Knight Area

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Knight Area is an interesting band from Holland. Primary a neo-prog band, they have expanded into many directions too. Expanded has the line-up too from a one band and his keyboards to a seven piece band. 

They have just released their new album and I got in touch with them. Gijs Koopman answered my questions.
######################################################################################

Your biography has been
covered in your ProgArchives profile so let's bypass the biography
details. But which bands were you influenced by and why did you choose that
name ?

I
think we are influenced by a various number of bands. For example,
Gerben is influenced by bands like Genesis, IQ and Marillion. I’m
more into Yes, King Crimson and old-school Genesis. All 5 of us have
our own personal taste of music and when you listen to the individual
musicians, it’s easy to determine.

The
band name is the exact translation of Gerben’s street
“Ridderbuurt”. It has a nice ring to it.

This is an archive based
interview also intended for the fans you get well after both you and I have
passed away so let's go straight to your albums.

Please give us your
views/some words on your albums, starting with.......

The Sun Also Rises from
2004

I met
with Gerben back in 2002 and he was already involved with his solo
project Knight Area. At that time I played in Sangamo with Gerben. He
asked me to play some parts for this album. When the record deal was
made, Lasers Edge wanted Gerben to form a band to promote this album
and to play at NEARfest. It’s a very sweet album and very well
received.  

Under A New Sign from 2007

The
first album recorded with this new band. It’s the only album
featuring my former band mate Rinie Huigen from Cliffhanger. For me
personally, it’s a great album with strong compositions. I like the
instrumental title song and Different man part 2.

Realm of Shadows from 2009

The
first album as a 5-piece band after the departure of Gerben’s
brother Joop en Rinie. It was also a concept album. At that time we
were very much excited to play the whole thing live. Great moments
are Ethereal, Momentum and Occlusion.

Your live album Rising
Signs From The Shadows from earlier this year

This
was recorded during our Realm of Shadows album presentation live at
“Het Kasteel”. On CD1 we played the at that time new album Realm
of Shadows for the very first time. CD2 contains the highlights of
the previous albums.

And your brand new album
Nine Paths

This
is a new area for us. For the first time the album is mixed by
someone outside the band. It has been mixed by Neal Kernon who has
over 35 years experience. He worked with Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel
and Brand X. It’s also the first album with songs that are composed
by other band members than Gerben.

For those of us unknown
with your music; how would you describe you music and which bands would you
compare yourself with ?

I
think, our music is very melodic. Very powerful when needed. I
consider us as a cross-over between mid seventies Genesis en
Fish-Marillion with heavy guitars.

Knight Area went from a
solo project with hired musicians on the debut album to become a seven
piece big band on the follow up album. How was it going from solo project to
a big band ? How is the creative processes in your band from coming up
with an idea to it's being recorded ?

A 7
piece band is difficult. You have 7 different opinions. That’s why
we decided not to look for replacements after Joop and Rinie decided
to leave. With 5 it’s already difficult to keep all noses in the
same direction.

The
creative process is rather simple but effective. When one of us has
an idea for a new song, we make a demo at home and sent it by e-mail
to the rest of the band. During rehearsals we start to work this idea
out to a full song. I have an 8 track recorder, drum computer and
various synthesizers at home to work out personal idea’s for new
material.

When
a song is ready for being recorded by the band we record all
arrangements separately. The drums are always recorded first followed
be the bass parts. Then keyboard and guitar, then vocals and guitar
solo’s.

What is your current
status and what is your plans for the rest of this year and next year ?

We
hope we’ll be able to release a new live album again. For the
upcoming series of gigs we play some “other old songs” like the
ones we did the last couple of years. So it’s interesting for the
fans to release a second live album with almost no overlap in songs
compared to the previous one. The release party for Nine Paths on 8
October has been recorded.

To wrap up this interview,
is there anything you want to add to this interview ?

I can
only say: Buy the new Album!

