Upon the release of "Innocence & Danger", the new album of the Neal Morse band, Rock Overdose and Zisis Petkanas had the opportunity to talk to Neal Morse, veteran of progressive rock. Their conversation ranged from information regarding the new album, to Morse's future plans and memories from Greece.
Enjoy!
Rock Overdose: Neal, welcome to Rock Overdose!
NEAL MORSE: Hi, how are you doing?
Rock Overdose: I’m doing great, how are you?
NEAL MORSE: Very well indeed!
Rock Overdose: Your fourth studio album, “Innocence & Danger” was released on August 27th, would you like to tell us a few things on your own words about it?
NEAL MORSE: Well, it’s a great album from an amazing group of musicians, if I can say that myself. It’s one of the best bands I’ve ever been in, all the musicians are top of their game in their instruments and also they’re so creative writers and great singers, great players. I think “Innocence & Danger” is one of the best albums we’ve made together. It’s not a concept album, so maybe it’s a little easier on the ears, I think it is, doesn’t take as much of a commitment to listen to it as some other concept albums and I just think people are really gonna enjoy this record, I think you should give it a listen, it’s a good one.
Rock Overdose: “Innocence & Danger” is not a concept album, as were the two previous ones. From your experience, is it easier to collect individual songs for an album or make a concept album?
NEAL MORSE: Well, you know, it’s hard to say, but I guess I would say that in general it’s easier to make an album that’s individual songs, because you don’t have to follow a story or create a story sometimes, so that makes it easier. That’s my feeling about it. It was a really nice flow on this album, we got it together and it kinda just flowed out and the lyrics just flowed out, it was a joy to make it, very pleasant.
Rock Overdose: What’s the feedback you’ve got so far from your live performances? How’s the crowd’s response after the lockdown?
NEAL MORSE: We haven’t played live, our first dates will be October 8th and 9th I think, in Morse fest, here in my hometown and we did Morse fest during the pandemic, last year. That went great, so we’re expecting this year to be great as well.
Rock Overdose: 2020-2021 were difficult years for the music industry as well, however many bands had the time to relax from tours and make new albums. Do you believe the lockdown due to the pandemic was good for you and your music plans?
NEAL MORSE: It’s been hard for all of us, for all the musicians. It isn’t quite as hard for me, as far as the live thing goes, because I’m not that much of a road guy anyway. I prefer to write and record at home mainly. I consider myself to be mainly a composer, so it hasn’t been that hard for me personally, but it’s been terribly hard for a lot of people, especially those that have lost loved ones, that’s the main terrible thing, people losing their lives, that’s what we should be focusing on. It’s been a rough time for the music business and a lot of businesses suffered, but we are still hopeful that things will get better, praying to God to protect the innocent.
Rock Overdose: Would you say that progressive rock is more popular now? And how do you explain that more and more people are interested into more progressive and intellectual music?
NEAL MORSE: I don’t know if it’s more popular now, it wouldn’t be more popular now, than it was in the 70s’, that’s for sure. It’s probably more popular now than it was on the late 80s’ and 90s’. It’s wonderful having people listening and caring about your music, so I feel really blessed that I’m making music for a living. A lot of people don’t get to do that.
Rock Overdose: What are your next plans?
NEAL MORSE: I’m working on some new projects, some things that I may only release on Waterfall, my streaming app. If people wanna get Waterfall, it’s a streaming app that has all my music, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, all of it. You can get it at waterfallstreaming.com. So yeah, I’ve been working on some music and there’s new stuff coming all the time!
Rock Overdose: What are your memories from Greece?
NEAL MORSE: I’ve been there a couple of times, played with Eric Burdon there, I think it was the first that I came. We played in Athens and it was awesome, I played in Athens with the Neal Morse band as well and it was great, what a great gig! I love it there, I’ve vacationed a little bit in the islands and it’s a beautiful country, beautiful.
Rock Overdose: Would you like to leave a message to your fans in Greece?
NEAL MORSE: Thanks for caring about the music and for being music fans of progressive rock, we are very thankful to you all and hope to see you soon!
Rock Overdose: Neal, thank you for this interview and I hope to see you again in Greece.
NEAL MORSE: God bless you, bye bye!
For Rock Overdose,
Zisis Petkanas
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