Little by little and with steady steps, this atmospheric prog rock band from the UK has managed to be among the best representatives of this specific music genre. Their new album, entitled “Magnolia”, gave us the chance to catch up with the band’s mastermind, guitarist, keyboardist and singer Bruce Soord and talk about the new album, the band and music in general, among other things…
Hi Bruce… accept my congrats on your newest and very emotional album “Magnolia”. It’s definitely a step forward for the band…
B: Thanks – obviously as an artist you always want to step forward so it’s good to hear that.
So, what was the “musical philosophy” behind the new album? What were the things you wanted to change in comparison to the past releases?
B: I really didn’t give it any thought. I just wrote songs and let them take their own path. So I guess the ‘philosophy’ was to try to be as pure in the approach as possible. People keep going on about the ‘lack of long songs’ – but to be honest, in my early days I was pressured to write long songs or my label (Cyclops) wouldn’t put the record out!
What does the title declare and why did you name the album after that plant?
B: To me, it represents the beauty, happiness, loneliness and sadness of life. When a magnolia blossoms it is one of the most beautiful things to witness in nature. But the leaves fall so quickly. The tree that I have has come to signify all that my family has loved and lost.
How is the album title related to the wonderful cover art?
B: I’m glad you like it; it’s by a very talented French guy called Patrick Gonzales. To me, the fact that you don’t know whether the girl is alive or dead, content or heart broken and surrounded by flowers? It says it all.
What does each track state… it you break it in small pieces?
B: “Simple as That”: It’s a break up song.
“Alone at Sea”: It’s not about literal suicide; it’s about committing to spending the rest of your life with your lover/soul mate…
“Don’t Tell Me”: All I can say is that this is not a love song. I’ve seen a few reviews who totally misinterpret the meaning of this song, but I’m not going to spell it out…
“Magnolia”: About rescuing someone who is lost in life…
“Seasons Past”: Similar to “Alone at Sea”…
“Coming Home”: Following your desires regardless of the destructive consequences…
“The One You Left to Die”: A song about neglect and regret…
“Breathe”: Bringing someone back to life…
“From Me”: A message to my dear friend who died…
“Sense of Fear”: A breakup song and fear of loneliness…
“A Loneliness”: An apology to the one I love…
“Bond”: A requiem…
Apart from the songwriting formula, do you believe that the album’s sound/production has also moved forward for the band? Which are those things that were changed or approached differently this time?
B: I think with every release I have tried to push things further and to embrace new opportunities. With “All the Wars”, the band had enough money to afford a 20+ piece string section. With “Magnolia”, I was more experienced and able to write with a better understanding of how the strings would integrate. Also I had a great relationship with the arranger Andrew Skeet. Similarly, we pushed the production and got Adam Noble in to mix it. And obviously as a songwriter, I always try to raise the bar.
The great final mix by the engineer, Adam Noble, probably played a major role on the final outcome as well… don’t you think?
B: Oh yes, Adam was a huge part of the new sound. We were very lucky to work with him.
The album is quite emotional, smooth, anthemic, atmospheric among other things but it doesn’t become depressing or melancholic at any point… it does have an inner bright light of positive aura… isn’t it so?
B: A few people have mentioned that and I relieved to hear it. As much as I am inspired by darkness, I absolutely love life. I don’t enjoy art if it is universally negative.
An instrumental edit of “Mangolia” has already been released. Are you planning to release any other videos in the near future and if yes for which tracks? A video for “Bond” or “Alone at Sea” could be great in general…
B: We’d love to release more videos, but it costs a lot to get them right. Watch this space though!
If I’m right, you have a tour going on in mid-November till early December. Till then will you give any live shows in several places or you haven’t arranged anything yet?
B: No, those are the only shows we have planned at the moment, but we are looking at more shows in 2015. Our greatest frustration at the moment is not being able to get out and play to more people. (i.n.: That’s not good indeed!)
Which are your long-term plans that you want to achieve with The Pineapple Thief and what are your expectations from “Magnolia”?
B: I can honestly say that I don’t have any plans. I’d love “Magnolia” to sell a million copies but if it doesn’t, I’ll still approach the next record in exactly the same way. I’ve been in this game to long to fret about the future. I’ve finally found inner peace. Well, almost.
Now after 15 years on the scene with The Pineapple Thief and 10 studio albums… how would you characterize the music style of your band?
