I was able to interview Daniel Flores of progressive metal band Mind’s Eye about the band’s history, the recording process and the band’s recent release, A Gentleman’s Hurricane.  Enjoy!

By Mike Maher 

USAPROGMUSIC:  Hello Daniel, thanks for taking some time to answer a few questions.  You’ve released 6 albums now.  For those readers not familiar with the band, can you give us a little history of how the band was formed?

Daniel Flores:  Hi there!  Yeah sure!  We started [in] 94 - back then as Afterglow but we have gone through some line up changes since then.  The first album was called Afterglow, the second is Into the Unknown, the third is Waiting for the Tide, the fourth is A Work of Art, the fifth is Walking on H20 and last one is A Gentleman’s Hurricane.

The current members are Andreas Novak, Johan Niemann and me.  That’s the short one but if people have the time please go to www.roundrec.com for more info on our little band.

USAProgMusic:  How did you come up with the concept of A Gentleman’s Hurricane?

Daniel:  Well, it’s a mix of different things in my life which I have mashed up into AGH.  Think the game “Hitman”, with the twist of the film “Sleepers” and through in some “DaVinci code” associations and there you have it.  I like to think that I have mixed in some of my own thoughts too but that’s for others to decide. 

USAProgMusic:  Is it difficult to record with only three members?

Daniel:  No, it’s easier I think.  There are less fight in the studio and more fun for the rest of us.  It’s always sad when you record something and suddenly it’s all over, in our band it’s never over - it’s always just the beginning, if you know what I mean?

USAProgMusic:  I’ve read there that Mind’s Eye does no pre-production, that everything thing is created right in the studio, spontaneously.  How true is that?

Daniel:  If you ask our closest friends, VERY TRUE.  If you ask me, deadly true!  We simply don’t have time to rehearse and do that stuff; we are all busy with other stuff so we can’t do it.  It’s just impossible to get all of us in one room.  That’s why budgets make things easier.  We invite you to come and stay with us a day in the studio and you will found out for yourself (or buy A Gentleman’s Hurricane and watch the making of dvd).

USAProgMusic:  Ha, I may take you up on that!  A Gentleman’s Hurricane has been out for a few weeks now.  How do you feel about the reaction you’ve received so far?

Daniel:  I’m speechless… Never thought that the reactions would be this good!  I’m very realistic when it comes to music and the creation process and I’m humble to all the amazing time people have taken to write reviews for us.

USAProgMusic:  How did you come up with the idea of the comic book that goes with the new release?

Daniel:  Well, I just wanted to do something new and I wanted people not to download the album and this was what I came up with.  I miss the fun in getting an album these days and we sort of created this one for ourselves.

USAProgMusic:  Do you have any plans to tour in support of this album?

Daniel:  Yes, finally it seems that we have time to go out and support this album.  We are going to take time to discuss it with the rest of the boys and then rock the hell out of the songs live.  We will probably go out in 2008; that seems more realistic.

USAProgMusic:  You touch upon the Kennedy assassination in “Feed my Revolver,” where the newscaster cuts in.  Is the reference simply “in story” or do you think there was a conspiracy?

Daniel:  Well there is evidence pointing out that something strange happened that day to Mr. Kennedy.  What really happened?  I don’t know I’m just a messenger and his assassination fitted with the story of unsolved political assassinations which I pinned on my character.

USAProgMusic:  “Feed my Revolver” is probably the hardest song (and my favorite) on the album, but why did you choose it for the music video?

Daniel:  Simply because of the fact that it’s the most debated assassination in our history. We need a “poppy” story and what better than Mr. Kennedy’s tragic death…

USAProgMusic:  What is your favorite track on A Gentleman’s Hurricane and why?

Daniel: To me the whole album is just one song but divided into 12 songs so it’s impossible to point out one.  It’s like if you forward a movie into the middle and play 7 minutes of that to a friend and say, “What do you think about this movie?”  It’s impossible to do that so I’ll pass.

USAProgMusic:  Great answer!  What other projects have you been a part of?

Daniel: Too many it seems HAHAHAHA.  Well, next month The Codex comes out, a band with Magnus Karlsson, Mark Boals and me.   Then I’m doing a new album with Evil Masquerade.  I’m also producing a band called Black Candle Wedding which is going to be a great album, some of my best work to date will be part of this album.

USAProgMusic:  A band with Magnus Karlsson (Tribe/ Allen-Lande)?  Sounds great!  Who are some of your influences?

Daniel:  I listen to anything that has a good melody but Phil Collins is one and John Williams is another.  I like different people for different reasons.  I’m also very impressed with John “Mutt” Lange for his vocal harmonies and Jeff Lynne for his production duties and string arrangements.  The list would be very long but these are some of the guys I listen to.  Today I listen to alot of classical music and lots of score music from guys like Danny Elfman and Alan Silvestri.

USAProgMusic:  What new music are you listening to?

Daniel:  Well, not much right now but the latest Krister Linder, Ozzy’s new disc, Muse, Mew and lots of newly produced film (score) music.

USAProgMusic:  Do you have anything that you’d like to say to your U.S. fans?

Daniel:  Thanks for listening to our music and still buying our records.  We are very excited to know that we have some American listeners.  We would love to come there and play so please ask your local promoter to bring us over and we will be happy to give you a great show.  Please visit roundrec.com for more info on the band and please don’t forget to give our myspace site a chance www.myspace.com/eyeofthemind .  If people what to know more about my current drumming situation then please go here: www.danielflores.net .  Thanks for the awesome questions and thanks for all the support.

USAProgMusic:  Again, thank you for taking the time to answer some questions!  Hopefully people will ask their local promoters for Mind’s Eye in the USA.  I know I’ll mention it to a few!