a day in the life

No question is too weird for "Ask Arjen Anything"

The second installment of “Ask Arjen Anything” (AAA) is ready for your reading enjoyment. Arjen’s answers are preceded by ” == ”

Ask Arjen Anything II: Questions and Answers

On the previous Ask Arjen you mentioned mail you get from fans, have you had a lot more after the release of 01?

== Oh yes, above expectations. Also from a lot of people who knew I’d been going through a depression during the writing process, very heart warming and it helped me a lot.

In interviews about zero-one, Arjen has more than once talked about the digitalisation of the world. The increasing dependency on technology. Does he think the machines will take over on us like in the Terminator movies?

== Not literally. But yes, people have and will become very dependant on technology. I’m not saying that it’s necessarily a bad thing, though. As long as you can control it.

What question that journalists ask you, are you most tired of answering?

== The infamous ‘will you play live’ question, and especially if people don’t understand why it would be virtually impossible. ‘How tall are you’ is a close second, haha!

How do you react to reviews written by arrogant journalists, who care more about being witty rather than listen to the album?

== I always respond and send them a mail. Everybody has the right to their opinion of course, but I can’t stand inaccuracies or half truths. Usually they are shocked when they get my mail! It’s a bit scary – on the internet any bozo can write a review and call himself a journalist these days.

I’d like to know whether he intentionally implied the short quote from The Awareness/Dreamtime in Liquid Eternity or that’s a coincidence?

== I had to look it up and I still don’t know what you mean, so I guess it’s a coincidence! I did use a line from Electric Castle in Liquid Eternity though, ‘courses through our veins’. Or maybe you meant a musical quote? Hey, I steal from myself all the time, even without realizing it

I still haven’t figured out what happens to all those dead peeps (humans) despite listening to “The Sixth Extinction” for the twentieth time. Really, I’m scratching my head over this.

== Radioactive Grave would suggest a nuclear holocaust. I’m sure it would be a combination of all horrors imaginable; we are very resourceful in ways of killing ourselves. Mac Donalds anyone?

Since the Forever spawned the human kind and made it unnaturally
evolve and the aliens in 2001 did the same (excluding the spawning
thing) trough the monolith, do you see any relations between the
Ayreon mythology and 2001 – A Space Odyssey?

== It’s still unclear to me what the significance of the monolith was exactly. I’m guessing it may be unclear to Mr C Clarke himself as well! It was a bit of a shame that they were trying to give answers in 2010, although it was not a bad movie. But yeah, that story definitely inspired me. I like the open ending, it leaves you with a lot of questions.

Reincarnation plays a big role in TDS. Does Arjen actually believe in reincarnation, or was it just incorporated into the story because he found it an interesting concept?

== I have thought about reincarnation and I always wonder where all the new souls come from if you start out with just one or just a few. That’s how I came up with the ‘like a cell dividing’ line. My stories are in no way reflections of what I truly think, though.

My brother is curious if we’ll ever learn more about the woman
on the kitchen floor in 2084.

== She could very well be the female scientist who’s working on the Time Telepathy experiment in the track E=MC2?

Will ITEC ever be explained?

== Oops, I thought I did…I must have been more cryptic than I thought! But seriously, which part is unclear to you?

What happens in the end of The Human Equation?

== The Forever Race play the Human Equation program in the Dream Sequencer in order to learn more about human emotions.

Arjen has stated before that Me was nothing more than a
computer program designed so that one of the Forever could relive
his/her/its emotions. What would have happened to that Forever if he
hadn’t resolved Me’s dilemma? Would he have stayed in the dream
sequencer induced coma, perhaps forever (pun unintended but still
appreciated).

== The Human Equation program wasn’t designed especially for Forever; it was (will be?) just one of the many Dream Sequencer programs designed for recreation. And this event was just of the many experiments they did, like the Electric Castle experiment. I had a strange dream last night by the way…

In “wife’s” opinion, is “best friend” a better lover than “me”?

== Wow…you took the ‘ask Arjen ANYTHING’ thing quite serious, didn’t you? I guess that answering that question will get me into serious trouble with James Labrie. Ask Marcela?

Is Mr. L and Hippie the same person? I’ve only seen speculation, excuse me if the answer is somewhere.

== Following the ‘reincarnation theory’, yes. Basically all the characters in the Dream Sequencer songs are reincarnations of the same person, including Ayreon and the little boy (yes, I was little once) watching the moon landing.

Whats the source of your inspiration to do this sort of complex and the most complete music i’ve ever heard?

