Dion Bayman – Interview

Dion Bayman – Interview

11 Dicembre 2018 0 Commenti Denis Abello

italian translation

Hi Dion! First of all thank you very much for taking the time to answer to this interview, and welcome on the pages of Melodicrock.it! How are you?

Hi Denis, thank you for the interview. I’m doing well thanks.

Let’s start talking about your new album. I found it a fascinating melodic rock release, characterized by a classic melodic rock approach in the songwriting, but with a more modern feel perceivable in the production work. Do you agree with my view? Can you tell us also a little more about the way you write, record and arrange your music?

I pretty much agree with what you say. I love melodic rock/pop and I’m heavily influenced by the music I grew up with in the 80s and 90s, but I’m also influenced by today’s artists as well. I like adding modern touches to my music and want the production to match today’s sound.

I don’t really have a set way of writing a song. Sometimes it starts with a melody, sometimes a lyric, sometimes a chord progression, sometimes a title. It really does vary. Once I get the song idea in my head I sit at the piano and outline the basic structure of the song and record a rough piano guide track. Sometimes I start writing the lyrics at this time, sometimes after. Then I add other instruments and layers and the track begins to take shape. Once the basic instrument tracks are recorded I then record the vocal tracks and start the mixing process. Mixing the song can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. During this time I often record more tracks or take them away depending on the sound I’m going for. Plus the arrangement often changes as well. I don’t get much sleep when I’m recording an album as ideas are always swirling around in my head, but I have to say I enjoy it and always look forward to achieving the end result.

The info sheet included in the digital promo kit mentioned artists like Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and Richard Marx as main references to your music, and I would say that they fit perfectly if I should describe your sound to other melodic rock fans. Are there more artists and bands that influenced your style in writing and arranging music?

Yes I’m influenced by many artists and I enjoy a wide range of music. I was brought up learning classical piano and there was always music from jazz to Abba to Elvis Presley playing in my parents house. As a teenager I started getting into the artists you mentioned above as well as Europe, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Queen, John Farnham, George Michael, Billy Joel plus many more. Great bands and artists like these performing incredible songs with an amazing production. These days I like the way Rob Thomas writes his songs, as well as Keith Urban, the more melodic songs of Nickelback, Gavin Degraw, Harem Scarem, Vertical Horizon, Treat, Delta Rae, I could go on and on!

After three independent releases, it’s good to see you’ve partnered for the first time with a label for the release of “Better Days”, especially with a new dynamic team just like the one of Burning Minds Music Group. Are you happy of the choice done so far?

I’m very happy so far with Burning Minds Music Group. “Zorro” and everyone involved have made me feel incredibly welcome. There are some extremely talented and friendly people involved with the label and I’m excited to be a part of it.

I am particularly intrigued by the beautiful cover art, which standing on the info received from the label has been created by one of their partners, Aeglos Art. Can you tell me more about it? Is there a connection between the music of your album and the content of the cover?

Once I signed with the label I was asked what the overall theme of the album was so the cover art could be designed. I said it was about not giving up no matter how bad things may seem at the time. There can always be hope and better days may be ahead. The cover art shows a dark wall with a doorway opening up to an open landscape with a dusty road. To me it depicts the possibility of breaking free of the darkness in your life and following the path to a brighter tomorrow. I think Aeglas Art did an amazing job.

I noticed that the album it’s available almost everywhere both on digital and physical format, included the most popular online mailorder and retailers… I would say that having a good distribution today is a key point for artists to spread their music. There is also a very nice limited edition for the die hard collectors, who had the idea for this one?

Yes the album is available just about everywhere which is great! Although I was able to distribute my previous albums to most major online stores, I just didn’t have the connections that a label like Art Of Melody Music has regarding things like promotion and other distribution areas. They also have great partners that do an excellent job. It was the label’s idea for the limited edition version of the album. It’s a fantastic idea and I’m sure the collectors out there will love it!

Is there a chance for the fans to enjoy one of your live shows without having to cross the ocean?

You know, Australia isn’t really around the corner for European fans. I’m excited to say plans are being made by the label to have me play in Italy in the first half of 2019. I can’t say too much right now, but if all things go as planned I’ll be heading over to play a show soon.

Let’s talk a little about yourself. Who is Dion Bayman out of the music biz?

Like many musicians I also have a day job as unfortunately my music doesn’t pay the bills. I’m also a big football (soccer) fan and I played the game most of my life. I have great friends, wonderful family, I’m quite a private person and probably a bit of an introvert when I’m not playing music.

Many thanks Dion for your kindness in replying to all my questions, I wish you all the best with your music! Rock on!

Thank you Denis. An absolute pleasure and thank you for supporting my music!

© 2018, Denis Abello. All rights reserved.