and you thought you knew.. Mike DeFilette
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"In the nineties, the time came for me to think more about working with bigger studios and artists, and by the mid nineties, I focused more on synths and building on my recording skills. That led me to building my own studio!
I spend alot of time trying to develop my playing and recording techniques and occasionally I get to help out other bands. I'm mostly involved with lots of my own productions though these days!" |
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Mike DeFilette has two albums reviewed at IOM - 'Through My Eyes', and his more recent work 'Insight' - both of which are remarkable pieces of work in terms of composition and production and in the very warm and welcome way these albums have been received.
A highly focused and imaginative recording artist, Mike DeFilette has shown that his approach to compostion and recording have great consequences - people really do like what he does! That's enough of a reason in itself to invite him for interview and to prepare the world for the fact that Mike DeFilette is not afraid to trek across the virtual Atlantic to answer the inevitable questions..
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The Interview - November 05 2006 |
| Welcome to IOM Mike... can we begin with you telling us a bit about your background? |
This is really easy.. as a young kid I loved just about everything that was rock'n roll: Led Zeppelin, Sabbath, AC-DC..
We were picking all of this up in the mid to late 70's!
Later, I joined some bands (SteamHorse, Matelhead) as a bass player, and then as vocalist and guitar player.
In the nineties, the time came for me to think more about working with studios and artists, and by the mid nineties, I focused more on synths and building on my recording skills. That led me to building my own studio!
I spend alot of time trying to develop my playing and recording techniques and occasionally I get to help out other bands. I'm mostly involved with lots of my own productions though these days! |
| What would you say have been your main musical influences? |
Led Zeppelin, Rush, Fates Warning, Jimi Hendrix |
| What could you tell us about “high points” in your musical career? |
A high point for me is releasing my Blues album 'Drivin' South' this year which I think highlights the other side of Mike DeFilette!
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| How about low points and how you managed to get over them? |
Many low points, the lack of interest in my albums by record labels which I overcome with focussing on my own production, sales and marketing! I think that way you can please the audience without selling your soul and by remaining committed to your work!
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| If you could turn the clocks back, is there anything you would have done differently? |
No.. I would probably do the same as I do now!
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| Who did you work with on your most recent projects? |
Some good Belgian studio musicians, and Iam still looking to join forces with a female vocalist to create "the Ambient opus" :)
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| If you could pick a favourite track from your recent work what would it be? |
Insight from the album 'Insight'
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| What musical instruments/equipment do you normally use? |
Synths : Clavia Nord , M-Audio
Guitars : Framus and ibanez Prestige
Computers : Apple |
| Do you have a favourite instrument either as a player or appreciator? |
Guitars are my main composition tools and I love to experiment with them!
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| Can you remember your first stage and/or studio experience? |
First act for Gary Moore in 1984 At the Ancienne Belgique Brussels!
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| What five albums would you want to find if you were stranded on a desert island with enough food, water, a copy of IOM, a fantastic audio system, and any one musical instrument of your choice? |
Dark side of the Moon - Pink floyd : AndyTimmons Band - Resolution : Cream-Disraeli Gears : Yeah !! - Def Leppard : David Gilmour - On an Island
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| Do you have a favourite album cover of all time? |
Pink Floyd's - Wish you Were here |
| and what, may we ask, are the five albums you listened to most recently? |
Pain of Salvation - all albums |
| What five movies did you watch most recently? |
King Kong, Rush in Rio, Garfield 2, X men, Star Wars! |
| Which artist would you most like to meet or borrow a bag of sugar from as a next door neighbour? |
Joe Satriani |
| If you could have been responsible for writing the best song or piece of music ever written, what would it be? |
The Angels' Share by Geddy Lee |
| If you could have three wishes, right this second, what would they be? |
Composing with Joe Satriani, a recording deal, smiling forever!
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| On to the more intimate side of Mr DeFilette.. what did you dream about last night AND you can't say 'I do not remember'... |
Sharing my time with some "Suicide Girls" under the sun with some good cocktails!
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| And, if we were to “shadow” you on a typical day, what might we see you doing? |
Writing music and composing!
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| What did you do, the day before yesterday? |
It was Friday, oh yes.. came back from a studio night in Frankfurt, cool! |
| If you had to move to another country for a year to record an album, but you only had a few suitcases and an hour to pack… what would you take? |
My Macbook pro, ipod, my daughter, some clothes, done! |
| What bugs you most? |
Racism |
| What makes your day really shine? |
My sunshine is my daughter, a gift, so small and already so talented! |
| I hate to end it all like this Mike, but.. finally, what are your plans for 2007? |
Bringing my new album 'Alaska' to the people as my new ambient opus :)
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| Mike DeFilette.. thanks for dropping by... the delightful Sandra will see you to the car! |
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Mike DeFilette was interviewed by Colin Lynch - November 05 2006
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