Interviews About Albums: SZABOTAGE - Six-Pack (2022)

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

James Phillips: The new EP is a sonic occult ritual recorded by witches!

Mike Dykeman: This project was created 100% remotely during the Covid lockdowns. The band is based in Honolulu (Vic), Vancouver (James) and Ottawa (Mike and Grant). But even in Ottawa, the guys couldn't conduct sessions in the same room. Mike engineered and recorded Grant's drum tracks online using a relatively new video conferencing multitrack recording technology. In normal circumstances, we would work in the same room with the Engineer to produce mixes. You can experiment with sound sculpting, colouring etc., more effectively in person than trying to work in the Meta! Working in the manner we did might have been much more of a challenge had we thought about it harder along the way. We didn't. We understood the parameters of our capabilities. We pushed parameters where we had to until things worked as we wanted them to. We are satisfied with our results at the end of the day (and the lockdowns). We are humble guys but also proud of the team and the product. We all feel that the stars did align for us.

Vic Szabo: It sounds really great LOUD.

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

JP: "Six-Pack" refers to my abdomen!

VS: ... or my chins!

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

JP: VS is primary composer, and the rest of the band writes their own parts.

MD: Vic and James generate the main compositions. Typically, Vic will stand up the initial song structure, and James will compose his lyrics to and around that structure. The songs are then shared with Mike and Grant to develop the rhythm section components. Mike and Vic work extensively on the rough mixes to help the project find its sound. That’s when Mike Bond joins the team to create the final mixes, and that’s when things only get better. Everyone is strong in their corner. We are all pleased with the collaborative efforts from all of corners.

4. If you have to pick one song, which one would you pick?

JP: If I had to pick one song, it would be Fremont.

MD: It depends.

VS: I’d love to play an acoustic version of SINN FÉIN while drinking bourbon around a campfire.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is what it is?

JP: There is a special message in the EP, and that is to check out BREATHING THE CORE!

MD: We are old school boys and this is an old school band. Of course, there is a message. We worked VERY HARD to ensure the product was delivered in this area; however, it is not for us to tell people what that message is. Instead, it's for each person to figure out on their own. For some, the messages will appear quickly while others will want to take more time. There is no rush. It is not a race. But in the end, what people find will be worth the journey.

VS: I think there is, and I think James is a prophet... I mean, c’mon... Mistakes Were Made = January 6... Sinn Féin party gets a majority in Irish Gov’t in May 2022... I Can’t Breathe in Fremont... and just generally tapping into aliens throughout. Be careful, magic ain’t something you throw around like a doll.

6. Are there some lyrics that you’d love to share?

JP: A lyric I will share with you is this: "THE TRUTH IS IN PASSION!" (Sinn Féin) 

MD: The lyrics – like the songs - are meant to be listened to and interpreted by the listener, for the listener. I could share every one of James's lyrics. I love them all. I love the intensity of the imagery they create for me. But this is my experience. You, as the listener, need to get in there and find your own experience. The next time we talk, I am going to ask you "are there some lyrics that YOU would now like to share?"

VS: “Marching with criminals, judges, and clowns - all unified now.” (Fremont)

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

JP: We would like to give special thanks to THE DARK ONE for always being there for us. Oh, and thanks, mom!

MD: The world has been a very different place over the past 2.5 years. Unprecedented times create unprecedented moments and experiences. I think it is fair to state that we are still trying to figure out exactly where the inspirations for this body of work came from because we are still trying to understand WTF actually happened over the past 2.5 years.

VS: I’m inspired by James, Mike and Grant who each take my beginning musical sketches and breathe life into them! I’m also grateful to my wife and my son who, after listening to these songs “many times” during the writing and recording process, were the first ones to buy a copy! Couldn’t have done it without them.

8. Something to add?

JP: Something we would like to add in closing is to keep it real, and please do continue to ROCK THE NATION!

MD: We hope you can find time to get down in the weeds of this offering. Getting down in the weeds with an album, or an EP...it feels like it is becoming a lost art. We are going to continue to produce material for those who still understand what it means, to get down in the weeds.

VS: Man, we can’t wait to play these tunes LIVE & LOUD! Thanks BTC!