| |
DEREK grews up with the LED ZEPPLIN’s riffs, the progressions from GENESIS and the out of the world atmosphere from the PINK FLOYD. He was thirteen years old when he began to play the guitar...But he will tell better to us about his music, by him even.
Vocal, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and sound-engineer.
Can you return briefly on your beginning as composer, what gave you envy to create ?
Derek : I compose music since 1977 (14 years old) because I always was too lazy to replay the music of the others. It's easier to make by myself!
In this time, to play guitar it was for me, a lot of showing and big dreams of glory that fast became finished because I was extremely fascinated. Some years later, for lack of finding a singer, I put myself in this task with a certain success. During about fifteen years I just play guitar to compose my songs.
Why this nickname ?
Derek : I was about twenty years old when Michel, the boss of a music shop, where I worked as a sound technician, a stringed instrument maker, and a shop-assistant, nicknamed me "Bo Derek"!
Because quite a lot of my girlfriends came to visit me to the shop (haha).
In time, everybody called me Derek and I got used to there.
Your compositions mix different tones. What are your sources of inspiration ?
Derek : I draw my inspiration from Rock, Blues, Hard-Rock, Jazz, ethnic music, but especially from progressive-rock which is for me, the most free style where we can allow to merge all the kinds of music.
At musical gear, are you faithful to your instruments, or do you prefer the perpetual change, discovery some new sounds ?
Derek : During my journeys, I always discover other instruments, the tone of which I enjoy. Generally all which has strings interests me. Faithful... No, it's not my thing!
For my US Stratocaster 1980, it's an exception. For my US Stratocaster 1980, it's an exception. I did the mourning in 1989 because somebody stole this guitar in my recording studio. 5 years later, a customer of my studio gave me to adjust a guitar in a pitiful state that he bought by a local newspaper. I took her in hand and in spite of the unrecognizable state, during this contact I felt something strange. I look at the serial number, and yes, it's indeed my strato !
After 5 years, I obtained my stolen strato without moving from my home! Since, I remained faithful there.
What is your method to compose write and record your music ?
Derek : My lyrics are always written according to the music and not the opposite. I don't attach a lot of importance for the words because for me, song is an musical instrument and lyrics, knocks of plecter on vocal cords.
I've no precise rules by composing. Sometimes, I begin with a guitar's riff which trots me in the head, some tunes on a piano, but mostly the translation of an emotional recollection. I record like that comes, everything with feeling.
The part of improvisation is very important and generally I keep the first rushes.
Voyage, escape, recollections, revolution... Quote us the best words which describe your compositions ?
Derek : You found the right words, I'll add freedom, provocation, intimacy and passion.
What is your opinion on the world of the Major discographic labels ?
Derek : I was already signed by a big label and it's not synonymic of freedom.
At present, I can't speak about autoproduction because my CD are virtual. I think that "Creative Commons" licenses or others are the future of the musical broadcasting and CDs bought from the shop are the past. Make business with music is incompatible with my philosophy.
Today, which artists or Bands touch you most ?
Derek : I quote Porcupine Tree, Lalu, Derek Sherinnian, Siegs touch you most ?
Derek : I quote Porcupine Tree, Lalu, Derek Sherinnian, Sieges Even, Ark, Liquid Tension Experiment... And I find many artists under Creative Commons license who've all the qualities to become references.
What will be later ? New compositions, an album, stages ?
Derek : It has been hardly 5 months since I spread my intrumental music because before my circle of acquaintances persuades me, I kept my music for me. Now, I'm glad to share. Tomorrow is another day and maybe in 6 months I'll stop the music completely or I'll re-form a Band in which I'll sing...
We'll see after 3 or 4 tracks more...
Gérard for Zikannuaire.com
|
|
DEREK (English version)
