HMTV Canada Interviews The Commander In Chief

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http://www.thecommanderinchief.net

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HMTV Canada: Hi Commander In Chief; Welcome to HMTV Canada. I couldn’t believe the fantastic news, that The Commander In Chief is endorsed by Ibanez for the 7 string Falchion X-series guitar. How did you land the opportunity to become endorsed by Ibanez? 

CIM: First of all, I am very happy to do this interview Tina! We have been in touch since 2009 and I see the great work you do to support artists! When it comes to the Ibanez endorsement, it was like this: My manager, Elisabeth, and I went to the Musik Messe in Frankfurt this April. Since I have my own company, we went on one of the days that were for people in the business. Elisabeth got all the different representatives from various brands to take guitars that were part of exhibitions, and not supposed to be played, down from walls, display cases, etc., so I could try all the 7 string guitars we could find.  I already had an Ibanez RG 7620, so I knew I like to play Ibanez. When we came to their stand, the marketing or A&R man from Japan was there. The first thing he said when he saw me was; Hi, I know you! You are that 7-string female player from Scandinavia who is playing Ibanez!   He had already seen my website online! He showed me all the 7 string models they had and I tried them all. I loved playing them, BUT I was looking for something with a very fierce and unique design. While I was playing, my manager told him about the upcoming music video, working with the Pantera producer, upcoming PR campaign and that I really needed a totally unique guitar before everything kicked off. He suggested that I tried the prototype of the new Falchion   that had been introduced to the world at that very Messe. The Falchion only come as a 6 string. BUT they had ONE 7 strings; The prototype. When I first saw it and tried to play it, I fell in love immediately! The tremolo system was superb, even with my abusive playing. It is a neck thru, which I really like and the mahogany body makes the sound deeper than the basswood 7620 I have. The Ibanez representative saw me playing and we met him again the next day and gave him one of my EPs. The next week there was contact between my manager, the Ibanez offices in Japan, the European Head Quarter and the Italian distributor, since I lived in Italy at that time. After a week, we got the news that they had decided to provide me with THE prototype! Some days later it was delivered at my house! I am very happy and proud to be on their artist roster! I also endorse their amps and I totally love the Thermion tube amp + cab with vintage Celestion speakers that I have now!

I also want to mention that I got a Seymour Duncan endorsement as well and those pickups sounds truly amazing! I play the Falchion with the Seymour Duncan pickups. I also have an Ernie Ball endorsement, something I am very happy about! It is really hard to get hold of all the strings I play, especially the 58 strings, but now I do not have to worry about that!

HMTV Canada: Did you enter a contest that they were promoting for this endorsement?

CIM: No

HMTV Canada: Have your previous guitars been custom before this endorsement?

CIM: No, but I was about to have one built since I have looked all over the world for a year for the right guitar!

HMTV Canada: How long have you been mastering the skills to play the 7 string guitar, singing and writing songs?

CIM: I started out playing guitar, since I had so many ideas for songs. I was almost 16 when I started. Once I started playing guitar, there was no way back. I became more focused on the technical aspects very early and wanted to write cool riffs right away. My goal from day one was to have my very own playing style so people would recognize my music. The 7 string I have played for about 18 months. Singing came later since I wanted to have a male singer for my songs, originally. It was not until a Grammy nominated producer in Chicago, who is a friend of the family, told me it was silly to give my songs away, especially since I have a voice. He said that everybody identifies a song with the singer. My manager and he talked me into singing and I started to take lessons with my mother. She was professionally trained as an opera singer, by a multi award winning soprano in Italy, in old school Italian Bel Canto technique. I was not very serious until 6 months later, when we fully discovered my crazy vocal range. Then I figured out that my voice would be the first thing people would notice. I have never practiced more than now. The better I get, the more I practice! I always write music because I am in a constant creative process.

HMTV Canada: Do you play a 12-string guitar or any other instruments?

CIM: I love 12 strings. I would love to have a custom made 14 string guitar! And I am playing with the idea of an 8 string!

HMTV Canada: I dig the unique melodic high octaves in your vocals and strong mean guitar sounds in your current single Battle for the Mind. Will you be coming out with a full-length EP soon?

CIM: I am so glad to hear you like that. I actually started to play the 7string to counter balance my high vocals. I did record a 6 song EP in L.A. last year. It got great reviews but we decided to not release it, since we were not happy with the mix and overall sound. I am totally stoked about working with the legendary Pantera engineer/producer Sterling Winfield now. He has mixed the first 2 singles I will release this year, one of them will be released with a music video. I have enough songs to record a full CD - or two. I really want to record as much as possible with Sterling this winter, if we get the finances to do it!

HMTV Canada: Will Sterling Winfield (engineer and producer for the legendary band Plantera) be mixing your entire production of your next Album or just 2 singles that are going to be released soon?

CIM: Both Sterling and I want to record together, not only have him mixing, and I hope that will happen soon!

HMTV Canada: What inspires you to write songs are they your thoughts about life, love and relationships?

CIM: I try not to center my lyrics around myself, unless I’m making fun of being a starving artist! I write about how I see the big issues, like in Battle for the Mind, where I speak about the 24/7 constant battle for our attention from politicians, corporations, religious groups, etc.  I am very sarcastic about big government, surveillance of citizens, delusional dictators, etc. I shoot in all directions in my lyrics since I do not want to officially promote any specific religion, political party, etc.

HMTV Canada: I find your music a masterpiece of originality there is no other sound to compare it to, a mix of metal, and a little twist of pop, combined with hard rock. Who are your influences for your music or people you always admired as musicians?

CIM: People I admire are mostly visual artists, writers and old fashion composers, such as Van Gogh, Dali, Gaudi, Ibsen, Dickens, Shakespeare, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin.  When it comes to modern music I like to listen to any genre, but I do not like to play other people s music. It is very ironic that my first new single now will be a cover. I was talked into doing a Paranoid cover, but I added my very own twist to it, and I am very happy with the result. Sterling Winfield did a fantastic job with that song! I really love modern film composers, like Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfmann.

HMTV Canada: Where on location was your first music video produced and did you find it a bit challenging?

CIM: It was produced here in Milan some weeks ago. It was great fun! I loved doing it!

HMTV Canada: Are you currently seeking a record label to help out with touring?

CIM: YES!!!

HMTV Canada: Rumor has its fashion constantly changes in Milan Italy. Is the music scene in Milan like the fashion industry?

CIM: No, not at all! It was great to work with top Italian fashion people for the promo pictures and music video. The fashion photographer, hair dresser and makeup artist were amazing!

HMTV Canada: What genera of music is most popular hitting the airwaves on radio?

CIM: I do not listen to Italian radio.

HMTV Canada: Have you modeled for any popular magazines or clothing companies yet with your 7 string Ibanez?

CIM: No, but that would be cool and funny!

HMTV Canada: What are some of the major goals you wish to accomplish within this year?

CIM: We are starting a PR campaign very soon, in cooperation with a PR company in London. I hope this will result in a lot of attention in the mainstream hard rock and metal media. I want to tour, open up for big bands and be able to record with S. Winfield, knowing it is all covered financially.

HMTV Canada: Before we end our interview do you have any upcoming events or shows you wish to share?

CIM: I have 2 singles and  a music video coming out this year. The first will be released August 20th! I am off to the UK in just a week and I will announce dates for more gigs very soon.

HMTV Canada: Thank you for this interview. The Commander In Chief Rocks Hard! 

CIM: Thank you so much for having me here, Tina! And thank you again for the great job you to for music!!! I hope to meet you soon!