Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.58 02/07)
excerpts from an interview with Daryl Stuermer (Guitar, Bass)
It was a fairly easy process. My previous albums explored eclectic, contemporary jazz. Sometimes I would combine my lighter nylon string guitar songs with some mid tempo to heavier up tempo electric compositions. With "Rewired" I decided to focus in on my back catalogue of the more aggressive, overdriven electric guitar playing. These are my most energetic and progressive compositions. There are also a couple ballads, but even they have a simmering under current of energy. The remastering and new edits makes it feel like a brand new album.
Are there any plans to re-release also other solo material from your back-catalogue?
It's probably too early to tell, but I am open to the idea of course. I would love for more people to hear my earlier albums. Most of my albums are sold over the internet and at live shows. Distribution as well as marketing is the most important thing in getting the music out there. I feel once it gets heard, the public will like it. I sell a lot of CD's to a high percentage of the audience at my live shows because they seem to like what they have just heard. Many of them tell me that they had heard of me in Genesis or Phil Collins' band but didn't know I play like this.
Unfortunately not too much is known about your other solo releases. Can you tell a little bit more about the albums you’ve released in the past and what they mean to you?
I have 6 previously released albums dating back to my first one in 1988. "Steppin' Out" is a melodic pop/rock instrumental album. My 2nd album wasn't released until 1998. "Live and Learn" is probably my most eclectic album to date. It has mid to heavy electric guitar songs as well as light to medium tempo nylon string guitar songs, and a couple vocal compositions as well. Next I released a kind of tribute album called "Another Side Of Genesis". "Waiting In The Wings" came next and is another fairly eclectic album of nylon string acoustic and electric guitar with light and heavier mid to up tempo songs. The "Retrofit" album explored compositions I could have probably written in the mid to late 70's but I brought them up to date with new arrangements and the production. The next album is the "Nylon String Sampler" which is self explanatory. It's what I consider the best of my nylon string acoustic style compositions.
Can you tell a little bit more about the CD release party back in December?
My band and I played a nightclub in Milwaukee, Wisconsin called "Shank Hall". If I'm not on tour with Phil Collins (or Genesis) I will play this venue once or twice a year. We had a capacity crowd of around 250 enthusiastic fans. We mainly played music from "Rewired", but also threw in some new compositions and a couple Genesis songs. At the end of the night I sat at a table where CD's are sold and met the fans and signed their CD's and posters or whatever they wanted me to sign. It's always a pleasure meeting them and getting their perspective on what they've heard.
Which are the other members of your current band and how did you find them?
I met everyone in Milwaukee at different times in different situations. My keyboard player Kostia was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1989. We've worked together on various projects since 1990. He has been recording with me on my solo albums since 1998's "Live And Learn". We also play gigs together as a guitar and keyboard duo called "The Electracoustic Duo". I have worked with my bass player Eric Hervey on and off since the late 1980's. My drummer John Calarco has been with me since my 2001 "Waiting In The Wings" album.
Over the years you have played together with a lot of the finest and very talented musicians. Is there any experience that really stands out for you?
There are so many great experiences but the first thing that came to mind was a jam I was involved in at Phil Collins 1984 wedding reception. The event was held in a huge tent at Phil Collins' house in Surrey, England. Robert Plant was on vocals, Phil Collins on drums, Gary Brooker (of Procol Harum)-keyboards, Mike Rutherford played Bass, and Eric Clapton and myself on guitars. It was truly a blast!
Were your surprised that after all those years of silence, Genesis is alive again and another tour is planned?
I'm very excited to be touring with them again. There was always some loose talk of a reunion but it never became a serious discussion until last year. I was on tour with Phil Collins in 2005 when I first got word of a possible tour but was sworn to secrecy. We didn't get together until October 2006 to see if the magic was still there. We rehearsed for 2 weeks and went through the songs that would work best for the upcoming tour.
Can you tell a little bit more about the upcoming Genesis Tour. What kind of songs are going to be played and are there any surprises planned?
We are playing open air soccer stadiums in Europe (June/July) and indoor arenas on the North American tour (Sept/Oct). As far as surprises - if I told you what the surprises were it wouldn't be a surprise. The only thing I want to say is that we can't play everything. There will always be a song you wish we would have played...........but if we played the song you "wish" we played then we wouldn't have been able to play the other song we did play!
Does it bother you, that most people are more aware of your co-operation with Phil Collins and Genesis than your solo releases?
Sure.....................but I really can't complain! I have the best gig in the world!
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2007