Featuring
Colin Moulding (XTC), Rick Wakeman (YES), Peter Banks (YES/Flash),
Tony Levin (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Billy Sherwood
(YES/CIRCA:) - with artwork by legendary Paul Whitehead
Possibly the most anticipated prog release of 2013 will
be released on May 15 – the sophomore album by celebrated LA prog
duo Days Between Stations titled 'In Extremis'. Boasting an
incredible guest line-up of music legends featuring Colin
Moulding (XTC), Rick Wakeman (YES), Peter Banks (YES/Flash) Tony
Levin (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Billy Sherwood (YES/CIRCA:),
Days Between Stations reach a new level of creative artistry on their
new album. With a title like 'In Extremis' (Latin, In extremity – A
term used in reference to the last illness prior to death) one can
begin to understand the intensity and sepulchral mood of the musical
direction.
Keyboardist
Oscar Fuentes explains the concept behind the album, “There's the
saying that your life flashes before your eyes in near death – and,
presumably, actual death – experiences, so the album begins at the
climax with 'No Cause For Alarm' and, as told on 'Visionary',
'flashes back to the beginning'
and then in not strictly chronological order tells the story of our
protagonist's life. Not cheerful stuff, I know, but there's some
humor in there and if you read the lyrics I think ultimately it's a
positive message. I've had some personal losses in the last few
years, so I tend to grapple with that in my lyrics, while Sepand is
going to be a father soon...we tried to integrate those two themes,
birth and death, into the lyrics.”
Billy
Sherwood comments, “I really enjoyed working with Days Between
Stations, the music is very deep and has a mystique about it that was
intriguing from the first time I heard the songs. I can't wait for
people to hear this record. Rick Wakeman and Peter Banks of YES,
Colin Moulding of XTC and Tony Levin of Peter Gabriel and King
Crimson (playing all the bass), all appear as guests on this record
which makes it even more unique. I played drums and sang lead vocals
on the record and it was a pleasure to do so.”
Founded
in 2003 by guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes,
the duo named themselves after the cult novel by Steve Erickson and
have devoted themselves to, as they say, Art Rock and Post Prog -
music that reflects their varied influences, as well as shared
disregard for stylistic boundaries. This eclecticism continues apace
on this follow-up. At times the music recalls Peter Gabriel or
'Duke'-era Genesis (as on the propulsive “Visionary”, which
features Sherwood's multi-layered vocals and Levin's driving Stick
bass work), or an ambient marriage between Pink Floyd and Lisa
Gerrard and Debussy (“In Utero”), or even a cross between
Ultravox and Marillion and 'Abacab'-era Genesis (the Moulding-sung
“The Man Who Dies Two Times”), but the band is about more than
influences. As Oscar says, “We always try to create something new
and not just re-hash a particular sound from the past. Sometimes it's
the unlikely pairing that gives you something fresh.”
Although,
Days Between Stations 'In Extremis' in some ways retains the dark
somber mood of the group's first album (released to great acclaim in
2007), in other ways the music is completely different. Says Sepand,
“There are four clear distinctions between the two albums. The
first, is that we are five years older. Which means we have grown as
players and have higher expectations of ourselves. The second, which
is most noticeable is that we have vocals (with lyrics) on this
album. The debut album provides landscapes and layers of sound that
allow the imagination to run free. One negative aspect of having
vocals is that the mind mainly focuses on the rhythm and lyrical
content and often times constrains the music. We wanted a healthy
marriage between the two. Even so, there are several instrumental
tracks on this album, one in particular is 'Blackfoot'.” Oscar
continues, “It wasn't really a conscious decision to add vocals to
this one – I mean vocals with lyrics. It's just how the writing
went. Sometimes a song tells you what it needs. So that's different.
Also, the album is more thoroughly composed or let's say it's more
structurally thought out. Although Sepand and I entirely wrote the
music, the lyrics were written
collaboratively with Billy Sherwood, who was invaluable in bringing
more focus to the whole theme, and who in some cases took the idea in
a different direction.”
Sepand
concludes, “I feel the third difference on the new album is the
extensive use of classical and exotic instruments; a full orchestra
was employed on the first track, 'No Cause For Alarm', an
instrumental overture that weaves together many of the main themes
from the album. While the track 'Waltz In E Minor' is performed by a
string quartet, the full orchestra returns (along with an unexpected
Barbershop quartet) on the closer, 'In Extremis', a 21-plus minute
multi-part epic that also features founding YES guitarist Peter
Banks. Additionally, a Persian lute called a Tar is featured on the
track 'Eggshell Man', a song that also features a blistering Moog
solo from YES maestro Rick Wakeman. In fact, on 'Eggshell Man' Rick
Wakeman, Billy Sherwood and Peter Banks play together. This brings me
to my final point; when all these legends came together to contribute
on this album, we developed a certain obsession to be at our best. Sadly
Peter Banks passed away during the making of 'In Extremis', making
these recordings even more meaningful and special to us.”
Although
not necessarily connected to the Prog world, legendary XTC member
Colin Moulding graced the album with a sublime lead vocal on the
track “The Man Who Died Two Times”, which has also been issued as
the album's first single. Says Oscar, “Billy Sherwood had the idea
that Colin's voice would be perfect for the song and he was right.
'Oranges and Lemons', 'Skylarking', 'The Big Express'...all of these
I've listened to a million times. Another surreal moment for me!”
Sepand adds, “Colin began communicating his thoughts on his first
listen. I felt so much excitement and creativity from him, there was
a great vibe between us. He really brought the song to life.”
Colin
Moulding comments, “I had been doing some fun sessions for producer
Billy Sherwood when he approached me with a side project that he was
working on. It was this band Days Between Stations – an LA group I
had never heard of before. It was inventive, extremely melodic, and
had a lot of the qualities that got me excited about songs. So it was
agreed that I would sing lead vocal on this track 'The Man Who Died
Two Times'. As things have turned out it seems to have been a
marriage made in heaven; I think with a little careful handling and
the right choice of material, this lot could go a long way.”
Along
with the legendary guest artists, the 'In Extremis' album cover art
was created by famed artist Paul Whitehead, best known for his work
with Genesis and Van Der Graaf Generator. Says Sepand, “To us, the
artwork for an album is just as important as the music. We met with
Paul at a coffee shop and I vaguely discussed the concept of the
album – as the songs were not fully conceptualized at the time. He
came up with some great images – on the spot – about this guy
lying on a hospital bed while he was – as our lyrics say -
'retracing all of the memories'. These memories are whirling
around him, while he is in extremis. The great collaboration that we
shared with Paul allowed the music and the artwork to become
symbiotic...creating a true, tangible concept.”
Veteran
engineer William Kaylor (Fleetwood Mac, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson)
was also recruited to the project in order to improve the sound
quality of the recordings. Once again, Grammy Award winner Evren
Göknar,
from Capitol Mastering,
joins Days Between Stations to master 'In Extremis'.
As
far as future plans for Days Between Stations, a full documentary
about the recording of the 'In Extremis' album is currently in the
works. There is a strong possibility that the debut album will be
remixed. Both albums will most likely be issued on vinyl as a limited
edition release. Also talks of live performances are being discussed
at the moment. In closing Sepand and Oscar have this to impart to
their fans and listeners, “Thank you very much for your unequivocal
support and for giving us confidence. Sorry for the wait, hope it was
worth it!”
Days Between Stations – 'In Extremis' CD available May 15, 2013
For
more information: http://daysbetweenstations.com
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