INTERVIEW SECTION on Pilgrim World

Last Updated
2003/12/09

The Fears In The Past..., Heading For New Millenium

Interview with Hubi Meisel (ex.Dreamscape/Maeve of Connacht)
by Tetsu (PILGRIM WORLD)

Hubi Meisel seems to have been very active during recent years. If you are not familiar with him, remember that he was not originally a solo artist. He was a member of German melodic prog metal band, DREAMSCAPE. After HUBI MEISEL left working with prog metal bands, such as DREAMSCAPE and SCENES, he has finally landed the conlusion that going to work for his own projects. About a few years ago, Hubi Meisel took part in the guest spot of lead vocalist for Maeve of Connacht formed by a few other members of Italian symphonic prog metal act, BLACK JESTER. He constantly works for his music to pursue his own goals, and reach his music for listeners who are eagerly waiting for his silkey and gentle vocals. Curiously, I prepared some questions about his own solo album, his past a bit, and future goals. Plus, some history about him and his country, Germany...

Chapter 1: Asking about CUT album

Q . Hubi, congratulations for your new album, CUT. I am glad that finally your own solo album gets released in the European continent. How do you feel about the feedback, after you have released CUT??

Hubi Meisel (HM): Hi, I'm happy about the release of my first solo CD CUT and the reactions have been very positive so far...

Q: That is great to hear. What countries have released your latest album,besides your country?

HM: CUT was released in the European area but I've found some international distributors who offer the CD through their catalogues.

Q: Even though your album has not been released yet in my country, JAPAN, I saw that a few Japanese metal sites has also reviewed your album as imports. They have given your album favorable reaction.

HM: Yes, I was glad about that. Keiko Kasuga (the leader of my Japanes FAN-Club) is also a fantastic help and she supports me in a very honest and strong way and I'm happy that already some important mags from your country wrote something positive about my works. Also my dear friend Masa Eto of the 21'st Centruy-Metal-Web gives me fantastic support and also some other friends :-)

Q: Probably, your fans might have been surprised at first to see that your first solo album is complete cover songs around 80s era. Why didn'tyou contain your own materials, instead?

HM: I love surprises...haha....I know that some people could be a bit surprised about the fact that I've re-arranged famous Pop-songs from the 80's in ROCK/Metal-style...but it was one of my old childhood dreams... and in future I will certainly release only my own material! At the moment I will also sing a song on the upcoming "Invictus"-CD of my dear friend "Mistheria" on which I will sing a nice piano ballad (in the style of Chopin). The CD will feature other great musicians like Anders Johansson, Goran Edman, John Macaluso, Michael Angelo, Vitalij Kuprij, Matt Bissonette, Tommy Denander, Rob Rock. I'm also already planning my next Solo-CD that will be much more progressive again and I'm also involved in a big and very promising new progressive-project with international musicians and singers.

Q: I see. In fact, I was very surprised that you mostly played tunes in 80's era. Yes, your arrangement in Rock/Metal-style works great.Of course, we are waiting for your own materials in the future. Before I ask you about your future plan, I would like to stay my questions about your solo andcurrent projects for a while. How long does it take to finish up your first solo album? Does it take a few more months? Please tell me about it and its process, if you do not mind.

HM: I was working for 7 months on CUT because I really wanted to RE-arrange the songs and I was working on many different ideas. I instructed my musicians and gave them rough directions but I certainly wanted to leave room for their own interpretations. The guitars were recorded in the Netherlands but the other instruments and my vocals were recorded in Munich. I mixed the CD carefully, too, and I've included some little "gimmicks", too ;-)

Q: Originally, CUT features a few more selections from 80s era. I also got started listening to music seriously during 80s. You have mostly chosen cover songs from 80s. What did motivate you to play entire 80s tunes, instead of 70s or 90s? In addition, what is so special from 80s music??

HM: This was a unique period of music and I think the songs of the 80's have a great melodic factor, but I've always missed some hard guitars and the flair of ROCK/METAL music. The songs on CUT are all from this period and I've also added a song from RUSH, as a little hommage to this great group, because I'm a passionated Prog-fan. I've listened to these songs before I got in contact with Metal music in 1986 and since that time I had the wish to re-arrange these songs someday in my own style.

Q: Some people seeking trend music tend to think 80's era and its music are not cool or hip. But I totally agree with you that 1980s are very special period for all kind of music. Esp., metal fans are very enthusiastic for hard rock and heavy metal music. On the other hand, they tend to shut out other kind of music. Ineed, 80s music have special charms and characteristics, such as your cover songs. In fact, Rush tune works great to me. Besides some tunes, "BROKEN WINGS", "SEND ME AN ANGEL", "DRIVE", and "RELAX" are quite well-arranged, even though some tunes are very pop tune. However, the common factor on these cover tunes are all their unique melodies and own charms. ok, with said that, what do you think of metal listeners who only listen to strictly metal or who listen to other kind of music at the same time? What type of metal listeners are usually listening to your music besides DREAMSCAPE, SCENES, and MAEVE OF CONNAGHT fans?

