Alex Masi
Thousands of people have graced this earth with a guitar in their hand, fewer have recorded an album and even fewer are remembered past 10 minutes ago. That brings us to Alex Masi, an Italian born guitar maestro who has survived almost 30 years of playing guitar and recording albums on the international stage. Having released last year his best album to date, in the form of Theory Of Everything, Metal Exiles handed over a Q and A to Alex to get his thoughts on this brilliant album and the making of his storied career.
An interview with Alex Masi
By Jeffrey Easton
Metal Exiles: Theory Of Everything was possibly your most diverse affair. What went into making it?
Alex Masi: That album was recorded in between tours in 2010, took about 2 months to complete since I did everything by myself. There was lots of experimenting with technologies I hadn't used up to that point so there was some adjusting required in order to get the ball rolling... At this stage in my life and musical career i want to try and do challenging things and things that get out of (my) beaten path.
Metal Exiles: Theory Of Nothing boasted some of your best shredding to date but with a more electronic musical cushion. Is this something that you wanted to explore in the past but were waiting for an opportune time?
Alex: Yes, I’ve been hugely into electronic music since I started being interested in music which means a very long time...back then it was the German electronic scene with people such as Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze etc. Even Pink Floyd were doing amazing things with electronics back then. I didn't quite like the new wave period of electronic (pop) music in the 80s because it sounded a bit cheesy and stiff but in the 90s the whole thing exploded again with people like Squarepusher, Aphex Twin and the Prodigy and many others. Those guys pumped new life into music in general, not just electronica. I clearly remember thinking i really wanted to play on top of those sonorities back in 1996 but at the time technology wasn't as available as it is today and I was involved with a whole different set of circumstances anyway. After the Jeff Beck trilogy of albums that explored his interest in electronic grooves i knew it was time for me to have a go at it as well.
Metal Exiles: On that topic, Scratch That Meat sounds as if it could be featured at a rave. What did you use in the instrumentation department to extract the sounds you used and how did you map it to compliment your technique?
Alex: Thanks,that's a huge compliment! I would love to be at a rave and hear that blasting thru the speakers. I didn't really plan anything; I start with a groove from a sequence and follow the inspiration wherever it may lead me. The only thing i try to keep in mind is not to get lost in mindless, aimless soloing but to try and structure an actual piece of music that will have some form of, more or less typical, architecture.
Metal Exiles: Now, you handled all of the recording aspects for Theory. What did you get out of recording in this fashion?
Alex: Freedom to let my creativity run rampant. Sometimes recording music can be such an effort when the circumstances involve various band members, producers, engineers etc. I could never be a movie director for example, those guys need to have so many people working along with them in order to make a film that i have no clue on how the good ones manage to have their vision not get diluted. I’d rather be a painter in a one on one relationship with the medium at hand, unless you're Andy Warhol of course.
Metal Exiles: Do you find it harder to do solo gigs in this fashion when you have to train a band to play your material rather than having them play on the record as well?
Alex: I haven't taken "this show" on the road yet. I’d love to though. I would have a drummer and a guy handling the loops and synths and I would do guitars and all the rest. Picture the prodigy or recent Squarepusher.
Metal Exiles: Lion Music seems pretty open to your career. Do you find that they give you the freedoms to pursue any musical endeavor, Theory Of Everything mainly, that you feel?
Alex: Lion music is not a label like, let's say, Warner Bros. They don't sign you to 4 or even 2 album deals. You just submit what you got and if they dig it you sign a one off licensing deal and that's it. By now they've figured I’m not your typical "progressive/neoclassical/metal" run o'the mill type of musician, they got plenty of those already over there god bless 'em. Since 1998 I’ve given them atypical music (as far as their milieu goes) and i haven't received any complaints yet...
Metal Exiles: After so many years of composing, where do you find fresh inspiration to fuel songwriting?
Alex: Basically everything, from other people's music to life in general. I’ve reached that strange point in my life where i feel quite in control and confident of what i can do and cannot do. The things I cannot do sometimes are more helpful in shaping my creative choices than their opposite. Science, philosophy, other art forms, everything including small things are great sources of ideas for me.
Metal Exiles: With Theory having been out for almost a year now, what do you think of the outcome now that you have had time to reflect on this creation?
