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What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

I guess curiosity is what made me listen to a few classic records in the beginning. Then I bought my first guitar and my songwriting ideas started to materialize. I’ve played in various rock and alternative bands through the years, always as the main, if not the only songwriter. Finally, it came the time to record a solo album and I’m quite excited about it. The song material and the musical “muse” drove me to this current place.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

My first solo album is called “The later tapes vol.1 Antiquities”. It consists of ten tracks written in different periods of time; ten independent and different to each other stories that create a cohesive whole, once put together. The album is based on the acoustic guitar and folk rock genre, however at times it moves towards experimentation.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Band, Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Queen, The Police, John Lennon, Tom Petty, Scott Walker, Mike Oldfield, Jim Croce, Roy Harper, Vangelis, Basil Poledouris, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Stephen King, Richard Matheson, Terry Gilliam, Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonin Dvorak, Jean Sibelius.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

It is acoustic guitar based sound mainly. However, I take the liberty of expanding the folk boundaries with richer or sparer orchestrations. The song is my guide every time. The only criteria I have for my music is a strong songwriting and that becomes more apparent in a stripped down version of each song. I avoid gimmicks in my performances. It is all 100% live.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

When it comes to albums, Neil Young – Harvest, Beethoven – The late string quartets (Takacs Quartet), Vangelis – Blade Runner, when it comes to books, Richard Matheson – Somewhere in time, Stephen King – Insomnia, Alexandre Dumas – The Count of Monte Cristo. I wouldn’t take any movies with me. I’ll definitely enjoy the desert island scenery.

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Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

I used to prefer studio but I’ve changed through the years and now I like live better. Studio takes a lot of discipline and sometimes creates a great deal of pressure. Live is always a surprise to me. You never know how good or bad it can be or how the interaction with the audience will be, so it is always something to keep me up on my toes.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

There is a song called “dog” that I wrote. One time a stray dog showed up in a show, just after we started playing it. He stood in front of us, staring at us and during the bridge he left the place. In another gig another dog came in front of the stage, only during that song. Not sure what it all means. I still play that song live.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

It is hard to decide. I find all of my songs unique in their own way. But to answer your question, I’d say “Phantom”. It is in my latest album. It got some pretty unique lyrics and a sad story behind it.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

I am promoting “The later tapes vol.1 Antiquities” these days and working on some new song ideas. There are also plans for an album presentation after summer.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

What do you get from songwriting and some thoughts about it today?

I love the craft and all the work that you have to put to it to make it flourish. Sometimes you can work through a problem with it. It is a sad realization that songwriting doesn’t have the status it used to have decades ago, as an art form. There is also an absurd notion that it can be taught in a music school. Your best teachers are life itself and the records from the great masters of the form. If you are willing to give them the right amount of time they will reward you.

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

Recommended listening:

Connect with Bill Randen:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQYT3nUoGnBs9Ay5IDSMhejMbtmzYosMu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randenbil

Instagram: randenbill

Bandcamp: https://billranden.bandcamp.com/album/the-later-tapes-vol-1-antiquities