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● I salute you for such original output! Well done! First, I’d like to know the story behind When Mountains Speak, and why did you choose it to be your project’s name?

Mountains evoke a spiritual mystery for me. There are sacred mountains in every major religion. Jesus went to the mountains to pray. I’ve always felt closer to understanding who I am hiking in the mountains. Whether at 16k ft in Tibet or admiring the peaks in Alberta, I get so much inspiration from their power and beauty.


REVIEW – Dance of the Vampire by When Mountains Speak 


● Was the main point of Dance of the Vampire is making a song with different tuning?

It was a natural extension of years playing instruments in fifths. I never got the true feeling of the regular guitar tuning. The instruments I’ve been playing for the last 20 years are all in the mandolin family whether acoustic or electric. I read a review about Robert Fripp using the NST and I wanted to give it a try. I’m hooked for sure.

● While checking it, I noticed that you were keen about the song production too. Can you tell me more about the recording process?
I usually do multitracking, or the layering of one track on another. Most musicians do. There is something about capturing yourself live that adds to the energy of the recording.. Even hearing a guitar pedal click in the recording somehow gives it an authentic vibe it might lack otherwise.

 

● The song is your single from the upcoming album. Why did you choose this one specifically for the halloween?
That one is easy. After recording it, my wife said it had a Halloween feel to it. All the emphasis on the lower register of the guitar while running a bass synth gave it a somewhat mysterious sound.

 

● According to your Spiffy, you’ve released two albums already this year, is Dance of the Vampire from an upcoming album coming out this year too?
Yes. It’s been a very prolific year for me. The pandemic has opened up time in most folks schedules and falling in love again renewed overflowing passion.

● Some artists prefer to give a period between a record and another, still, you already released two so far. Aren’t you afraid this may cause confusion for your fans?
I just don’t feel like the music is mine. I improvise a lot of the material based on something I’ve read or meditated on. I feel that as long as I have music I’m pleased with to release, then it would be selfish of me not to make it accessible. I used to do a daily Bible study with an accompanying acoustic piece every day. It’s definitely not about the money. Also, I’m gearing up to do improvised live streams in 2022. Once that starts, the recordings will take a backseat for awhile.

 

● I won’t deny that you’re doing a great job with your solo project, still, are you planning to add members someday?
I have friends lined up for guest appearances on the live streams. If the right person or group came around that I gelled with, I would certainly be interested in being part of a larger project again.

 

● Finally, thank you for the chat and tell us more about your upcoming plans.
Well, I’m excited about my home studio I’m building in the backyard. Getting that setup will take some doing. And once that’s complete, I will figure out the nuts and bolts of how I want to do my live shows from there. In the meantime, I play acoustic mandolin for hospice patients twice a month. It’s interesting and rewarding to share my gift with them. Thanks for your time!

Follow When Mountains Speak on FacebookYouTube, and Spotify.

 

Mena Ezzat