Alex: It will be a year in July 2011. I'm happy with the album itself. Not so ecstatic with the way it has been "promoted" though by the label but that's not of much interest to whomever might be reading this. But as far as the music goes, yes,I dig it.
Metal Exiles: MCM is your other phenomenal project. For those who might not be aware, who is in the group and what does it do for you that your solo career does not?
Alex: Masi, Coven, Macaluso, three mental cases in their own right. Thanks for finding us "phenomenal"! It was basically a trio based upon insane improvisation much like jumping off an airplane at 30,000 feet with the hope someone packed a parachute in your backpack. I love improvising, it's the essence of music as even composed music requires improvisation. Everywhere I go around the world i always try to find spots where people get together and make improvised music and i try to join in the fun. I do not care about style or even if it's a professional situation because to me playing improvised music is much like for a shark being in constant motion, it dies without it. I hope to do something with those two characters again sometime.
Metal Exiles: In the past, you have released some stunning records, like Downtown Dreamer, Fire In The Rain etc.., that I feel should have a proper reissue. Have you ever been approached about your back catalog?
Alex: Actually my entire Metal Blade catalog which includes those albums you mentioned was re-released by Lion music a few years back. So your question proves my point about the efficiency of their promotional dept. But on the other hand I’m honestly not that into rehashing my old stuff as it was a different time, a different world, a different me. I’m more into NOW and what's coming up but anybody into the old material shouldn't have a hard time finding it on the internet.
Metal Exiles: Who are you endorsed by and what is the criteria that Alex Masi follows for choosing a brand?
Alex: Currently it's Music Man guitars, Ernie Ball strings etc, DV Mark Amps. I play instruments thatI find useful, i do not care about stacking up lots of endorsements in order to put their logos on my cd sleeves...actually, i miss the days when you could see musicians playing all kinds of brands without having to look like sport teams with corporate logos plastered all over their music.
Metal Exiles: You did a set of “In The Name Of” CDs with Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Do you think in the future you will do another endeavor with other composers like Paganini etc?
Alex: Not Paganini as he was a supreme violinist but a mediocre composer. Yes, I’d like to do something else with classical music in the future. Vivaldi is the first name that comes to mind, we're both venetians and I’ve always felt a strong bond with his music that's probably due to certain sensibilities associated with being from the lagoon. I’d also love to do something with less obvious choices like Wagner or Scriabin or even Schoenberg.
Metal Exiles: In the 80's and early 90's shredders with a record deal were a dime a dozen. What do you think killed that off.
Alex: Hmmm...I’ll go out on a limb here and dare to say SAMENESS? It all became so sadly predictable that you knew exactly what a brand new piece would sound like just based on the first couple of introductory notes. The hilarious thing is that there are still people out there doing exactly that! It blows my little brain.
Metal Exiles: On that same note you survived that wave. What made Alex Masi stand out from that pack?
Alex: I don't know that I’ve survived anything. Trust me, after 1991 things have looked quite differently for everybody, me included. Looking back right now it created a lot of problems in terms of fading popularity, gigs, deals etc but the extremely positive aspect (as far as I’m concerned) is that it saved me from going on and on being that character from the 80s still doing the same old thing. I feel free now to explore whatever I please and that's one of the most fantastic feelings a creative person can experience.
Metal Exiles: You are one of the top guitar players in the world. Why do think you do not have the same notoriety of the Vai's or Satriani's?
Alex: Hey, thank you for that! I feel that notoriety is tied to circumstances. Steve Vai, besides being a great guitarist, had the opportunity to play for Zappa back in the day which opened up a whole universe of opportunities for someone as smart and talented as he is but for every Steve Vai or Satriani I can bring up an Allan Holdsworth or a Shawn Lane who are unique, absolute gems. They were never popular with the masses but worthy of the highest form of universal recognition in the pantheon of all-time greats in any art form, period. I do what I do and if it becomes popular that's great if not i promise I’ll still have a great time doing it.
Metal Exiles: What does the future hold for Alex Masi?
Alex: Staring into the crystal ball as we speak. Seriously, I’m finishing mixes for the follow up to THEORY and if you thought that album was decent you might dig this one even more. I’ll make sure to keep everyone posted on the developments related to it as they progress. I’m also working on two separate projects involving, drum roll please, vocalists. More "traditional" rock music if you will but lean & mean. I am looking forward to playing as many places around the world as possible as well.
