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Hailing from
France ShannoN return with their latest release 'Angel In Disguise' on
the Music Buy Mail label, a release that is sure to have melodic hard
rock fans frothing at the mouth. Today we catch up with vocalist
Olivier Del Valle to find out more about this band and their music ...
MM - Hi,
would you like to start by introducing the band members to us and
telling us a little bit of background on the band and how you all came
together?
Olivier -
Hi!
Yes, Sure ! Formed in the beginning of 1998 by Patrice LOUIS (Guitar)
and Thierry DAGNICOURT (Keyboards), SHANNON plays hard rock covers (Bon
Jovi, Van Halen etc). I joined the band the same year. SHANNON released
its debut and eponymous album in November 2003 on the Anvilcorp,
label and distributed by Wagram with Claude THILL (Bass, ex-DER
KAISER) and Maxence PILO (Drums, ex-HEAVENLY). From the
release of the album, the band takes the road and shares the stage with
re-knowned artists such as AXXIS, PINK CREAM 69 and Jeff Scott SOTO in
Paris.
In the middle of 2005, SHANNON sees its first line-up changes with the
departure of Claude THILL and Maxence PILO, immediately replaced by,
respectively, Nicolas FIXY (Bass) and Benjamin BERGEROLLE (Drums), both
formerly with French Epic-Progressive band TAÏ PHONG.
Strongly encouraged with the success of our self-titled album, not only
in France, but largely abroad, the band has taken the path to the studio
to record a follow-up, even more motivated than ever. Since that period,
the line up is unchanged.
MM - With the release of your
new album ‘Angel In Disguise’ earlier this year, how are the band
feeling right now?
Olivier -
We had a lot of work with the promotion, radio/mag/webzines interviews
etc .... We worked also on the new set with the new songs for our
forthcoming shows and composed also new songs for the next album. But
right now, we’re cool and very happy about the release of “Angel In
Disguise” and everything is fine!
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MM
- What feedback have you received from the fans and music media
been so far to this release?
Olivier -
As for the reviews, up to now the feedback is quite good from
the fans. It has received a really warm welcome. It is quite
positive and important for us. But the reviews are not the whole
thing even though they are important. Finally, the fans decide.
So, we’re very happy and honoured about this feedback!
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MM
- ‘Angel In Disguise’ is a pure hard rock release. Was this
the road you wanted to go down from the beginning, or it was it more
organic that just developed along the way?
Olivier -
The music we play is really what we like and what we always played. We
are influenced by the melodic hard rock of the 80/90’s. It is the
music with which we grew up and it is therefore very natural to hear
these influences in our music. When we compose, we do not try to stick
on the fashion of the moment to have the same sound like other bands. We
make simply what we feel by taking the maximum of pleasure.
MM
- There was quite a gap between your debut album and this new release,
why did it take so long to follow up your much acclaimed debut release?
Olivier -
After I joined the band, in 1998, Five years have
gone from the launching of our first record. When we issued it, we were
only three in the band. At that moment, we had no rhythm section (bass /
drums). So we looked for musicians to tour as it appeared clearly to us
that ShannoN could be a band that is making albums without playing them
live. In addition, the album had received a really warm welcome from the
media, French or foreign, we had to hurry up.
We had worked with many musicians without feeling fully satisfied. The
line-up changed often during that period. We had the opportunity
to tour with bands like PINK CREAM 69, AXXIS or Jeff SCOTT SOTO. In
2005, Nico (bass) and Benji (Drums) joined us. We became soon close
friends, on both human and musical sides. We still work together and the
band works fairly well. We started to write the new album “Angel In
Disguise” early 2006 while playing live. Then came the recordings, mix
and mastering. The record was ready in summer 2007.
Two years to prepare an album may seem long but I have to say that
“Angel In Disguise” has been completely produced by the band. The
only thing we haven’t done was the mastering. Then we looked for a
label and during the autumn 2007 we decided to work with ARTISTSERVICE.
Even if 5 years may seem long for an album, you can see that we
haven’t been so lazy.
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MM
- The album brings a lot of different influences into the mix, do
you think this is because of the varied talent within the band?
Olivier -
We
listened a lot to these bands we love, so, as an evidence, the
bands from the N.W.O.B.H.M. it is not surprising to find in our
music some influences from them. Since few years, more and more
bands from this period are re-uniting and, this style that was
low during the last 10 years is back. I do find this quite good
, it feels so good to hear again these bands who are combining
power and melody.
