Interview

(Progressive Newsletter Nr.58 02/07)
excerpts from an interview with Pete Mush (Keyboards)

Congratulations to "Agapanthusterra", your new and first album!!! By accident, I heard a song of it and I was over the top about it. What is the meaning of both "Quantum Fantay" and the mysterious-funny name "Agapanthusterra" of your album?

Thanks for the compliments about our album. Quantum Fantay comes from a typing error. It was actualy Quantum Fantasy. Quantum you may know of the quantum fisics, multiple forces and so on. And fantasy because we don't like standing with 2 feet on the ground. But then the typing error came along and we keept it that way because the original name sounded good. Agapanthusterra is a kind of flower growing in dirt. But we also have our own story behind it. Our fantasy says that if a dead person is put under the ground in the close neighbourhood of the agapantusflower he reincarnates in a different dimension, a different planet. That is called Agapanthusterra. so its a fantasy story. So maybe someday O will wright a novel about it. Or ask Spielberg to make a film about it :-).


The reviews of your first album are great! How do you describe your style of music ? And what do you mean by "Liquid Space Rock", an expression you use on your website for your music (unfortunately, I donīt understand the dutch / flamish language of your website)?

Yeah, the website needs to be transelated. I think the liquid stands for the amount of synths I use in Quantum Fantay. It gives a uh......Liquid feeling. I don't think I have to explane for what the space rock stands for. In former reviews we were mostly compared with Ozric Tentacles and Hawkwind. But also non space rock bands like Marillion, Jean Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield and Tangerine Dream. These are nice words to hear from international critics. So as a consequence we gonna release a second CD next month. Hope they will be excited again.


Many comments compare QF with bands like Ozric Tentacles. Do you feel comfortable with this comparison?

Why not. I like the Ozrics very much, but I think we are a litte different than the Ozrics. We don't sound that strange like they do sometimes. We are more progressive and melodic. It's our own touch. Sometimes it's funny if people come to see us after a gig and they ask if we know Ozric Tentacles. 'Ozric who?? Never heard of them' then I show them my Ozric tatoo and they go like 'You're crazy! We like it!'.


How long did it take to compose and record such a complex album like "Agapanthusterra"?

I think it took two years. Not that we were constantly busy working on the album. It was a whole new experience. I had to try out new recording material. For the new album I've bought now new recording material which is mutch better for me, so you'll hear a difference in production.


What are your musical influences?

Mostly I listen to Progressive Rock. Bands like Marillion, Arena, The Flower Kings, Porcupine Tree. Then of course Ozric Tentacles. Great what Ed gets out of his synthesizers. Rick Wakeman is also one of my great influences.


Does Quantum Fantay consist of professional musicians, or do you have other jobs and your band is your hobby?

We all have jobs or go to school but for me Quantum Fantay is not just a hobby band anymore. It becomes a all day busness for me. Working on songs, recording, promo,.... now it's only a zero profit opperation.


Are you planning to go on tour outside Belgium?

No tour yet because we don't have the budget. But we gonna play some gigs outside Belgium in the near future. This summer we will play at the Burg Herzberg Festival, the so called 'Hippieconvention'. Maybe Holland will follow. If some band wish to have a support act maybe we'll join a tour. The future will tell.


Volker Seitz © Progressive Newsletter 2007