BUY THEORY OF EVERYTHING!
An interview with Alex Masi
By Jeffrey Easton
Metal Exiles: Theory Of Everything was possibly your most diverse affair. What went into making it?
Alex Masi: That album was recorded in between tours in 2010, took about 2 months to complete since I did everything by myself. There was lots of experimenting with technologies I hadn't used up to that point so there was some adjusting required in order to get the ball rolling... At this stage in my life and musical career i want to try and do challenging things and things that get out of (my) beaten path.
Metal Exiles: Theory Of Nothing boasted some of your best shredding to date but with a more electronic musical cushion. Is this something that you wanted to explore in the past but were waiting for an opportune time?
Alex: Yes, I’ve been hugely into electronic music since I started being interested in music which means a very long time...back then it was the German electronic scene with people such as Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze etc. Even Pink Floyd were doing amazing things with electronics back then. I didn't quite like the new wave period of electronic (pop) music in the 80s because it sounded a bit cheesy and stiff but in the 90s the whole thing exploded again with people like Squarepusher, Aphex Twin and the Prodigy and many others. Those guys pumped new life into music in general, not just electronica. I clearly remember thinking i really wanted to play on top of those sonorities back in 1996 but at the time technology wasn't as available as it is today and I was involved with a whole different set of circumstances anyway. After the Jeff Beck trilogy of albums that explored his interest in electronic grooves i knew it was time for me to have a go at it as well.
Metal Exiles: On that topic, Scratch That Meat sounds as if it could be featured at a rave. What did you use in the instrumentation department to extract the sounds you used and how did you map it to compliment your technique?
Alex: Thanks,that's a huge compliment! I would love to be at a rave and hear that blasting thru the speakers. I didn't really plan anything; I start with a groove from a sequence and follow the inspiration wherever it may lead me. The only thing i try to keep in mind is not to get lost in mindless, aimless soloing but to try and structure an actual piece of music that will have some form of, more or less typical, architecture.
Metal Exiles: Now, you handled all of the recording aspects for Theory. What did you get out of recording in this fashion?
Alex: Freedom to let my creativity run rampant. Sometimes recording music can be such an effort when the circumstances involve various band members, producers, engineers etc. I could never be a movie director for example, those guys need to have so many people working along with them in order to make a film that i have no clue on how the good ones manage to have their vision not get diluted. I’d rather be a painter in a one on one relationship with the medium at hand, unless you're Andy Warhol of course.
Metal Exiles: Do you find it harder to do solo gigs in this fashion when you have to train a band to play your material rather than having them play on the record as well?
Alex: I haven't taken "this show" on the road yet. I’d love to though. I would have a drummer and a guy handling the loops and synths and I would do guitars and all the rest. Picture the prodigy or recent Squarepusher.
Metal Exiles: Lion Music seems pretty open to your career. Do you find that they give you the freedoms to pursue any musical endeavor, Theory Of Everything mainly, that you feel?
Alex: Lion music is not a label like, let's say, Warner Bros. They don't sign you to 4 or even 2 album deals. You just submit what you got and if they dig it you sign a one off licensing deal and that's it. By now they've figured I’m not your typical "progressive/neoclassical/metal" run o'the mill type of musician, they got plenty of those already over there god bless 'em. Since 1998 I’ve given them atypical music (as far as their milieu goes) and i haven't received any complaints yet...
Metal Exiles: After so many years of composing, where do you find fresh inspiration to fuel songwriting?
Alex: Basically everything, from other people's music to life in general. I’ve reached that strange point in my life where i feel quite in control and confident of what i can do and cannot do. The things I cannot do sometimes are more helpful in shaping my creative choices than their opposite. Science, philosophy, other art forms, everything including small things are great sources of ideas for me.
Metal Exiles: With Theory having been out for almost a year now, what do you think of the outcome now that you have had time to reflect on this creation?
Alex: It will be a year in July 2011. I'm happy with the album itself. Not so ecstatic with the way it has been "promoted" though by the label but that's not of much interest to whomever might be reading this. But as far as the music goes, yes,I dig it.
