Dream Theater

In connection with Dream Theater’s concert in Valby Hallen, a reviewer from heavymetal.dk was lucky enough to get an interview with the band’s keyboard player Jordan Rudess. He were asked a bit about his experiences on tour, and a bit about the band’s performance.

Hi Jordan. First of all thanks for a great concert in Valby Hallen back in January. It was really an experience for me to experience Dream Theater live. Let’s get to the interview. What has been your greatest experience so far on this tour?

Our greatest experience was the whirlwind adventure to LA for the Grammy Awards. We played one night in London, and the next day we flew to the US for the Grammy awards, and the next day back to Europe again for a show in Zurich.

Where is your favorite place to be on stage?

Let me start by saying that the Danish audience was tremendous. We had a great night here and a great show. We have so many international shows that this is a difficult question. The biggest and most exciting show we’ve had on this tour was in Paris.

Do you have any traditions before you go on stage?

Yes. I always warm up my fingers with a little keyboard exercise, and I try to be flexible with some light yoga.

What’s your favorite song to play?

We love to play Breaking All Illusions.

What is your favorite Dream Theater album?

Right now I’d have to say it’s our newest, A Dramatic Turn of Events

I have a question about Mangini’s drum set. What is the story behind it? For me, when I saw it, there was an almost magical glow about it, and it seemed to be made up of three different drum sets.

Mike’s drum set is a culmination of his lifelong study of rhythms. It’s a beast that mind fucks anyone who sits behind it. Petrucci and I were behind the drums at one point, and there are about nine pedals !!! It’s amazing that any human being can play that drum set. In fact, there’s no human who can.

I noticed that LaBrie was constantly walking to and from the stage during your concert in Valby Hallen. Why does he do that? To make room for the instrumental parts of the tracks?

To get a bit of exercise and a mouthful of tea.

I have a question about the intro film that starts your show. What is the story behind this?

It is a collaboration between Robert Medina and Mika Tyyska. Both incredible artists who have worked a lot with us. Based in Sydney, Australia, Robert is a 3D master and has brought many of our albums to life in 3D. Mika is from Helsinki, Finland and is the man behind the wonderful cartoon characters that Dream Theater is known for.

Was there a special moment in Valby Hallen that you remember?

This total and complete ROCK feeling that took over.

What feeling would you like the audience to leave a concert with?

Total satisfaction. We try to create a complete sonic and visual experience. Hopefully you’re inspired and motivated when you leave one of our concerts.

What can we expect from Dream Theater in the future?

More cool music for sure. More cool graphics! More new technology! We are fighting energetically to move the Dream Theater machine calmly towards the future.

Finally, do you have anything to say to your Danish fans?

You guys were REALLY cool. Wow – a great time we had here. You impressed us with your positive and strong energy! We will do our best to come again!

Thank you very much again for your time Jordan. Thanks for a great concert in Valby Hallen.

Original text

Dream Theater

af Mike Christiansen

Interviewet den 19. februar 2012

I forbindelse med Dream Theaters koncert i Valby Hallen, var en anmelder fra heavymetal.dk så heldig at få et interview med bandets keyboard spiller Jordan Rudess. Der blev spurgt lidt ind til deres oplevelser på tournéen, og lidt om bandets performance.

Hej Jordan. Først og fremmest tak for en fed concert I Valby Hallen tilbage i januar. Det var virkelig en oplevelse for mig at opleve Dream Theater live. Lad os gå til interviewet. Hvad har været Jeres største oplevelse indtil videre på denne tour?

Vores største oplevelse var det hæsblæsende eventyr til LA i forbindelse med Grammy uddelingen. Vi spillede en aften i London, og næste dag fløj vi til U.S.A for Grammy uddelingen, og næste dage tilbage til Europa igen for et show i Zürich.

Hvor er Jeres favorit sted at stå på scenen?

Lad mig starte med at sige, at det danske publikum var formidabelt. Vi havde en fed aften her og et godt show. Vi har så mange internationale shows, at det er et svært spørgsmål. Det største og mest spændende show vi har haft på denne tour var i Paris.

Har du nogle traditioner, før du går på scenen?

Ja. Jeg varmer altid mine fingre op med lidt keyboard træning, og jeg søger for at være smidig ved lidt let yoga.

Hvilket nummer er Jeres yndlings at spille?

Vi elsker at spille Breaking All Illusions.

Hvad er dit yndlings Dream Theater album?

Lige pt. må jeg sige, det er vores nyeste A Dramatic Turn of Events

Jeg har et spørgsmål angående Mangini’s trommeset. Hvad er historien bag dette? For mig, da jeg så det, var der et nærmest magisk skær over det, og det så ud til at bestå af tre forskellige trommeset.

Mike’s trommeset er en kulmination på hans livslange studie af rytmer. Det er et bæst som mind fucker alle, som sidder bag det. Petrucci og jeg sad på et tidspunkt bag trommerne, og der er omkring ni pedaler !! Det er utroligt, at noget menneske kan spille på det tromme set. Faktisk, er der ingen mennesker som kan.

Jeg lagde mærke til, at LaBrie konstant gik til og fra scenen under Jeres koncert i Valby Hallen. Hvorfor gør han det? For at gøre plads for de instrumentelle dele af numrene?

For at få lidt træning og en mundfuld te.

Jeg har et spørgsmål til den introfilm, som starter Jeres show. Hvad er historien bag denne?

Det er et samarbejde mellem Robert Medina og Mika Tyvska. Begge utrolige kunstnere, som har arbejdet en del med os. Robert har base i Sydney, Australien og er en 3D mester, og han har bragt mange af vores albums til live i 3D. Mika er fra Helsinki, Finland og er manden bag de vidunderlige tegneserie figurer, som Dream Theater er kendt for.

Var der et specielt øjeblik i Valby Hallen, som du husker?

Denne totale og komplette ROCK følelse, som overtog.

Hvilken følelse vil I gerne have, at publikum forlader en koncert med?

Total tilfredsstillelse. Vi prøver at skabe en komplet lydmæssig og visuel oplevelse. Du er forhåbentlig inspireret og motiveret, når du går fra en af vores koncerter.

Hvad kan vi forventer af Dream Theater i fremtiden?

Mere cool musik er i hvert fald helt sikkert. Mere fed grafik! Mere ny teknologi! Vi kæmper energisk for at rykke Dream Theater maskinen roligt mod fremtiden.

Her til sidst, Har du noget at sige til Jeres danske fans?

I var VIRKELIG fede. Wow – en fed tid vi havde her. I imponerede os, med jeres positive og stærke energi! Vi vil gøre vores bedste for at komme igen!

Mange tak for din tid Jordan, og igen. Tak for en fed koncert i Valby Hallen.