== Thanks for the compliment! Just wanting to create the music I would like to listen to myself. So the source is the love for music itself.

When you came out an idea to your mind you tried to be spontaneous or you have some structures or patterns that you follow? (as far as i concern i dont believe so but i have to ask )

== I try not to follow any structures or patterns and let songs and ideas come to me as spontaneously as possible. However through the years I have of course developed some ways of working. As it becomes harder each time to be original I try to find different ways of working with each album. Right now I’m recording ideas as I get them.

What do you think about your music being played in rock clubs? (I’ve been dj a couple of times and played “Loser” and “E=MC2″ and they’ve both had good responses) Do you find that taking one song from an entire concept album makes it lose the meaning at all?

== The music is still the most important thing for me, the lyrics add an extra dimension. I guess that in a rock club no one is listening to lyrics, so I say it’s cool! I do have some problems with the idea of releasing a ‘best of’ compilation album of Ayreon, though. So far I have resisted that. I would have to find a good way where it makes some sense.

Of all the Ayreonalbums, is there any song/lyric/riff/solo/etc that you have (to late) found out didn’t work as good as you had planned? If so, give example.

== Oh yes. But I could be mentioning someone’s favourite song or part, so I wouldn’t dare!

Would you ever want to see a theatrical stage performance of any of your albums?

== Yes of course, that would be very cool indeed. I know nothing about the theatre myself though.

I would like to know whatever happened to the plans to make a movie or would Arjen ever put the Ayreon story to paper?

== Making a movie would cost many millions, especially my ‘bigger-than-life’ stories. And again, I know nothing about the movie world. A producer would have to come up with the money and a director would have to be interested in directing it.
Personally I don’t think my stories are strong enough for a book, I guess they wouldn’t stand up on their own without the accompanying music or images. But then I don’t read books myself. So it’s yet another thing I know nothing about!

Are there any comparisons with any of your projects to bands that you don’t understand? Like, Ayreon being compared to the Spice Girls or anything ridiculous like that?

== It sometimes annoys me that as soon as people can understand lyrics they write them off as cheesy. Also when movies like Indiana Jones, Star Wars or Lord of the Rings are released, people all rush to the cinemas to see them, but if you incorporate sci-fi or fantasy in music it’s considered “not done” or “retro”. As for musical references, I use many different styles in Ayreon so there are many comparisons possible! But Spice Girls? Hmm…

When is it time for Mariusz Duda (Riverside) to enter the Electric Castle.
On of my three favorite vocalists. (Daniel Gildenlöw you have already used and Maynard Keenan would probably never happen).

== Great band and a very emotional singer indeed. I do however have a slight problem with certain foreign accents, I’m quite picky about that. Maynard Keenan is welcome though, unique singer!

Are you familiar with Ann-Mari Edvardsen (former singer of The 3rd and the Mortal)?

== No, sorry. I do know former 3rd and the Mortal singer Kari Rueslatten and I love her work and voice. We briefly exchanged some emails in the past.

If so, will you consider her a possible singer for the new project? I think she’s perhaps the most underrated singer that I know. It’s been 11 years since the last The 3rd and the Mortal album (In This Room) that she was part of was released. Though, I’m aware that even though you may think that a particular singer is great, that can’t be the sole reason to pick them for the project. They have to fit in with the music and such as well.

== Thanks for the tip, I’ll check her out. But yes, the singers have to fit the music and the concept. Furthermore I’ve already got this huge wish list of singers that I would still like to work with one day.

would you like to have seth lakeman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw6dPKorOBs) on your albums one time?

== Never heard of him, sorry… I’ll check it out.

Since you’ve dealt with a pretty diverse group of artists, and Ayreon seems to attract a wide spectrum of fans, have you ever had any difficulty dealing with artists or fans because of their different beliefs/worldviews?

== Sometimes. Just the other week there was a fan who loves my music but he didn’t buy the album because it’s about evolution. As far as artists go; Daniel Gildenlow originally had a problem with the fact that it was a sci-fi story. But then I arrived at his home only to see this complete Star Wars museum in his attic, haha! There are also singers who aren’t interested in singing on Ayreon just because my albums are concept albums, despite the fact that they like the music. Also prog and metal are still dirty words for many. It’s hard for me to convince musicians outside the realm of prog and metal to guest on my albums.

Since you don’t do concerts, how are you affected by illegal music
downloads?

