GEORGE: Welcome to BeRock Radio, Joel, the most melodic place! I am George, please make yourself comfortable.
We're glad to have you here. You are the son of classical musicians, and started playing music with the cello and piano
at a young age. When you first heard Angus Young playing, you were inspired to play the guitar.
Tell us a few words about this.
JOEL: Yes, my parents gave me a good head start skillwise because there was always music around the house.
I just wasn’t that interested in it until I heard AC/DC.
Everything clicked for me at that point.
GEORGE: You have collaborated to a great success with artists such as Night Ranger, Jack Blades, Jeff Scott Soto
and the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Tell us about your experience collaborating with such big names and what benefit
these cooperations brought to you.
JOEL: I’ve learned from all of the musical experiences I’ve had. I’ve been blessed to make a living at it.
It’s a tough business these days and many great players struggle to even find a way to pay the bills.
GEORGE: Initially, you were aiming for a 2016 release, but your latest work, "Dying to Live", was released in the end of 2015.
Personally, I think it's the best you have released so far, with fantastic tracks such as "Until I Left You", "Scream " and "Changes".
The production is of very high quality. It has been praised worldwide, rockers are loving it and it's been receiving high ratings.
Did you expect it to be such a huge success?
JOEL: I really didn’t know what to expect. I just wanted to make a great rock album. I had 3 solo albums out years ago that were
predominantly instrumental music. Over the years, the fans that have gotten to know me from playing with Night Ranger,
Rock of Ages, TSO and Whitesnake have been asking me to make an album like this. It always sounded like a great idea,
but the trick was finding the time!
GEORGE: Can you tell us some information on the album? Was it difficult composing the tracks?
How long did the recording sessions take?
JOEL: No, I this 2 or 3 of them had been pre-existing ideas that I just re-worked.
In general, the writing was pretty effortless. The hardest thing was dealing with
everyone’s busy schedules (including my own) to get this done.
GEORGE: Did you have any inspirations while writing the tracks?
JOEL: The songs are all about the struggle in life to become the person that you want to become.
There’s definitely a theme.
GEORGE: Did you encounter any problems during the recording of the album?
If so, how did you overcome them?
JOEL: Nothing major, like I said, it was more about waiting on people’s schedules, etc..
But good things come to those who wait!
GEORGE: Along with the album, you’ve released videos, which have so many views they’re at risk
of blacking out YouTube’s servers! (laughs!) How easy or difficult is it for an artist to handle such great
success, what expectations and responsibilities does this success bring for an equally good follow-up?
JOEL: Hmmm, I look at it like they haven’t gotten many views actually.
I think I have a lot of great music left in me and definitely learned a lot in making this album.
So no, I’m not concerned at all about making another album this good.
GEORGE: For the past 3-4 years, we’ve been seeing a bloom in Melodic Rock\Melodic Hard Rock.
Do you believe that rockers want more quality in the music and listen to more of this genre?
What is your opinion on this?
JOEL: Who knows? I just want to follow my instincts as an artist and make music on a high level and work
with others who are like-minded.
GEORGE: In recent years, the music industry has changed. We see that a lot of people prefer digital purchases,
which are more convenient, faster and more accessible. What are your thoughts on the future of physical copies,
such as CDs?
JOEL: That’s really stuff that’s beyond my control, so I’ll just ride the wave wherever it’s headed.
GEORGE: It’s not just the music industry that has changed over the years. Nowadays, we see
social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc...) have become hugely widespread.
How much support do these sites offer to a band and in what way?
JOEL: “Likes” and “follows” don’t always translate into sales and actual support.
But I think social media sites are positive because it allows artists to be more hands
on with their supporters.
GEORGE: Firstly, I wanted to ask you some questions about your music. However, I also have to ask you what's on everyone's
mind! (laughs!!) You are currently with Whitesnake. Tell us what it feels like to play music alongside the top frontman of
the rock music scene – of course, I'm talking about the one and only David Coverdale.
JOEL: David has been GREAT to work for so far. He’s been like a big brother to me.
He’s seen it all and there’s so much somebody like me can learn from a guy like him.
He’s also just a lot of fun, so there’s always that…He’s a really witty guy!
GEORGE: The current members of Whitesnake seem to have bonded very well together as a band.
What's your secret to success that helped you accomplish that bond?
JOEL: It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how that’s happened, but I really like our line-up a lot. Everyone is talented and FUNNY.
The bus is just one laugh after another. It’s a great mix of veterans like Tommy Aldridge and Reb Beach and newer guys
like Michele Luppi and myself.
GEORGE: What are your plans after the Purple Tour has been completed?
JOEL: I just played a few solos for Michael Sweet’s upcoming solo album. Michael and I are also slated to write/release a
project album together. I really have 4 things in total that I’m writing for right now, so that’s a lot of the immediate focus.
I’ll let David fill everyone in on Whitesnake’s plans for 2016.
GEORGE: Thank you for your time, I wish you all the best for the future! The last words are yours for this interview.
Feel free to say whatever you want to all BeRock Radio's minizine readers!
JOEL: Thanks for the support.
I’ve got the best job in the world and hope to see you all out a show sometime soon!
