photo :
31st March, 2023
You just finished a successful tour with Orpheus Omega. What were the highlights and lowlights of that tour?
The highlights were getting to take my solo material on the road for the first time. In addition to that, this was my first time touring Australia, which was an incredible experience. The highlight of any tour for me is being in that timeless moment, playing the songs you’ve written and seeing the reaction from the people watching – it’s an amazing
feeling.
As for lowlights… I suppose our car breaking down on the first day after about 30 minutes was a significant low point in the tour haha. We took two cars between two bands and the one that broke down was towing a trailer with all our gear. That just happened to be the only car with a towbar too, so we were in real trouble of making it to the first show in Adelaide at all, let alone on time. Thankfully, one of the Orpheus Omega boys’ Dad bailed us out and picked them up and drove the 10-hour drive with us to Adelaide in his car instead.
The guys in your live band are amazing musicians. How did you find out about/ meet them?
They really are amazing and I’m very fortunate to work with them. I met them through mutual friends here in Melbourne, Australia.
Thankfully there are some incredible musicians out here. We hit it off and the first practice session was a blast. They are the most awesome guys to tour with.
Your most recent album, Arcade Metal, is a shred guitar take on 80’s video game soundtracks. What inspired this idea? How long did the project take to complete?
I’ve always been heavily inspired by game soundtracks, and always wanted to become a video game composer. I’ve had the good fortune of being able to write music for a few games over the years, but doing a metal/guitar shred album dedicated to the games I played growing up in the 90s (Streets of Rage, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc), was something I’d always wanted to do, just never found the time. I wrote a couple of songs for this album way back in 2015! The album didn’t come out until 2022, so I guess you could say I was writing it over the course of about 7 years. I was always just so busy with my band at the time so had little time to put into it until a year or two before its release.
How was Arcade Metal received by the guitar community?
As far as I can tell, it has been received very well, thankfully! It had some great reviews, and my fanbase seem to appreciate it too, which is a blessing because I was worried the change in genre might turn some people away and confuse others. Not many artists can go from melo-death, to instrumental prog, to video game/shredwave!
Somehow the madness was embraced and I’m very
glad!
There are some very talented guest musicians on there. Was there anybody you asked that wasn’t able to participate?
Yes, but I’d rather not say who to be honest. In the end I think only two people shot the idea down due to scheduling but otherwise everyone else agreed and I was so happy with the result. It was nothing short of a dream to work with the talented people who offered a guest spot on the album, some of which were childhood heroes of mine! I think the most surreal moment in my career has been getting to work with Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage composer), as he was like a god to me when I was a kid…and still is really haha!
Why heavy music? What is it about this style and sound that attracts you to it?
I think it’s two things: one is the cathartic release of emotions. I find heavy music (not all of course) to have a way of sitting with my pain and anguish and accompanying it. It’s a release and in a sense, makes you feel like you’re not alone feeling the way you do. I also find metal to be very empowering. It’s a force and it gets me pumped. But the second reason I’d give is that for whatever reason, metal also attracts virtuoso musicians and allows the exploration of advanced techniques and a little more musicianship. I enjoy classical music, and I think metal has a lot of similarities and pushes the envelope when it comes to musicianship.
How did you first discover and get into metal?
Hard to say, I always loved classic rock music. I used to listen to compilation albums on my CD player when I was as young as 5 when I slept. I’ve always loved the sound of a distorted guitar.
From there I got into Guns N Roses, Iron Maiden, and Metallica, and it was like a drug; always searching for that next increasingly powerful hit! (I imagine anyway, not having ever really dabbled with hard drugs!)
photo : AN Music Photos
Who were/ are your music heroes?
As I mentioned before, Yuzu Koshiro. Michael Jackson was my biggest inspiration ever. I don’t think anyone comes close to the passion he put into his music. That was my first big inspiration, musically along with classical music – Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven. Metallica of course were a massive influence in my teens.
Was there a defining moment that made you decide to play an instrument?
My Dad taught me to play piano at age 5. I was always fascinated by my parents playing music around the house. They are both singers, pianists and guitarists. I really learned a lot from them.
How did the move to Australia come about?
My girlfriend hated the weather in the UK.
End of story, really.
What other bands have you been in, and when?
I’ve been in countless bands haha. My first was called, “Turbulence”, when I was about 10 years old. We gigged and played classic rock music. I was the singer and keyboardist. From then, I formed punk rock bands in my teens and
eventually metal bands. The only album I released with another band besides Mors Principium Est was a UK band called “Shadow Law” back in 2010.
photo : shfotomusic
How did you learn to play?
