October 09, 2009

PRODUCER SASCHA PAETH TALKS ABOUT AVANTASIA

He has been responsible for more than just the final touch on countless albums, he has not only been a producer but furthermore guest and ghost musician on many Metal albums and he is more than just a little piece in the puzzle of success for bands like Rhapsody, Kamelot, Epica, Angra and many more. We are talking about Avantasia guitarist and producer Sascha Paeth, who recently has received an award for Avantasia's "The Scarecrow", when the jury of the Association of German Sound Engineers (consisting of highly acclaimed producers) voted it "Best Rock Production 2008". Reportedly even Mr. Alice Cooper himself was astonished by the extraordinary production of the latest Avantasia-output.

Tobiassammet.com: Sascha, you're right now working on the forthcoming Avantasia epic. Stylistically, what can we expect this time?

Sascha Paeth: Well, we just make the songs turn out the way we believe they work best. Therefor you gotta get rid of that tight corset which especially this scene wants to squeeze you in. In my opinion that's the only way to move on and push your creativity to the limit. And let's not forget: it's much more fun doing it that way. The new Avantasia stuff is just a cool story, told by songs that sometimes dare to break out, but that you can of course call Metal or Hard Rock. It's just a lot of fun.

Tobiassammet.com: How is working with Tobi?
Sascha Paeth: Great, he doesn't meddle with my job, haha! No, seriously working with him is really easy, I've got a lot of freedom to produce the songs and he only pulls me up short when I really go too far. And of course, you don't get the chance to get such a wide playground to be involved in everyday. I think we are really great in throwing ideas back and forth because we both dare to leave the beaten path. Some people might consider us "untrue" or whatever funny definitions you have. But I think we are just two musicians who keep striving for certain values in music and not just try to jump onto every bandwagon.

Tobiassammet.com: The latest Avantasia album sounded a little more ,down-to-earth' than the first two albums, but not everyone was amused and happy with the style. What does a producer think, when people bash his work?

Sascha Paeth: It's all a matter of taste of course, and you can't be everybody's darling. That's why it's important to please yourself, and the band or the artist you're working with. That being said, I can only laugh and cry about certain journalists. Laugh about their incompetence in the field of music and cry about their incompetence in the field of human qualities. I produce an album the way I think it works best. It's never perfect but I always give my very best. If Tobi would have wanted the album to sound like "The Metal Opera" he would have done the new album the same way. I don't deny that the two "Metal Opera" albums had their very own charm, but those albums have been done over nine years ago. What can I say? If "The Scarecrow" would have sounded like those albums, I am sure someone would have complained too. And speaking about press and CD-reviews - I am not interested. Not in good ones, not in bad ones. I can't even be proud of a positive review of an album I have been involved in. Simply because people in our scene seem not to know the meaning of words such as objectivity and tolerance. Maybe art is not about creativity and love for what you do any longer, maybe it's all about bragging and who's got the biggest mouth! It's an open secret that a big mouth helps people to cover their lack of skills, but the big mouth shouldn't be the only subsitute for any form of talent or skill. Many people in this scene seem to be not able to distinguish a prenteder from the real deal, and that's why I seriously worry about the future of music. And if that wouldn't be enough: Many articles are simply based on envy of journalists with an image neurosis. I don't know where this is gonna end.

Tobiassammet.com: Edguy and Avantasia have made a big progress since Hellfire Club; to what extent is it Sascha Paeth's responsibility and where do you see the differences between Tobi, Avantasia and Edguy today and a few years ago? In terms of both - style and quality...

Sascha Paeth: I am gonna take credit for all the changes for the better. If there are changes for the worse: It's absolutely the band's fault, haha! No, seriously: I see changes that are based on several reasons. At first luckily almost every artist changes and develops over the years. Secondly there was maybe this new input when it came to my working methods and the musical ideas I was allowed to throw in. I always try to find out in which way the artist wants to leave trodden paths. And I try to push that desire if people let me do so. In my opinion Edguy, Avantasia and Tobi have progressed a lot. I can only try to inspire them to work hard, and I honestly appreciate that they don't rest on their laurels at all, but try hard to keep moving on and exploring. In my opinion this work ethic is the motor that keeps the music scene alive. If there wouldn't have been people working like that, there wouldn't be Heavy Metal, never forget that!

Tobiassammet.com: What does "Avantasia" mean for Sascha Paeth?
Sascha Paeth: A giant mountain of work and joy, many exceptionally gifted artists, a school excursion around the world and: Friends!