Dave Kilminster speaks about his participation in Wetton/Downes ICon Project & the upcoming tour
By Rita Bayer
Photo by Anne-Marie Helder
In July 2008 Wetton/Downes have announced the recording of the 3rd iCon studio album and a tour in early 2009 to support the
upcoming release. [view tour dates here] Guitar Virtuoso Dave Kilminster, drummer Pete Riley and cellist Hugh McDowell are joining the songwriter team on their upcoming album as well as on tour. The abum, entitled ICon 3, is expected to be released on March 13th, 2009 through Frontiers Records.
To celebrate the release of the album and accompanying tour,John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes have announced a contest -- allowing someone to create an iCon themed screensaver which celebrates the band, the performers and music in images with or without music. All contest entries must be provided for judging no later than 10 February, 2009. The designer of the winning screensaver will receive tickets to the sold out performance of the limited audience London concert which will be recorded for DVD, CDs from the band and solo cat alogues, and meet the band. (If the winner cannot make the London show, another Icon or Asia show will be offered). For further details on the contest go here.
Although Dave is currently pretty busy with preparing for the tour, he has taken the time (on his b-day!!!) for this quick chat....but there's more to it than that – I'm highly pleased to announce a special treat: The conversation Dave and I have begun in May 2008 (final leg of Roger Waters' DARK SIDE OF THE MOON TOUR) is finally finished as well. Go here.
Rita: You worked already together with Pete Riley and John Wetton - what about Geoffrey Downes and Hugh McDowell - do you have a musical history together as well?
Dave Kilminster: No, none at all!!! It should be very interesting... :O)
R: The new iCon album - give all away you're allowed to reveal....(album title, describe your bits, how much freedom did you have etc)
Dave: Well, it's no secret that the third album is called Icon 3!! [The album cover - see below - shows "a stylized and personalized version of the OM symbol. It's a sacred and mystical syllable, which defies a brief description but implies a universal "everything", which reflects the diverse nature of the album's material."]
As far as recording was concerned they both have a very strong idea of what they like... so there's not a huge amount of freedom, but I was pretty happy with one or two solos that I played... and the material is very interesting and diverse... :O)
R: you'll go on tour in February - a very special iCon concert has been announced - you're going to
play St. Mary-Le-Bow church on February 21st and it's going to be filmed for DVD.
You've an idea why this location has been chosen?
Dave: I've no idea!!! I'm sure it'll look very impressive on film though...
R: The setlist that evening will include King Crimson, UK, Buggles, Yes, ELO, as well as material from the new i-Con album.....
a lot to learn for you ... when do you plan to begin to practice for this tour and what do you think - what music will be the biggest
fun & challenge for you to play/cover?
Dave: Well, we actually started rehearsing today (the 25th January, my birthday) and I started writing out the music yesterday!!!!!!!! :O/
I must admit I did leave it a little late... and consequently I was up til 4:30am working out these tunes!!!
And as far as fun, I think they'll all be fun in their own way... but I am looking forward to the U.K. tunes, as I was brought up with that
music... :O)
R: it's a very short tour – are there recent plans to continue the tour?
Dave: Just the six dates unfortunately... unless the album goes to number one!!!
R: In summer you and Murray took the time to introduce your guitar & vocal project to us , how are things going? An update, please.
Dave: We're actually just about to start recording an album at the moment!!! More news soon... :O)
R: sorry - can't resist ... what about the remixing of Scarlet? you're done in the meantime or are you still "almost finished"? :O)
Dave: Yes, it's still 'almost finished'... :O) It has admittedly, been 'almost finished' for quite a while now!!! But the studio where I'm remixing
it needed to update some of their equipment to cope with the size of the recordings!!!
But we should be able to finish it in the next few weeks once the new processor arrives.
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