Is Prog Rock really progressive anymore? How do the current Prog bands feel about the genre and its legacy? Do they feel that there is progress in the music they perform? Different Prog artists/bands are being interviewed and answer 5 questions about the current status of the Progressive Rock and its culture. This exploratory research focuses on exploring the present and the future of a music genre that survived through the years due to its innovative nature.
While most of the previous Prog books focus on historical facts of the genre, this journalistic effort is a self-criticism of the genre through the looking glass of modern and active Prog musicians. The book starts with an introduction to Prog Rock by VIAJERO INMÓVIL Records (Argentina) and the rest of the material is divided into chapters that include the musicians’ answers to the following discussion themes:
1. What is progress in Progressive Rock? 2. Is Progressive Rock really progressive? 3. Accepting other music genres as progressive music 4. Next step for the progress of Progressive Rock 5. Technology and Progressive Rock
The participating Prog artists/bands that are being interviewed: Aisles, Anubis, Ant-Bee, EchoTest, Evership, Karakorum, Kotebel, Life After Mars, Light Freedom Revival, Lars Eric Mattson, Liquid Orbit, Magenta, Mouth, Process of Illumination, RTFACT, Robert Berry, Seven Impale, Soul Enema, Sproingg, Terra Collective, Time King, Wobbler, Yang.
The book was written by Vasileios Yfantis who has also authored other thematic books on Punk, Metal and music technology. Next plans for Vasileios Yfantis include the release of a Prog musical album in 2020 and a new book on melodic rock scheduled for release during the early 2021.
About the author Vasileios Yfantis has been working in the music industry for more than 20 years as a freelance music journalist. Moreover, he holds 2 Master Degrees in Information Technology and he is a Phd candidate in University of West Attica in Greece. Vasileios has presented conference papers in both Europe and Africa. The main areas of his research interests feature: Musicology, Marketing, Information Communications Technology, Digital Entertainment Industry.
Bibliography 1. V. Yfantis, “The Commercial Exploitation Of Color As A Consumer Stimulus” (Greek Edition), Createspace, 2013. 2. V. Yfantis, “The Lost Lyrics” (Greek Edition), Createspace, 2013. 3. V. Yfantis, “Punk Goes Science: The Academic Punk Bibliography”,CreateSpace, 2014. 4. V. Yfantis, “City Streets Of Europe”, Lulu, 2017. 5. V. Yfantis, “Metal Goes Science”, Createspace 2017. 6. V. Yfantis, “Disadvantaged Populations And Technology In Music”, Createspace 2017. 7. V. Yfantis, “Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I”, Createspace 2019.
“Oceans of Thought” features members of Airbag, Wobbler, Knifeworld, and Gekko Projekt, among others.
About the album
“Oceans of Thought” was originally called “The Merchant of Eternal Youth” but during the time of the recordings I had some personal problems and I was a little depressed. So the songs, the cover but above all the lyrics, have undergone a change because my music comes from what I have inside of my mind and soul.
So this album talks about the difficulties that life sometimes brings us, but also talks about how to try to overcome them. It’s a record that I care a lot about because it talks a lot about me. Because great musicians have played there, from Norwegian guitarists Bjørn Riis founder of the band Airbag and Marius Halleland (Wobbler), Peter Matuchniak (Kinetic Element), Jeff Mack (Scarlet Hollow) and Maurizio Antonini the beating heart of this record. The precious woodwinds arrangements by Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) and the beautiful voice of JoJo Razor(Gekko Projekt) and last but not the least, Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) playing Sitar.
This year I turned 50, an important and very significant milestone for me. Half a century on Earth! What a wonderful journey up to here. First of all, I want to thank my beautiful and wonderful Wife because She made my life happier and more dynamic. Then all the supporters who allowed me to record this album and in particular Jon Hawkins for having produced it. I am proud and very happy to present it to you today. I hope it will reach your heart and your mind. Entertaining you, relaxing and making you think about life, its beauties and sometimes its inconsistencies.
The album was released today June 21st, the day of the summer solstice. The most important day of my life.
Have a good trip folks! Marco Ragni
Track Listing 1 Flashlights 2 Dizziness 3 Hammil’s Thoughts 4 The Wind Blows Anyway 5 Regain Control 6 Oceans of Thought 7 Under a Big Red Sun 8 Voice in the Dark 9 Open My Arms
Music and lyrics by Marco Ragni Produced by Jon Hawkins Album Art by Marco Ragni
Featuring: Marco Ragni: Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keys, bass Peter Matuchniak: Electric guitar Dave Newhouse: Woodwinds Jeff Mack: Five string fretted and fretless bass & Chapman Stick. Maurizio Antonini: Drums JoJo Razor: Backing vocals
Special Guests Bjørn Riis: Lead guitar on No. 9 Open My Arms Marius Halleland: Lead Guitar on No 2 Dizziness & No 5 Regain Control Charlie Cawood: Sitar On No 8 Voice in the Dark
Friday 10/20: Doors 3pm Music Joint:
Sons of Ra/ Echoes of Giants/ Five of the Eyes/ In the Presence of Wolves/ AISLES
Friday 10/20: Doors 4pm Rock Club:
Luz de Riada/ District 97/ Thank You Scientist/ Dave Kerzner Band/ The Alphonso Johnson Band
Saturday 10/21: Doors 11am in Rock Club:
Frogg Cafe/ ABACAB/ Wave Mechanics Union/ CAST/ Mike Keneally & BFD/ WOBBLER/ Karmakanic/ The Tangent
Saturday 10/21: 11am in Music Joint:
Roswell/ NEW! Performing NEU!/ King Llama/ Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius/ Karcius/ Necromonkey/ Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Thief
Sunday 10/22: Doors 11am in Rock Club::
Randy McStine/ Kinectic Element/ Discipline/ XmarsX/ Schooltree/ Mano/ Martin Barre
Sunday 10/22: Doors 11am in Music Joint: EYE/ Amalgam Effect/ Lost World Band/ Progger/ Agori Tribe
All tickets good for both Music Joint and Rock Club room. Complete times and Meet & Greet schedule TBA.
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