Interviews; Knightfall

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Symphonic Metal/Power Metal band, Knightfall, from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

Keith: Knightfall was planned. I spent a lot of time going over the message I wanted to convey with this project. Which was bringing back the code of the Knight. Honor, Chivalry, Justice, and most importantly kindness and protecting others. How I arrived at Knightfall was because of several things. One I wanted the word Knight in the name, I wanted to subtly pay tribute to my greatest influence Nightwish, and I wanted something that sounded cool and could be one word. I was a fan of the TV Show and I liked how it sounded and it embodied everything I was trying to convey. I did a search and found no band had legally taken the name so I went for it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Keith: Ever since hearing Nightwish's "Once" album in 2004. I knew this was the kind of music I wanted to create. The dynamics involved fascinated me greatly and the ability to branch in many directions was appealing as well. I incorporate not just Symphonic, Rock, and Metal elements. But there is 80's influence, Musical Theater and Pop mixed in as well.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Keith: Knightfall is a unique project in that it's one giant collaboration. Right now there is no official lineup. I composed all the music and invited guests to the album to complete the songs. Two of the collaborators on this album are friends from before the formation of the project. Jessica Mercy and I were in a band together many moons ago called Evince Ethos. They have now rebranded as Anaria. Jess and I loved making music together so it was only fitting she would be featured on this album. Patrick Goble is married to my wife's best friend and was my friend before asking him to play guitar on the project. Everyone else I have discovered and asked to play on the album as things progressed during the writing process. I discovered Dee Wolf through Fiverr, I found Pete Rawcliffe because a mutual friend posted my cover of "Invincible" and he loved it. Pete then introduced me to Stefani Keogh and Stefani introduced me to Marcos Peñate. George saw our first single "Waiting For You" posted and decided to reach out just to ask for advice about his own project. I was impressed with what he was doing and asked him if he would play on our album. Sergio Salvucci is Jessica's husband and very talented not only as a musician but as a sound engineer, photographer, and videographer as well. It only made sense to join forces with him. I was given Susy Eskarlett's name by a friend who had worked with her on another album. Adrien Djouadou was discovered after he answered an audition call that was posted and he decided to send me a very impressive audition. As of right now though I am the only one who is not a guest.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Keith: My favorite band is of course is Nightwish

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Keith: I hear music in my head all the time. When I am having a heightened sense of emotions the need to create spills over. It is how I channel my feelings and control them. Events around the world and personal events that have had an impact also serve as a muse. Sometimes I hear a vocalist sing another song and I have to create something with their voice in mind. This has been true many times for my friend and collaborator Jessica Mercy. My family, my wife, and my kids support me so much and I draw inspiration from watching them go about their day-to-day. My Mother and my Father may they both rest in peace, also are sources I draw from as a muse. In a professional capacity, I find inspiration in the musical stylings of Hans Zimmer, Tuomas Halopainen, Michael Jackson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, James Horner, John Williams, and Howard Shore to name a few.

6. Where was your last gig?

Keith: The last gig I played was a very long time ago back when I was with Evince Ethos. I have not performed live since that time. This was in 2009 in Worcester, Massachusetts.

7. Where would you like to act?

Keith: If the world were perfect, I would love to have a touring version of Knightfall and the dream would be to play Hartwell Arena in Finland or Wacken

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Keith: This is a loaded question since there are so many it would be an honor to play with. Top of the list would have to be Nightwish, Kamelot, Battle Beast, Within Temptation, Visions of Atlantis, and Delain. But not just their current forms. I would love to bring in all the past vocalists to be part of it too.

9. Whom not?

Keith: I honestly don't have an artist or band on this list as of right now.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Keith: I still do get stage fright. No matter how many times you are up in front of people there is always this nervousness of messing up or failing. What I always do is let those nerves in, fear can be healthy if you treat it right. Then when I go on the stage I take a deep breath and utter the phrase "Fear is the mind killer" which is from the book series of Dune. This helps me quell the nerves, then when I get into it I look past the audience until everything is kind of as one. Then I let this alter ego sort of take over. It's a character you create when you perform that personifies your strengths and helps you to feel comfortable in your skin. Even when I performed on stage in musicals this was my method and it allowed me to embody the character I played.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Keith: Megadeth because it was my first introduction to Metal. Stratovarius because they were my first Power/Symphonic band. Nightwish because their music inspired me to create my own. Avantasia because it inspired me to create this collaboration project.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Keith: So far I have not had anyone ask me for anything weird yet. Pretty standard things thus far,

13. What do you think of your fans?

Keith: They are the best. So many have found us and have been so interactive. I enjoy getting messages and comments from people and responding and having conversations with the fans. Many of them feel like friends to be completely honest They have been so warm and welcoming. I am truly blessed.

14. What do you think of our site?

Keith: I really like the sheer volume of the groups you have worked with or reviewed and interviewed. I like how you have it split up even by location. It's very well set up.

15. Something to add?

Keith: I just want to thank everyone for taking the time to listen to the music Knightfall has put out. The collaborators on this album have been a pleasure to work with and the fans have been so supportive. The project is still small, but growing every day. I never thought I would be doing music again so for me this is a genuine pleasure and I am so humbled by the reception of the music. Thank you one and all! I truly hope you enjoy the music as much as we did making it for you.