To the Edge with Colin Mold

TO THE EDGE WITH COLIN MOLD

Anyone who has heard or seen many of the songs with my lyrics on my Reverbnation and Youtube page, know that I have co-written a fair number of pieces with the UK artist Colin Mold.

To say that Colin is an extremely gifted multi-instrumentalist of the highest order is an understatement. He is a true Virtuoso with an incredible skill and ear for creating original musescapes that inspire the creative mind. It has been my great joy and privilege to work with him on many songs over a number of years. The end product is always special. I know when I give him lyrics, the music and vocals will compliment, showcase and enhance whatever I am trying to get across. The experience of collaborating with Colin has always been very positive for we share a mutual respect for each other’s artistic abilities.

What style of music does he create? Well, it can be a variety but usually includes some Celtic prog rock folk twists. His violin and guitar (electric and acoustic) marry together some interesting sounds similar to that of Iona’s Irish pipes and guitar combos. In fact, I have always felt Colin fits in to Iona’s musical signatures and he would work very well along side of UK Virtuoso Dave Bainbridge. Having worked with Dave and Iona, I definitely see the welcomed similarities.

MUSIC BIO - Colin Mold

Colin started learning piano very young and at the age of eight also took up the violin and the guitar. After an interesting time at the London College of Music playing in some great orchestras, he continued to write and play music.

In 2003 he formed the progressive rock-folk band Kara and produced their first CD. Following this, he released three solo cds: Water of Divinity, Girl on the Castle Steps and Now You See Me which have received rave reviews and high recommendations from the prog rock community. (I am honoured to have been a lyric contributor on his solo albums 2 and 3.)

In Spring 2012 he also toured with the highly acclaimed progressive rock band Karnataka on their New Light Tour. Colin has also made guest appearances on Last Knight’s Talking to the Moon (a triple album that draws heavily upon my lyrics). In 2014 he completed his latest album Now You See Me. But he never stands still and is currently working on a new album that will include a few more of my lyrics such as the song “To the Edge” (premiering below) — inspired by Tolkien’s The Hobbit. He has also worked with me on some new songs (yet to be unveiled) that I am very excited about as they relate to my own current writing projects.

I thought this would be a great opportunity for listeners to hear Colin’s thoughts on various topics and have asked him a series of questions below. You can also visit Colin on Facebook.

What first got you into music?

I think my mum Marion, really. A wonderful pianist who went to the Royal Academy in London. If it wasn’t for her I don’t think music would have been around me. I used to sit and listen to all our classical LP collection and do painting and jigsaw puzzles when I was about 6 years old. I remember my imagination being fired by the album covers. One in particular was Meyerbeers’ Les Patineurs on Decca. Those pictures always stuck in my mind. Weird caricatures but very striking.

Who inspired you to make music?

Once again I would have to say my mum without question and all the composers I used to listen to such as Dvorak, Delius,Vaughn-Williams, Elgar, Debussy when I was 9. Then at 10 it was bands like The Sweet and David Bowie and it went on from there. These days I find huge inspiration in all of Peter Gabriels’ music. I would love to go and see him live. I also love John Martyn, Greg Lake, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays who was sadly lost to us this year and many others.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

I don’t know really. It’s just me. I’ve no doubt it’s an amalgamation of all that has inspired me. I’d like to try and write something totally new. Possibly in my new house soon with more space to create.

What is your creative process like?

Not strict in any sense but I prefer to get lyrics written first and write around them, then I can shape the phrases into timing. Sometimes I'll come up with an interesting chord sequence on the piano and think, I can do something with that.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Well that’s a tricky one :-). Present company excepted, and in the land of dreams, Peter Gabriel. I don’t think he needs me though. haha.

What artists have you enjoyed collaborating with? How have they inspired you?

Oh dear. Another tricky one. There are two people whom I value highly as friends and creative musicians: Ben and Michelle from MagicFolk. I’ve known them since 2008 and we’ve been doing bits and pieces with them ever since. Great friends. Great musicians.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

Well there’s a thread here – Peter Gabriel. Another pipe dream!

What favourite places have you performed? What did you enjoy about the venues?

Well, a couple of orchestral gigs. I was on a course back in the mid 80s at Stowe School. The guy running it was conductor Robert Secret. One sunny Summer evening he said “grab your instruments we’re going to play Elgars introduction and Allegro for strings”. Off we all went and set up in the hall below. I’ll never forget it. Totally magic. That is some piece of music and the adhoc way in which it happened was amazing.
Then there was with the gig at the Madelaine Church Paris, with the Chelsea Symphony Orchestra under Nick Dodds conducting – he does a lot of the Bond music these days. We played Ravels’ Bolero to a packed house of French listeners, and got a standing ovation. The thrill of emotion goes right through you when that happens. They loved it. I think when you are young you play with such passion as it’s all new and that is what we did.
Moving on to bands: I organised a gig for Magicfolk at Norden Farm Arts Centre in 2013. Their first ticketed gig and it was great fun. Felt very proud of us all.
With Karnataka I played the Norwich Arts Centre. The opening show of the tour was great. Such a wonderful venue and the sound was superb. We also played The Stables in Milton Keynes and I’ve always wanted to play there, so that box was ticked.

What is your favourite song to perform?

Another tricky one as I don’t get out and play my own material very often. On guitar I often sing ‘Waiting For The Sun’ but a lot of my material is written on keys and is fairly complex. I’d love to perform songs from my last three CDs but not sure it’s going to happen.
For the purpose of practice I love to sit down with a guitar and sing an easy song. I’ve recently been singing ‘The Sage’ by Greg Lake. I also sing ‘One For The Road’ by John Martyn. Warms the vocal chords up. In fact I’m listening to ‘London Conversation’ by John Martyn right now :-)

Do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

It’s brought musicians together and enabled them to self produce their own material as they want it. However, nobody wants to pay for music anymore so effectively it’s killed it. If you can get out and play live then that’s the best thing to do. I love playing live but I think it has to be music you value with people you value, otherwise it just doesn’t work.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

All the above :-).

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

I’m not sure. I wasn’t very good at taking advice when I was younger. I have realised that you do need other work skills in combination with your creative ones. Making a living out of music is very difficult unless you’ve been in the right place at the right time.

What’s next for you?

I’d love to try and get out and play live more. I really would. It doesn’t have to be my music but in venues with people and music I value.
I will be moving into my new house in a village shortly and setting up a new studio so I’m looking forward to recording again.
I would also like to write more music using notation software. Maybe I’ll do a song that way this year – with an orchestral backing.

TO THE EDGE

It’s the Hobbit’s pain

The alluring road

As it pulls and strains

On his safe warm home

In the forest wild

Past the milk and mead

In the battlefield

Where the warrior bleeds

Badge of honour holds

More than coin and word

Here reluctant heroes

Find their feet and swords

Chorus:

To the edge we come

Where our spirits fly

So remember friend

Hear the eagle’s cry

Learn your lessons well

For the small are big

Courage lives within

Hearts that may seem weak

And the real virtue shines

Through the ones who care

Faith’s a gift you see

Teaching what is fair.

For the secret mark

On the wooden door

Leads to mysteries

And sometimes scorn

In the mountains deep

Where the goblins dwell

In their caves of ice

Casting darkened spells

The ring of magic

Soon becomes the tool

To free man’s courage

Or make him fool

Will a man stand tall in the face of death

Will he shrink and fall as his soul turns west

Will this paradox of hope and fear

Drive him closer to the truth that’s near

Cindy L Spear2 April 2020