HM: I've often realized that especially the METAL-fans think very much in categories and often don't accept music that doesn't corrsepond to Heavy-Metal cliches. I don't care about that and I do what I feel and want...no matter what people think or say :0) Apart from the progressive fans there are many open minded people who like my voice and my unconvential style.

Q: Specifically, Marcel Coenen (ex. Lemur Voice/Sun Caged) did outstanding guitar playing on CUT album. How did you choose musicians for this album?? Can you explain me about other musicians?

HM: I was looking for a very good guitar-player who is able to play the songs with real power and I think it was the right decision to have my Dutch friend Marcel on the guitars. He did a great job indeed! The other musicians are from in Muinich and I know them for quite a long time. For my next Solo-CD (with own material & much more progressive!) I will ask some other great musicians.

Q: Yeah, Marcel Coenen is very impressive guitar player indeed. How long haveyou been keeping touch with him? Have you ever played with Lemur Voice andMarcel previously?? Just recently, I got a Dominion cd of SUN CAGED, his current prog metal project, from Netherland. Have you ever heard of his current products?

HM: I got in touch with Marcel through a friend of mine about 1 1/2 yearsago and i certainly know the music of SUN CAGED and I like it a lot. apart from the great Lemur Voice music I also like the Dream Theater tribute CD on which he played a song, too.

Q: I see that you have gathered your musicians from mainly Muinich area on CUT album. Personally, I am kind of attracted to read some information of European culture, music, history, and etc. In my country, people adore such factors in Europe. What do you think of Europe generally? There must be something special in European continents I guess. And tell me more about Muinich area and Germany herself. (hehe, the reason why I ask you is that I generally like to trip to other countries and different areas once in a while, so I am curious about people, geography, history, and so on.)

HM: I think that the European area has an interesting historical background. The Greeks (especially Platon and his "Politeia" that founded the democracy) and the Romans had a great influence on the whole area which can be seen in the culture and arts like poetry, music and painting. Still today many buildings, castles and even social values reflect this old tradition. Munich is certainly more than the "Oktoberfest", The "Hofbrauhaus" and BEER (although we have probably the best beer in the world ;-)...The castles of "King Ludwig" also attract many foreigners. By the way...the monarchy does not exist anymore since the year 1918! The Bavarian area and esp. the cities and towns are quite beautiful and there are many "green" spaces and trees within the cities. (Haha...next time I will do some special Heavy-Metal-sightseeing tour for your dear readers with a beer-test in a cool beer-garden...)...but unfortunately the ROCK/METAL-scene is not very big here in Munich. Many people from Japan like visiting Munich and I'm always amazed by their politeness and interest in culture!!! I had many years of Latin and (old) Greek in school and I am so happy about the possibility to learn much about these times.

Q: My favorite tunes on CUT album are "SEND ME AN ANGEL" and "RED SECTOR A". What are your favorite tunes you did on the album??

HM: It's not easy for me to name "faves" but I think I prefer "Red sector A" and "Broken Wings".

Q: Yeah, "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister is great. I had never imagined that youcovered Frankie Goes To Hollywoold (hehe) and A-HA tunes until I listened to your cdentirely. I think A-HA tune has been re-arranged quite well in metal/hard rock manner. Oh, and Cutting Crew tune, "I JUST DIED IN YOUR ARMS TONIGHT" is fantastic. CUTTING CREW is my favorite band back then. What happened to them?

HM: To be honest I really don't know what Cutting Crew is doing NOW.

Q: Cutting Crew was my favorite band, but they disappered from the surface on the earth I guess. On CUT album, you played the song of Mr. Mister,A-HA, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Cars, etc. At first, I am surprised, at the same time it recalls me about DREAMSCAPE with you did special cover tune of Ultravox - "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes". I like your singing on the tune of Ultravox. However, I have no idea about REAL LIFE you covered. Who are they??

HM: REAL LIFE is a band from Australia and as far as I know, they were a so-called "One-Hit Wonder" in the 80's. "Send Me An Angel" is a very famous song, but I think it was their only hit in the charts. I don't have too much information on this band...I'm not sure if they still exist.

Chapter 2: Talking about Maeve of Connacht

Q: Ok, let's move on to the topic of Maeve of Connacht. Maeve of Connachtis kind of symphonic/melodic prog metal project, according to what I have heard on Imaginary Tales album. I think many people have never heardof Maeve of Connacht very much, due to difficulties to get the cd. Please explainus about Maeve of Connacht. How have you collaborated with them?

HM: I've never been a member of Maeve of Connacht. I've known the boss of Dragon's Music for some years, and when he asked me to support MOC on their CD as GUEST singer, I wanted to help them out. I simply got the instrumental music on tape and I just had one week to write the vocal lines and lyrics. The recordings were more or less a kind of quick "jam session", and the recording conditions were not good. In addition to that, I only got two afternoons to record ALL of my vocals! Nevertheless we had quite a lot of fun!

