Sal Pi Guitarist, Mike Pignataro Keyboardist, Clay Barton Vocals for Power Metal group Forevers Edge. Forevers Edge Interview April 25, 2012
Forevers Edge Interview
1. Could you tell me about the recording process for Forevers Edge album?
Sal Pi – Well for album 1 is was a simpler process. Guitars, Keyboards, Drums all were tracked at Lune Studios and done conjoint with one another. Vocals, Orchestral were done and mixed at Erypsus by Gregg Rossetti (Suspyre) Album 2 due to scheduling parts were done in various locations. So a lot of communication and back and forth comparing was implemented. Our new Keyboardist Mike Pignataro tracked keys at his studio, Drums were tracked at Erypsus by Samus Paulicelli once more by Gregg Rossetti. Guitars I felt benefited the most from this as I tracked them at my personal studio. Giving myself more time to compare, contrast. Less rushed, so I have a much larger deadline to do them.
Mike Pignataro – Sal emails me a midi of the song along with drum stem and scratch guitars. He asks me to learn the parts from the midi, I disregard the midi and send him keyboard tracks that have absolutely nothing to do with the midi….and Sal loves it anyway…lol
Clay Barton – This is more of a fun side project for me, but I take the recording very seriously. I really only get involved when it comes time to put vocals on everything. I like to prepare a general idea of melodies and harmonies ahead of time to have an idea of what I’m going to do when I get into the studio. However, recording never goes exactly as planned so for everything that doesn’t quite transition from paper to ear, we tend to work it out on the fly.
2. What were the inspirations for writing Forevers Edge music?
Sal Pi – Album 1 was a tricky one as far as inspiration, half the album was written early on in 2004 and I was greatly inspired by early Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius and I think the biggest influence was Vanishing Point for me. Album 2 got a lot heavier, less dated and more with the present material. Adagios Archangels In Black, Symphony X’s Iconoclast & Paradise Lost played big roles. It is a much larger scale.
Mike Pignataro – Movie Soundtracks, Castlevania, God of War, I love metal guitar solos so most of my synth leads are written with same “Balls to the Wall” drive.
Clay Barton – I’m pretty much a hired gun for Forevers Edge, but I know what kind of vocalist Sal wants. He wants in your face, balls to the wall vocals and my inspiration is to make sure he’s happy at the end of the day.
3. What are the band Forevers Edge current endorsements?
Sal Pi – At the moment, there are none I can think of, but we are certainly open for some.
Mike Pignataro – I was endorsed by Open Labs…don’t know if i still have that
Clay Barton – I have no endorsements.
4. What’s your vision on the Internet as a way to releasing Music Online?
Sal Pi – I think the Internet as a double edged sword. Like any and all things created for a justified purpose, it can be corrupted. You have 1 hand the pirating and illegal purchasing of a product. But on the other hand, you have a network to a far greater audience. We have fans in parts of Europe & Asia that without the internet wouldn’t be possible. My opinion the Internet is a danger to those looking to make music a financial venture. To the artistic it is a stage set for the world. And my personally, I don’t do this for money so by all means. If it got 1,000 Seeders on PirateBay. I’ll look and say ” Wow, I must of did something right! Hah”.
Mike Pignataro – I’m not sure. I think digital releases are more common these days. I really like how these days we have access to bands from all over the world. If it weren’t for internet, I would prolly only know Dream Theater and Symphony X since those are the only U.S prog bands I really listen to. So I hope that we can use the internet to reach out to fans just like other bands reach out to us.
Clay Barton – I have every piece of music archived electronically and hardly purchase hard copies anymore. There are die hard fans that want that hard copy, but I don’t expect that to be an option in the near future.
5. With all the bands coming out today. Do you keep updated with what comes out online at all?
Sal Pi – I try to get in touch with everything that is out there. It gets tough cause it gets drowned out a lot in the ocean of musicians. I do whatever I can. Mainstream or Underground I want to hear it all.
Mike Pignataro – Yea with YouTube, Spotify and Pandora its really easy to stay updated.
Clay Barton – I try to keep engaged in some of the major forums as a fan, therefore, I like to think I keep up decently well with newer buzz items coming out into the market.
6. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
Sal Pi – Well haha, it would be interesting because I have a lot of stuff I am digging that is on there. I got new All That Remains, some Circus Maximus. But then I got Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas. And a little Drake. I jump between moods. Oh yea, Jason Mraz too. I get into bands well after their big “Burst” I actually just discovered all that remains, didn’t even know they were on Guitar Hero and am loving them. I think the stuff you’d stare at after listening to our music and go “Hmm” would probably be my Cascada Collection, Breathe Carolina and Lady Gaga. Other-wise it’s 85% Metal!
Mike Pignataro – Everything from Progressive Metal, Electronica, Classical, Rag, Stride, Funk, Movie Soundtracks and Videogame Soundtracks.
Clay Barton – I was born in Nashville,Tennessee and love country music. So you will certainly find a wide range of country music, new and old.
7. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician?
Sal Pi – My day in the life of a musician. Well when I am taking time away from my career. Pretty much it’s keeping all the content up to date. Coordinating between the other guys in the band. Scheduling & keeping the recording process up to date. Contacting the Artwork guy. And just keeping blood flowing through the veins. I actually spend the least amount of time with the instrument and more with the bureaucracy. I need an assistant! Other wise, I am talking to fans of the band which is my favourite thing to do.
Mike Pignataro – Usually I would spend the late morning practicing my daily practice regimen. Go to work and teach music for several hours. Come home and track keys…or if I have a gig at night play at night.
Clay Barton – Most of my days consist of me waking up early enough to get to my job and do my best to make it home at a normal hour to my family.
8. How is the Music scene in your area today?
Sal Pi – Well, I am from Staten Island, while the other guys are more NJ. Staten Islands music scene is very small, but all the Local guys here have a lot of heart. I can credit some people who have the heart and paying their dues. Broader scale of New York. The scene is as diverse as it’s people. I think we have a little bit of everything. Brooklyn alone has probably a show going on a Friday night for any genre in the underground scene. Just got to put the effort to finding it.
Mike Pignataro – It’s mostly a Trance and House scene in South Florida. There is a small group of people trying to make a better scene here…But there is something that is really holding the scene back. I scene some new places open..then close just as quick.
Clay Barton – There are some die hard fans that you know are going to go see certain shows, but now the crowd seems to vary from show to show.
9. Any words for future musicians?
Sal Pi – Do it for the Music. That way, no expectation, no limitation can build walls around you. If you can play a song you’ve wrote years from it’s conception, and get the emotion back for a second you got when you wrote it. Then you’ve accomplished far greater. You’ll live forever in your material.
Mike Pignataro – Play what you like. But don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Play with as many different people as you can. No matter how good you are there is always something to learn…and always be humble.
Clay Barton – Love music for all that it is – a way to express yourself and have fun. You will not make millions of dollars so get an education and career to fund all your music plans.
Check out Forevers Edge Online
Forevers Edge is Clay Barton: Vocals, Salvatore Pisano Guitars, Andrew Distabile Bass, Keyboards, Mike Pignataro, Samus Paulicelli Drums , Sharon MacPherson Female Vocals
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