MARVEL are a band from Portugal and their
first CD I discussed a few weeks ago is pretty much a great AOR
record that is a must for people who enjoyed the releases of
bands like LA FASE, CODA, TERCER ACTO, SAGRE AZUL and ORE.
Although their music is sung in Portuguese, the AOR sound on
their record is pure 80s influenced and may also attract fans of
bands like JOURNEY an BAD ENGLISH. I just had to do an interview
with these guys, not only because they sound terrific, but it's
also the first real AOR band from Portugal discussed on our site.
Please introduce us your band, when did
you form MARVEL and did any of you played in bands before MARVEL?
The band was formed in January 1999 with members from IRS,
Ricardo and Tiago deciding to leave the band and join Ivan and
Joćo Paulo. Immediatly we started composing songs while
auditioning for bass players. After two tries that didnt work out
we found Miguel. All of the band members have played in numerous
other bands, ranging from Club Covers bands to Original music
bands. We all play our instruments for more than 10 years.
Can you tell us all
about your debut CD?
The CD was recorded all by ourselves. We produced it, engineered,
composed and mastered every single bit. It was recorded in the
band Studio and it took quite a while to record mainly due to
time constraints due to work schedules by band members and also
because we were still finishing the studio and we had to wait a
while for some of the equipment. In all it took us almost 6
months since recording the first drum tracks until finishing the
mastering process. In the end we were quite happy with the sound
but now that we learned so much in the recording of the debut CD
we are getting a much better sound quality in our latest work
that is almost finished.
Your music is 80s AOR, which bands
influenced you?
The band members are influenced by many musical styles and bands,
ranging from POP, to ROCK and even Metal Bands. Bands like Duran
Duran, Police, Bon Jovi, FireHouse, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater.
We listen to it all. But the main theme for us it has always been
the 80s AOR.
How has the CD been
received, lots of positive reactions... How's the scene like in
Portugal for AOR music?
Our CD like in your magazine has received
very positive reactions. We are very happy with the response of
the media as well as the fans. The critics to our Presentation
Show here in Lisbon were also very good stating that the band
sounded even better (stronger) live than it did in the studio.
Unfortunately the AOR scene here in Portugal isnt very good.
We're having difficulties just to make our record heard by the
A&R and Record Label executives. The ones that heard the
album liked it but we're still waiting for them to make us a
proposal. Its hard times for new bands here in Portugal because
there have been a lot of changes in the Record Labels and in
their staff. Also because of low sales of AOR music here is
making us consider to sing in English (which we didnt started in
first place because its easier to get a deal in Portugal if we
sing in Portuguese) and try the european labels and market from
which we've been getting a great response so far.
Are you're already
working on a new CD, if so can you tell us everything about it?
Possible songs, production, same musicstyle as on your debut,
when it is going to be released, etc. etc.?
Our next CD is currently being recorded. Its the bands first
effort in English and it probably will be released first as an EP
with 4 or 5 songs to scan the reactions of the media, labels and
fans. We have all the instruments recorded except for some of the
synths. Then we will mix and master it. We hope to have it all
finished by the end of February.
What are the plans
for the next coming months?
Our plans are to keep on promoting our songs and web site (
www.marvelmusic.com ) also we are rehearsing the band to always
be ready for live shows. We will also be doing a cover song of
one of our favorite bands, and we are currently working on some
unplugged versions of some songs of our debut CD. Of course we
are still trying to talk to the Record label representatives and
A&R in order to get a record deal.
Finally, do you
have anything to add to our readers?
Well, we just want to thank all the nice people that have been
downloading our songs, listening to the CD and writing to us all
those nice things, we love you guys. Keep on looking in our web
site for the new songs sung in English that will be out by the
end of this month. Maybe we will post a little peek even before
they are completely ready, so stay tuned and I hope to hear from
you again soon !
WEBSITE:
www.marvelmusic.com
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MARVEL are a band from Portugal and their
first CD I discussed a few weeks ago is pretty much a great AOR
record that is a must for people who enjoyed the releases of
bands like LA FASE, CODA, TERCER ACTO, SAGRE AZUL and ORE.
Although their music is sung in Portuguese, the AOR sound on
their record is pure 80s influenced and may also attract fans of
bands like JOURNEY an BAD ENGLISH. I just had to do an interview
with these guys, not only because they sound terrific, but it's
also the first real AOR band from Portugal discussed on our site.
Please introduce us your band, when did
you form MARVEL and did any of you played in bands before MARVEL?
Your music is 80s AOR, which bands
influenced you?
Our CD like in your magazine has received
very positive reactions. We are very happy with the response of
the media as well as the fans. The critics to our Presentation
Show here in Lisbon were also very good stating that the band
sounded even better (stronger) live than it did in the studio.
Unfortunately the AOR scene here in Portugal isnt very good.
We're having difficulties just to make our record heard by the
A&R and Record Label executives. The ones that heard the
album liked it but we're still waiting for them to make us a
proposal. Its hard times for new bands here in Portugal because
there have been a lot of changes in the Record Labels and in
their staff. Also because of low sales of AOR music here is
making us consider to sing in English (which we didnt started in
first place because its easier to get a deal in Portugal if we
sing in Portuguese) and try the european labels and market from
which we've been getting a great response so far.
