www.cyclonerecords.ca
www.myspace.com/cyclonerecordsca
www.stevenegus.com
www.myspace.com/stevenegusmusic
www.myspace.com/stevenegus
www.sagaontour.ca
www.myspace.com/sagaca
Steve: Thanks, Tina. It has been a long time coming, but it is finally finished.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 2. How are your Saga fans and new fans responding to Dare to Dream?
Steve: The initial response has been fabulous. I think the fans are surprised that the drumming is not the main focus for my solo CD. I played most of the keyboards on it and acoustic 12 string and classical guitar as well. I have a great writing partner and singer, Al Langlade.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 3. Can you elaborate on how "Dare to Dream's" production involved networking through the Internet?
Steve: Sure. Al lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario which is about a thousand miles from me. I would send him music over the net, and he would record the vocals and then send them back to me. I could then drop the vocals into my mix. We did the whole CD like that.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 4. Do you find the internet and effective means of marketing and distributing your music?
Steve: I think the internet is the new way of thinking for marketing and distribution. The writing is on the wall for retail outlets of CDs. Eventually, there will be no hardware, all music will be downloaded, along with liner notes and pictures. The face of record labels is already changing to reflect that. I think the internet marketing will continue to grow as bands and labels reinvent themselves to suit the new way of thinking.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 5. What were your influences or inspirations when you first started to learn the drums?
Steve: I was interested in drums from about the age of 9 or 10. I was pounding away on the furniture to early 60's rock and roll and then the Beatles happened and the whole world changed. I was lucky. I saw the Beatles play in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1964. That definitely changed my life. I had my first drum kit at 12 and my first band at 13. I wanted to take lessons at school, but everyone wanted to be a drummer, so they were going to make me play saxophone. I didn't have any interest in that, so I didn't take music. I taught myself by playing along with records...45's back then.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 6. Did you have any idols or anyone famous that were your influences as a child first learning the drums?
Steve: One of the first albums I had was Dave Brubeck, "Time Further out". There is a track called "Far more Drums" that is still one of the best drum solos I have ever heard. Around 1971 I heard a band called "Tower of Power" and the drummer, Dave Garibaldi changed my life again. I had to play that music. I would say that he is probably the single most influential player for me. I still love what he does.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 7. How has your music styles changed since you first began playing, and producing?
Steve: I would say my style is more about groove than anything else. I really don't consider myself a typical prog rock drummer, although there are elements of that music that I draw upon. I guess I am a bit old school in the sense that I still think the song is the most important thing and I usually look for the simplest approach to the drum grooves, picking my moments to add something different or innovative. My solo CD is really about the songs and I had the chance to play keyboards and acoustic guitar as well. "As I Am" is a perfect example of the simplicity. There are no drum fills in that song at all because I felt the song didn't call for it.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 8. What genre of music do you consider “Dare to Dream” to be and how does your new music format differ from your previous band Saga?
Steve: "Dare to Dream" is a very special song for me. I had those chords floating around for quite a long time and even presented them to Saga but they weren't interested. I sent them to Al over the net and he sent them back to me with those lyrics and melodies. I was floored! That was really the moment I realized that Al and I would make the "Dare to Dream" CD. It has also become a theme for me as well. My band is affectionately known as the "Dare to Dream team". I don't think my music fits in any particular category. I think it is just a culmination of all the music I have played over the years. I lost interest in what Saga was doing and it was time to move on. "Dare to Dream" put the joy back into making music for me.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 9. What inspired you to use the title "Dare to Dream" and what does that mean to you?
Steve: I have been making music all my life. It is what I truly love to do. We all have dreams, and not all of us get to realize them. For me, this CD more than any other that I've recorded over the years is the realization of my vision (along with Al), and I think that the theme is universal. We all need to "Dare to Dream"!! I can't really think of any other way to say it. Al was the one who came up with those lyrics and it captures the spirit with which we make music together.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 10. Can you explain how “Dare To Dream” means taking control of your destiny?
Steve: I think that it would have been easy to keep playing with Saga but I have dreams of something more than that. It was a big decision to leave Saga after 26 years, but I had always said, that when it is no longer fun, it is time to move on. It reached that point for me, and I felt there was something missing. I think that it was the right time to "test the waters" with my own approach and my own music. That is what "Dare to Dream" is to me.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 11. What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs in “Dare to Dream”? Will these topics change over time in the future?
Steve: Al is the real lyricist, and he wrote almost all of the lyrics. I would say, Al draws mainly from human experiences, not necessarily personal experiences.
I think people will get different things from the lyrics. They lend themselves to interpretation. People will ultimately decide themselves what the songs are about and what the lyrics mean to them.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 12. Do you ever write about personal experiences, inspirations, worst past issues while performed at music venues or places you travelled that relate to your songs?
Steve: I think the themes are more universal than specific to personal experience.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 13. What are some of the highlights about your new solo project such as the new band members, do you have plans to tour with “Dare to Dream”?
