ETTORE SALATI

This month's Artist in Spotlight is Ettore Salati from Italy. Ettore is a sought after session guitarist by many prog musicians not just in Italy but all around the world. He started playing piano at a very young age (mostly classical music) but when he became a teenager and discovered the world of Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and 70's rock in general, he was immediately fascinated by guitar... more

KAT EPPLE (Emerald Web)

KAT EPPLE, flautist and composer, is our interview guest this month. She has won 8 Emmy awards, was nominated for a Grammy and she has released 18 albums internationally. Most of you know her as the other half of the legendary ambient/new age duo EMERALD WEB. She has a very large collection (over 200) of flutes that she gathered from all around the world during her travels. Kat composes original New Age/Jazz/World/orchestral music and has produced film scores and television soundtracks for National Geographic, Nova, CNN, Carl Sagan, Another World, The Travel Channel, Turner Broadcasting System, History Channel, HGN, The Guiding Light, PBS, and NASA among others, and was Music Director for the feature-length film, Captiva Island. She also owns a record company and works on both sides of the music industry as a musician and as a business woman... more

New Grass Revival / On The Boulevard

New Grass Revival are one of the pioneers of progressive bluegrass. Formed in 1971 by Sam Bush (mandolin/vocals), Curtis Burch (guitar), Ebo Walker (bass) and Courtney Johnson (banjo), they immediately got the attention from the industry both in a good and bad way. First of all, they were often told that their music was not bluegrass, and they knew it wasn’t “bluegrass” in its traditional sense, and it wasn’t what they were trying to achieve anyways. They were blending rock, soul and blues rhythms with the traditional bluegrass music. They were not wearing suites, but instead they had a more casual style along with long hair... more

Interview with BILLY SHERWOOD by Hande BURDG

We are much honored this month to have Billy Sherwood (CIRCA:, former YES) as our interview guest. He just released his new CD titled "At The Speed Of Life". Billy comes from a family of musicians: His father is a composer, actor and big-band leader Bobby Sherwood who worked with legends like Bing Crosby, Arte Shaw, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland; his mother is Phyllis Sherwood who played vibes and sang in Bobby’s band. Billy's brother is Michael Sherwood, a composer, singer and keyboard player and a highly sought after session musician in LA. Billy Sherwood has been active in the music scene since when he was a teen ager. In 1994, he was asked by YES to tour as a multi-instrumentalist on their Talk tour, performing with the band for seventy-six shows between June and October. After YES regrouped with the classic lineup in 1995, he mixed the album "Keys To Ascension" (1996), and engineered and produced "Keys to Ascension 2" (1997). In 1996, he became a full-fledged member of Yes, co-writing and producing "Open Your Eyes" (1997). Yes released "The Ladder", in 1998 and toured extensively for several years. Billy released his first solo album "The Big Peace" in 1999. In 2000 he started a new project called Conspiracy with Chris Squire. Together they released 2 albums and a DVD. He released his second solo album "No Comment" in 2004. Currently, beside his solo projects he is one of the members of the band CIRCA:, formed by ex-YES members Tony Kaye and Alan White, along with Jimmy Haun. They released their first solo album in 2007, followed in 2008 by a live DVD. They are currently in the studio working on their second solo CD.

TPF: First of all, congratulations on your new CD "At The Speed Of Life". We will talk about your "sound" more a little later in this interview, but the first thing I want to ask you about is your lyrics. I noticed they are very realistic/optimistic, even when you talk about the down side of things your approach is still that way. Does this reflect your personal philosophy in life?

SHERWOOD: The lyrics do reflect the way I look at this life... hope for the future, learning from the past, trying to make the most of everyday.

TPF: I find your sound a little more spacey on this CD; especially with the effects on vocals and with the synths' sound. When combined with your lyrics it creates a sci-fi atmosphere. Was this intentional?

SHERWOOD: The vocal sounds add to the atmosphere and emotion of the song. I wanted the sound to float in certain places and be more robotic in other places. It was indeed intentional.

TPF: "Time" is the main theme of your CD and correct me if I am wrong but I think you are talking about two different "time"s here: earth time that only goes forward and universal time that isn't as restrictive. It appears you've given the concept of time a lot of thought, is that the case?

SHERWOOD: It's about life and time and how it should be cherished. When you're young time is not a factor, as we progress in this life we begin to value and respect time and what we do with it. The universe is in constant motion, so are we...

TPF: It is so great to hear the sound of your bass heavy in the mix. Was bass your first instrument of choice?

SHERWOOD: I began playing drums, moved to bass and then the other instruments came along in time. Bass is a love of mine and since playing with CIRCA: I have been playing a lot of it.