I had piano lessons for years and did grades, but was self-taught on guitar. It wasn’t until I picked up a guitar that I really “played” music for the first time.
Were your parents supportive of your choice to play an instrument, and play in a band?
Absolutely. They enabled all of it. I have a lot to thank them for – incredibly supportive parents!
Do you regularly practice with the band to stay tight, or only when there are upcoming shows?
Honestly, only really for an upcoming tour, otherwise I’m too busy writing and recording on my own.
How often do you practice? Is it playing along to songs, working on specific techniques, etc…?
I’m ashamed to say I never really “practise” unless for a tour or show. I just have so little time with all the projects I’m working on. I wish I had time to get better and learn new skills but it’s hard these days. Time is always an issue for me.
How are your songs conceived?
I typically wait for ideas to hit me and record them as phone audio memos. I then convert them to recordings later with an instrument. I very rarely sit down with nothing and start trying to write. I prefer to let the ideas come to me while I’m doing other things.
photo : shfotomusic
What artists, old or new, are you listening to currently?
I’m sad to say I don’t get much time to really sit and listen to music as I work around it so much, but The Reign of Kindo, a lot of prog metal stuff, old Vinnie Moore, and a lot of peaceful piano stuff.
What have been some of your most memorable shows to date?
I think my most memorable experiences have been in Japan. There’s just such a great vibe and I’ve always enjoyed touring there. I think the biggest show though would have to be Summer Breeze in 2014. That was wild.
Is being Andy Gillion, the musician, a fulltime job, or do you do other jobs to support your music career?
After about 20 years of struggling, I’m finally in a place that I can work on music full-time. This is all I ever wanted, so I count myself very lucky, but at the same time, it was far from easy to get to this point and I’m far from financially stable, haha! Before I had always worked I.T and admin jobs that I HATED.
Worst touring experience?
I think it would be unwise to open this can of worms… I am grateful for every tour I’ve ever done. The hardest had to be the euro tour in 2014 though. Driving in a van, being stuck in Belarus. It was a whole thing.
photo : shfotomusic
Who’s your bucket list artist to tour with?
Has to be Metallica!
Any pre-show rituals?
To be excruciatingly nervous!
What’s the last show you saw that you weren’t playing at?
Trivium, here in Melbourne. Matt Heafy was kind enough to put my partner and I on the guest list, and it was a blast.
How did you get into video game composing?
I always wanted to do it and worked my ass off doing jobs for free for years. There was very little pay off but thankfully over the last few years I landed a couple of games here in Australia, “Metal Heads” and “Brimstone Brawlers”. I honestly don’t think I can advise on getting into it, it’s so difficult to find the work. All I would say is, do what you are passionate about.
What do you do in your free? Any other hobbies outside of music?
I go bouldering (indoor climbing). It has saved my life in terms of physical and mental health. I’ve had bulged discs and RSI issues from playing guitar and it has helped tremendously. I can’t live without it!
Favourite holiday destination?
Bali was a blast!
What new bands should people check out that deserve some recognition?
Go listen to Native Construct. They’re not new, but that album is insane.
Specifically, what gear do you play?
I currently play the same guitar I have for the last 8 years – my trust Daemoness custom! Elixir Strings 9-46 (proud endorsee!). I use my own custom Winspear picks which you can buy from their website. I predominantly use an Axe FX 2 for my guitar stuff, but also dabble with Neural DSP.
And of course, I record everything into Cubase.
Your Daemoness Cimmerian is a work of art. How does it hold up now compared to when you first received it?
That guitar has been my most cherished item since I bought it and nothing has changed there. It is simply an amazing instrument.
Dylan Humphries is an amazing artist on top of being an outstanding luthier. What was it like working with him?
Dylan is a dear friend, and we lived in the same city of Bristol, England. So working with him was just a joy. He is an unbelievable luthier and artist.
Was the Valkyrie artwork your idea? How did that design come about?
I asked for an Angel, he said no and did a Valkyrie, haha!
What’s your dream gear?
I would absolutely love to own an Aristides guitar someday.
Cats – lovable family members or Satan’s spawn?
Ooooh, this is a tricky one. I love all animals, but I am much more of a dog person. Whenever I stay at friends’ houses their cats generally attack me in my sleep. So I’m just gonna go with dogs on this one.
What does 2023 have in store for Andy Gillion?
I’m working hard on a new melo-death record and I’ve had to learn how to scream just for this. It’s sounding great and I hope to be finished this year. I’m also working on Neverafter II (the sequel) and planning a tutorial course. There’s a lot going on right now, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Thanks so much for the interview!
photo : Chris Themelco
Andy Gillion : @andygillion