James LaBrie

To start with, let us just clear things up for the readers concerning the recent ridiculous rumours in the German magazine ‘Rock Hard’ – that Derek and yourself were no longer in the band! How did it all come about, and how was it resolved?

The article in ‘Rock Hard’ stated that I had left, and/or was kicked out of the band along with Derek. Absolutely untrue and ludicrous! Once brought to our management’s attention they informed myself of the rumour and asked how I would like to deal with the situation. I told Rob Shore, our manager, to get in touch with ‘Rock Hard’ as well as the person who did the story and inquire as to their source of info.

Once contacted, they were made aware of their carelessness and in the future should make a habit of questioning their sources’ integrity. They emphatically apologized for their inadequate research on this particular article. They then offered to do a make-up interview for the following month’s issue with a formal apology on behalf of ‘Rock Hard.’ I then did the interview with a great friend – a huge supporter of DT who is one of ‘Rock Hard’s’ senior writers. Matius did the interview with me and must have apologized a dozen times during the exchange of info. After hearing all the latest on DT’s progress and possible release date for the next CD, our interview was done. Matius ended the interview saying that DT was going to get a 28 to 34 page spread simultaneous with the release of DT’s new disk. I have to say this worked in our favour, so I guess rumours aren’t all that bad, especially in this case. One last thing: the rumour was started by some unsigned band in Los Angeles, California.

Now we’ve firmly established that the line-up is stable, let’s move to the new album.

All I want to say, without giving too much away is this: I’m very excited with the new material. There is something here for everyone to sink their teeth into. I think we have once again, if not moreso, evolved with the writing. It sounds like the writing has matured and is focused more for the song, not the individual indulgence. Don’t worry – the DT pomposity is very well intact for all you progressive maniacs.

You’ve been more involved this time, with the formation and writing of the new material than before; going to NY regularly to write and rehearse. Was this something you consciously set out to do from the start this time?

Well, my involvement in the writing started with the Awake CD, in the capacity of melodies and I penned the lyrics for “CIAW” along with JP. With this disk, I once again have been very much involved with the melodies and have written lyrics so far for two songs. (Anna Lee and The Way It Used To Be). Also we’re all present this time when any of the music is put to tape. Ideas tend to take on a whole new sound and meaning when put to tape, and this leads to last minute changes in the arrangement, parts or sounds. I can’t wait to start the real recording of this disk.

Do you feel that with Derek and your increased input and contributions on this material, it has brought out a slightly different side to the band’s writing this time?

I think that regardless of Derek and my contributions, the material is going to take on a new sound and structural direction, because people constantly change and hopefully grow, and this undoubtedly is conveyed through music’s magical universal language. A person’s feelings, expressed differently in each song.

How would you describe the general make-up and sound of the new material? How does it come across style-wise?

I think I touched a little on this subject a few questions back. But to add a little more, I feel that the songs on this disk are more accessible to a broader range of listeners. This being achieved without losing the integrity within our music by trying to cater to a more lucrative market just for the sake of financial or industrial success.

First impression I got on hearing the first 3 songs done (Raise The Knife, Take Away My Pain, Where Are You Now) was that they came across to me as more ‘accessible’, and that they appeared to have a lot more melody to them than say Awake had. That, I assume, was primarily down to you?

As I mentioned earlier, we all felt that everything has to be the best from the music to the melody. So yes, I along with the band have been very concentrated with the melody for each and every song.

I know you wrote the lyrics for Anna Lee – a piece of music that Derek put together – and you have previously explained to me the subject matter, which we will not go into here, as you want people to interpret it for themselves. But can you give us a general idea of its style?

The style is dealing with questioning all the psychological problems that we see so many people suffer from in society. How is it that so many of us are filled with scars that we seem to think best suppressed otherwise be chastised for. We need to address these problems and maybe we’ll live in a healthier world.

The new songs, they have that DT hallmark, with the majority being lengthy pieces, between 8 and 13 minutes long. It seems like there’s some epics in there once again. Would you like to run through them briefly?

I know it sounds like a cop out, but I would once again like to leave that up to the listener to interpret.

Okay, no problem. I’m sure there will be many interpretations, that people will write and send in, so we’ll publish them and see what comes out! Any ideas yet as to a producer?

Not yet, but I will give you one name that I would love to see at the helm for recording: Trevor Rabin. Nothing is definite yet. I’ll keep you informed.

What’s the schedule now for things? Finishing up the writing, recording, release, etc.

Yes, finish with the demo process, land a producer, then start recording sometime mid-September with finally a release Feb. ’97.

I’ve asked this question to some of the other guys, and there has been a mixed response thus far, but do you see yourselves producing your own material someday? Or is that outside ear essential?

I hope never. I think it’s imperative that you have objectivity when you are doing something that the writer is so partial, close and more than likely biased towards. The ‘outside ear’ as you referred to it, can point out any weakness or area that can be improved on. I think anyone who has his or her best interest in mind will always welcome guidance from a respected colleague.

Are there any shows planned before the album’s release?

Nothing as of yet, but that could easily change once the recording has been completed.

Onto other areas to finish up: you contributed vocals to the recent Rush tribute album that Mike put together, on Red Barchetta and By-Tor. How did you enjoy doing that?

I loved it. It was like a dream come true. I hope the DT fans love it.

You also got to team up with an old friend on that in Rich Chycki, who recorded your vocal tracks in Toronto and he also played guitar on Red Barchetta. How did that come about?

I was home when the tape arrived with the Rush tracks for me to record. So I asked Rich if he could get me into a studio to do the vocals. I mentioned to him that the rhythm guitar tracks had not been cut yet, and if he laid down the rhythm tracks, I would see to getting him on the CD. It worked out and he freaked.

Did you know there’s a couple of boot CDs out now that have Winter Rose stuff on them – demos and live?

Yeah, but the real “Winter Rose” CD is coming out through JVC in Japan this October or November. Rich and I went back into the studio and remixed the material. So if you wanna hear this stuff the way it should be heard, then wait for the real deal.

I’ll look forward to it. Have you any other outside project vocal appearances lined up that people might like to look out for?

Yes, I did two songs on an upcoming Queen tribute CD. I did “Sheer Heart Attack” and “One Vision”. I will also be doing “Freewheel Burning” for the Judas Priest tribute CD. That’s enough for now!

Finally, have you any message you’d like to give to the Fan Club members out there?

Hang in there people – we’ll be out with the new stuff very soon, followed by a world tour!

Thanks once again for taking your time to get involved with the Fan Club.

No problem. My pleasure.