved during the process."
ragazzi: "Are you satisfied with the album?"
Damon: "I am. I am completely satisfied with the album. I could have possibly improved on some of the performances, technically, but it was my intention to capture the intensity of particular moments and be as raw and reflective as possible and I think I succeeded in doing that."
ragazzi: "Is there any chance to see you playing live this songs?"
Damon: "I have no band. Unless there are some willing musicians out there I don't believe this album will be performed live in the near future. However, I would love to do it."
ragazzi: "What are your future plans?"
Damon: "I want to release another solo work within the next two years. I am also planning to revive a piece that I wrote with my father. Also, if the opportunity arises I'd like to play live. The conditions would have to be right but I think that would be fun."
ragazzi: "I wish you all the best."
Damon: "Many thanks Volkmar. I enjoyed the interview immensely."

VM



Zurück