Q: What are your favorite tunes of Maeve of Connacht? I enjoy the tuneslike "What Does It Mean?" and "Princess of Connacht".

HM: Yes, I also prefered the "What does it mean?" song and also "Another chapter".

Q: I have heard that Maeve of Connacht formed by the member of BLACK JESTER. I thought that they changed the name to MOONLIGHT CIRCUS. Even though that is mainly their project, your role on the album is very important as a lead singer for MoC, esp., on the lyrics and singing department. Are you satisfied with your contribution and the result of Maeve of Connacht - Imaginary Tales?

HM: As I've already mentioned above, the recording conditions were rather bad. But the worst thing was that the sound engineer did an awful job with my voice. I was singing rather powerful and loud during the recordings, but my voice sounded far too weak in the final mix (to be honest, I was quite disappointed when I heard the final result.) MOC was founded by Paolo Viani (Ex-Black Jester). It's true, they are now called Moonlight Circus because there have been some changes in the line-up.

Q: Are you going to collaborate with Black Jester/Moonlight Circus musicians in the future??

HM: I don't think that we will cooperate. They have their own singer and I am working for my Solo-career and some other projects.

Chapter 3: Having Participated in Prog Metal Bands/...and Current Days

Q: Now, I am going to ask about your previous projects and your past activity. I read your history section on your official site, and you seem to have done various musical activities. Could you please let us know that your musical career briefly?

HM: In 1995 I entered the local hardrock-alliance TRIPLE X, where I was staying for three years. We were also playing many unplugged concerts, which made us known in the south of Germany. In 1998 I met the progressive band DREAMSCAPE from Munich (meanwhile I had begun my studies there) and joined them as their singer. We had a fantastic time and played many gigs and a big German tour with Axel Rudi Pell. In February 1999 the CD Very (Rising Sun/Connected) was released worldwide, making us well-known. But due to some musical differences we soon didn't have much in common any more, and we went seperate ways. After these experiences I finally drew the conclusion that my musical aims could not be realized by being the singer of only one single group....In future I will be available as singer for sophisticated groups and projects (studio/live). In February 2001 I supported musicians from Asgard and Ex-Black Jester on their CD "Meave of Connacht" as guest singer. And my first Solo-CD "CUT" was released at the beginning of 2002.

Q: Over the years of your career, you have been attending various bands. For example, Melodic Hard Rock, Melodic Powerful Metal, Symphonic Metal, and Progressive Metal band. What is your most favorite type of music nowadays?

HM: You are right! I don't have only one single style. My heart still belongs to Progressive Metal and I especially love this kind of music...even if I love combining different techniques and styles.

Q: What is your best moment in your musical so far in the past??

It was the moment when I felt that I had to go my own way and started my solo-career. I was thinking quite a long time about it but then it was like a kind of vision and I'm glad to be there for music & people!

Q: Ok, Back to present situation. Nowadays, you have been working for your current progressive rock project and your friend's project. Tell me about those projects briefly, if possible.

HM: I will also record a piano-ballad for the upcoming CD of the great keyboard-player MISTHERIA (from Rome) and this CD features musicians like Anders Johansson, Rob Rock, Goran Edman, John Macaluso, Michael Angelo, Vitalij Kuprij, Matt Bissonette, Tommy Denander...

Ok, that is all for the interview. Hubi, Thanks for answering my questions. I wish you a great success for your solo career and project. Looking forward to your promising new album. Check out his recent new and actitiviy, go directly his page. http://www.hubimeisel.com/

Epilogue............Well, first of all, sorry to getting delayed for launching interview page on Pilgrim World. However, I am very glad to present my first interview of Hubi Meisel for you readers and visitors of PILGRIM WORLD. This is really my first attempt to interview, but it turned out really great...I enjoyed interviewing Hubi Meisel very much. We share really interesting stories during this interview session, when Hubi Meisel released C.U.T. album last time. As you know that I am supporting and loving the genre of prog rock and prog metal in general. In addition, I really respect how much prog metal musicians are striving for their goals to make better music, and they are mostly really friendly and very nice people to communicate with. Amongst prog metal musicians, Hubi Meisel is one of really nice and friendly people I have ever contacted. Hubi is a really kind and great musician who patiently answers my questions for a certain period, and eagerly coorporated with this first interview, even though he seems to be very busy at that time. I really appreciate his endurance and great spirit to make excellent music. I hope I would like to present next interview of Hubi Meisel about asking EmOcean project, so stay tuned for next interview sometime in next year. In any way, Enjoy his story about recent years and his project. Next year, Hubi Meisel will releasse new prog metal concept album called EmOcean world wide through LION MUSIC. In Japan, Avalon/Marquee will release EmOcean next March. Behold, and looking forward to his new album that is really HUGE!! :-) So stay tuned.

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