Interviewed by Denys (Site Founder/Senior Staff Writer) Myglobalmind Webzine
Myglobalmind: Hey Urban thanks for taking a few minutes to chat with us here at Myglobalmind.
Urban breed: No problem. My pleasure really.
Myglobalmind: Before we get into the new album of Trail of Murder let’s give the readers not familiar with your work some background into your musical career. I have been a fan of yours since the Tad Morose days as lead vocalist there, where did you get your first start in a band?
Urban breed: Good question. However, I think tad Morose was the “real” start for me.
Myglobalmind: At what point in time did you know you wanted to be a METAL singer and how did you get into the scene?
Urban breed: I didn’t start out wanting to be a singer. I wanted to play the bass but I spoke up too late and then there was only the vocalist slot to fill. I am very happy about that in retrospect.
Myglobalmind: What is it about Swedish metal/hard rock bands that always put out great quality material? It seems from the singers that I’ve talked to from there that the genre is not necessarily main stream, but yet we have some many great bands and music come out there.
Urban breed: They are right. It isn’t. There are many an opportunity to hone your talents though so if you do feel so inclined you can go for it without having to sink too much money into it.
Myglobalmind: Tad Morose disbanded after 4 great power /melodic metal records what happened there why did the band disband? Was this your first metal band?
Urban breed: They didn’t disband. They are still going they just haven’t put out any albums. From what I hear they have one ready. I don’t know why they haven’t released it yet though. It wasn’t my first metal band but it was the first band where I got something released.
Myglobalmind: Do you have fun memories from the Tad Morose days?
Urban breed: Oh, yes absolutely. Just like from my time with Bloodbound. I have met so many wonderful people all over the world and made some good and bad experiences. Mostly good though. I guess I should consider myself lucky in that respect.
Myglobalmind: You are always involved in various projects for instance the new Project Arcadia, singing background vocals on other projects etc. The Pyramaze situation I know you had briefly talked about this and what happen there when it was first announced you were the new singer? Have they since then found a new singer? I had read late last year that they we’re recording the new record but things have been pretty slow on that end, can you fill us in? I read somewhere that you could still get involved if they could not find a replacement singer?
Urban breed: That is correct. Unfortunately I have no new information so I really have no idea what the status is right now. In case anyone is wondering, because of various external circumstances and some I set upp entirely on my own I found that I didn’t have the time to record the tracks in a timely fashion and I realized they would most likely be able to finish this much sooner with someone else.
Myglobalmind: I read somewhere else that you we’re living back here in the USA for s some time and things we’re a bit hectic for you when it came to recording etc. Is that right? Where are you living now in Sweden?
Urban breed: Now we’re talking about the external circumstances I mentioned. Like renovations of the buildings I lived in, moving to get away from it only to find that the same thing would happen again. Bad luck or poor planning… Probably both.
Myglobalmind: So the Project Arcadia from the Bulgarian band, I know you’re singing vocals there now, how is that going? Can you describe the sound for us and what we can expect and when we can expect a release date?
Urban breed: That is going really well. I have finished almost all of the tracks. They sound really good. How can I describe this? Hmm, I would say traditional heavy metal. Yeah, that probably describes it best. I like it.
Myglobalmind: The Trail of Murder record as you know we gave it a very high rating, one of the best metal albums I’ve heard all year. How did you get involved in that and we’re you happy with the outcome and feedback so far?
Urban breed: Oh, yes, thank you so much.
Well, way before I actually left Tad Morose I was talking to Daniel about taking our material and release it on our own. Undiluted, so to speak. I expected Daniel to come right with me when I left. This didn’t happen but I kept my material waiting for the right time. Eventually Daniel did leave Tad Morose too and we finally began working in earnest on the songs and when most of them were done we brought in Pelle. That is how I got to be involved. I am more than happy with the outcome. It is the best thing I have ever had the pleasure of having a part in making and the reception is more than a little in favor.
Myglobalmind: What’s your vocal approach like when recording new music, specifically here on “Shades of Art”?
Urban breed: I just try to be as honest as possible and sing what I feel after I’ve put myself in the “mindset of the song”. Then when it comes down to the final touches, at least for this album, I weighed in Pelle’s and Daniel’s wishes too. So the title track, for instance, has me singing it slightly more aggressively than I personally wanted it. I wanted to sing it just like I sang the last chorus.
Myglobalmind: Do you have any personal favorite’s songs off “Shades of Art? I like the groove crunch in “I Know Shadows” excellent number.
Urban breed: Oh, I do. I actually listen to this album much like I would listen to any album by my favorite artists. Early favorites were ‘Shades of Art’ and ‘Higher’ but these days it is ‘Your Silence’.
Myglobalmind: Is there a chance that we can look forward to more music from Trail of Murder project in the future?
Urban breed: Yes, absolutely. We are already working on the follow up. …and it is not a project anymore. As soon as we had the album mixed and mastered we formed a proper band.
Myglobalmind: For readers that may have not heard “Shades of Art”, how would you describe the record to them?
Urban breed: It is classy metal with a bit of grime.
Myglobalmind: I know you play different instruments apart from being a tremendous vocalist. What other instruments do you play?
Urban breed: I play the bass and keyboards but I will muck about with any instrument I can get my hands on. Just last week I recorded a piece using an Alto-, a Tenor- and a Soprano-recorder
Myglobalmind: There is a myth behind your name, or at least I think there is. What’s the story behind your name, is it a real name or a stage name?
Urban breed: It is my given name… but feel free to make something up. I enjoy hearing what all people come up with.
Myglobalmind: What kind of music did you listen to growing up that influence you as a vocalist?p with.
Urban breed: That would be Jethro tull, Iron Maiden, Diamond Head and Queensrÿche I think. Later on that changed and that changed my approach to my vocals quite a bit I would say.
Myglobalmind: How do you keep your voice in top notch shape?
Urban breed: I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I make sure my voice has time to rest in between sessions. I really should sleep better though.
Myglobalmind: Do you have a favorite metal record of all time?
Urban breed: That’s a tough one and I’m not sure I can pick just one but ‘Rage for Order’ is a contender.
Myglobalmind: What’s the best live band you have ever seen in person?
Urban breed: Equally hard. So many factors. Entertainment value, execution, intensity, ability to emote. OK, that settles it. Marillion.
Myglobalmind: The final words are all yours Urban. Thanks for taking the time and ROCK ON!!!
Urban breed: I’ll start by saying thank you for taking the time to check out his interview and here’s my message: Question everything and then make up your own mind.
Webzine Review for Trail of Murder – Shades of Art
https://myglobalmind.com/2012/11/06/trail-of-murder-shades-of-art-review/
https://www.facebook.com/TrailOfMvrder
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