Ed Kowalczyk Rejuvenated By Solo Career (article) Options

[LivesMeltdown]

Ed Kowalczyk Rejuvenated By Solo Career

After recording music as the front man for Live for nearly 15 years, songwriter Ed Kowalczyk said that he knew a change was necessary to continue on as a musician.

“For me as an artist, I had been doing it the same way for so long, it just came to a point a couple years ago where I needed a change,” Kowalczyk told Alternative Addiction during an interview this week. “I needed to enter a new chapter in my life. If anything, I kind of lost the spark, I was just kind of doing the same thing over and over. I needed to get out of that and become a creative individual again.”

Kowalczyk said he wasn’t sure what that next chapter was going to be, but he knew that a change was needed to re-inspire musically and lyrically. About a year and a half ago, Kowalczyk said he began kicking around the idea of writing some solo material, but instead of jumping directly into the studio, he decided to head out on the road for the first time in his career as a solo artist.

Joining with Art Alexakis of Everclear and Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer, Kowalczyk started the “Open Wings Broken Strings Tour” in the fall of 2009. Initially, Kowalczyk said playing songs completely by himself definitely took some getting used to.

“About halfway through the show you realize you’re the whole show,” Kowalczyk explained. “You can’t throw to a big band jam or something like that. You are just there with the people in a different sort of way.”

Even though his solo shows were completely different than playing with a band, Kowalczyk started to realize that playing solo was also an incredible opportunity to connect with his fans in a more intimate way than he had as a part of Live.

“I think a lot of people were surprised with the voice and clarity that my songs had without the production and [a full band],” explained Kowalczyk. “That kind of started a whole process of reconnecting with the fans, inspiring new material, and re-inspiring me as a person.”

Entering the studio earlier this year, Kowalczyk began the process of recording his solo album, feeding off the energy he picked up out on the road last fall. The result is an album that Kowalczyk says is somewhat experimental from albums he’s record in the past with Live, although it maintains the core of the type of rock music he’s known for throughout his career.

Despite the uniqueness of the album, Kowalczyk says the writing process for the new album wasn’t much different than how he approached writing albums for Live.

“I didn’t really approach it differently at all. I sat down with an acoustic guitar and started writing out the lyrics and melodies that moved me,” said Kowalczyk. “The process it really wasn’t any different for me at all.”

Titled, Alive, Kowalczyk’s new album is due out July 6th. A full tour is planned to kick off in Buffalo on July 1st, with opening act Alex Band planned for the first leg of the tour. Kowalczyk has dates currently slated through mid-October, including a short run through Europe in late August and early September. Kowalczyk also says that an additional run of the “Open Wings Broken Strings Tour” is being planned for late this year.

As for Live fans who are upset with Kowalczyk for leaving the band, he hopes most will understand that the change was necessary for this new chapter in his musical career.

“You can fake inspiration as an artist, you get it where you get it,” says Kowalczyk. “I think the most important thing is that I have re-found that inspiration. It’s a really exciting time for me, and the response to the music has really been pretty awesome.”

http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicn...-By-Solo-Career

[LivesMeltdown]

Here's the audio of the interview

http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/interv..._mp3.asp?id=645

EDIT: In the audio portion, when asked about the breakup Ed said he has been advised not to talk about it. Interesting interview.

This post has been edited by LivesMeltdown: Jun 19 2010, 6:57 pm

[OutToDry]

He's found somethng new? You're kidding me. That is a big fluff peice. Things got stale.....I call BS. He's orchestrated to fool lots of people and this article is supposed to make him look the marytr?

What about writing that he was kicked out of the band for embezzlement. He got what he wanted from the 2001 year on out......................Ed, Ed, Ed.....It doesn't wash with this fan...........(Not of yours)

This says tons '“You can fake inspiration as an artist, you get it where you get it,” says Kowalczyk.'

He's advised not to talk as there is a legal document on the books (5 counts of wrongdoing & summons)

This post has been edited by OutToDry: Jun 19 2010, 7:06 pm

[LivesMeltdown]

...and here we go.

Yes, it's possible that he found something new. Even though he has wrote pretty much all of the material since TDTH, it's a lot different creating your own solo record than a record with the Live name. He doesn't automatically have that fan base anymore. He doesn't necessarily the same people that will go buy anything with the Live name on it.

I think I can make the case that Chad, Chad, and Pat have orchestrated to fool lots of people too by saying they did everything out of their great friendship with Ed, when I think they wanted to keep Live together just because of the money it brought in. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't think they are saints either as they make themselves out to be.

This post has been edited by LivesMeltdown: Jun 19 2010, 7:14 pm

[OutToDry]

I think we shall see what becomes of that. I don't agree with you saying those 3 orchestrated to fool the Live fanbase, they;ve been nothing but honest with most fans from day one.

Flame me all you want. Ed's got you fooled too.

[LivesMeltdown]

I think we shall see what becomes of that. I don't agree with you saying those 3 orchestrated to fool the Live fanbase, they;ve been nothing but honest with most fans from day one.

Flame me all you want. Ed's got you fooled too.

Honestly, how can you say that they have been nothing but honest with most fans from day one? How exactly do you know that? Maybe you have been fooled too. As for me, it's possible...but I don't think any of these guys are above making it sound like they are right about this issue no matter what the truth is.

