John Wenlock-Smith: This latest album. ‘A Longing For Home’, completes a trilogy of albums, explain the themes behind these for me again please, if you will.
Nick Fletcher: The three albums are kind of all linked together thematically, all to do with the connection I can see between Science,Religion & Spirituality. I just think all these things, rather than being in opposition to each other, are in fact closely interwoven and the albums explore that connection and how they relate to that in our own lives and experiences. The albums explore that theme and how that relates to us each as an individual.
JWS: this album is fully instrumental, apart from the last track, why is that?
NF: I came to a point whilst making the last album where I realised that my strengths do not lie in songwriting, they lie in composing music. I’m not good at writing lyrics to express what I am feeling. The songwriting format is not one I’m comfortable with and the melodies I write are quite difficult for a singer to get to grips with and for them to do the songs justice.
On this latest recording, the last track has what appears to be a simple melody but it isn’t really, it has a big range and called for a specific type of singer, so it needed a specific voice who could bring the melody alive.
So, to that end, I sought assistance from a good friend of mine; Dikajee (her real name is Olga Karpova) who, as well a being a great prog singer, also is a trained opera singer. I think it felt that she was able to bring to life fully what I had envisaged.
JWS: Tell me about you writing process please Nick?
NF: It’s interesting that you say that! I guess that, compared to how many folks write these days, my way of writing could be deemed ‘Old School’, in that I hear the music in my head, develop it on my guitar (unplugged) and then I score it out. However, I don’t make any demo’s at all. So, when it comes to making the album, it means it can be difficult to convey what I hear to the musicians who I am working with.
Often Caroline Bonnet (my co- producer) looks at me oddly when i’m trying to explain things to her. It calls for an element of trust as she is used to hearing a demo version and working upwards from that. Whereas I hear it all in my head, so she has to trust my vision really. It’s one that requires zero technology, I never plug the guitar in a, if it works unplugged, I know it will work when it’s recorded. I try to avoid searching for the sound, I see sounds as colours and I don’t want that interrupted or overshadowed by sound.
I’m also a classical musician and that approach is tied in with that as well.
JWS: The artwork for the album is also very interesting!
NF: Yes, if you look at the cover and the inside CD tray, you will find there is a message hidden within and that connects the whole album together. It’s possibly a little cryptic but it is there if you look for it.
JWS: I’ve heard the album but the download I received wasn’t in the correct sequence so, whilst listening the other day, I had to keep flipping back to the track listing and then play the next track which meant the album didn’t flow continuously and in sequence meaning it was hard to fully grasp. When I get the album for myself then I can listen fully and without interruption and thus get the full picture clearly.
JWS: Do you hope to be able to play the album live at all?
NF: I would love to, it’s a dream that I’d love to be able to bring to reality. However, it’s not easily achievable due to finance and also logistical issues,plus most of the band on this album are based in Europe, which further complicates matters. So do schedules and timing, if it becomes feasible or possible then I’ll try to make the dream come true for certain.
One of the reasons for using a different band for this album was to reinforce the concept of music as being universal and a force to bring us closer together. There is more that unites us as opposed to separates us and I see music as a critical part of that path. It’s an important statement really.
JWS: So what’s happening with regard to the John Hackett Band?
NF: Well, next year marks the 50th anniversary of Steve Hackett’s ‘Voyage Of The Acolyte’, an album which John played a major part in both the writing and the recording of. So, next year, we are doing a number of songs from that album along with new songs from the forthcoming John Hackett Band album, which is nearly completed and will be entitled ‘Red Institution’. Although no release date has been set as yet but hopefully it’s not to far off now.
I’m also going to continue with some classical guitar shows again, along with continuing to write music for another album which will be a standalone album. However it will be another one with a conceptual narrative as I like having a concept to work with.
JWS: Do you have a favourite track from the three albums ?
NF: That’s a question I’ve never been asked before! Obviously I like them all but, possibly, the track Her Eyes Of Azure Blue from the new album ‘A Longing For Home’, as it calls for me to play in a different style, whereas normally I’m flying around the fretboard, doing pyrotechnics. Here it’s needs me to play in a more structured manner, which is different for me, I guess how I feel will change from day to day but today it’s that one.
I hope that helps!
JWS: Yes it certainly does. Well, Nick, that’s my questions, thank you for your time and the informative answers, I really appreciate it. I look forward to seeing you in November in Reading.
‘A Longing For Home’ is out now, order direct from Nick here:
https://www.nickfletcherguitarmusic.com/product-page/nick-fletcher-a-longing-for-home-cd