Thank you to Gijs
Koopman for this interview

Their PA profile is here and their homepage is here

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toroddfuglesteg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658	Topic: Knight Area Posted: October 18 2011 at 15:15
	Knight Area is an interesting band from Holland. Primary a neo-prog band, they have expanded into many directions too. Expanded has the line-up too from a one band and his keyboards to a seven piece band. They have just released their new album and I got in touch with them. Gijs Koopman answered my questions. ###################################################################################### Your biography has been covered in your ProgArchives profile so let's bypass the biography details. But which bands were you influenced by and why did you choose that name ? I think we are influenced by a various number of bands. For example, Gerben is influenced by bands like Genesis, IQ and Marillion. I’m more into Yes, King Crimson and old-school Genesis. All 5 of us have our own personal taste of music and when you listen to the individual musicians, it’s easy to determine. The band name is the exact translation of Gerben’s street “Ridderbuurt”. It has a nice ring to it. This is an archive based interview also intended for the fans you get well after both you and I have passed away so let's go straight to your albums. Please give us your views/some words on your albums, starting with....... The Sun Also Rises from 2004 I met with Gerben back in 2002 and he was already involved with his solo project Knight Area. At that time I played in Sangamo with Gerben. He asked me to play some parts for this album. When the record deal was made, Lasers Edge wanted Gerben to form a band to promote this album and to play at NEARfest. It’s a very sweet album and very well received. Under A New Sign from 2007 The first album recorded with this new band. It’s the only album featuring my former band mate Rinie Huigen from Cliffhanger. For me personally, it’s a great album with strong compositions. I like the instrumental title song and Different man part 2. Realm of Shadows from 2009 The first album as a 5-piece band after the departure of Gerben’s brother Joop en Rinie. It was also a concept album. At that time we were very much excited to play the whole thing live. Great moments are Ethereal, Momentum and Occlusion. Your live album Rising Signs From The Shadows from earlier this year This was recorded during our Realm of Shadows album presentation live at “Het Kasteel”. On CD1 we played the at that time new album Realm of Shadows for the very first time. CD2 contains the highlights of the previous albums. And your brand new album Nine Paths This is a new area for us. For the first time the album is mixed by someone outside the band. It has been mixed by Neal Kernon who has over 35 years experience. He worked with Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel and Brand X. It’s also the first album with songs that are composed by other band members than Gerben. For those of us unknown with your music; how would you describe you music and which bands would you compare yourself with ? I think, our music is very melodic. Very powerful when needed. I consider us as a cross-over between mid seventies Genesis en Fish-Marillion with heavy guitars. Knight Area went from a solo project with hired musicians on the debut album to become a seven piece big band on the follow up album. How was it going from solo project to a big band ? How is the creative processes in your band from coming up with an idea to it's being recorded ? A 7 piece band is difficult. You have 7 different opinions. That’s why we decided not to look for replacements after Joop and Rinie decided to leave. With 5 it’s already difficult to keep all noses in the same direction. The creative process is rather simple but effective. When one of us has an idea for a new song, we make a demo at home and sent it by e-mail to the rest of the band. During rehearsals we start to work this idea out to a full song. I have an 8 track recorder, drum computer and various synthesizers at home to work out personal idea’s for new material. When a song is ready for being recorded by the band we record all arrangements separately. The drums are always recorded first followed be the bass parts. Then keyboard and guitar, then vocals and guitar solo’s. What is your current status and what is your plans for the rest of this year and next year ? We hope we’ll be able to release a new live album again. For the upcoming series of gigs we play some “other old songs” like the ones we did the last couple of years. So it’s interesting for the fans to release a second live album with almost no overlap in songs compared to the previous one. The release party for Nine Paths on 8 October has been recorded. To wrap up this interview, is there anything you want to add to this interview ? I can only say: Buy the new Album! Thank you to Gijs Koopman for this interview Their PA profile is here and their homepage is here

memowakeman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 19 2005 Location: Mexico City Status: Offline Points: 13032	Posted: October 20 2011 at 23:12
	Their new album is pretty cool. Great band!
	Follow me on twitter @memowakeman