The latest edition of Prog magazine (#158) hit store shelves last week, and the issue includes a feature on Alex Lifeson's Envy of None project with Andy Curran, guitarist Alfio Annibalini and vocalist Maiah Wynne. Both Alex Lifeson and Andy Curran are interviewed for the article, where they discuss the project's evolution and their process behind the making of their sophomore album Stygian Wavz, due out later this month. Here's Alex on his approach to playing on the album:
... "I didn't want it to be too Alex Lifeson-like," he says. "I had a lot of fun because solos, for me, have never been this flashy thing and trying to be a show-off. Solos are an integral part of the song that bring home a point to the song, and I like to think the solos that I do connect very closely with what the one is about. It's one more part of the main body of the song and it doesn't stand out as this singular moment. I want it to feel that it's in service to the song." That decision and process stems from wanting to give vocalist Maiah Wynne space to showcase her voice. "I am challenging myself," he says. "I have to be more delicate at times, and I have to step back and acknowledge and celebrate the amazing vocalist that's in this band." ...
Alex also touches on the prospects of Envy of None performing some live shows:
... "We would love to play live," Lifeson replies. "It would really be a great show with the right lighting and adding some musicians for a live presentation. Playing these songs live with Maiah as the focus with the production and the sound quality that we could achieve would be really fabulous." But caveats apply. "Everybody is busy, everybody's got stuff and it's definitely difficult for me to plan something like that. I wouldn't write the idea off and it's a possibility if all things can align." So, while live gigs are a possibility at best, one thing that can be counted on is another album. Right? "Oh, I think we have a few ideas left over from the last one," says Lifeson with a broad grin, his eyes sparkling once more.
Envy of None's Stygian Wavz will release later this month on March 28th and you can pre-order it here. Prog #158 also includes a feature on guitarist Chris Herin of Detroit-based prog rockers Tiles, who released his debut solo album Hiding In Plain Sight back in November, and one of the guest musicians on the album is Rush's Alex Lifeson.
... [Alex] plays on a song called Second Ending, and it's a very moody and atmospheric-type piece. I'm sure all us Rush fans know that Alex has moved away from a lot of soloing and does like to work with the different textures. In fact, you probably wouldn't know it was him unless you were told. It's not a lot of flashy rhythm guitar playing or soloing. We would get multiple takes from ever yone and it was so much fun listening to how Alex came up with those textures and how they interlocked. I'd almost like to do an alternate mix of it, where it's all stripped back, and let Alex's art carry the arrangement. I think people would really be interested in hearing that. ...
There's also a short review of Stygian Wavz in the issue along with a review of Rush's upcoming Rush 50 compilation box set. Thanks to RushFanForever for the transcriptions.
