aRABESQUE

Interview with Joop Wolters, guitarist and composer from Arabesque

How would you describe Arabesque´s music?

Joop: It is a mix of several different styles, you can hear the progressive/metal side very obvious. But there is more to it, the songs also contain a lot of pop feel and occasionally a little jazzy-touch. We try to make more songs out of it instead of a collection of licks and tricks...

How would you compare "The Union" with all your previous work?

Joop: I think it's always difficult for an artist to "compare " his music. In the early day's the music was more foccused on the instrumental harmonies and the rythm's were more complex.. Nowadays when you work with vocal lines there has to be more space to breath, vocals always are very important for the actual vibe of the song so you give them as much room as possible in this kind of music.. Just take the time to experiment and always try to use new combinations.

Have you got a record deal to release your new album?

Joop: Well, we are negociating the possibilities to come with a follow-up for The Union.. And it looks really good .We already got a lot of fresh material.......so work is in progress!!!!

What can you tell me about the demo CD "Naked"?

Joop: We recorded this demo with the previous line-up: Nicole de Serriere du Bizournet - Vocals

Frank de Groot - Bass

Thijs Cuppen - Keys

Marc van Mierlo - Drums

Joop Wolters - Guitar/backing-vocals

This demo was recorded for promotional use, just try to get a deal. All the songs are used on "The Union" with the exception of "Artificial reality" an acoustic ballad...

Why did you decide to use two female vocals for Arabesque´s music?

Joop: It was not so much an actual choise we just tried it and it worked out fine, the best combinations you get when you don't reason to much.. Before the women, we worked with a singer for about one year (Roger Stokbroeks) with him we only played live-gig's and no recordings.

How did the music of the band change with the addition of keyboards?

Joop: A lot of compositions are mellowed out by keys, and it allows you to do more harmony-stuff. What also is great with keys is that you can do really radical moodswings because they have so many sound to make use of. It brings in more depth to your composition.

How are Arabesque´s songs composed? Do you all work together or each member brings some part?

Joop: It varies, but most of the time i'll bring in the material. A lot of times i have a preconceived idea of the song and i recorded it at my home, this is a way wich works the fastest... and at times we rehearse as a band and then it's done on the spot.. The women mostly wait till the music is finnished so the have more a clue of where the song is heading to, and they can write their lyrics with the music in mind. In that way you get a total atmosphere of the song..

How did the progression from an instrumental band to a band like is Arabesque today happen?

Joop: The most important thing about this decision was that we wanted to try something different. We already (Marc, Barend and Joop) played for 6 years as an instrumental-band so we wanted to explore our possibilities

I think there are also more people who listen to vocal-music as opposed to instumental-music..

Which are the band´s main influences?

Joop: It's the combination of all the members of the band and their musical path that they walked wich determines very much the sound of Arabesque..... There are to many to name out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any final thoughts?

Hope to see you soon at a show!!!!!!!..........and Check out the website.. Grts Joop (ARABESQUE)

Interview by Federico Marongiu