James LaBrie interview

Anne Erickson: I read that you guys actually recorded Distance Over Time in a barn studio, which I think is really cool. Tell me about that experience and how it influenced the sound on the record.

James LaBrie: I think part of what influenced the sound and songs themselves, how everything ultimately ended up being what it is, is the fact we all lived together. So we had a house that we lived in. It was called the Yonderbarn; it was about 100 meters away from the house. So you’d basically get up, do your morning routine – whatever it is – a few of us would go work out. Other guys had whatever they did to bring themselves into the day, and then we’d start together in the studio around noon hour, 1:00 in the afternoon. We’d usually go until 10, 11 or even midnight. They were long days, and that’s why we were done writing the album within 17 or 19 days; but long, long days. Yes, all of us collectively in the studio, in one room together, ideas flowing back and forth. There were a couple seedlings that were already being brought in. I think the other part that’s a big part of why it turned out is the fact that we made a point of isolating ourselves and closing ourselves off to the rest of the world. We were there to do something and we just wanted to be focused and not have any distractions. So whether we were sitting down to have something to eat or we were out in the backyard, barbecuing some days, ultimately the conversations would always come back to the music, further feeding that wheel of creatively. I think that really had a big play and was very responsible for how prolific things happening left, right and center – very, very fast.

AE: One of my favorite tracks off the album is ‘At Wit’s End,’ which I believe you wrote.

JL: Yeah, I wrote the lyrics for that, and the melodies. That’s cool. This is my second interview today, and that’s exactly what the first interviewer said – that’s their favorite track. They looked at it like ‘Metropolis – part 2’ or a classic Dream Theater track.

AE: You’ve been with Dream Theater for years and have this great musical chemistry that’s lasted so long. How would you describe the musical chemistry between the members of Dream Theater?

JL: It’s electric. No pun intended! When we’re together, whether to write another album or together rehearsing or together onstage, the chemistry is almost palpable. It’s an indescribable feeling, but it’s thrilling. I guess [that] would be the closest word to properly describe it – it’s a thrilling ride, each and every time. It’s something that we’re all, since we were kids, have been extremely passionate about. It’s a world that we can walk into and know that we’re respected, we’re welcomed and we’re fulfilled. We’re absolutely gratified from the experience. At the same time, it’s something that we’ve come to be so comfortable with one another, in being in a band with each other. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings, but when that first note is played or first riff or chord or whatever it might be, everything just falls into place, it’s this transformation that happens immediately.

I think it will be a sad day for us when we are at a point in our lives when we’re looking back at what we once did, but I’m thinking I’ll be pretty damn old before that happens. Each and every one of us are still saying, “We still have a lot to do.” As long as we still work in it for the right reasons – because we love what we’re doing – then that’s where the focus should be. It’s just a great feel. We’re getting together in two and a half weeks or something like that, and we’re gonna start rehearsals for the next world tour where we start in North America; if you were there, if you were sitting in that room while we’re going through these songs, you would see it, you would feel it. That’s just that camaraderie and that cohesiveness that happens naturally with us because we have been doing this so long together that it’s almost like an unspoken language.

AE: I’m glad to hear that you guys don’t plan on retiring anytime soon, because at first, as you were talking, I was worried that you’re going towards that! [laughs]

JL: Oh God no! Maybe in 10 years when we have a conversation it will be that. I don’t know. I’m not putting up a time limit on it, that’s for sure.

AE: What are your thoughts on the state of heavy-metal music? Because people always say that rock and metal are dead, but I could not disagree more.

JL: One of my favorite bands is the Deftones, and then I also love In Flames. I also love Periphery, but I also love Switchfoot. Even Alice in Chains – their new stuff. I mean I flip all over. There’s so many great musicians and great bands that are out there. I think that metal never really goes away. Whenever I hear something someone say, “Metal isn’t what it used to be,” I’m thinking, what was it? Because it wasn’t the flavor of the month; it never has been and never will be. But it’s big enough that those bands that do represent that approach musically are doing very well. They are out there, they are playing the sizable venues that can warrant or justify that they are who they are musically. To me, I think that it’s always going to be something that is a big piece and part of the music industry. I think it has to be, because not everybody is into the pop thing.

The best way for any one of us to be is to appreciate the diversity of music from whatever genre. I think the only music I can’t wrap my head around is country music. But with anything else, I can appreciate it, whether I want to listen to U2 or Coldplay, or some Stone Sour, Tool or whatever. I think it depends on the mood. As long as the music’s great. I think there’s two types of music: there’s good music and there’s bad music. It’s the cliché, but that’s the truth of it. So it doesn’t really matter what the genre is, it doesn’t matter if it’s metal or rock or hard rock, soft rock, pop, whatever. One of my favorite bands is One Republic: amazing songs, amazing writing, incredible melodies, great lyrics, great singer, great players. So it doesn’t have to be something that’s in my face and melting my face at that particular moment. That’s what I want to listen to: something that’s hitting me and making me groove in a more laid-back, cool down, vibe kind of way, instead of In Flames or whatever. Ember Falls is another band that’s great. There’s all sorts out there, there’s all great music, and I think metal has and always will be well-represented.

AE: So what is the plan for you guys for the rest of this year? Lots touring it sounds like?

JL: Yeah. We start up March 20th in San Diego, we kick off our next world tour. Then we’ll be going throughout North America until I think May 3rd. Then we just do one show down in Mexico City. I think from like May 6 ‘til June 7th we’re off. We start June 7th actually in Sweden, and then we do a huge festival tour all of June and July. Then we’ll take maybe a month or six weeks off, and then in the fall, I believe we’re supposed to be going to the Pacific Rim. I don’t know how long that’s going to be; it will be a long run as well. And then there’s talk to go back to Europe and do a full-on headline tour, because when you’re on a festival tour, that’s not really headlining. Then there’s South America and then maybe come back to North America. So I’d say for the next year, year and a half, we’ll be on tour.