Metal Exiles: MCM is your other phenomenal project. For those who might not be aware, who is in the group and what does it do for you that your solo career does not?
Alex: Masi, Coven, Macaluso, three mental cases in their own right. Thanks for finding us "phenomenal"! It was basically a trio based upon insane improvisation much like jumping off an airplane at 30,000 feet with the hope someone packed a parachute in your backpack. I love improvising, it's the essence of music as even composed music requires improvisation. Everywhere I go around the world i always try to find spots where people get together and make improvised music and i try to join in the fun. I do not care about style or even if it's a professional situation because to me playing improvised music is much like for a shark being in constant motion, it dies without it. I hope to do something with those two characters again sometime.
Metal Exiles: In the past, you have released some stunning records, like Downtown Dreamer, Fire In The Rain etc.., that I feel should have a proper reissue. Have you ever been approached about your back catalog?
Alex: Actually my entire Metal Blade catalog which includes those albums you mentioned was re-released by Lion music a few years back. So your question proves my point about the efficiency of their promotional dept. But on the other hand I’m honestly not that into rehashing my old stuff as it was a different time, a different world, a different me. I’m more into NOW and what's coming up but anybody into the old material shouldn't have a hard time finding it on the internet.
Metal Exiles: Who are you endorsed by and what is the criteria that Alex Masi follows for choosing a brand?
Alex: Currently it's Music Man guitars, Ernie Ball strings etc, DV Mark Amps. I play instruments thatI find useful, i do not care about stacking up lots of endorsements in order to put their logos on my cd sleeves...actually, i miss the days when you could see musicians playing all kinds of brands without having to look like sport teams with corporate logos plastered all over their music.
Metal Exiles: You did a set of “In The Name Of” CDs with Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Do you think in the future you will do another endeavor with other composers like Paganini etc?
Alex: Not Paganini as he was a supreme violinist but a mediocre composer. Yes, I’d like to do something else with classical music in the future. Vivaldi is the first name that comes to mind, we're both venetians and I’ve always felt a strong bond with his music that's probably due to certain sensibilities associated with being from the lagoon. I’d also love to do something with less obvious choices like Wagner or Scriabin or even Schoenberg.
Metal Exiles: In the 80's and early 90's shredders with a record deal were a dime a dozen. What do you think killed that off.
Alex: Hmmm...I’ll go out on a limb here and dare to say SAMENESS? It all became so sadly predictable that you knew exactly what a brand new piece would sound like just based on the first couple of introductory notes. The hilarious thing is that there are still people out there doing exactly that! It blows my little brain.
Metal Exiles: On that same note you survived that wave. What made Alex Masi stand out from that pack?
Alex: I don't know that I’ve survived anything. Trust me, after 1991 things have looked quite differently for everybody, me included. Looking back right now it created a lot of problems in terms of fading popularity, gigs, deals etc but the extremely positive aspect (as far as I’m concerned) is that it saved me from going on and on being that character from the 80s still doing the same old thing. I feel free now to explore whatever I please and that's one of the most fantastic feelings a creative person can experience.
Metal Exiles: You are one of the top guitar players in the world. Why do think you do not have the same notoriety of the Vai's or Satriani's?
Alex: Hey, thank you for that! I feel that notoriety is tied to circumstances. Steve Vai, besides being a great guitarist, had the opportunity to play for Zappa back in the day which opened up a whole universe of opportunities for someone as smart and talented as he is but for every Steve Vai or Satriani I can bring up an Allan Holdsworth or a Shawn Lane who are unique, absolute gems. They were never popular with the masses but worthy of the highest form of universal recognition in the pantheon of all-time greats in any art form, period. I do what I do and if it becomes popular that's great if not i promise I’ll still have a great time doing it.
Metal Exiles: What does the future hold for Alex Masi?
Alex: Staring into the crystal ball as we speak. Seriously, I’m finishing mixes for the follow up to THEORY and if you thought that album was decent you might dig this one even more. I’ll make sure to keep everyone posted on the developments related to it as they progress. I’m also working on two separate projects involving, drum roll please, vocalists. More "traditional" rock music if you will but lean & mean. I am looking forward to playing as many places around the world as possible as well.
BUY THEORY OF EVERYTHING!