== The illegal downloading affects all musicians, of course. But unlike many other artists, my album sales rise with every release! I think I know why this is: it may sound corny, but over the years I’m fortunate to have built up an extremely loyal fan base who still buy my albums. Perhaps they feel that I have always done and always will do my best to deliver quality products, and they appreciate that. I’m sure it’s a lot harder for bands who are just starting out and who don’t already have a fan base or proven track record. I’m lucky that fans already have some of my albums and that they want to complete their collections. Until I start making shitty albums of course

Will you be compelled to, in the future, start producing
bands?

== No. I’ve tried, but I am way too much of an ego-maniac for that. Every band I produce would end up sounding like Ayreon!

Or do things generally seem to work out even when you work with people you don’t really see eye-to-eye with?

== It’s very important that I do see eye-to-eye with the people I work with. If not, it will often work out in the end but I won’t have such a great feeling about it afterwards. Come to think of it, it’s hard to see eye-to-eye with me, I’m way too tall!

Alice Cooper aside, who else would you like to see in an Ayreon cd?

== That list is endless, really. Preferably of course my all-time favourite musicians that I grew up listening to as a kid. As far as they are still alive…

Which singer(s) have been the easiest to work with? (probably gets asked a lot, sorry)

== I’ve worked with over a 100 singers now, and only a few of them were not so easy to work with. Which doesn’t mean that the end-result is not good.

Would you write a book with anecdotes of artists that worked with you?

== As I said I have never even read a book before; I can’t even imagine writing one! No, I don’t think so. To make it a juicy read I would have to disclose personal details, and I’m sure many artists won’t appreciate that.

Any particular moments you’d like to mention when you made contact with Tobias Sammet? :p

== Our emails were hilarious! Cursing and swearing at each other, but secretly liking each other and each other’s music

How many votes has Arjen gotten so far? And is he winning?

== Of course, I beat his sorry ass!

Which musicians/singers, if any, do you stay in contact with?

== I don’t really stay in contact with anyone really, I’m very much a recluse and not very social to say the least. From the last album I still have some contact with Jonas Renkse, Steve Lee, Hansi Kursch, Phideaux and of course most of the Dutch artists. From the Human Equation I still email with Mikael Akerfeldt, Magnus Ekwall, Mike Baker and Devon Graves. And every now and then I get a ‘howyadoingbro?’ mail from Devin Townsend  Singers like Damian and Russell have of course become good friends.

Complete this sentence: I wish I had the musical talent of…(person)

== I’m actually very happy with my own limited talent. I’m glad things are not too easy for me, I love working on my stuff until I get it right. It keeps me of the streets

What bands, if any, have you discovered recently?

== Not too many, it’s becoming harder all the time for me to really like stuff. Mostly it’s just a song here and there. I just heard the new Opeth, it’s really impressive.

What does Arjen think about using more cowbell?

== Who am I to argue with the illustrious Christopher Walken?

What is the most unusual instrument you have ever played (or used)?

== Guess that must be the didgeridoo. The flute player brought it and just because it was in the key of B we used it in Loser! Oh, and I played a peanut butter jar in Strange Hobby. Really! It’s at the beginning of Sloop John B.

And which instruments would you like to play (or use) some time (if it was possible)? (small clarification about the difference between playing and using: ‘playing yourself’ or ‘using as in having someone play it for a song you’re making’)

== A real orchestra would be cool, but very expensive. Maybe something like bagpipes or hurdy-gurdy? The problem is that they are also tuned in a certain key, so you would have to write a song based on that. I wouldn’t mind being able to play the flute like Ian Anderson either…

Is it weird writing lyrics in English when it is not your native language, and would you ever write a song with Dutch lyrics?

== I personally think Dutch is a horrible language, especially for singing! No, I think writing lyrics in English is much easier for me, and I’m so used to it. Also because I’m not a native speaker, my lyrics may be more comprehensible for non-English speaking listeners. I do need help though.

Would he re-record a known (and rearranged?) Ayreon track (as a bonus) in Dutch ?

== I actually did that when my mother turned 70, and even sang it with my brother Gjalt and the whole family! I rewrote the lyrics of Beyond the Last Horizon, because that song was about my dad. It was called Mooie Moeder; Beautiful Mom 

Do you have anyone to check your lyrics before they are published?

== Oh yes, absolutely. In the beginning an English teacher screened them. Yvette checked the lyrics for the last two albums. In fact she did more than that, she came up with some great ideas and also changed lines.

Is there a chance for a song about Firefly (the Whedon series) some time in the future?

