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Sepiachord: Who makes up the band on the recording of "The Battleship Potemkin"?
Jackson Del Rey: Band Members: Jean Sudbury - violin - Max O'Leary - Trumpet - Jackson Del Rey - all else.
SC: When you say "all else" for instruments what all did you play on the album?
JDR: Let's see, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, Yamaha PSR-340, Casio Tone Bank CT-670.
SC: How did you first encounter "The Battleship Potemkin"?
JDR: I first saw "Battleship" at a silent film festival about 25 years ago.
SC: The film is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. But why does it speak to you? What about the movie affected you so much that you were driven to compose a new soundtrack for this film?
JDR: I would have to say that as my father's side of the family were chased out of St. Petersburg by the Czar under the threat of death (they were merchant marines and the Czar wanted their boats...for free) my life has indeed been personally touched by the tyranny of Czar Nicholas II.
SC: Is it possible to separate the political message of the film from the film itself? Do you see yourself as a political artist?
JDR: Although the film did carry a decidedly specific pro-soviet message at its release in 1925, history has allowed us to view "Potemkin" in a different historical context. Mostly, the subsequent betrayal of the people of Russia by the dictator Stalin has allowed us to see the valiant soldiers of the "Potemkin" and the massacre in Odessa in a different light...a light that speaks to ALL of humanity and why even today...tyranny, at all times and in all forms MUST be defeated. That said, I consider myself a political artist to the degree necessary to express my views if applicable. In other words, I don't make a point of airing my politics through my music, but would not shy away if the opportunity presents itself.
SC: How long did it take you to complete the soundtrack? What took more time: the composing or the actual recording? Did songs evolve during the recording process?
JDR: The actual recordings took place over four successive weekends for a total of 10-12 days. There was no actual composition period, unless you count thinking time...which I couldn't really estimate for you . I just sat down and wrote it. The songs evolved quite a bit during the recording sessions. There were actually several different outtakes of each composition that were never used.
SC: What are your live performances like? Is there improvisation or do you stick tightly to the compositions?
JDR: I have yet to perfom "Battleship" live, so I don't know.
SC: Do you have plans to perform "Battleship" live?
JDR: I'd like to. But I would think the setting would have to be right. Something along the lines of an abandoned movie theatre would be good.
SC: The packaging for the CD is beautiful. It's stark and striking and I love the postcard with stamps insert. Who designed the packaging?
JDR: I did.
SC: What sort of background do you have in art?
JDR: BA in fine art (emphasis on painting.) The rest I would chalk up to life experience and the early effects of Alzheimer's disease.
SC:You have a solid unification of design that seems to carry beyond just packaging and into a full style for the band. Was that your intention from the beginning of the project or did it happen organically?
JDR: Well, you have to remember I grew up on 12" vinyl records and hence 12" cover artwork, so I consider such packaging opportunities on the same level as a canvas is to a painter. a space to be filled with a specific intent to communicate to the viewer.
SC: I haven't had a chance to see the DVD that you've put out to companion the CD. What can the viewer expect?
JDR: Death, destruction, redemption and the looming spectre of betrayal. I recommend playing it loudly for maximum effect.
SC: You are a determinedly independent artist. Why did you pick the label Trakwerx to put out your CD?
JDR: Trakwerx is my label. I thought I was a good bet not to cheat myself.
SC: What lead you to the decision to start your own label?
JDR: The ongoing effects of Alzheimer's disease.
SC: What's your next project?
JDR: Soundtrack to F.W. Murnau's classic 1922 silent film "Nosferatu."
SC: Other modern musicians, like Kronos Quartet and Club Foot Orchestra, have written new scores for silent classics as well. With one silent movie soundtrack under your belt and another in the future did you listen to any of these artists or study any original silent film composers?
JDR: Yes, and not only that, but I'm willing to admit it. It amazes me how many film composers in general are copying 1. classical composers and 2. silent film composers. Virtually every time I see a current movie, I hear the music of Prokofiev (if it's pretty) Rachmaninoff (if it's scary) and Korngold (if it's an adventure film.) If fact, the Star Wars theme is a re-write of Erich Korngold's theme for The Sea Hawk (aka Captain Blood). In my case, the important composers that contributed to Battleship were Shostakovich (the 1st score which was parts of his 5th Symphony) Edward Meusel (the 2nd and most well know score added to the film when it debuted in Germany), the Pet Shop Boys (listenable, but sterile without any understanding of the political events which lead to or resulted from the Potemkin mutiny) and the "Sorcerer" soundtrack by Tangerine Dream. I tried to imagine what TD might have written for Potemkin.
SC: Any final thoughts?
JDR: The South may rise again, but they'll probably lose again.
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For more information on Del Rey & The Sun Kings:
http://www.myspace.com/thesunkings
Trakwerx Records: http://www.trakwerx.com/
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