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R: Thanks! MindFlow’s style of prog rock was born in 1999 with
the proposal of creating technically complex songs yet accessible to
everyone. We try to view our music like a soundtrack activating reactions
on the listeners. I
have noticed that the name of the band appears in the lyrics as well. Is
there an interrelation between the name and the concept of the album? R: Yes. The concept of the “MindFlow” is resumed on the exact moment
between the “breath in” and “breath out”, the insight, the moment
that you really understand something. This concept is very alive inside us
and naturally, in our music. I
know that the album is a concept one. Tell us a few things about the story
and what inspired you to write about it. R: The album tells a real passage of my life. I lost a cousin that was a
pilot some years ago on an airplane crash, and a week early the accident a
dreamt about it. I woke up very nervous, because it felt so real, and I
spent the whole week thinking if I should call him and tell about this
dream. So, unfortunately, the dream became true. I spent a lot of time
trying to understand all those facts, and that’s the concept of the
album. You
also have to give us an explanation about the rather weird title of the
album… R: “Just The Two Of Us… Me And Them” – it means that every action,
every word, every thought that you have could change people that you
don’t even know that exists. So it’s a message for us to be very
careful, and always be ready to do things that help the others and not
only the people we know and love. Judging
from the pictures, you seem to be very young. What are the inspiration,
how did you find the resources to compose something so mature, despite
your young age? R: We use to say that we don’t compose the songs, the songs compose us.
We go wherever the music wants to go. Sometimes it’s very easy,
sometimes (most of times) it’s very hard!!! But sure it’s a fun
process and we are very pleased to have this kind of work. About our age,
funny story, we made a concert in Barcelona, and we went outside to have a
bite just after the sound check and a fan stopped us and the first thing
that came out of his mouth was: But you are to young! He had a kind of
disappointment on his face. It was very funny! I’m the oldest with 25
and Ricardo is the youngest, 21. We are not that young! I’m
also impressed by the very good production of the album, to which you have
made a contribution… R: We had a big time of preparation and a great pre-production, that in my
opinion, it’s the most important moment of getting a record done. We
spent a lot of time analyzing all the songs before we actually enter the
studio. Of course, we had great professionals working very hard, like
Guilherme Canaes and Joe Moghrabi. Great environment, great people! Would
you like to tell us about your influences, presenting thus the musical
stigma of the group, to someone who hasn’t listened to the album? R: We had a lot of influences. We have five people who came from different
styles. Danilo, our lead singer is very into Faith No More, Miguel (keyboards)
loves Sabbath, Rafael (drums) started in heavy metal playing Halloween,
Ricardo listen a lot of Slayer and Death and Megadeth for me is a big
influence. Of course we listen to a lot of progressive rock like Genesis
and Pink Floyd. But we use all to come up with something new and modern,
something that would bring a new face to rock, and that’s our objective,
our path. What
are the expectations from this album? R: We are all very happy with the response that we’ve been receiving from
the public around the world. Knowing that people in Greece could
appreciate and feel our music is incredible. How far do you think that you can go with
Mindflow? R: I think MindFlow is ready to
take every step and I say that because of all the steps we have already
taken. One thing is for sure, we will work very hard not for some loose
objective, but to keep taking those steps. The
reaction from the press must have been glorious, right? Have you been
expecting it? R: No! It’s
incredible! Before
the release we were very nervous, because we didn’t know what to expect.
We kept saying to each other: Would people like these? Are we crazy for
thinking that people would like these! And it’s a great and refreshing
feeling knowing that people are happy with our work. I
feel that Heaven Cross has made a good work promoting the album. But is it
a part of your future plans to sign to a bigger company, so that you will
get better distribution? R: We are very happy with HeavenCross. We have a great relation with Luis,
and we don’t see now any reason to change, unless HeavenCross kick us!!!
hahaha Do
you have any side-projects? R: At this particular time we all are full time MindFlow. Preparing the
next album. Big,
early success usually blinds young musicians leading them to false
movements in the future (see Angra). Again, sometimes, after a glorious
first album record companies start pressing for more and more releases,
leading the bands to the trap of repetition. Are you ready to face these
challenges? R: You are right. The bigger you get, the bigger are the traps. But we are
very calm and very secure about our work. We try not to take unnecessary
steps. Are
there any plans or an extended tour? By the way, what group would you like
to tour with?? R: We are now finishing the pre-production of our next album here in Brazil
and we will start the second leg of our tour in Asia in August and after
that we are heading again to Europe. Then back to Brazil to start
recording in November. There are many groups that we would be honored to
play with, like Dream Theater, Threshold, PoS, Fates Warning… And
some weird Questions to relax somehow!!! Which kind of metal music do you
prefer most? R: The silence. Do
you believe that internet has helped the bands to become more popular or
has caused many problems? R:
Both. But I would have
to tell that the internet gave opportunity to every one to show his work.
It’s a great tool and has to be used.
Which band do you consider
that can take a leading part in metal music in the future? R:
Hopefully MindFlow!
Which are the things that piss you off from
today’s music industry? R: For sure it’s the lack of
honesty. Of course, not every company acts this way in this business. Which is the most overrated band today? R: I think the big exposure is
great if the artist’s work is good. Do
you believe that is so easy for a band to differ in today’s music
industry than in the past? And if yes what shall it do in order to achieve
it? R: There are great bands that people don’t know about because they try
something different. But no one knows because the music industries stick
to the same things again and again. The new doesn’t have an opportunity
to exist. It’s crazy. If
you were a God’s messenger what would you tell Him to do for the good of
humanity? R: I would ask him to make the people more tolerant, to respect who they
consider different, to make every one see your own self in the eyes of the
others. How
do you imagine that the music world could be, one thousand years from now?
And why? R: Oh my God! I would say that would sound a lot like one thousand years
ago. If
you could go back in time and see any band live in their prime & open
for them who would it be and why? R: The Beatles! They had an incredible vibe and it would be great to be a
part of it! What
would you tell to someone to convince him to buy your album instead of
hundreds others that are being released every month? R: Haha! Why buying hundreds of discs if you could buy only one!!! Imagine
that your girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy
for herself an expensive ring. How would you react?
J R: Tough one! I don’t know! Probably I would sell all her of her earrings
and buy all my cds back, no no, I would call the police! This girl
deserves to go to jail!!! Hahaha All our best wishes for the future mate! Leave a
message to Grande Rock readers for the end… R:
Thank you all you guys
from Grande Rock! Keep up the great work my friends! And thank all the
Grande Rock reader’s and MindFlow’s Fans. I hope to see all very soon
and… Let
Your MindFlow!!! by Alex Savatianos |
Well,
hello there you crazy Brazilians! As you might have read on our site, I
consider your CD, “Just The Two Of Us… Me And Them”, the biggest
surprise of the year 2004! Progressive metal seriously needed such an
injection of innovation and fresh spirit. Since this is your debut album,
would you like to introduce us t the band?