Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.43 03/03)
excerpts from an interview with Clive Nolan (Keyboards)
Well, we took it to a studio in London first, because the plan was to have Mike Stobbie produce the album. Sadly, time was against us, so we decided to pull out of London and carry on the recording at Thin Ice and The Outhouse studios. Actually we virtually recorded the album twice. By the time the album was actually finished, we decided it would be better to wait until the other side of the Christmas period. It will actually be released on Januray 27th.
Can you give a short overview about the story that's hidden behind "Contagion"?
It's kind of a mix between Pandoras Box and Noah's Ark! It is about a 'mental' virus which a man accidently unleashes on the world. He spends the rest of his life trying to undo the damage.
Additionally to the album, you'll release two EPs. So what will be on them, when will they be released and how do they fit into the whole "Contagion" concept?
Imagine that 'Contagion' is a film... then these two EPs would provide us with the 'Directors Cut'... extra material and further insight.
In contrast to other albums and also to the concept of "The visitor" there are no longsongs this time. Do you wanted to put more focus on your ideas, the different atmospheres?
This is much more one big piece than "The visitor" was. The ideas and themes flow throughout the whole of "Contagion", helping to enhance the 'big picture' as well as making sence of each individual track. The songs are each as long as they need to be.
Even though on the previous albums contained some heavier parts, "Contagion" goes even more to extremes. Who's idea was it?
It was a 'joint effort'... we have been going in this direction throughout the Arena albums. It is part of our natural evolution. However, there is always a balance between the heavier sounds and the more symphonic approaches.
For the artwork you worked together with David Wyatt, a different artist than on your previous albums. How did you get in contact with him and why did you especially choose him?
He was an old friend of John's. We just met up, and looked at some of the artwork he had done for various book cover etc. I loved it... we then talked a lot on the phone for a year or so, building towards this album. We just kicked loads of ideas around, until we reached the right athmosphere for 'Contagion'.
On the last Saga tour Arena played the spot of the support act. Have you received any feedback that you've reached and won new fans?
That's difficult to tell at the moment. I hope it did us some good. I guess we'll see how this album does..;)
Any plans for a tour in the spring and are there also plans to do another support act role for a "bigger" band?
Arena will be on tour during April next year. We will be headlining because we have a bit of a stage show comeing out with us, and we will be playing the whole of 'Contagion' amongst other things... It's going to be an event worth checking out!
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2003