Eclipsed - Germay

1) Please tell us something about the circumstances that led to the
label change. Did you more take the initiative to make a change or was
it KScope that made you an offer? How are you satisfied with the new
cooperation so far?

In retrospect, it was a series of really small, innocuous events that ultimately led to this profun change.  We'd been building a name for ourselves steadily over the years (thanks in part to magazines such as yours) and with it, a great little fan base.  Shortly after the 5th album ('Little Man') was released Steven Wilson was asking for suggestions for support acts for his upcoming tour, via his Myspace page.  After a load of my fans bomarded his site, he got in contact with me.  It was during an email exchange with Steven that I realised I needed to get a new label behind me - my music just wasn't getting exposed enough on Cyclops.  Don't get me wrong, I owe a lot to Cyclops, but they have always said they wouldn't stand in my way if someone bigger came along.   But I confess I had settled into a simple life concentrating on making music for my fanbase.  I forgot that I also needed to think about getting my music heard!  I sent my music to Kscope and they immediately got in contact, which was a nice surprise.  I have to say I feel like a spoilt child at the moment - the team at Kscope are absolutely brilliant.  I always believed that after releasing 6 albums, people would have got to hear us by now.  But I guess that was naive thinking.  Kscope have already opened lots of new doors for us, it's a great place to be.  I guess I'm feeling a little humbled at the moment...

2) You normally released one album each year. Now there is much less
then one year between your last and your actual release. Has is to do
with the label change or were there other reasons for this increased
creative output?

I know, I've had a prolific year!  To be honest, I owed Cyclops an album before I could sign with Kscope.  I've been friends with Malcolm at Cyclops for over 10 years so I didn't just want to record an album of hoover drones, so I went into the studio to record 'Sown' last summer.  It only took 6 weeks from start to finish.  It was a mixture of old and new ideas that ulitmately turned out much better than I expected.  It was a bit like those limited edition '8 Days' bonus albums I did, but this time I gave myself 6 weeks!  So yeah, it was to do with the label change but at the same time, the momentum Kscope has given me has been a real boost.  I can't wait to start writing again.

3) What about the line-up? Is it the same as for "Little Man"? Differences?

The line-up is the same but we're now a four piece (we've lost the second guitar for live).  I'm having to work a bit harder to fill the gaps but we've never sounded better.  I'm looking forward to getting out to Europe if the new album sells well.

4) You started as a kind of solo project inviting guests to play on your
albums. Later you created a live band. What about the situation now? Do
you see Pineapple Thief still as a solo project or meanwhile as a band?

As far as composition goes, it's a solo project.  I always remember a quote by Steve Hackett saying he 'couldn't go back to writing by committee'.  The songs are from my soul (i know that sounds rather cheesy, but it's true).  I have to be the only one 'in the office' when I'm writing.  However, the band has a lot to contribute.  In this band, i'm surrounded by friends and musicians, not session musicians.  TPT wouldn't be here without the band.

5) Is there a particular pattern your songs are normally created? Please
tell me.  Do the other  musicians play  what you have written  or how do
they contribute to the creation of the songs?

I play a lot of the stuff in the studio - it's just easier that way and probably contributes to the recent prolific output.  Song tend to start life with my acoustic guitar.  I leave it lying around the house so when that moment of inspiration strikes, I can dive for my guitar and make sure it's bottled.  I then strum it, hum it, mull it over in my head when I'm down the supermarket.  When it is ripe, I'll go in the studio and lay it down.  Often, the end result if very different to the initial idea, but it's one of the main reasons i've become quite quick at recording.  In days of old, I used to sit in my studio for hours on end doodling.  Often with nothing to show for it!

6) What do you want to express with "Tightly Unwound"? And is there a
main subject the new album deals with?

It follows an abstract concept.  The title, music and the artwork is tring to convey the complex tangle I find myslef in as I venture through life.  Loving in life is great, but it comes with a hell of a lot of complications.  One tiny reaction, positive or negative, can create a huge reaction.  So, I'm hoping the oximoron isn't too pretentious...

7) A lot of people were impressed by "What we have sown?" as Pineapples Thief's most proggish longtrack ever. On "Tightly Unwound" there are also prog elements, but not in this intensity as on your last album. So was "What we have sown" in this way a kind of experiment? Or were there other reasons for that your new album is more song oriented again?

I think you've highlighted an inner battle in my head.  I must confess, I sat down to deliberately write a long tune.  But if you look at it, it's a really simple arrangement.  Very minimilist.  I couldn't believe it clocked in at nearly 30 minutes!  The problem in my head is that I love prog elements, but I also love songs.  I strive to make the two meet.  I think that's why with 'Sown', I was a bit more playful.  At the time, I thought it would be a low key release so I tended to do things I would normally think a bit 'naughty'.  But yes, the reason the new album is more 'song oriented' is because that's really where I want to go. An album has to have songs!  Maybe I should release a double album next?  One disc where I can indulge my progressive child, the other for the songs.  hmmm, that's an idea!

8)  "Shoot first" and ""My Bleeding Hand" include harder and more rock
elements. Is this a new facette of PT's music?

I think so.  i think that came from playing live - the harder stuff is much more fun.  Don't get me wrong, I'll always be melancholic - it's naturally what I'm best at.  But I can see the melancholy getting harder!

9) I see in all your new songs a wider range of emotions between
romantical/melancholy parts and harder/more rock elements. Is this also a new facette of PT's music?

It's only when you mention it that I realise it's true.  I guess there is a broad range of emotions on TU, but I didn't do it conciously.  But I confess, listening to an album, I do like to run the full gamut of emotions if I can.  So yeah, I think i'll keep doing that.  Take you down, up to the top, then finish somewhere in between.

10) What can we expect from you for the future? New album in autumn? ;-)

Ha!  I could do if you want?  With the new label, I'm feeling utterly energised.  I think I'm going to see how  TU does with all this new exposure.  I really hope to get out and tour in 2008, I know people want us to.  We just need that momentum to continue so we can get a convoy on the road.  But i'll definitely be giving you an album in 2009, I promise!

Thank you for your time.
Good luck and all best
Joe Asmodo