Hi Michel, it’s nice to have you on Grande Rock webzine. You really hit the spot with the new album “Redemption”! Well done!
M: Thank you very much, it was not an easy album to make but we are very proud of “Redemption”!
What has happened these 5 years between your previous release and the new one?
M: Well a lot was planned but everything changed. We had a lot of tour dates planned for 2020-21 to support our album “Lies and Butterflies”, but they were all cancelled along with the will to finish and release “Redemption” for the 2021 tour. Meanwhile we did release the live album – “Live in Poznan” – that was also available as a super deluxe 4 LP boxset, and also the “Caught in the Whirlwind of Time” Blu-ray CD boxset. And a remix of the 1992 EP was also released to commemorate the 30th anniversary. And of course we took a lot of time recording “Redemption”.
Which are the music similarities and differences between your new album and the previous one?
M: I do not see any difference in term of direction, of course the band is a more solid unit than ever, we have been playing a lot with the same line up which probably transcend into the music. But in the end I think “Redemption” is the logical follow up to what we have done before
Have you had to make any changes to your recording or writing process due to the pandemic?
M: Not really, the only change on this one was that usually Jean would come to my studio to do the vocals, but because of the pandemic, he recorded most of his vocals at his place. Which was good for him because he lives 2 hour drive from my place.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while recording this album? Did you try any new techniques or approaches?
M: It was mostly the same as before, except that we kind of lost the urgency to release the album since all our shows were cancelled. So, everything would just get longer to do, but the recording process was the same.
What does the album title “Redemption” declare?
M: It could be interpreted as our asking for forgiveness in order that everything returns to the way it was before.
Please give us a hint about each track…
M: “Behind the Mirror”: This song is about the migrant crisis, leaving everything behind and take a boat to go to another country and start over.
“Redemption”: A Song about a person meeting and Angel or Entity and asking for forgiveness.
“The Beauty and the Least”: This is a song about a young women working as a prostitute and thinking about the life she would like to have.
“Every Note”: This one is a song written by Jean Pageau and his brother. It is about Love between 2 persons in the deepest way.
“Pearls and Fire”: This is the story of French Canadian WWII hero Leo Major. He was a soldier who liberated the Dutch town Zwolle – a very cool story.
“My Inspiration”: This is a song about people living in the shadow of someone famous and successful, and always being there no matter what.
“Homecoming”: A song written our keyboardist Antoine Michaud, a beautiful song about leaving this life behind and moving forward.
“Is This How the Story Ends?”: This song is about all the questioning, doubts and questioning we went through about our projects during the pandemic.
The production is rich dynamic and polished. Who is responsible for the mixing, the engineering and the mastering? Are you completely satisfied with the final result?
M: Thank you, I produced the album and each mysterons recorded their tracks at their own personal studios, and then these tracks were put together and mixed by myself at my place, Studio illusion. And the mastering was done by Richard Addison at Trillium Sound Studio. I am really satisfied with the result and I think the fans will love it too.
Once again you released the album via Unicorn Digital. Are you totally satisfied with the label? Will you ever consider working with a bigger record company at some point or not?
M: I founded Unicorn Digital in 1995 and all the Mystery albums have been released on my label. I am always open to work with bigger labels, but over the years, all the offers that I got were to just repeat the work that our label is already doing, so there was no point to sign with them. Unicorn Digital has been supporting Mystery in good and bad times, and provided tour support and the freedom to release the music the way we want it.
Do you think “Redemption” will bring new fans to the band’s camp? Is this the album that will push you to the next level?
M: It is funny that you say that but since the pandemic, it is crazy the numbers of emails we get from people who just discovered Mystery. I hope “Redemption” continues to grow our fan base. If it will push the band to the next level that is what we have been working for many years. We are happy with what we have right now, if we get to a certain next level it will be a bonus.
What are your expectations from the new album and what do you wish to achieve with Mystery over the next years?
M: Since the pandemic I try not to have any expectations, at one point we did not even know if we would be releasing “Redemption”. Having completed this one is a great achievement for me and now we just sail with the waves.
What are your touring plans? What can fans expect from your live shows in support of this new album?
M: We have a few shows booked for the fall and we are adding lots of new songs to the set list, we will also be part of ProgStock festival in the USA. We are working on booking Europe for 2024.
How would you describe the music style of your band to someone who has never heard of you?
M: I would say a mix of Progressive Rock and AOR. I grew up listening to AOR and melodic rock, so this play a big part of my musical influences. But it is easier to say we are a Prog band.
It’s time for our “Strange Questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Mystery initially?
M: In the late 80s, I was with Mystery co-founder Sylvain Desharnais and his girlfriend, we were discussing the band project that we had named Century, and we found out that there was another band named Century (that was before the internet), so Sylvain and I were trying to find a new name and his girlfriend just said out of the blue, why don’t you call the band Mystery. And that was it!
Are “social media” a “compulsory part” of music biz these days or bands, artists & labels can do without them as well?
M: I think so, they have become a major part of our lives and also how we communicate. They are also at the forefront of the music promotion and I think it would be hard to make it without the social media these days. But it is also a very dangerous and slippery slope. I mean if they can close or limit the account of a country president with good reasons or not, then I guess they would never hesitate to close your band page without notice.
What do you think about the “downloading & streaming issue” of our time? Do you prefer the streaming services more or not?
M: I do use the streaming services a lot and I like it, it is very convenient and a great way to discover new artists as well. They get a bad rep, but for me they should not be compared to a record you buy. I wish I would have had access to all that music when I grew up. It is a chance that many young people don’t even realize they have. And also Mystery is doing quite well on those platforms and it is growing fast for us.
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
M: It is the negative attitude and perception that people and some artists have towards the business. The music business has changed a lot and might be confusing for many including myself, but I think the business is in its best year (not necessarily releasing the best music but the business is doing just fine).
Fill in the phrase… “Prog Rock wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
M: The Beatles…
Which are the Top 3 Prog Rock albums of all time according to you?
M: Genesis – “Trick of the Tail”, Rush – “Hemisphere”, Marillion – “Misplaced Childhood”.
Which is the most underrated musician/band of all time?
M: Mystery!!!
Put together the best prog rock line-up of all time. Who plays what?
M: Steve Perry on vocals, Phil Collins on drums, Geddy Lee on bass, Steve Hackett on guitar and Tony Banks on keyboards.
Which is that band that you’d like to be part of (any time & era)?
M: Asia!
Which do you consider to be the best male vocalist in rock history?
M: Steve Perry!
If you had the opportunity to invite any musician, living or dead, to play on your album whom would you choose and why?
M: Steve Perry would be my first choice.
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
M: In the future to see if my music has passed the test of time!
What are your thoughts on A.I.? It appears to have taken over the world in every part of our life over the last few months, and this is just the beginning. What are your thoughts on the AI-created music?
M: It is exciting and scary at the same time, I think it will change everything and we are in for a treat. Amazing new tools will be available for musicians and listeners, it is going to be an interesting experience.
That’s all for now Michel thank you for talking with Grande Rock. Say anything you feel like saying before we close. Take care!
M: Thank you very much for this interview and thanks to all our fans for their ongoing support.
