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Artist: Haven Date:
12 November 2001
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| MM - Introduce
the band members to us. My name is Pamme, I carry a Mic… My name is John, I carry a Flying V… My name is Michael and I carry a Bass… Matt Sorum played most of the drums on our CD. Steve Klong, who is also an awesome drummer, played on a couple of songs. And… Robin McAuley sang backup on two songs! MM - When was the band formed and how did you all meet? The Band was actually formed a few years back when we all simultaneously answered an ad. From the moment we all met there was just this immediate and intense chemistry that demanded to be pursued further. This was our first all original band and we think it's safe to say we're "lifers". This is how it happened: Michael first answered an ad, which is where he met John. Then I answered an ad and joined. We played together for a few years and then kind of took a break for a couple of years. Then Michael wrote a track and called up John and said "Wanna Rock?" That track turned out to be 'Can You Hear Us'. John and I had started a project and were calling it Haven. We had been writing a lot of songs together and had recorded one or two songs with a producer. So we recorded 'Can You Hear Us' and after it was finished we were all excited. We decided to get together one afternoon and just let the tape recorder roll. We must have put down 20 song ideas. I listened to the tape and immediately started writing lyrics. Most of the album came from that tape! So Michael rejoined the band and the intense chemistry we had all felt when we first met clearly now demanded to be pursued further! MM - Why did you decide on the name 'Haven' for the band? When we were thinking about a name for the band, we wanted it to be a name that encompassed what the lyrics were about first and secondly, the feelings and emotions we were trying to convey with the music. After deciding on the name Haven, we referred to the dictionary, which describes the word Haven as a place of refuge or rest, or a place that offers a form of protection or shelter. We consider it extremely life-giving if our music can in any way offer our listener's a "Haven" in a world that is far too often filled with negative influences and distractions. MM - The band have just been signed to 'Now And Then' records, this is great news. What sort of a deal do you have with them? We signed a 2 record deal with an option for a third. The first release was our own Indie release. The label redid all the CD artwork and the booklet. They didn't remix it or re-master it, but kept our original recordings and mixes. They have the rights to distribute it all over Europe and also Japan. We kept the USA for ourselves for the first release. We might change that for the 2nd CD and have them cover the USA also. I must say that the way the profits are split is very fair. Much better than the way the majors in the USA do it! MM -This is only the third female fronted act to be signed to this label. That in itself speaks volumes about how good they think the band are. You must all be really excited. We've always felt that we would find our moment, and a label that would truly recognize and share our passion for music. Without a doubt we found that with Now & Then/Frontiers and we are extremely encouraged by their belief in us! MM - For anyone who isn't familiar with the band and it's sound, how would you best describe it? There is no escaping the bands that have inspired and subliminally influenced our sound. A sound that you guys best described as "Not heavy metal, not hard rock, this band brings a fresh new face to the world of melodic rock." Our songs include a mix of mid to uptempo rockers with sultry heartbreaking ballads and life-giving lyrics. MM - Who writes and composes the songs you perform? It's a group effort. Usually Michael and John will have some song ideas and then they will get together and expand on those ideas. Once they have something they like they will let me hear it and I'll see what I can come up with melody wise and lyrically. If we all like where it's going then we will continue working on it. I write all the lyrics however. MM - What does the band have planned for the future? We just found out that our label will be releasing a double CD early next year for the Sept. 11th disaster with all the profits being donated to help the victims and families. We have been asked to contribute a cover song, which will include some guest musicians and also one of our songs from our debut record. We will then start writing and recording for our next release! MM -What was the last concert you attended? Read the next question! MM - What was the most memorable rock concert you have attended? August 24th, 2001… Kansas rocked the Sunn Theatre in Anaheim, CA. Christmas came early because for me a Kansas concert is like Christmas morning. Having seen Kansas on numerous occasions, this time stood out, as we are new label mates with Kansas's bass player Billy Greer. Billy was gracious enough to have secured me after show passes where at long last I had the opportunity to speak with Steve Walsh at length (Apparently Steve missed the memo to beef up security!) Part of what made this concert most memorable was while waiting to speak with Steve, I witnessed a little girl approach Billy for an autograph. As I stood there with my sister, we exchanged a knowing glance as I whispered into her ear, "Look Lisa, it's a little me", and I thought to myself, welcome to the Kansas zone "oh young one"… there will be no turning back! MM -How would you like to see rock music progress in the next couple of years? It has been good to hear more memorable melodies returning to some of the rock music recently. I look forward to rock music returning to the powerful and inspiring vehicle that enables us to heal our hearts as well as the hearts of others. MM -What band(s) would you most like to tour or do a show with? I'd have loved to played with the original line-up of Journey, Heart and Deep Purple. But we'd also love to play with Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney and Elton John! Gee, I'm sure I'm forgetting someone … Kansas, Kansas, and Kansas! MM - If you could meet any one person out of Rock History, alive or dead, who would it be? Once again, we're starting to see a pattern here. Does the name Steve Walsh hit a chord? MM - Has the Internet influenced the way in which the band projects their music and image? The Internet enables us to interact with an audience that allows us the freedom of "real time" feedback. It's really awesome to talk to fans about certain songs and our website from an email they send. When we start getting songs recorded for the next record, we can post clips or demos and get some instant feedback about the songs. MM - What bands/artists have influenced you the most over the years? In addition to Heart, Journey and Kansas, I learned a lot from Tommy Shaw of Styx, Joe Lynn Turner, Lou Gramm and Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple! I've also always loved listening to Michael Schenker but seeing him live truly is the "Attack of the Mad Axeman"! MM - How do you see rock music progressing in the future? Many times music becomes a constant companion that transcends the myriad of emotions that define our life's experiences. We are hopeful that this ongoing "Soundtrack" will continue to enable musicians to transcribe these experiences amidst melodies and lyrics, albeit autobiographically, observationally or culturally. MM - What are you views on the current craze of 'rap-rock', do you think it's just a phase or is it here to stay? Any music that has the huge fan base that Rap music currently has, possesses an enormous window of opportunity in connecting with an audience that clearly identifies with this style of music. I respect and appreciate all styles of music and I admire the artists who use their powers for good. I do however think this style will evolve into something different than what it is right now. MM - Do you have any plans for a new album to follow on from your self titled debut? We have just started to write for our next CD with Now & Then/Frontiers. We have a lot of work to do but it will be fun. It looks like we will have some special guest musicians again on this CD! If all goes well we hope to have it out in the fall next year. MM -Are you planning on touring soon, and will you be coming to the UK? We will have to wait and see. If the album does well we might tour some in the UK. Maybe also do the next "Gods" show! MM - Finally, is there anything you would like to say to your fans? It remains a true honor and a gift to have touched on some level our listeners who not unlike ourselves are searching too! Thank you for allowing us into your heads and hopefully your hearts! Love and Laughter… Haven |
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