B: Ha! I have NO idea! I think I’d have to ask you to come up with a description! (i.n.: Ohh no!!
)
B: Thanks – obviously as an artist you always want to step forward so it’s good to hear that.
So, what was the “musical philosophy” behind the new album? What were the things you wanted to change in comparison to the past releases?
B: I really didn’t give it any thought. I just wrote songs and let them take their own path. So I guess the ‘philosophy’ was to try to be as pure in the approach as possible. People keep going on about the ‘lack of long songs’ – but to be honest, in my early days I was pressured to write long songs or my label (Cyclops) wouldn’t put the record out!
What does the title declare and why did you name the album after that plant?
B: To me, it represents the beauty, happiness, loneliness and sadness of life. When a magnolia blossoms it is one of the most beautiful things to witness in nature. But the leaves fall so quickly. The tree that I have has come to signify all that my family has loved and lost.
How is the album title related to the wonderful cover art?
B: I’m glad you like it; it’s by a very talented French guy called Patrick Gonzales. To me, the fact that you don’t know whether the girl is alive or dead, content or heart broken and surrounded by flowers? It says it all.
What does each track state… it you break it in small pieces?
B: “Simple as That”: It’s a break up song.
“Alone at Sea”: It’s not about literal suicide; it’s about committing to spending the rest of your life with your lover/soul mate…
“Don’t Tell Me”: All I can say is that this is not a love song. I’ve seen a few reviews who totally misinterpret the meaning of this song, but I’m not going to spell it out…
“Magnolia”: About rescuing someone who is lost in life…
“Seasons Past”: Similar to “Alone at Sea”…
“Coming Home”: Following your desires regardless of the destructive consequences…
“The One You Left to Die”: A song about neglect and regret…
“Breathe”: Bringing someone back to life…
“From Me”: A message to my dear friend who died…
“Sense of Fear”: A breakup song and fear of loneliness…
“A Loneliness”: An apology to the one I love…
“Bond”: A requiem…
Apart from the songwriting formula, do you believe that the album’s sound/production has also moved forward for the band? Which are those things that were changed or approached differently this time?
B: I think with every release I have tried to push things further and to embrace new opportunities. With “All the Wars”, the band had enough money to afford a 20+ piece string section. With “Magnolia”, I was more experienced and able to write with a better understanding of how the strings would integrate. Also I had a great relationship with the arranger Andrew Skeet. Similarly, we pushed the production and got Adam Noble in to mix it. And obviously as a songwriter, I always try to raise the bar.
The great final mix by the engineer, Adam Noble, probably played a major role on the final outcome as well… don’t you think?
B: Oh yes, Adam was a huge part of the new sound. We were very lucky to work with him.
The album is quite emotional, smooth, anthemic, atmospheric among other things but it doesn’t become depressing or melancholic at any point… it does have an inner bright light of positive aura… isn’t it so?
B: A few people have mentioned that and I relieved to hear it. As much as I am inspired by darkness, I absolutely love life. I don’t enjoy art if it is universally negative.
An instrumental edit of “Mangolia” has already been released. Are you planning to release any other videos in the near future and if yes for which tracks? A video for “Bond” or “Alone at Sea” could be great in general…
B: We’d love to release more videos, but it costs a lot to get them right. Watch this space though!
If I’m right, you have a tour going on in mid-November till early December. Till then will you give any live shows in several places or you haven’t arranged anything yet?
B: No, those are the only shows we have planned at the moment, but we are looking at more shows in 2015. Our greatest frustration at the moment is not being able to get out and play to more people. (i.n.: That’s not good indeed!)
Which are your long-term plans that you want to achieve with The Pineapple Thief and what are your expectations from “Magnolia”?
B: I can honestly say that I don’t have any plans. I’d love “Magnolia” to sell a million copies but if it doesn’t, I’ll still approach the next record in exactly the same way. I’ve been in this game to long to fret about the future. I’ve finally found inner peace. Well, almost.
Now after 15 years on the scene with The Pineapple Thief and 10 studio albums… how would you characterize the music style of your band?
B: Ha! I have NO idea! I think I’d have to ask you to come up with a description! (i.n.: Ohh no!!
)It’s time for the Weird Questions!!! How did you come up with the name The Pineapple Thief in the first place?
