I was sure by the time I got Baliotis' e-mail at 12.00 local time in Greece (that means 10.00 in the U.K.) that at this time of the day I would wake up Richard Barbieri of Porcupine Tree.
The man woke up finally ... (our meeting time was at 12.00 U.K. time!) And thankfully I have not heard any 'wishes' that early in the morning ... Quite the contrary ...
We had a very nice and cozy conversation, you know, from those shared by two guys who love music ... Not formally and supposedly nice and things like that. Quite nice and very positive as a person.
Therefore, after a few minutes, I suggested instead of sitting down and writing some of what we would say, like (like. ..?) an interview etc, etc (cold and awkward things) that it would be better to talk for a bit after live / on air few hours after my radio show (Rockzone/Kanaliena.gr/90.4) and so it happened ...
We might not had the time we both would like, but less is more ... This is a law. We will see them in Athens in a few days ... something tells me that the Porcupine Tree live is truly unique ...
Porcupine Tree, Anathema @ Technopolis - Tickets - Info
DA: Hi Richard. How are you doing?
RB: I'm fine. Just awake, of course, after you called me (laughs) ...
DA: Thank you very much for being with us. So you're ready to come back to Athens?
RB: Yes, of course, after five years. It was great time.
DA: What to expect from you this time?
RB: 2 albums have elapsed since the last time we came here. So, we hope to play mostly songs from our new album. We will make a set that will be divided into two parts. At first we will play all our new album and after a short break we will go to various selections from our old tracks. We'll try to do our best set.
DA: Some new songs maybe?
RB: No, not songs that will play for the first time. We will just remember pieces we haven't played for some time.
DA: You have many friends here in Greece. Would you like to send a message to them?
RB: Yes. Greece is one of the places where there is enthusiasm for Porcupine Tree. We have played in many countries, but once we were in Greece, the people there were very warm with us. So, yes we are looking forward to playing there.
DA: Do you remember the concert with Van der graaf generator?
RB: It was the last concert we did in Greece. Yes of course. Very good band.
DA: Richard, what do you think of the music industry today with the existence of the Internet? Is there a new market maybe?
RB: Yes, much has changed. I think it has not hurt us, because enough young people had the opportunity to listen to us. So they can download our music illegally or get it from a friend, but as long as they get to know us they come to our shows. Indeed, when they get into Porcupine Tree they want to get things from us, such as albums or box sets, etc.
DA: How do you describe your cooperation with Steven? How is the cooperation of your band after so many years?
RB: Definitely a great many years. We met when we were doing the No-Man. Then, Porcupine Tree was a little side project. I remember playing in the second album of No-Man. We worked well together. I was surprised because he was such a positive person, ambitious, confident, worked quickly and was generally enthusiastic with what he did. We had much in common in our musical tastes. I had never worked with a man who worked so quickly with so much confidence in his abilities.
DA: It is all, I suppose, due to the balance that exists between you, isn't it?
RB: Yes of course.
DA: Take care Richard. Thanks for your time.See you in Athens in a week.
RB: Ok, perfect. See you then.
The man woke up finally ... (our meeting time was at 12.00 U.K. time!) And thankfully I have not heard any 'wishes' that early in the morning ... Quite the contrary ...
We had a very nice and cozy conversation, you know, from those shared by two guys who love music ... Not formally and supposedly nice and things like that. Quite nice and very positive as a person.
Therefore, after a few minutes, I suggested instead of sitting down and writing some of what we would say, like (like. ..?) an interview etc, etc (cold and awkward things) that it would be better to talk for a bit after live / on air few hours after my radio show (Rockzone/Kanaliena.gr/90.4) and so it happened ...
We might not had the time we both would like, but less is more ... This is a law. We will see them in Athens in a few days ... something tells me that the Porcupine Tree live is truly unique ...
Porcupine Tree, Anathema @ Technopolis - Tickets - Info
DA: Hi Richard. How are you doing?
RB: I'm fine. Just awake, of course, after you called me (laughs) ...
DA: Thank you very much for being with us. So you're ready to come back to Athens?
RB: Yes, of course, after five years. It was great time.
DA: What to expect from you this time?
RB: 2 albums have elapsed since the last time we came here. So, we hope to play mostly songs from our new album. We will make a set that will be divided into two parts. At first we will play all our new album and after a short break we will go to various selections from our old tracks. We'll try to do our best set.
DA: Some new songs maybe?
RB: No, not songs that will play for the first time. We will just remember pieces we haven't played for some time.
DA: You have many friends here in Greece. Would you like to send a message to them?
RB: Yes. Greece is one of the places where there is enthusiasm for Porcupine Tree. We have played in many countries, but once we were in Greece, the people there were very warm with us. So, yes we are looking forward to playing there.
DA: Do you remember the concert with Van der graaf generator?RB: It was the last concert we did in Greece. Yes of course. Very good band.
DA: Richard, what do you think of the music industry today with the existence of the Internet? Is there a new market maybe?
RB: Yes, much has changed. I think it has not hurt us, because enough young people had the opportunity to listen to us. So they can download our music illegally or get it from a friend, but as long as they get to know us they come to our shows. Indeed, when they get into Porcupine Tree they want to get things from us, such as albums or box sets, etc.
DA: How do you describe your cooperation with Steven? How is the cooperation of your band after so many years?
RB: Definitely a great many years. We met when we were doing the No-Man. Then, Porcupine Tree was a little side project. I remember playing in the second album of No-Man. We worked well together. I was surprised because he was such a positive person, ambitious, confident, worked quickly and was generally enthusiastic with what he did. We had much in common in our musical tastes. I had never worked with a man who worked so quickly with so much confidence in his abilities.
DA: It is all, I suppose, due to the balance that exists between you, isn't it?
RB: Yes of course.
DA: Take care Richard. Thanks for your time.See you in Athens in a week.
RB: Ok, perfect. See you then.
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