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Paul Danial
Interviewed by Dhalif Ali
This Christmas, Pure Rock brings to you an interview with Paul 'Overlord' Danial.
PR: How did the name 'Overlord' come about?
Paul: Overlord is my nickname at GuaPunya.com - when I was writing songs, they were based on my musical travels as a sessionist. Everywhere I played, I had to impress, it is like me a warrior the overlord... a musical warrior.
PR: What made you pick up guitar playing?
Paul: According to my mum, since my 1st birthday till my 6th, my birthday cake had been a guitar every year. I started playing after my 6th b'day in 1976.
PR: How long have you been playing the guitar?
Paul: About 27 years now. I play authentic country, blues, rock, funk styles.
PR: What was and still your influences?
Paul: Grew up on the late Jimi Hendrix, George Harisson and John Lennon respectively, Eric Clapton, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Uli Jon Roth, Michael and Rudolf Schenker,Mathias Jap, Ace Frehley, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen, John Fogerty, Alex Leifson. 80's Influences include Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, the late-Rhandy Rhoads, lots of Akira Takasaki, Rik Emmett, Yngwie J Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, George Lynch, Tony Macalpine, Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert and Steve Vai. 90's till present influences include John Petrucci, Jason n Troy Tiptun, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Lana Lane and I could go on forever...
PR: Any aims for what you're doing now in the near future?
Paul: Future? I'm hoping to be part of a musical market that really challenges the scene. Unfortunately, that may not be in Singapore as the scene is not supported by any unions or associations. Musically, I want to release my own solo LP too. But based on our market and scene, I decided to give out my music for free.
PR: Passssssionn babbyy passssion!
Paul: EXACTLY.
PR: Do you do only session work?
Paul: On a professional basis, yes session work for studio and live. I just sessioned for a concert in Mongolia Oct/Nov.
PR: How do you find time as a guitarist? Doing both sessioning and playing live?
Paul: I plan my studio work not to clash with my live gigs - it's all about compromising.
PR: How do you feel about the local scene now?
Paul: We have a real good pool of musical talents in general. It's sad that our TV/Radio only 'mirrors' the US/UK MTV Charts instead of playing and promoting 'local music'. We are the only country to do that. All other countries prioritize 'local talent'... Like on radio, there will be 75% air time for local acts and maybe 25% of international music. The media makes or breaks the scene.
PR: Anything new for us to look foward to? New releases or gigs?
Paul: Stomping Ground's upcoming release is killa - I heard the previews. And on April 30th '04, Dream Theater is playing at Spore Expo. \m/ IJ studios have been putting efforts into organizing gigs for rock/metal bands, do support these gigs. I'll be performing at 'Rock of Ages' on 1st Jan 2004 at Thomson CC, with a Gothic Metal line up, featuring Candice Rozario on vox, Ying on keyboards, Anis on Bass and Hakim [ex-TriRyche] on drums.
PR: Any pointers for young guitar players out there?
Paul: Stand while you practice if you want to be a performer. Be versatile by playing as many styles of music as possible. and never stop learning, cause guitar playing is always evolving.
PR: That's the end of this interview. Thanks Alot Paul!
Paul: Your most welcome. |
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