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That is such a vast topic, it is difficult to
answer. I’ve been involved in classical music,
ancient western music, traditional South-East Asia
ritual music, pop, rock, R&B, electronica, hard
rock, AOR, heavy metal, and of course prog. A lot of
this stuff has influenced the music of "The Mystic
Technocracy" of course, but in Season 1 it seems
that three main directions have taken priority. Prog
rock and prog metal were a major influence,
especially bands like Yes, ELP and early Dream
Theater. Melodic rock and AOR had a huge impact on
my approach to melody and vocal harmonies,
especially more complex bands like Asia and Journey.
There are also more eclectic influences like David
Bowie, JM Jarre, Duran Duran, The Rockets, and
classical music. My music has sometimes been
described as not very prog, or not complex enough,
but under the melody hooks, it’s all there. This
album has all kinds of intellectual constructions.
There is 19th century thematic development, medieval
hoquetus techniques, odd meters, non-triadic
harmonies, atonal sections, telescopic writing
techniques, complex multi-movement suites, hidden
classical excerpts and much more. You just have to
look for it.
I already reached my main objective, which was
to finally, after many years of struggling,
release The Mystic Technocracy’s first
instalment. The feedback that resulted from the
album release far exceed my initial
expectations, so I am a happy guy this year. The
next objectives will be to continue developing
the project, both musically and visually,
eventually branching off into other medias as
well. I would also like to start writing for
other artists and I enjoy playing as a guest on
other projects on occasion.
Docker's
Guild - The Mystic Technocracy: Season 1 - The
Age Of Ignorance
I signed with Lion Music on Christmas Eve 2011,
and Docker’s Guild’s debut album, The Mystic
Technocracy Season 1 came out on June 15, the
day before my birthday! I could not have hoped
for a better year. The reviews have been
unanimously enthusiastic and I’m hoping this
will translate into some sales so that I can
keep developing the project and bring it to its
proper conclusion. I am very thankful to Lion
Music for their support and hard work, and I
hope that we’ll be able to work together on the
second album when the time comes.
Yes, I guested on an upcoming and very talented
Italian prog metal band called Rustfield. I am
featured on keyboards on 4 songs I believe, along
with John Macaluso on drums. The album is finished
and they are looking for a label.
The equipment I used for Season 1 is surprisingly
simple. It is amazing these days how much you can do
with very little. An iMac with Internet ADSL
connection, Logic 7 with its collection of virtual
synths and samplers, a few plug-ins, especially
Arturia V-Collection, which was used prominently
everywhere, and a virtual Mellotron. I also have
some hardware synths, especially a vintage Roland
JX-3P, which was used a bit everywhere, a Korg
Trinity and a Roland Super JV. I also have a
wonderful Yamaha CS-15, but I didn’t use it on
Season 1. Maybe next time! The Planet of Freedom
Studio is just a small preproduction studio, but
it’s more than enough to record all keyboards,
synths, vocals and single acoustic instruments. The
rest was done through the Internet in various
studios around the world. I guess I should mention
my wonderful Bluthner grand piano, which my
grandparents bought for me when I started classical
piano as a kid. It is a unique instrument which uses
the so called Aliquot system. Instead of having the
usual 3 strings in the upper range, it has four, the
last one resonating freely with no damper. It gives
a unique sound that no other piano has. I used the
grand piano on Norse Cosmogony 1 and in Purple Orb.
Thanks to all the fans for the support. Stay tuned
for more material coming out soon. The short film
for Darwin’s Tears should be ready next month,
followed by yet untitled album 2 next year
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