| Interview with Richard and S. Lee By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Greetings Richard and S. Lee
thanks for taking the time to do this interview.
How are you and things in New Mexico?
thanks for taking the time to do this interview.
How are you and things in New Mexico?
Richard: Hey Blissfulviolet, things are going
well in New Mexico. It’s always a great time of
year when fall hits and the smell of roasting
chilies and fireplaces fills the air.
well in New Mexico. It’s always a great time of
year when fall hits and the smell of roasting
chilies and fireplaces fills the air.
S. Lee: Blissful Violet, I love this season in the
Land of Enchantment as well. I most enjoy
watching the leaves change colors and all of
the foliage shift to hues of brunt reds and golds
against the perpetual greens. The days are still
warm and the nights become just chilly enough
to justify those cozy fires Richard mentioned.
Land of Enchantment as well. I most enjoy
watching the leaves change colors and all of
the foliage shift to hues of brunt reds and golds
against the perpetual greens. The days are still
warm and the nights become just chilly enough
to justify those cozy fires Richard mentioned.
Blissfulviolet: Richard you just released a
solo album. Can you tell us more about this project? Also how it differs from your current work
with Fateless Tears?
with Fateless Tears?
Richard: Yes, “3 Steps from Crazy” was released on Halloween. Actually, the solo project is
where I first started recording albums. In fact, this is my 7th solo release and the 3rd with
Fossil Records. With the solo albums, instrumental music is the primary focus, as opposed to
Fateless Tears, which is vocal based. The solo project also blends all of the music styles that I
enjoy composing and playing. The solo project encompasses everything from metal and
“shredder” music to New Age, Prog Rock, and Latin music. In contrast, the main focus of FT is
on being Metal and Progressive as well as embracing Gothic textures.
where I first started recording albums. In fact, this is my 7th solo release and the 3rd with
Fossil Records. With the solo albums, instrumental music is the primary focus, as opposed to
Fateless Tears, which is vocal based. The solo project also blends all of the music styles that I
enjoy composing and playing. The solo project encompasses everything from metal and
“shredder” music to New Age, Prog Rock, and Latin music. In contrast, the main focus of FT is
on being Metal and Progressive as well as embracing Gothic textures.
S. Lee: A tune called “Liar (You Make Me),” the very first Fateless Tears collaboration, was
the only song on his previous albums to have vocals and it was included on his last solo
album. This is the first of Richard’s solo albums to have several vocal songs. For “3 Steps,”
one of the suites is vocal-based, called “The Source of all Suffering.” Richard wrote the lyrics
for these songs and provided most of the vocals. While I added vocals as well, it is definitely
Richard’s first experience being the primary vocalist and lyricist.
the only song on his previous albums to have vocals and it was included on his last solo
album. This is the first of Richard’s solo albums to have several vocal songs. For “3 Steps,”
one of the suites is vocal-based, called “The Source of all Suffering.” Richard wrote the lyrics
for these songs and provided most of the vocals. While I added vocals as well, it is definitely
Richard’s first experience being the primary vocalist and lyricist.
Richard: I also tend to experiment with things on the project and then bring them into FT if
they fit the core of the FT sound.
they fit the core of the FT sound.
Blissfulviolet: How did the two of you meet? Please give us some history on the band.
Richard: That is a funny story unto itself... Story time S. Lee. Tag! You’re it…
S. Lee: Well, we met for the very first time in the college dorms. Richard was one of the
students who watched the residence hall entrance at night. A few weeks into the semester, I
had one of my frequent bouts of insomnia and talked another resident to sleep, literally, in the
recreation area adjacent to the front desk. I think that Richard felt a little sorry for the tired
young fellow who hit on a girl who never seamed to sleep but possessed of a very warped
sense of humor. We became close friends and everything progressed to quite a nice end with
our becoming engaged by Christmas and married before a year had passed. That story
began ten years ago and we hope that the happy ending fifty years or so from now shares a
bit of our initial meeting’s irony.
students who watched the residence hall entrance at night. A few weeks into the semester, I
had one of my frequent bouts of insomnia and talked another resident to sleep, literally, in the
recreation area adjacent to the front desk. I think that Richard felt a little sorry for the tired
young fellow who hit on a girl who never seamed to sleep but possessed of a very warped
sense of humor. We became close friends and everything progressed to quite a nice end with
our becoming engaged by Christmas and married before a year had passed. That story
began ten years ago and we hope that the happy ending fifty years or so from now shares a
bit of our initial meeting’s irony.