TPF: You play almost every instrument but how did you start playing drums? I read that your mom was playing drums. Was it her who gave you your fist drum lessons?

SHERWOOD: My mother was a drummer, also plays amazing vibes too (laughs)... She taught me how to use the kit.

TPF: You recently collaborated with Jim Ladd on the "Headsets" CD, which captures the sounds like a sci-fi film noir, if that makes any sense. How did you guys get together to work on this project?

SHERWOOD: Jim Ladd had participated on a remake of "The Wall" I produced a few years back. We became fast friends and wanted to do something together but just weren't sure what. Headsets is a show Jim does live every Wednesday night on KLOS 95.5FM here in Los Angeles and also streams world wide now, I suggested we make it into a CD. Jim had the concept for the story and we were off...

TPF: When it comes to tribute albums I think you are one of the luckiest people on earth to get to work with so many big names. How do you get these people together? What is your secret that almost everyone you have on your list tells you "yes"? I guess the only person you couldn't get was Steve Hackett only because of his schedule.

SHERWOOD: In some cases I simply reach out to musicians and explain what I am up to and ask if they want in. In other cases they are friends I've known... It works either way but the end game is we all want to make music. I do my best to maintain a standard of sound and quality so I think I have the trust of these musicians, when they are finished recording their parts I make sure they shine as brightly as possible.

TPF: The monumental task of organizing such an effort, getting through managers, prompting responses to your inquiries, etc - is it taxing or do you find yourself enjoying the experience as much as making the music itself? Would you mind sharing some of those experiences with us?

SHERWOOD: In the same way I have good relations with artists I also have with managers. It is a bit more of the producer hat I have to wear at that point, comes with the territory, one must connect the dots in order to complete the picture. I enjoy every step of the process.

TPF: Beatles is your current tribute project. When will it be out?

SHERWOOD: Beatles tribute is in production, I think I've gathered 15 artists so far... I don't know the time line for release on the record. Often times I make them and I'm off to the next so I don't look up long enough to see when anything is released.

TPF: Will CIRCA: be going back to studio any time soon?

SHERWOOD: CIRCA: is in studio now recording the next CD, sounds killer too!! Should have it ready by the end of the year or early next year.

TPF: You were also a member of the legendary prog rock band YES. Do you remember how you felt like the very first time you got in the same room with the band to practice?

SHERWOOD: The first time I got in the room to practice for a tour wtih YES I had already known and worked intensely with them. I was defacto YES since 89, by the time I joined as a full member in 1996 the "holy cow look who I'm playing with" factor had worn off (laughs). It was an honor to play in YES. I recently added up all the shows I played and I came to 310 or something like it...

TPF: How was the YES fans' reaction toward you when you were with the band?

SHERWOOD: Some fans were very warm and welcoming whilst others were more protective and less then welcoming... Some didn't understand the history with me and YES and assumed I won the contest to "play with yes" on stage (laughs)... In reality I was embedded into the situation by YES themselves many moons previous to my joining. My goal was to keep YES moving forward and with growth rather then a sense of nostalgia, I fought long and hard to keep it on that path, good, bad or indifferent I was in the band I loved and was highly motivated to make it once again successful. Relatively speaking it was.

TPF: Who are your musical influences?

SHERWOOD: I have so many influences and that list keeps growing... My personal favorites are Weather Report, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant and of course YES. Another huge inspiration to me is Antonio Carlos Jobim, his chords and melodies are so beautiful and haunting. My father turned me onto him when I was very young, at the time I didn't fully get it... later I did, thanks Dad (smiles).

TPF: What are you currently listening to?

SHERWOOD: As for new music, there is a band called "Paramore" that are really good, I look for something different melodically or arrangement wise. Strange as this may sound, I don't listen to a lot of music in my off hours, I work so much on music all day that when I finish I just want to disconnect from chords and rhythms all together, hence video gaming junkie (laughs).

TPF: Are you planning a solo tour?

SHERWOOD: No solo tour plans, If there was a chance to go for it I would, but at the moment I am focused on the new CIRCA: and getting that band out on the road.

Thank you very much Billy Sherwood for taking the time to answer our questions at such a busy time! We really appreciate it!

To purchase Billy's latest CD you can visit his website: WWW.BILLYSHERWOOD.COM. You will also find options there to get an autographed copy, or even better, a personalized autographed copy of his latest work "At The Speed Of Life" along with some posters. You can visit CIRCA:'s website to purchase their debut CD and live DVD and certainly do not miss the link to Billy's "Headsets" project with Jim Ladd at:www.jimladdheadsets.com. We highly recommend you get a copy!