Not all of our
readers might know you guys, so maybe you could start off and tell us a bit
about the background for Emerald Sun?
Jimmy Santrazami -
EMERALD SUN are: (arrayed from older to newer members) Jimmy Santrazami
(vocals), Johnnie Athanasiadi (guitars) ,Teo Savage (guitars), Jim Tsakirides
(Keyboards), B-Wicked (drums), Fotis "Sheriff" Toumanides (bass). We play an
extroversive style of melodic metal with total respect to the old power form.
(Wow!!!)
But let me give you a short bio of the band...EMERALD SUN was more like an idea
of a power metal band from 1999, Actually Johnnie's idea. I joined the band in
2000 and Teo 2 or 3 months later. The truth is that we are active as a band
since 2001. From 2001 till 2003, my, Johnnie and Teo, were trying to find good
musicians that would like the idea of leaving it all behind and follow the Heavy
Metal Dream! After a lot of searching we found Jim, Bill and Fotis. So finally
we started working together and at 2005 we entered the NEMESIS for the Debut
recording. We were in quest for a label for about 2 years and at last HERE WE
ARE!
How has the
response been on the new album, and what kind of expectations do you have for
it?
Jimmy
Santrazami -
I have to tell you that ‘Escape from Twilight’ is our Debut album and that we
have no previous releases except the 2 demos which they were for promotion use
only.
We have seen
some great reviews about the album in mags and e-zines from all around the world
but we've seen some bad reviews too. You see, every man has a different opinion
about how Heavy Metal should sound. Every Band in the world has fans and
"enemies". Some metalheads will like Emerald Sun's music and some other will
not. That is the way it is.
If you should
choose one song, which represents the essence of Emerald Sun on the album, which
one would that be and why?
Jimmy
Santrazami -
Ha ha! That is easy... “The Story Begins” this songs lyric are talking about
Emerald Sun metaphorical, so I am choosing that one!
If you had to
describe your music to a complete musical ignorant, what would you tell him?
Jimmy
Santrazami - I could tell him this one line that I told to you before too.
We play an extroversive style of melodic metal with total respect to the old
power metal form.
How important
is the lyrically side of Emerald Sun, and what has inspired you on the album?
Jimmy
Santrazami -
We are always inspired by the feelings we have the moment we write the lyrics,
for example: I wrote “Not Alone” for my grandmother who passed away one year
ago. As for if the lyrics are important for us, of curse they are 'cos people
expressing their feelings easier by singing a great chorus that the lyrics are
taken from someone’s life. Anyway the songs are always talking the truth.
Tell us a bit
about the album art work.
Jimmy
Santrazami -
The pictures for the concept is R.D. Liapaki's idea. Great, isn’t it?
How did you get
the name Emerald Sun, and is there a story behind it?
Jimmy
Santrazami -
No there is no story behind Emerald Sun. Johnnie came up with the name and we
just liked it!!!
What do you
consider to be the biggest accomplishment for you and Emerald Sun, not
necessarily sales wise?
Jimmy Santrazami -
The biggest accomplishment for us is to manage to start living from our music.
This is what we like to do and know to do best!
Do you have any
touring plans for 2007, maybe on the European Festival scene?
Jimmy
Santrazami - At this time of year we are composing songs for our new album
and trying to find a booking agency for some live shows in the winter. We are
open to any proposition for live shows. As for the summer festivals
unfortunately we were too late asking for participation. But we have 2 booked
shows: One at the MAXIMUM ROCK FESTIVAL in Romania, 12th of August and METAL
HEALLING FESTIVAL in Greece, 22nd of July. That's it for now, hope we have more
shows in the future 'cos we really really really really (too many really?) love
playing live!!!
What are the
strengths and where can Emerald Sun improve?
Jimmy
Santrazami - Evolution is coming with the current line-up. We are finally
working together as a 6-member band in and out of the studio. Back in the demo
and the debut days, we had 1 or 2 persons doing all of the thinking. From
melodic lines to public relations! Expect everything from the next album and on!
Name an album,
person or event that has had a huge influence on your life, and why?
Jimmy
Santrazami - Kai Hansen as a composer 'cos of the ‘Keepers’ are the best
albums EVER and ‘Escape from Twilight’ of curse, (ha ha ha ha!) and Freddie
Mercury as a singer 'cos he was the best and the best he still is!
Which five
albums would you bring on your iPod to a deserted island?
Jimmy
Santrazami –
‘Escape from Twilight’ (Emerald Sun) (do you know them? NO? Great poser band,
check them out! Ha ha!) ‘Keeper 1 and 2’ (Helloween), ‘Hellfire Club’ (Edguy)
and ‘Innuendo’ (Queen).
Which album(s)
have put a big smile on you face and has made you bang your head in past year?
Jimmy
Santrazami - In past year...NONE! Strange? In past years... Edguy –
‘Hellfire Club’, Avantasia - Metal Opera, Part 1 and Part 2 and I am waiting for
the third part.
I thank you
very much for participating in this interview and sharing this information and
your thoughts with us - these last lines are entirely for you. Any final words
you would like to round off with?
Jimmy Santrazami - Yes... em eeeee!!! Thank you for
your support and I really hope to see yah in person someday and talk more about
Emerald Sun.
As for our beloved fans... Have faith and believe in us 'cos we are a really
great power metal band that knows how to play, compose and act in live shows,
blah! Blah! Blah!
KEEP SCREAMING OUT OUD MAN!!! WE WILL SEE YAH OUT THERE!!!
Check EMERALD SUN'S MYSPACE
Official Page.
Interviewed by Kenn. | 