Steve: The loss of Mark Severn, who played most of the guitars on the CD really set me back. He died two weeks after finishing the recording. It took quite a while to get back on track. I finally found another brilliant guitar player, Kelly Kereliuk, who has taken over guitar duties with the band. We are currently looking to tour in the new year. No dates to announce yet, but they will be forthcoming. My "Dare to Dream Team" is, Ian Nielsen on bass, Kelly on guitar, Matt Whale on keys, myself and Al Langlade, singing, (also guitar and keys).
HMTV Canada - Tina: 14. What attracted you to work with Cyclone Records for your Solo Album?
Steve: I came to the realization that I can't do everything myself and Brad has a good handle on the "new way of thinking" regarding internet distribution and promotion. It doesn't matter who you work with...if they don't believe in what you do, then nothing great will happen. Brad understands what this whole Negus thing is about and I am confident that he will do a good job.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 15. Steve can you tell us about your Engineering qualities "The Blue Room Studio""? I like the video that says I rest my case on your main website at: http://www.stevenegus.com/studio.html can you tell us briefly what’s involved with The Blue Room Studio Recording Environment?
Steve: I have been engineering for years and have had many studios. I got interested mainly because I couldn't find engineers capable of capturing my drum sound. I have always had the drive to teach myself things, and this is another thing that interests me. The other reason, obviously is that a studio is a primary tool in writing music, especially with the continued popularity of the personal computer. I have two studios, one for tracking and one for mixing and mastering. I engineered and mixed "Dare to Dream" in my own studios and basically built the studios around my own project. Now I'm working with other artists as well to help them realize their own vision and dreams. I think drums is one of the hardest things to get right in a recording and that happens to be my specialty.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 16. Steve what compelled you to leave Saga after being with them for over 26 years? Was this a difficult choice and how have the fans responded to the change?
Steve: I really lost interest. It just seemed to me to be more of the same. I wasn't involved in the writing, and I don't think the band wanted me to be. What they really wanted was a side man and that is now what they have and they are happy. I must admit, that I am much happier as well, so we all win. The journey is the important thing, and my journey has taken a different path. I am delighted to play with my new band...everything is fresh again.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 17. Can you tell us briefly how did you first get into the band Saga and do you still continue to collaborate with them today for concerts?
Steve: Three of the members of Saga including myself came from another Canadian band, Fludd. The guitar player, Brian Pilling was suffering from leukemia and the band had to fold. Saga, originally called Pockets came out of that. I would say that my relationship with the other Saga members is a bit strained at the moment. I don't speak to them on any sort of regular basis, and I certainly do not collaborate with them musically. They weren't interested in my ideas when I was in the band, I don't expect that to be any different now. I had a lot of good years with Saga, but that part of my life is now finished and I have turned to a new page. There is no going back. Only forward.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 18. Do you have any interesting stories from your days in Saga that you would like to relate?
Steve: There are many interesting stories in my saga of Saga, but I think at this point I am much more interested in exploring what the new band has to offer.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 19. Rumour has it that Michael Sadler the lead singer for Saga has quit the band. What were Michael Sadler reasons for leaving Saga and will they seek a new lead singer for the band?
Steve: Michael played his last show last weekend I believe. This year was the thirtieth anniversary. Time to move on for him as well.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 20. What other music projects or bands have you collaborated with in the past?
Steve: Well lets see...I have recorded 5 other projects this year, mixed several others and mastered several others as well. I am constantly making music in one aspect or another. I recorded "The Getaway" CD with Chris de Burgh, "Waving not Drowning" with Rupert Hine. "One Size fits All" with the Nylons, and the list goes on.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 21. What has been your biggest challenge in your music career and how did you overcome this challenge?
Steve: I think the biggest challenge lies ahead and that is to bring my new music to the people in an industry that is in a state of flux and re-inventing itself. I'm not eighteen any more with tight jeans and a fancy haircut but I have a vision and I want to realize that, not just for myself, but for Al and my new bandmates. I am starting all over again, and time will tell what the outcome will be.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 22. How has the Music Industry has changed in Canada since you first began playing in bands back in the 70's.
Steve: The Canadian scene is in a sad state at the moment. There are very few places to play and most Canadian musicians have been reduced to making music a "hobby" as opposed to a career. I think there are a lot of very talented young artists out there looking for ways to get the music to the people. These are different times...I played almost every night in clubs when I was young. That avenue doesn't exist any more. That is why the net and MySpace and YouTube and iTunes etc. are the new way of thinking.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 23. Steve do you have any advice for musicians wanting to form their own bands today that are breaking into the music industry in Canada?
Steve: Only that you have to think outside the box. The rules have changed completely and we are all trying to figure out what comes next. The best of luck to all.
HMTV Canada - Tina: 24. Before we close our interview is there anyone that you would like to acknowledge or any last words?
Steve: Well, my wife Nicole, who is my best friend and supporter, my band, and the Saga fans who have continued to support me with "Dare to Dream".
HMTV Canada - Tina: Thank you Steve for taking the time to complete Hollywood Music TV Canada's Online Ezine Interview. You Rock
Steve: My pleasure!