== That would be cool, I love Firefly!

Or, maybe, a sequel to Star One?

== The first one was about movies set in space. Some time ago I had the idea to do songs about dystopia movies for an eventual follow-up. No concrete plans though.

Do you like (or know) any brazilian bands?

== I often do not even know where a band hails from, really! I’m sure I do though.

Do you really (I mean REALLY) like your voice?

== I like singing; I never said I liked my voice! It definitely needs some serious studio tricks to make it sound okay. Ever heard me sing live? Then I guess you know what I’m talking about

Have you ever considered entering the Eurovision Song Contest?

== Sure, with a 12+ minute epic featuring 12 singers and some mean guitar and synth solos! Seriously though, I don’t think I’ve ever even watched one…

If money was not an object, what would you want to do most of all musically?

== Actually, money is not an object and I already do exactly what I like.

What sound editing software would you recommend for someone who is completely clueless about sound editing?

== Definitely Protools. It hasn’t let me down yet. But then I’ve never worked with any other program, so I can’t make any comparisons.

what style of music who you really like to do, but may not appeal to your fans?

== I incorporate all the styles I like in Ayreon. Unavoidably there are bound to be styles that people won’t like. I guess that’s what makes it interesting. You have to get through parts you don’t like to get to the parts you like, and in the end you’ll maybe start liking the parts you didn’t like first time around more than the parts you did like in the beginning. Wow…is anybody still following this?

I was lucky enough to meet Russell Allen after a Symphony X gig a couple of months, and he called you the “King of the Netherlands.” Would you agree?

== Haha, that is so cool! I’m glad I knighted him by naming him Sir Russell, hehe… Hmm…well, without wanting to sound arrogant, I am very proud of everything I’ve achieved so far.

I think it’s too early for questions about the new project, right?

== That depends, it’s coming together pretty fast.

If not:
Do you intend to tour with the new project?

== Not really. Overall it’s not very heavy, and when I play live I prefer to play heavy stuff.

How do you see Mattias Noren’s premature retirement?

== Such a shame, Mattias is a truly remarkable talent and a great guy. The problem is that there is hardly any money anymore in the CD business due to all the downloading and copying. It’s not the record companies’ fault, really. They are struggling as much as we do.

On a personal level I’m noticing I am becoming less dependant on technology, it might be the job, dealing with computers and the internet all day.

== Hmm…which means that you are dependant on technology…no? Where would you be if the electricity fails?

And while doing that I am building on applications to make the world even more digital and I feel I can really add something to some people’s lives by doing what I do. But at the same time I wonder if Arjen, as a user, would appreciate if me and other IT people would include features in our programming that would disrupt his user-flow to encourage him to go out and enjoy life for at least 5 minutes before coming back to the program?

== Sure, you can try. Personally I wouldn’t want to be told what to do and what not to do though.

If you were graced with the power of resolving a problem in the world, what would you “fix”?

== People can believe whatever they want to believe, but I would stop them from waging wars over it. Oh, and I would put a stop to the Bold and the Beautiful

Have you ever been stopped by police for drug searches while touring in Germany?

== Oh yes! A tour bus full of hairy bastards, what do you think

What was the happiest moment of the past year?

== The 13 chart entries of 01011001. And a certain person entering my life.

What was the scariest thing you’ve ever experienced?

== Watching Tom Cruise on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Do you have any phobias you care to share?

== Saxophobia?

What movies have you seen recently that you loved?

== I recently watched a couple of my favourite movies with Lori: Donnie Darko, Being John Malkovich and the Machinist. Some ‘new’ movies we enjoyed were Little Miss Sunshine, About Schmidt and Billy Elliot. Not very metal, hey?

Are you following any TV-programs or series? If so, which ones? (can be DVDs too).

== Believe it or not, we’re following Southpark at the moment. Before that we watched three seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Red Dwarf. Yes Minister is next. My absolute favourite would be House of Cards though (BBC series).

Do you like Doctor Who? If so, have you watched any of the new series ones [Ninth Doctor onwards], and do you like them? Who is your favourite Doctor?

== I love Dr Who! My favourite Doctor is Tom Baker. But I also really like Christoffer Eccleston. The new guy does a great job and he enjoys it, but he’s a bit too silly for me.

Have you ever seen This Is Spinal Tap?

== About 10 times. No, 11.

What’s your favorite episode of Monk?

== “You mixed the decaf with the regular.” ”Yeah, b..bb..but now they’re even.”

