Clive Nolan

Marcel Haster
Date: unknown

This man lives and breathes music. He plays in several bands, writes, produces and undertakes interesting projects with other musicians. On 'Into The Electric Castle' he played some great keyboard solo's and later also on 'Flight of the Migrato'r. His specialty is the MiniMoog. On a rainy Saturday in July he was in Holland with Pendragon to play at the Bospop Festival and I had the chance to sit down and talk with him about music and Ayreon...

Profile

Name: Clive Nolan
Date of birth: Older than Egypt, younger than God
Nationality: English
Residence: Near London
Married: No
Children: 2 Cats
Hobbies: Music...
Favorite 3 albums:
Monthy Python sings
Ilgar Cello Concerto
Genesis - Second's Out
Favorite 3 movies:
The Apartment
Blade Runner
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Can you tell us a little bit about your (musical) past? How did you get involved in the music business?

My parents are musicians… I guess it was in my blood. While I was at University, I was involved with a band, and it just developed from there.

[Clive also mentioned that his education enables him to conduct an orchestra and that he plays the violin also!!]

What was the first band you played in?

It was called Sleepwalker…. We put it together at school. This is the band that continued at University.

What other musicians have been an influence to you?

At school we were always trying to learn bits of Rick Wakeman stuff. To be honest most of my musical influences come from 'classical composers'… Beethoven, Bartok, Prokovief etc…. There's always Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush….

You now play in two bands at the same time (Arena, Pendragon), are involved in other projects (with Oliver Wakeman, Strangers On A Train) and you have Shadowland. How do you manage?

I plan ahead. You have to. It's really not that hard.

Are there other things you do besides the mentioned bands and projects?

I do various other musical projects that you haven't mentioned. We own a studio, so I tend to do a fair amount of keyboard sessions. I'm currently enjoying work some 'power metal' bands that have been making some demos….

Why do you play in so many bands and projects?

I think variety it a good thing for a musician. I enjoy doing what I do.

What are some moments you especially cherish in your musical career?

The first album I played on (Pendragon 9.15)… the first album of my music that was released (Strangers on a Train). Some of the big gigs we've played over the years (First time at the Paradiso)

With the release of the first Arena album (Songs from the Lionscage) Verglas was started. What is your share in Verglas Music?

I started the record company with Mick Pointer as a way of releasing that album.

Your name first appears on the cover of the album Into The Electric Castle. How did you and Arjen get together?

We kind of made contact through Arjen's record company (Double Dutch), with who I had been in contact for a while.

If you look back on this album, what do you think of it?

At that time I was fairly unfamiliar with Arjen's work. This album kind of introduced me to him. I enjoyed it. I was nice to be asked to come to 'someone else's party'; I'm usually the organizer for these kind of projects.

About two years later you can be heard on the following Ayreon albums. How did this cooperation come to be?

I said to Arjen that I'd like to do more, and he seemed happy with that. When he told me about the two albums, I suggested doing a bit on each one. I particularly wanted to play on the 'Bruce' track..;)

What do you think of those albums?

They're excellent. Well produced, and great material.

Arjen told me you had asked him to play some guitar on your 'Hound of Baskervilles' project. How is this project developing?

It's going very well. I'm just sorting out a few keyboards, and then we'll be mixing it. Arjen's contribution was great. I love what he's done on the two tracks. Actually, I originally asked him to do one track, but it sounded so good, I thought I'd better get some more!

Any chance of more intensive cooperation?

This is something we've mentioned. I have one or two ideas…. We'll see what Arjen thinks.

From all the albums you have made so far, can you pick one which is your favourite or special?

I really cannot pick one. There are different ones for different reasons. 'Strangers on a Train's' first album, because it was my first music on CD. Shadowland 'Ring of Roses', because it holds strong atmospheres for me. 'Casino' because I worked with Geoff Mann. Arena, 'The Visitor', because it was a real achievement.

You work with a lot of other musicians. Are they familiar with Ayreon?

Most of them, yes.

Progressive rock is not something you hear often on the radio. So many people don't know it. How is the audience in the UK for this kind of music?

I'm sure there is an audience, but the media doesn't give it any chance.

Do you follow the present day music scene? What do you think of it?

I'm aware of what's going on, just not excited by it. I see so many claims for originality, but it's all rehash… just louder, or different hairstyles, or a new dance routine ('routine' being the key word).

You have a quite impressive musical career behind you. Does this mean there are no more challenges for you? Nothing more to learn?

You must be joking! The moment you believe you've learnt everything you're dead! I am consumed with ambitions and challenges that will way exceed my life span.

Can you still go shopping without being recognized?

Yes… no problem!…. Once I've popped on the comedy wig, false nose and sunglasses… ;)

What importance do the fans have for you? Do you get a lot of fan mail?

We do get a lot of email… and a fair few letters. It's hard to answer all of them, because there are always other things we have to do. We do try.

I noticed that after concerts you and others from the band mingle with the fans and talk to them. How does that affect you?

It's nice to meet people… simple as that. It's also good to stay in touch with people who listen to your music or go to your gigs.

You write a lot and there are differences between the styles of the bands. How do you manage to write different kinds of music?

I used to just wear 'different hats'. I would get myself into an 'Arena frame of mind', or a 'Shadowland frame of mind', and then see what came out. Nowadays, I tend to have what I call 'power writing sessions': I get the urge to write music, and I just write and write, for maybe a week. It's all basic ideas… bits of material. This is the one percent inspiration that has to be followed by the ninety nine percent perspiration. Later I decide which bits of material suite what band or project.

What kinds of things inspire you in your writing?

Good books… good films.

Are there things you haven't done, but would like to do? Any persons you would like to play with?

There are many things I still want to do. I really want to write film music, for example. I'd love to work with Peter Gabriel (surprise, surprise).

How does it feel to be on one album together with Rick Wakeman?

Excellent! In many ways, it all began with Rick Wakeman, so that was a real buzz.

We were talking about influences earlier on, but have you ever been an influence to others?

I hope so. Who knows?

What are your future-plans?

Onwards and upwards... Hopefully… ;) I do have a few new projects that I'm considering embarking on.

Is there anything we have not talked about that you would like to add??

Er, that's a difficult question. Probably yes, but I'll only think of it later.