James LaBrie article-interview (excerpt)

(transcribed by TMW) (from article “Hot Flashes: Dream Theater Vocalist”)

In terms of a release date for the solo effort, LaBrie says that he’s “hoping to have this wrapped up – recorded, mixed and mastered – for, hopefully, an early 2005 release, a very early 2005 release.”

And this time around, there is talk about actually performing some key live dates around the world in support of the album.

“It would have to happen before Dream Theater thinks about coming out with our next album and starting the whole engine up again and doing another world tour. So it all has to fall before that even becomes a reality. I think the way we are looking at it at this point, this album will come out and then we’d like to follow it maybe a month or two months later. The label is really pushing for it. InsideOut have mentioned it several times, that they want me to seriously consider taking it out and doing some shows over in Europe, some select shows in the States and Canada, and possibly in Asia. I’m actually very much into that and yes, I mean it kind of sucks ‘cause yeah, there I am puttin’ myself back on the road, not that I don’t do it enough, right, with Dream Theater already. But I think it’s important because I think it will show people another side. And I think the material – I have three albums to pull from – could make for a very strong show. A lot of these songs, from each and every album, are very hard-hitting; it’s a lot of your hard classic rock ‘n’ roll approach. I think that really transports well in a live environment, so I think it’s going to be great. But yes, they are pushing for it and yes, I will see that it happens. I’ve talked about it and I think it will be a lot of fun.”

In the meantime, the remainder of his Dream Theater band mates (guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Mike Portnoy) have commenced work on the follow-up to 2003’s Train Of Thought.

“We really have a very passionate direction that we want to go in musically and we feel instead of waiting, let’s do it, let’s get out there,” LaBrie explained. “This is also our last album with Elektra, which means the sky’s the limit, after this.”

About their next deal, LaBrie asked : “Major labels – do they stand for what they did ten years ago? No. Even five years ago? The world has changed, because of technology, and it has allowed a little more entrepreneurial freedom for people in every walk of life; that has something to do with technology. I think that should also include the artists, so to speak. So I think that after this album, after the next world tour – I mean, we’re already talking about what we would like to do, where we would like to go with it and create something. But I’m not going to get into it because nothing is definite. And obviously, yeah, I mean is Elektra gonna be there wanting us to continue with them? Absolutely they will. It’s been a very successful thing for them; this will be our seventh album with them. They’re wondering what our plans are. Let’s face it, before we’re even going to think about the next album it’s going to be at least two years away. But they’re already putting the antennae up and going, ‘By the way, what’s your thoughts?’ Anyway, so that’s probably some of our motivation, some of our incentive to really see this come out, because we do have a very strong, focused direction that we’re going to bring. No, I’m not going to talk about it, no way – we really want everybody to wait and see. I think it’s going to be amazing if we can pull it off, which I think we can. I don’t think there is any “if” about it. I’m not trying to sound pretentious either, but I just believe that we could really pull this off. So, I think we are excited to get right down to it and kick in with this direction. Then get out and support it. And, like I said, at this point, I can honestly say that the future looks really bright for us. We have an incredible fan base around the world, we’ve been really blessed because of that and I think it’s due to the nature of the kind of band that we are, and the kind of music that we do. As much as maybe, as many people that hate us, obviously there is a little bit more that like us. That’s what gives us our longevity.”