Richard: We first worked together on a song for S. Lee’s father and I slowly coaxed her
toward heavier music over time. “Liar” was the first track and then she sang or provided lyrics
for several other vocal projects I did. When I wrote the score and music for the Short Film
“Last Rung on the Ladder,” things started to fall into place and the concept of Fateless Tears
developed into a fulltime project. We released the debut album called “In Memory’s Shadow”
ourselves in 2005, then had it remastered and released on Fossil in early 2007 with
“NightBorn” following closely therefore to be released in July. Currently, we are in talks with
Mournful Moon Productions (MMP) on a new record contract. At present, our albums are
being distributed through MMP, AmieStreet.com and Melodic Revolution Records.
toward heavier music over time. “Liar” was the first track and then she sang or provided lyrics
for several other vocal projects I did. When I wrote the score and music for the Short Film
“Last Rung on the Ladder,” things started to fall into place and the concept of Fateless Tears
developed into a fulltime project. We released the debut album called “In Memory’s Shadow”
ourselves in 2005, then had it remastered and released on Fossil in early 2007 with
“NightBorn” following closely therefore to be released in July. Currently, we are in talks with
Mournful Moon Productions (MMP) on a new record contract. At present, our albums are
being distributed through MMP, AmieStreet.com and Melodic Revolution Records.
Blissfulviolet: Does the creativity for new songs come
easy considering that you two are soul mates?
easy considering that you two are soul mates?
S. Lee: If the truth be told, everything flows fairly
seamlessly. Our home is filled with music. I wander
around the house listening as each song unfolds. Many
of the themes, ideas for lyrics, and vocal melodies occur
to me as Richard composes the music. Whenever I have
trouble sleeping, those seeds take root and occupy my
thoughts. I write the lyrics in poetry form during those
restless nights and then we adapt them to the actual
tunes together.
seamlessly. Our home is filled with music. I wander
around the house listening as each song unfolds. Many
of the themes, ideas for lyrics, and vocal melodies occur
to me as Richard composes the music. Whenever I have
trouble sleeping, those seeds take root and occupy my
thoughts. I write the lyrics in poetry form during those
restless nights and then we adapt them to the actual
tunes together.
Richard: I think so, we pretty much eat, sleep, and
breathe music. Having the studio in the house makes it
so we can collaborate and cement ideas quickly.
breathe music. Having the studio in the house makes it
so we can collaborate and cement ideas quickly.
Blissfulviolet: What do each of you enjoy most about
being part of Fateless Tears?
being part of Fateless Tears?
S. Lee: I enjoy most the closeness that FT brings to our whole relationship. We work hand in
hand, which makes the studio the real heart of our home. That kind of togetherness can bring
two people into a spiritual union that enables them to explore strong emotions without fear.
Expressing those emotions through our music makes Fateless Tears priceless for me.
hand, which makes the studio the real heart of our home. That kind of togetherness can bring
two people into a spiritual union that enables them to explore strong emotions without fear.
Expressing those emotions through our music makes Fateless Tears priceless for me.
Richard: To me, it’s the lyrics and melodies that S. Lee provides to my compositions as well
as the diversity of our sound blending the heavy music with ambient and mellow textures that
make FT.
as the diversity of our sound blending the heavy music with ambient and mellow textures that
make FT.
Blissfulviolet: Does Fateless Tears perform live?
Richard: No we don’t. Due to health concerns and the dreaded day job, we have chosen not
to perform live.
to perform live.
Blissfulviolet: What type of imagery is present in your music and lyrics?
S. Lee: The main undercurrent in all of our songs is the uncertainty in the human condition.
Richard and I are both drawn to the question of the nature of humanity and the difference
between intent and action. The lyrics draw on the emotions and experiences of daily life that
remain too strong for most people to voice. The lyrical content derives from imagery found in
disparate conditions like the notion of conceiving existence as cradle to grave, the difference
in awareness between waking and sleeping, and the space separating self-perception and
society.
Richard and I are both drawn to the question of the nature of humanity and the difference
between intent and action. The lyrics draw on the emotions and experiences of daily life that
remain too strong for most people to voice. The lyrical content derives from imagery found in
disparate conditions like the notion of conceiving existence as cradle to grave, the difference
in awareness between waking and sleeping, and the space separating self-perception and
society.
Richard: Really, our music and lyrics delve beneath the surface of our hidden assumptions
about life, our unfolding on a journey, and all that gets lost without the time to question the
world around us. A lot of the images that fuel FT and our sound deal with either reconciling
conscious thought with unconscious drives or reflecting on what we learn about ourselves as
we look for answers to fill in the gaps lingering about what we don’t yet understand.
about life, our unfolding on a journey, and all that gets lost without the time to question the
world around us. A lot of the images that fuel FT and our sound deal with either reconciling
conscious thought with unconscious drives or reflecting on what we learn about ourselves as
we look for answers to fill in the gaps lingering about what we don’t yet understand.
Blissfulviolet: Describe Fateless Tears using one word?
S. Lee: Enigmatic.
Richard: Transcendent.
Blissfulviolet: Fateless Tears is currently in the studio working on a new album. When
should we expect to see this new album released? And what can you tell us about it so far?
should we expect to see this new album released? And what can you tell us about it so far?
