aziola cry
 

"Floating Sounds"

Aziola Cry is an instrumental progressive rock trio whose complex and powerful songs keep the listener guessing with countless time-signature changes and moody tempo shifts. Influenced by works of King Crimson and Tool, the band spent the first year of their existence writing and refining their sound. The result of their hard work is a new twist on progressive rock.

Although each musician adds an invaluable component, it is the vision of Jason Blake that is the catalyst for the music. “I set out to create music that was challenging to play, yet accessible to the listener,” explains Jason. What emerged was “Ellipsis”, an eight-song showcase of well crafted songs that interconnect with each other to tell a dark tale without words. "This album follows a story of something being missing from your life," describes Jason. "That something can be any number of things and is different for everybody who listens."

Interview with the Stickist and composer Jason Blake
 

By Sergio Vilar

Let us begin with the principle. How is Aziola Cry formed? How were the members of the band known?
A couple of years ago, after I had written “Ellipsis”, I went in search for musicians that could not only play this music with me but also add something to it. I met Mike Milaniak, who plays guitar with the band, through the Chicago music scene and added my longtime friend Tim Stickradt on drums. Tim and I have played in many bands together over the years so I knew that he would be a perfect fit.

How would you describe, in your own words, your musical evolution?
I hope to continue pushing the limits of my playing and compositional skills all while creating something that is very listenable at the same time. This can be tricky though because they don't often go hand in hand. Ultimately for me, I see this band as an ever constant evolution.

I believe that your sound is only, they don't sound resemblance to anybody, it is not simple to compare them with some other band. But, which are your more direct influences, your favorite bands?
I am a huge fan of Swedish bass virtuoso, Jonas Hellborg. I think that every album he puts out is just amazing. Although I play the Chapman Stick with Aziola Cry, I still find his bass playing very inspirational. As far as rock bands go, I am listening to a lot of King Crimson, Porcupine Tree and Tool at the moment.
 
Then, do you consider that Aziola Cry is a progressive band, or simply that it plays what he finds well in each moment without stopping to think inside that am used to locate its music?
I think that the odd time signatures in the music help define us as a progressive band. I wouldn't say that I necessarily set out to write in odd time signatures as much as this is just how I hear things. I also hope to create something new with our music, and this is what I see progressive music as being all about.
 
Well, let us speak now of “Ellipsis”, your excellent disc. Which is the general idea of the album?
Since we are instrumental, I began with a rough idea of a story. Typically it is the lyrics that define what an album or song is about and since we don't have any, I created a story for the songs to follow. The basic theme running through this album is that something is missing from your life. I intentionally left this "something" very vague so that the story could relate to everyone in some kind of way.
 
Could you give us a brief impression of the songs of this album? How were you inspired to write them?
All of the songs on the album help tell the story of “Ellipsis”. I started with the titles because I see them working almost like chapters of a book.
From there I began writing music that fit the moods and plot. With this, I am able to have a direction to take the songs in, plus themes in the music are allowed to be created and reintroduced. Ultimately when the music was complete, what I hoped to create was a "soundtrack" to my story.

Which is your method to compose? Did you compose the songs with some specific previous idea, or did you simply let them to leave natural form?
I typically sit down with the Chapman Stick and begin by just playing. When I hear something that I think could work somewhere on the album, I will play it over and over again until it is ingrained in my head. As I begin the writing process, I go back on my catalog of ideas and begin assembling them into song structures. I have always felt that any good ideas will not leave my head and the ones that are forgotten were not worth remembering.

Does it interest them to experience with new forms and sounds?
The great thing about playing the Chapman Stick is that I can make it sound like just about anything. I am always experimenting with finding new ways to play the instrument and making new sounds.
 
How difficult it is to be managed for a band as you in United States?
I'd say that success here goes hand in hand with how much work and effort you put into your music. I see a lot of bands that do nothing and wonder why they don't go anywhere. On the other hand, there are those that are so motivated and have such a passion for what they do. Those are the bands that succeed.

How do you come to the progressive rock, not only in United States, but also in the rest of the world?
As a musician, you find a lot of great talent in the genre and I think that is what initially attracted me to progressive music. I think that the Internet has helped bring the audience to the music no matter where in the world.

Do other American bands exist in those that elements common to you find?
While I don't think that we sound like them, there is a feeling of intensity when you listen to a Tool song that I hope also comes across in our music.
 
Is this your only group or is some of you participated in other parallel works?
I also record and gig under my own name (http://www.jasonblakemusic.com). This music tends to be more about the Chapman Stick as a solo instrument and has more of a fusion/world sound to it.

What are there of the plans for the most immediate future? Are you already preparing new material?
Currently we are finishing up the recording of an EP. It is one longer song that is broken up into three parts. It will be released in some sort of limited edition form and is meant to act as the bridge between “Ellipsis” and the next full length release. We also plan to continue doing shows and test some of the new material out in front of audiences.

Toward where does Aziola Cry go in its following album?
The music has been written for the next real album and recording will hopefully begin early next year. I'd say that it is a lot heavier and darker than the material on “Ellipsis”. I am really proud of this music and can't wait to get it out there.

Well Jason, thank you for the interview, if you want to add something of what we have not spoken, the space it is all his...
Thanks, I have read interviews with other musicians talking about how great the music scene is in Argentina. I would love to experience it for myself sometime.

www.aziolacry.com
 

Nucleus interview: 15/08/06