For composition, our wish is to be as simple and efficient as we
can. It is a will. A good track for us is a powerful riff, a
melody that one can memorise easily, a catchy chorus and perfect
backing vocals. We do not want to promote the technique of the
musicians. We do believe that musicians are dedicated to music
and that technique, even it is necessary, has not to be used to
flaunt each one’s ego. But we are caring highly to the
arrangements quality on each and every track. I think that our
vision of music reflects well on this album. Tracks are simple,
melodic, arrangements are nice and power is constant. I think
that the public loves this kind of songs.
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MM
- When writing a new song do you usually start with a lyric, a riff,
what works creatively for you?
Olivier -
For the writing and composition of the tracks we did as always from the
beginning. We work Patrice, Thierry and I. We build the tracks: riffs,
vocal melodies and rhythm line. Then, we record this with a sample
rhythm section and submit it to Nico and Benji for them to bring their
own touch. Arrangements are done all together. This method suits
everyone and works pretty well.
For the lyrics, generally, I do write them but there is no fixed rule,
everyone can bring his own ideas.
MM
- Do you collaborate on any songs as a band, or are the songs mostly
prewritten and presented to the band to add in their ideas and opinions?
Olivier -
As I said, the bulk of composition is made between Pat, Thierry and I.
On the other hand, all job of arrangement is made with the all band
members because it is essential that each guy can bring his ideas and
can give his opinion on the tracks.
MM - Any chance we might see ShannoN out on the road in support of this
new album in the not too distant future?
Olivier -
For the time being, we are very occupied by the promotion of this new
album and it will be finished soon. We spend a lot of time to be
answered interviews and to participate in programs of radio. But we are
not inactive from a musical point of view because we are working on the
installation of a new set including tracks from « Angel in Disguise
».
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We
hope we shall shortly tour to introduce these new tracks to the
audience on stage. Some shows are already programmed in France
and we definitely hope to have opportunity to play out of our
borders soon. It will depend on the « angel in disguise »
success.
MM
- What influenced you to make a band, and more to the point,
what influenced you to play the music you do?
Olivier -
We are clearly influenced by melodic hard rock from 80/90’s.
We all grew up with this music and it appears in what we are
doing. Bands that influenced us are numerous. We feel close to
bands like GOTTHARD, DANGER DANGER, FAIR WARNING or DOKKEN. But,
more than giving references, I believe that what characterise
our music is the will to place melody first.
As individuals, we have different influences. Pat and I like a
lot the bands that came out with NWOBHM like JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON
or DEF LEPPARD. Thierry is influenced by bands like JOURNEY, BAD
ENGLISH, BON JOVI or EUROPE, which is rather normal for a
keyboard player. Benji and Nico have no basic hard
rock influences. They listened to a lot of bands of jazz or
funk. They really discovered hard rock when they joined ShannoN.
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MM
- Have you had a chance to think about how you will approach your follow
up album or is it too early to say?
Olivier -
Angel in disguise is available since 4 months only, but we have already
begun composition for the next album. We have already 5 or 6 tracks,
even if they all are not finalized yet. On the musical style point of
view, we stay in the kind of hard rock we play nowadays, the fans will
not be “surprised” of these new tracks. We would like to release the
next album at the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010.
MM - What is the biggest challenge you have faced along your musical
way?
Olivier -
For me the biggest challenge it’s to be able to play the music I love
and have good time. The biggest challenge is to keep the faith about
what you’re doing even
though
this « road » is not easy .... It’s essential for me but
it’s a hard way. If you still have pleasure to do it, if you’re
honest with yourself, I think that everything is possible.
MM - Does music dominate your life or do you get time to relax in
between? If so how do you like to chill?
Olivier - It
is sure that music occupies a big place in our life, but it is still not
enough to make us live. We
must have jobs. As
soon as we have a little bit of time, we favour our families because our
fellows make a lot of concessions and we see them not as often as we
want. In a personal side, to spend some times with my family allow me to
recharge batteries.
MM - What would you say your motto in life would be?
Olivier -
« Keep cool and have a good time all the time » :)
MM - Do
you have any final words for our
readers or is there anything we’ve omitted to ask?
Olivier -
I want to thank you for your interest and to have helped me introducing
ShannoN to your readers.
Now, for those who still hesitate, check our MySpace page. There are
many extracts from our music and live video footage! http://www.myspace.com/shannonbandrock
MM - We'd like to thank Oliver for
taking the time out to chat with us today and look forward to hearing a
lot more from ShannoN in the near future. If you haven't already
checked out their new album 'Angel In Disguise' then we suggest you do
because it's a corker. |