Richard: The songs are all in the middle of the recording process right now. This time, I
chose to work differently. I decided to compose all of the songs first, then start recording them
completely. I’m recording one instrument’s tracks before moving on to the next instrument,
whereas before I would complete each song before moving forward. I feel that working this
way has kept the disc more consistent not only in terms of vibe, but also in tone. Top that end,
I tracked all of the rhythm guitar parts before moving on and thus was not setting up the cabs
and mics, which I feel has lead to a more uniform guitar sound. I will start tracking the bass
parts in a couple weeks, as we are doing some session work for Frozen Mist at present. We
hope to start tracking vocals before the winter holidays and have the album off to mastering in
March for a release in the early summer of 2008.
chose to work differently. I decided to compose all of the songs first, then start recording them
completely. I’m recording one instrument’s tracks before moving on to the next instrument,
whereas before I would complete each song before moving forward. I feel that working this
way has kept the disc more consistent not only in terms of vibe, but also in tone. Top that end,
I tracked all of the rhythm guitar parts before moving on and thus was not setting up the cabs
and mics, which I feel has lead to a more uniform guitar sound. I will start tracking the bass
parts in a couple weeks, as we are doing some session work for Frozen Mist at present. We
hope to start tracking vocals before the winter holidays and have the album off to mastering in
March for a release in the early summer of 2008.
S. Lee: The coming album will consider the theme of walking a tightrope between resenting
where people find themselves and the inability to cope with their conditions. While the place
we occupy might be the result of another’s actions, the songs consider that the will and means
to transcend that subjugation remains within our direct control even as we stay immured.
where people find themselves and the inability to cope with their conditions. While the place
we occupy might be the result of another’s actions, the songs consider that the will and means
to transcend that subjugation remains within our direct control even as we stay immured.
Richard: I also have to say that the album is shaping up to be heavier than “NightBorn,” which
I didn’t think it would be originally. As I started getting lyrics and subjects from S. Lee, I
rethought how some of the guitar parts and sections of the songs should be. While still having
the ebb and flow between ambient and heavy, the songs have a more aggressive feel to them
now.
I didn’t think it would be originally. As I started getting lyrics and subjects from S. Lee, I
rethought how some of the guitar parts and sections of the songs should be. While still having
the ebb and flow between ambient and heavy, the songs have a more aggressive feel to them
now.
S. Lee: I’m looking forward to getting in the vocal booth and eagerly anticipating where this
next journey will take us. I’m not sure where the edge between hope and despair in the music
will lead, but balancing between suffering and ascension will undoubtedly prove
transformational for FT.
next journey will take us. I’m not sure where the edge between hope and despair in the music
will lead, but balancing between suffering and ascension will undoubtedly prove
transformational for FT.
Blissfulviolet: What are some of Fateless Tears plans
for the near future?
for the near future?
S. Lee: Adapting the new poems into lyrics, getting into
the vocal booth, and seeing this new merger come to
fruition looms large on the next horizon.
the vocal booth, and seeing this new merger come to
fruition looms large on the next horizon.
Richard: The near future holds both completing the
album and working on several projects with other bands
along with bringing several bands into the studio who are
part of the Mournful Moon Family.
album and working on several projects with other bands
along with bringing several bands into the studio who are
part of the Mournful Moon Family.
S. Lee: Besides the session work for Frozen Mist, we are
also working with Sandstone Ridge, Torture of Justine,
Wells of the Forsaken, and Ceki.
also working with Sandstone Ridge, Torture of Justine,
Wells of the Forsaken, and Ceki.
Richard: Pcyst, Open Wide My Gates, Kvntur, Pyrael and
The Praetorian will also be coming into the studio over the
next year.
The Praetorian will also be coming into the studio over the
next year.
Blissfulviolet: Any final comments for our readers?
Richard: We both want to thank you for this opportunity, as well as to let people know where
they can check us out and get our music. Our FT websites are: www.fatelesstears.com and
www.myspace.com/fatelesstears. The solo site is www.myspace.com/rjbproject. You can get
our albums at: www.fossilrecords.net/fatelesstears, www.fossilrecords.net/rjbproject,
www.myspace.com/mournfulmoonproductions, http://amiestreet.com/artist/1770 and
www.melodicrevolution.com.
they can check us out and get our music. Our FT websites are: www.fatelesstears.com and
www.myspace.com/fatelesstears. The solo site is www.myspace.com/rjbproject. You can get
our albums at: www.fossilrecords.net/fatelesstears, www.fossilrecords.net/rjbproject,
www.myspace.com/mournfulmoonproductions, http://amiestreet.com/artist/1770 and
www.melodicrevolution.com.
| Fateless Tears is a progressive gothic metal band that hails from New Mexico. What makes this band even more special is the fact that both members, S. Lee and Richard Baysinger are soul mates. Together, the band is currently working on their new album and busy in their home studio assisting other bands. |