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Interview Peter Fallowell (Multifuse) “The music was always there in the back of my mind” (November 2010, text by Henri Strik, edited by Peter Willemsen, live pictures by Bo Hansen) Recently I discovered the musical project Multifuse which is the brainchild of Peter Fallowell, an Englishman living in France. In 2008 this multi-instrumentalist recorded -together with singer Cherie Emmitt and bass player Tom Allen - the fantastic debut album Journey To The Nesting Place. However, until now it never got the attention it deserved. Therefore Background Magazine invited Peter Fallowell to tell us a bit more about his project Multifuse.
I guess Crooked Cat Music is your own label. Can you tell me why you started it? “I want artistic freedom in order to express myself honestly. That's why I set up the label like a lot of artists did before me.”
Why do we have to regard the album as a 'modern symphony'? Do you have to listen to it as a whole? “I would like to tell it as a musical story, like a symphony and although you can listen to the tracks individually it makes more sense to listen from the beginning to the end. I don't like to just write ten songs and then assemble them in an album, but who knows? Maybe, I could do that in the future.”On the cover we see a man walking in a wood, but it looks as if he doesn't belong in the picture. “That's just the point! We are all looking for somewhere we can fit in and be comfortable with ourselves. Most people sit at the same place when they are at the dining table in their home.”I see, but does this rather strange cover have a meaning? “Yes, it's a picture of a man's body with a baby's head to represent the fact hat we all are children. Adults are just children with more experience!”
Did you already perform the album on a live stage and which musicians do you work with during live performances? “We have now performed live three times, twice here in Lorgues and recently at The Summers End Festival in Lydney. Playing live obviously differs from the studio, but with the help of our 'Live Multifusians', I think it went down very well. To help us live we have Ben Nash from the U.K. on guitar. He never stops trying to improve his playing even when we say it's good! On keyboards we have Alain Castel from La Londe near Lorgues in France. He has played in many bands and is very experienced with synths and live playing. The other keyboard player is Jean-Marie Groud who has played mainly classical music and thus is a good partner for Alain. He lives in Paris and has a flat in Epernay. We used a local choir on a few tracks for the first Lorgues gig. It was impossible for the others to join because of travel and costs involved! On backing vocals we have used the services of Manuel Destanque, Violette d'Ambra and Emma Tucker who helped to create the harmony 'block' that I like.”Lately you played at the latest Summer's End Festival in England. How did the audience react to you music? “We were surprised at the wonderful applause we received from the audience and although this was our first UK-gig some already knew about us from the internet and friends. We loved every minute of it and hope to arrange a tour, so we can develop our live performances and make new friends.” | ||||||||||
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How was the response from the press and the public about your debut album? I myself discovered it two years after its release through a Russian friend! “Well, very positive indeed, especially as we are new and it can take some time to appreciate unknown material. It's very interesting and sometimes surprising to read the artists with whom we have been compared.”I think you already started to work on a follow-up album. When will it be released and does it have a concept as well? “I hope to have it released by next summer and it's about the things that make us very sad but also happy in our lives. I like extremes, you know! The album has the working title of 'HOO' which I will explain later...”
Would you please give some web information for people who want to know more about Multifuse? “At the moment people can find out more by looking on www.crookedcatmusic.com and www.myspace.com/multifuse.”Peter thank you for answering my questions and good luck with your music. “It's a pleasure, thank you.”More info about Multifuse on the Internet: - website Multifuse (with samples) - Peter Fallowell on the Power Of prog - review 'Journey To The Nesting Place' - Crooked Cat Music |
