Interview

(Progressive Newsletter Nr.13 03/97)
excerpts from an interview with Tomas Bodin (Keyboards)

Since when did you had plans releasing a solo album?

I think I've always had this dream about recording my own album. I guess the time was right now. The Flower Kings have had the release of "Retropolis" in which I composed a few songs. Then I was inspired and off we go!


All songs on the album were composed by yourself. Did you had finished ideas when you went into the studio or were some parts even composed while recording?

The following songs where mainly completed before we started to record them in the studio: "Into the dreamscape", "The ballerina from far beyond", "Speed wizard", "In the land of the pumpkins", "Three stories". The rest of the material was partly instant composing. I think musicians always take influences from each other. That's why I prefer to play with Roine or Jaime. I mean they stand for good influences.


Besides them, which other musicians did influence you the most?

I just love symphonic rock, one of my biggest kicks was "Relayer". But I also like Fusionrock i.e. Weather Report. So that's the explanation to some of the material. But to answer your question. The answer is without any doubt Roine.


On your album you play many different kinds of keyboards i.e. Mellotron, Church Organ or Hammond. Are they all original or did you also use some samples?

I'm playing both the original stuff and samples. To me it doesn't really matter which kind of instrument you are using. The important thing is how it sounds and how you're playing it. Another funny thing is that it's easier to play a real piano compared to a samplepiano.


Is it you hiding behind the pseudonym Gepetto Azzaro?

Yes, I am Gepetto. I found that name could match with Roines pseudnoym, Mr. Don Azzaro.


Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 1997