Originally published in Fan Club interview with Jordan 2019 · 2019
Fan Club interview with Jordan 2019 (excerpt)
Interview2 min read
Now, let’s talk about Dream Theater. It’s been a month since the release of “Distance Over Time” and the reactions of the fans have been largely positive. Did you get to read comments and reactions on the web? What do you think about it?
Yeah, of course. I’m aware of people’s reactions. I’m just happy that everybody loves the album and responded so well to the music. It’s great, especially after, you know, producing an album that was like a real favorite of mine -The Astonishing- which only received partial kind of positivity, It’s a little bit polarizing for the fans. That reaction was somewhat expected, but it hurts a little bit that people didn’t completely like, but also understandable because it’s a very different album. But this one it’s kind of return to the core of harder rock sound and shorter songs, maybe a little bit more easily, understandable and digestible. I think that that’s just worked, people really liked it and it’s maybe what the majority of people want from Dream Theater.
What influence did the use of an analog synth like Arturia Matrixbrute had on the composition of the tracks of Distance Over Time? In which songs did you used it?
I used the Matrixbrute in some different places, I don’t remember exactly... I think I used it in Pale Blue Dot, I used it for sure in the beginning of Barstool Warrior, maybe in At Wit’s End. It’s great synthesizer, it’s really cool. So, when I brought it out, everybody got excited and we found some cool places to use its sound.
Everybody knows that you are a good guitar player. We also know that it’s been created for you a signature 8 strings guitar called “The Wizard”. With Dream Theater, was ever considered the idea of writing a song requiring, even during live shows, a second guitar in place of the keyboard?
No. [This was his answer... just a “no”]
Ok, this is the last question: This summer, Dream Theater will be in Italy for two show and Italian fans can’t wait to see the band live. Usually, during festivals, Dream Theater play shorter sets. Can you already tell us something about the setlist of the incoming summer tour? Will you play a shorter version of American’s setlist or there will be different songs? [This interview was recorded when only 2 of the 4 Italian gigs was already scheduled.]
Fair question! We haven’t totally figured it out; we’ll certainly try to keep some things from our current set, because we don’t want all the band members to go crazy, while we’re on tour learning a million things. But we’ll change it up a little bit and, of course, it’ll have to be shorter for the festivals. You can expect some different things and shorter. We don’t even really know yet, we’re still talking between us figuring out what we want to play what makes sense. We’ll think ‘bout something cool.