Scott Smith of May The Rock Be With You recently conducted an interview with White Lion singer Mike Tramp. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
May The Rock Be With You: You have a brand new album due on October 5 through Kick Music/Sony Music in Denmark titled "Mike Tramp & The Rock N Roll Circuz". Can you explain the concept behind the "Rock N Roll Circuz"?
Mike Tramp: Well, it sort of came about during the [Danish] TV show ["Tramp Allstars"; see video below] that I was doing, where from week to week I used a lot of different costumes and outfits. When people were asking what I was all about, I just used to say that this was my rock 'n' roll circuz. When later, I prepared to record the album and put it all together, I created an atmosphere around the band that made us visualize this old fallen apart circus. From there we built certain things into the songs and into the album. But it's still a Mike Tramp album.
Is this album going to primarily be a local release in Denmark?
The album will first be released in Denmark and then bit by bit in other countries. But from day one, I am making the album available on my website and others, so my diehard-loyal fans around the world can also experience what I call my best album ever, my masterpiece. Copenhagen, Denmark is now my main base and home. I have returned to where I was born and it is the right time in my life to do this. There is so much that has matured here and ready to be harvested. But most of all, I am ready to come back home again.
What can we expect from the new album from a musical point of view? Is it a logical continuation from past solo releases?
Yes, it is a continuation from my past solo albums and then it is so much more. An artist hates to admit or say this but even though I am proud of songs that I have written and recorded on my other solo albums, I never managed to take the production all the way and obviously I know the reasons why. But this time no stone has been left unturned, no compromises have been made. This album is complete in every way.
Did you record the album entirely in Denmark and did you self-produce the album? Generally speaking, how did the recording process for this album compare to past experiences?
The album was all recorded and mixed in the same studio. I am co-producing this album with my friend and guitar player Søren Andersen. I proudly admit than Søren has been a blessing in disguise to this album. He was able to find all the missing things in my music and compliment my songwriting and it has left so completely satisfied with it all.
Will the "Rock & Roll Circuz" be taken on the road to promote the album? And if so, where will it go?
Of course. I am starting off with my first big tour of Denmark ever (check my MySpace for all the tour dates) and early next year I will venture out into the world, step by step. This album can sustain for a long, long time.
Upon your return to Denmark earlier this year, you appeared for a few months on the music reality TV show "Tramp Allstars". What was the reaction of the Danish people to your re-emergence as a public figure, given it's been over 30 years since you first shot to stardom with Mabel?
It was a great chance to show and tell an entire country my life story of 32 years in rock 'n' roll. You have to keep in mind that not everyone knew who I was. But I can tell you this much: now they do, and it is in a good way. I didn't sell out, I was able to give them everything I stand for and believe in…
Through your involvement with "Tramp Allstars", did you find it a satisfying and liberating experience pulling together a bunch of people from varying musical and social backgrounds and imparting some of your extensive rock 'n' roll and worldly wisdom to those you led? Is this something you could see yourself being more involved in down the track?
To be very honest, the thing that I loved most about it was not having to be up on stage being the singer, but instead being in front guiding and leading this choir. And yes, I would love very much to be working and helping others in the future, as I have much energy and knowledge that I like to pass on.
Read the entire interview from May The Rock Be With You.
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