What’s your favourite food? (sorry if it’s been asked before, I’m just curious)

== Unfortunately I lost my sense of taste and smell about a year ago due to a virus infection. So eating isn’t very much fun for me anymore. I did enjoy Mexican, Indian and Indonesian food. I do enjoy watching (and hearing) Lori eat though

If you had to spend a holiday/vacation in a foreign country, which country would you choose (maybe a certain place?) and is there something special you want to do/experience there? Conditions: the sky is the limit…

== If the sky is the limit, I’d love to take a look on Planet Y of course!

Have you got any cats to go with your new place yet? If so, please tell us about them!

== I am a cat magnet. There are several stray cats coming to our place every day. They love me! Hmm…it might have something to do with the food we give them though

if cats didnt exist what would you have?

== I’ve never had a doggie. That must be fun too. And it would give me a good reason to get my lazy ass out of the door every day!

If you could have dinner with any of your characters (not the people who played them, the actual characters), which one would you choose?

== Well, the guy in a coma wouldn’t be much fun I guess, haha! I’d accept an invitation of Forever for dinner at the Electric Castle for two though. As long as he doesn’t invite the Barbarian as well.

Is it too bold to ask if he will be present on the FanMeet?

== I was there last time and enjoyed it. So if I’m available… who knows?

What’s the strangest dream you’ve had that you are willing to share on this forum?

== I’ve shared them with the whole world and made albums about them.

What was the weirdest thing you ever got sent by a fan, unrequested?

== A shrubbery. Really! As in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. No risk of any evil knights saying “NI” to me now.

What do Forever look like? Will you draw us a picture?

== No, I like to leave that up to your imagination. They might be just tiny guppies

Do you often walk around bare footed?

== Hey Taz, I want to have a serious word with you. Was it your idea to call this ‘Ask Arjen Anything?”

What is the air velocity of an unloaded swallow?

== Damn…are you the dude who sent me the shrubbery?

When is the last time you ate a banana?

== Mostly every day. Since I don’t taste anymore they are the funniest fruit with a nice texture. Even when they are not dancing.

How is the new manager? Is she giving you any good hair tips?

== She’s great! I’d definitely need the hair tips, mine are all split.

Do you have a fixed hairdresser?

== Yes. I guess you don’t want her address?

Do you have any deliberated thoughts about either having a beard or not?

== I’d love a beard! But it’s really grey on the sides. So I shaved that off and now I’m left with this little caterpillar… Are you making fun of me by the way?

When are you going to return Jon Bon Jovi’s/ Tina Turner’s wig?

== When I’ve sold as many albums as they have.

Can you tell us the most surrealistic thing that has ever happened to you?

== I recorded this weird rock opera thing and people actually started buying it…

If NASA offered you a chance to do a concert in outer space, and be the first musician do to so, would you take them up on it?

== Only if I can sing Intergalactic Laxative.

Blondes, brunets or redheads?

== As long as they have a sense of humour, are intelligent and sweet I don’t care. And have big boobs of course.

Have you ever worn Corpsepaint at any time in your career?

== Yes, when I painted my new house. I’m not very handy I’m afraid…

I’ve actually also been very curious about what kind of socks Arjen likes to wear. Any preferences for colors, textures, sizes, kind of fabric? Or prefer no socks at all?

== Socks are important! Mine have L(eft) and R(ight) labels on them. Essential.

Suppose you are hiking in a forest and you stumble upon a clearing. You see Buddha, Jesus, and the Migrator having English tea time together. What do you do next?

== Wondering if those were the right mushrooms I just picked and ate.

Will you play Castle Hall to everyone who enters the electric castle?
(And will you play after this question if you already didn’t?)

== Noooo…wouldn’t want to scare them away, they still have to sing…

How many people around you would you consider to be really close friends?

== I guess about 10, including family. Not including Gjalt , obviously.

What ( Non-Arjen) song got stuck in your head lately?

== Just came home from shopping at the mall and now a stupid Smurf song is stuck, aaargghhh!!

If you could play the lead in a sci-fi movie , who would play your nemesis?

== Jack Nicholson of course, no question about it.

What’s your worst habit?

== Not sleeping.

Do you ever listen to your own music? Or are you sick and tired of it after mastering the same tracks for hours on end?

== After an album is finished I can’t listen to it for about a year. Indeed I’ve heard it way too many times and I’m afraid I will find imperfections. After that I can actually listen to it and even enjoy it. And worry that I will never be able to make an album like that again

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