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Nektar

Interviewed by Gary Hill
Interview with Roye Albrighton of Nektar from 2011
MSJ:

To what do you attribute the lasting allure of Nektar?

I think it’s the coming up with something different every time we produce an album. I suppose we could have done another Remember the Future after it’s success but that’s Nektar, we write, record and release basically what we feel at the time.
MSJ: You are touring with Huw Lloyd Langton and Brianticket. How did that tour come about?
Cleopatra records in LA had the idea of putting a tour together and suggested we go as a package with Huw and Brainticket, and I think it’s a good mixture. I know we are looking forward to it a lot.
MSJ: What can fans expect at the shows?
Not sure what Huw and Brainticket have in store for the fans, but Nektar will be performing a cross section of most of our albums up until and including the last one. I know that we can’t please everyone with the setlists but with the time constraints, we will try to cover as much ground as possible.
MSJ: I know artists hate to have their music pigeonholed or labeled, but how would you describe your music?
It’s not unusual to be labeled. After all, Nektar started out as being branded a space rock outfit with the release of Journey to the Center of the Eye. Then we were an art rock band with A Tab in the Ocean, then a pop band with Down to Earth and finally a progressive rock band with Remember the Future. When Recycled came out I think they just gave up and see us now as just Nektar.
MSJ: Do you think that illegal downloading of music is a help or hindrance to the careers of musicians?
I guess it’s a touchy subject, this. I feel that financially we are paying the price for productions that people want for nothing. Having said that, the promotion that illegal downloads creates is astounding. It’s too late to close the gate now the horse has bolted, but something could have been done to stop it in the early stages of the Internet.
MSJ: In a related question, how do you feel about fans recording shows and trading them?
Personally we have no problem with this as long as we retain the rights and the “A” copy of the show. As for trading, is there much difference from the days of vinyl transfer to cassette for your friends, except this is on a bigger scale?
MSJ: What was the last CD you bought and/or what have you been listening to lately?
I really can’t remember the last CD I bought. I’m always too engrossed in writing these days. However, I have been listening lately to a lot of David Sancious, his early works with Tone were great.
MSJ: Do you have a musical “guilty pleasure?”
I do.. I love the classics especially Holst. One of my favourite pieces is “Nimrod” which has a stirring melody line running through it.
MSJ: What has been your biggest Spinal Tap moment?
Back in the 70’s when we were touring the UK we ended up in Cornwall at a really great venue. It was a Sunday and half way through the set I broke a string. Unknown to me the crew had forgotten to get new strings in the last city we were playing and there were none left.

I ended up asking the fans if anyone played guitar and if they had any spare - no such luck. Then the nightmare really began. I broke another! It was Sunday with no shops open, so I had to play the entire set with only 4 strings on the guitar. Needless to say, I never want to go through that again.

MSJ: Are there any closing thoughts you would like to get out there?

We'd like to say hello to all of the Nektar fans out there, particularly those of you in the U.S. as we'll be seeing you soon.  Our U.S.  tour starts August 17 and we're really looking forward to playing in the States again. It's been way too long since we've done so.  We guarantee you that we'll provide a special evening for you all.

MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2011  Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
 
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