B: It was from a film called Eve’s Bayou (a girl nicks a pineapple). I honestly only expected it to be a one album experiment at the time.
What’s your opinion about today’s “free downloading issue”?
B: I’m relaxed about it. Home taping in the 70s and 80s, CD burning in the 90s. It’s always been there. It probably helps us reach more fans to be honest. But it’s not good for people like Kscope who need to sell records.
Which is the music style that you wouldn’t deal at all?
B: Opera. Even worse: Rock Operas. (i.n.: Hehehehe…)
Which are the Top 3 prog-rock albums of all time?
B: “Crime of the Century”, “Dark Side of the Moon”, “Tales of Mystery and Imagination”… (i.n.: Supertramp, Pink Floyd & The Alan Parsons Project...)
Is music art? Or it used to be? How can those mainstream hit songs we repeatedly hear on the internet, radio & TV be taken as music art?
B: Yeah, it’s all art. Just some of it is more disposable than others. A great piece of billboard advertising is art, but who cares about it when it’s torn down?
Which is the most overrated band of all time?
B: U2…
Which is that band that has influenced most of the bands & musicians since rock music began…?
B: The Beatles.
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
B: It annoys me. The industry seems to look at these things as a definition of success. Ever since Myspace came along, some bands I know spent more time worrying about followers, friends and likes than writing a decent song. It’s made all our lives worse. (i.n.: You’re so right dude! Do mind the music not the “likes/views/tweets”!)
Which do you consider to be the best music era of all time & why?
B: ‘72-‘76. So many great albums and such an exciting time to be a musician. Sometimes I wish I was in my prime during those times.
If TPT’s career was a movie… which movie would it be and why?
B: The Goonies. A bunch of kids with a treasure map, seeking that ship of gold. Although didn’t they let the pirate get the treasure? Well, that’s probably accurate.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
B: Lust!
Imagine that your girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
B: It would have to be one hell of a bling ring!
Finally we come to an end Bruce. It was great to have you on Grande Rock! Thx for the music! Say anything you like before we close this interview! Take care!
B: It was great to be here too. Keeping doing it, keep enjoying it and keep buying our albums so I can afford to maintain my Duvel (Belgian Beer) addiction.
B: It was from a film called Eve’s Bayou (a girl nicks a pineapple). I honestly only expected it to be a one album experiment at the time.
What’s your opinion about today’s “free downloading issue”?
B: I’m relaxed about it. Home taping in the 70s and 80s, CD burning in the 90s. It’s always been there. It probably helps us reach more fans to be honest. But it’s not good for people like Kscope who need to sell records.
Which is the music style that you wouldn’t deal at all?
B: Opera. Even worse: Rock Operas. (i.n.: Hehehehe…)
Which are the Top 3 prog-rock albums of all time?
B: “Crime of the Century”, “Dark Side of the Moon”, “Tales of Mystery and Imagination”… (i.n.: Supertramp, Pink Floyd & The Alan Parsons Project...)
Is music art? Or it used to be? How can those mainstream hit songs we repeatedly hear on the internet, radio & TV be taken as music art?
B: Yeah, it’s all art. Just some of it is more disposable than others. A great piece of billboard advertising is art, but who cares about it when it’s torn down?
Which is the most overrated band of all time?
B: U2…
Which is that band that has influenced most of the bands & musicians since rock music began…?
B: The Beatles.
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
B: It annoys me. The industry seems to look at these things as a definition of success. Ever since Myspace came along, some bands I know spent more time worrying about followers, friends and likes than writing a decent song. It’s made all our lives worse. (i.n.: You’re so right dude! Do mind the music not the “likes/views/tweets”!)
Which do you consider to be the best music era of all time & why?
B: ‘72-‘76. So many great albums and such an exciting time to be a musician. Sometimes I wish I was in my prime during those times.
If TPT’s career was a movie… which movie would it be and why?
B: The Goonies. A bunch of kids with a treasure map, seeking that ship of gold. Although didn’t they let the pirate get the treasure? Well, that’s probably accurate.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
B: Lust!
Imagine that your girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
B: It would have to be one hell of a bling ring!
Finally we come to an end Bruce. It was great to have you on Grande Rock! Thx for the music! Say anything you like before we close this interview! Take care!
B: It was great to be here too. Keeping doing it, keep enjoying it and keep buying our albums so I can afford to maintain my Duvel (Belgian Beer) addiction.