[Wambangalang]

this article is BS. makes it sound like he "needed" to go solo as an artist. Yet he has a whole new band

[OutToDry]

I'd stake my rep on it man. Say you and I were in a band and I went behind your back to divert $$ and the band attorney supported it, would you be upset? Outraged? Calling for Legal Action?

[SJN1279]

I'd stake my rep on it man. Say you and I were in a band and I went behind your back to divert $$ and the band attorney supported it, would you be upset? Outraged? Calling for Legal Action?

The meaningless rep on fansoflive?

[OutToDry]

Not the meaningless rep here. My reputation which has a conscience.

I think this article might do Ed more harm than good as he's trying to spin the accusations saying he needed to a change, so he demanded to quit unless he got 70% of the money on the 2005 agreement only to then have a secret agreement drawn up with Loco Mucho and Fifth Veda for $1000000 bonus for next Live album.

The only changing he did is get vile and utterly disgusting.

[VoodooLady]

perhaps it was too much vino rosso tonite..

or maybe it was this article.. but i dont feel so good..

[LivesMeltdown]

this article is BS. makes it sound like he "needed" to go solo as an artist. Yet he has a whole new band

Most "solo" artists have bands that play music behind them. Someone would have to be pretty talented to play lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums while singing at the same time.

[LivesMeltdown]

I'd stake my rep on it man. Say you and I were in a band and I went behind your back to divert $$ and the band attorney supported it, would you be upset? Outraged? Calling for Legal Action?

I'm not saying what Ed did was right if the allegations are correct. My point was NONE of us knows who is telling the truth about the different issues of the band, especially the part that Ed gave them an "ultimatum" and band agreed because of their great friendship.

This post has been edited by LivesMeltdown: Jun 19 2010, 8:07 pm

[OutToDry]

I'm not saying what Ed did was right if the allegations are correct. My point was NONE of us knows who is telling the truth about the different issues of the band, especially the part that Ed gave them an "ultimatum" and band agreed because of their great friendship.

\



I'd bet my paycheck that C & C & P are not lying.

[tiger]

Ed Kowalczyk Rejuvenated By Solo Career

After recording music as the front man for Live for nearly 15 years, songwriter Ed Kowalczyk said that he knew a change was necessary to continue on as a musician.

“For me as an artist, I had been doing it the same way for so long, it just came to a point a couple years ago where I needed a change,” Kowalczyk told Alternative Addiction during an interview this week. “I needed to enter a new chapter in my life. If anything, I kind of lost the spark, I was just kind of doing the same thing over and over. I needed to get out of that and become a creative individual again.”

Kowalczyk said he wasn’t sure what that next chapter was going to be, but he knew that a change was needed to re-inspire musically and lyrically. About a year and a half ago, Kowalczyk said he began kicking around the idea of writing some solo material, but instead of jumping directly into the studio, he decided to head out on the road for the first time in his career as a solo artist.

Joining with Art Alexakis of Everclear and Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer, Kowalczyk started the “Open Wings Broken Strings Tour” in the fall of 2009. Initially, Kowalczyk said playing songs completely by himself definitely took some getting used to.

“About halfway through the show you realize you’re the whole show,” Kowalczyk explained. “You can’t throw to a big band jam or something like that. You are just there with the people in a different sort of way.”

Even though his solo shows were completely different than playing with a band, Kowalczyk started to realize that playing solo was also an incredible opportunity to connect with his fans in a more intimate way than he had as a part of Live.

“I think a lot of people were surprised with the voice and clarity that my songs had without the production and [a full band],” explained Kowalczyk. “That kind of started a whole process of reconnecting with the fans, inspiring new material, and re-inspiring me as a person.”

Entering the studio earlier this year, Kowalczyk began the process of recording his solo album, feeding off the energy he picked up out on the road last fall. The result is an album that Kowalczyk says is somewhat experimental from albums he’s record in the past with Live, although it maintains the core of the type of rock music he’s known for throughout his career.

Despite the uniqueness of the album, Kowalczyk says the writing process for the new album wasn’t much different than how he approached writing albums for Live.

“I didn’t really approach it differently at all. I sat down with an acoustic guitar and started writing out the lyrics and melodies that moved me,” said Kowalczyk. “The process it really wasn’t any different for me at all.”

Titled, Alive, Kowalczyk’s new album is due out July 6th. A full tour is planned to kick off in Buffalo on July 1st, with opening act Alex Band planned for the first leg of the tour. Kowalczyk has dates currently slated through mid-October, including a short run through Europe in late August and early September. Kowalczyk also says that an additional run of the “Open Wings Broken Strings Tour” is being planned for late this year.

As for Live fans who are upset with Kowalczyk for leaving the band, he hopes most will understand that the change was necessary for this new chapter in his musical career.

“You can fake inspiration as an artist, you get it where you get it,” says Kowalczyk. “I think the most important thing is that I have re-found that inspiration. It’s a really exciting time for me, and the response to the music has really been pretty awesome.”

http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicn...-By-Solo-Career

Exactly what is the change if in his words he didn't approach it any differently at all?