On the second issue of Music Extreme we talked to guitarist extraordinaire Jeffrey Ryan Smoots, a man with different projects and bands. Inner Resonance is a progressive band where Jeffrey, along with three other superb musicians express their musical thoughts. We talked top Peter Oruillan, vocalist from the band and a vital part of it.

Are the songs in Inner Resonance composed differently than on Jeff solo projects? Do you compose together?

The primary difference is that in the Inner Resonance music, I write all the
vocal melodies and lyrics. I do a small portion of the keyboard work, as well.
Jeff's solo work is unique in that he typically does all the instrumentation
and vocals himself. When we write IR songs, we collaborate. I involve myself in construction and arrangement of the music, suggesting what I call emotional and flow changes in addition to simple transitions and component part lengths. And Jeff gives me feedback on my vocal work. Neither of us is a despot. We try to think of the song first.



Have the four members learned music or are they self taught?

I trained with acclaimed vocal teacher, David Kyle--the man who taught Geoff
Tate, Lane Staley, and Ann and Nancy Wilson, among others. I've taken some
formalized piano instruction, but not much. Jeff has had some formal education
in music, but Jeff is a capable independent student of music. Brian is largely
self-taught on bass, but has a strong grasp of music theory. Moyer is likewise
mostly self-taught. In his case, he started by emulating nothing but the very
best drummers on the planet. With them as a bench mark, even approaching their
ability put him miles ahead of the pack.




Has the band been influenced by jazz and latin music as well as rock and
metal?

Moyer has the most extensive jazz and latin background. The other guys can and
do play it a little. I have virtually none. However, our musical roots are
diverse, including classical, musical theater, contemporary, etc. Rock, and
progressive metal in particular, rule our CD racks though.

How did the band first got together?
Jeff and I met in the Fall of 1997. At the time Inner Resonance was just Jeff
and a second guitarist. I auditioned and got the gig to do Solar Voices. The
other guitarist quit and Jeff and I finished SV on our own. When it was
complete, we put out ads for players. Three months later we got Brian. About
ten months after that, we got Moyer. We're currently rehearsing to do live
shows, and are close to completion on our second CD.



What can you tell me about "The Dark Comedy" the second album? How would
you compare it to "Solar Voices"? I don't want to reveal the storyline to TDC just yet. It's not an international trade secret, but the concept is unique and I want it to hit the trade presses
and reviewers without any preconceptions. I can tell you that it is much darker
than SV and a great deal more technical in the instrumentation. There's also a
somewhat heavier vibe to it--Jeff has been playing seven string guitar since SV
was released.



How is the novel that you are finishing to release along the album?
The novel is coming along fine. I have two books close to contract with New
York publishers right now. Through my professional associations, we contracted
an award-winning fantasy artist to do the cover for TDC, and we already have it
in hand. The book will flesh out the story that is expressed in the lyrics of
the album to a fuller extent than can be achieved on the CD alone. I've gotten
great feedback from professional writers on the synopsis for the book, so we're
hopeful that the CD will find a wider audience as a result of the book.



How has Moyer Smith´s technique on drums changed the music of the band?

Moyer is not only a technically gifted drummer, but he is immensely creative in
his writing. Listeners will hear a vast difference from the first album because
the drums on TDC will be live, but also because Moyer is a hard-hitting
craftsman on his kit, and instills the music with both force and musicality.



Now that the line up of the band is completed with a new drummer...Do you
have plans of starting a tour when you release the new album?
We do want to tour. We're currently sending out the first round of an EP we
recorded of 3 of the SV songs featuring Brian and Moyer. We're hoping to
interest a label that might give us a recording budget and offer some tour
support. Whatever happens, we will be doing regional shows this spring in the
Pacific Northwest.



How is it to be trained by David Kyle?
David is a wonderful man. His instruction runs past mere vocal training to
certain absolutes that can improve the way a person lives. He has an accute ear
and is the height of inspiration. When you leave a session with him, you feel
as though there is nothing you cannot do. I call him my own personal Yoda.



I know that Jeffrey is involved in other projects different than Inner
Resonance, what about the other members of the band?
I'm currently shaping some ideas of my own for some individual projects. Brian
isn't currently doing more than IR. But Moyer is close to getting some session
work on albums emerging from select members of very successful Puget Sound
acts. It would be indiscreet to name them yet, because he hasn't been given the
green light. But it looks sure that he'll be creating an even larger name for
himself very soon.



Is there anything more that you want to say?
We're thankful to those who have supported IR thus far. We will be changing the
band name soon, so watch for that. And be sure to watch for The Dark Comedy. I
think people are going to be very surprised when they hear this album.

Interviewed by Federico Marongiu

The Dark Comedy - CD (2001)

Peter Orullian - vocals

Jeffrey Ryan Smoots - guitars

Moyer Smith - drums

Brian Mathiason - bass