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Progressive Rock Interviews

Aethellis

Interviewed by Gary Hill
Interview with Ellsworth Hall of Aethellis from 2024
MSJ: It's been more than a decade since we've done an interview. Can you catch the readers up on what you've been happening in your world - sort of a "highlight reel."
Wow, tempus fugit! Well, I continued doing soundtrack work for a short film (Love and Other Devices), music library music, the third Aethellis release A Home In Your Thoughts, and more soundtrack work on a computer game, Tide Turn. I won a ZED Fest Award for Outstanding Music for Love and Other Devices in 2014, which was nice! The band did gigs in the greater Baltimore area as well each year.

I was very happy with the A Home In Your Thoughts EP as it has the longest Aethellis tune at 15 minutes, “A Home In Your Thoughts / Second Home In Your Thoughts.” I wrote the first part back in 1989, and the second originally was composed in 1981. And it also had two tunes that guitarist/vocalist Mark Van Natta and I wrote together, “Believe In Somebody” and “Janice.” Mark and Erik did great contributions to the songs with their playing and arrangement ideas.
MSJ: What would you like to tell us about the new album?
The Affinity Oeuvre features more of Mark Van Natta’s compositions and those we wrote together while in our band Affinity, back in the 1980s, hence the name. I put in a longish proggy tune, “Anandia” about a girl who’s a war refuge. “Pathdancer” a jazzy tune originally recorded in the 1980s was mine as well as “Another Car,” a new wave parody also written in the 1980s. My childhood friend Ed Hopf wrote most of the lyrics for that one – rather hilarious ones I thought!

Mark and I co-wrote “Affinifunk” and “RIP” also from the 80s. Mark had the basic groove for “Affinifunk” and opening quartal harmony riff for “RIP.”

His jazz fusion tune “Chicago News” was done while he was in school, and I orchestrated it based on his manuscript! That was a challenge! Mark’s great at pop tunes like “Do Like I Do,” “Dreams On Pause” (a song about the pandemic) and “Let Me Be Me.” Mark wanted a Greg Hawkes/Cars style synth lead from me on that one. “Why Do You Keep Fighting” was his reggae homage originally done in the 1990s.

 I wanted to get a co-written track with bassist Erik Marks, so we based it on an earlier jam and it ended up as “The Stennis Compromise.” Erik’s great at creating funk bass riffs.
MSJ: What's the best thing that's ever been said about your music?
Well, I’ve been very grateful for a lot of kind reviews of my solo albums and Aethellis albums. Robert Berry (of 3 with Keith Emerson) had said on social media about an Aethellis album, "Hey guys, I love your sound and the tightness and production of your music." Comments like the music has “...a soul that transcends time…” (from Descubre la Caja de Pandora magazine) is a lovely sentiment. Some very nice things were written in something called The Music Street Journal too! (laughter)

I think when the comments from fans and reviewers are about how the music touched them deeply are the nicest things to hear.
MSJ: What's ahead for you?
I’ve been painting and drawing again, focusing on the visual arts side of my personality. I took drawing classes back in the day, and my major in college was film/video production which I’ve done professionally. And I did a number of “official” Aethellis videos, as well. Maybe I’ll do the odd band gig, but I think music will take a back seat after I do a planned solo piano concert of my original music. I’m practicing for that now.
MSJ: What was the last CD or record you bought and/or what have you been listening to lately?
I think the last CDs I bought were the most recent Yes album and Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff. Before that Tony Banks’ Six. I have yet to get Five but I will.

I’ve been listening to classical music mostly lately with a smattering of pop and rock music from the 70s and 80s.
MSJ: Have you read any good books lately?
Yes, most recently 1969 which details the major events that year. 1968 is seen as quite the bellwether for social and political trends but the book 1969 examines how it was a significant year in its own right.
Also, Goodbye Russia: Rachmaninoff In Exile.
MSJ: What about the last concert you attended for your enjoyment?
Genesis on their final tour. Saw them in November 2021 in D.C.  Masks were still required at the time.
MSJ: Do you remember the first concert you attended?
I would attend smaller classical and jazz concerts with my parents when I was young that I don’t have strong memories of. But the first big rock concert I went to was Elton John at the Capitol Center outside of D.C. in 1976.
MSJ: Are there any closing thoughts you would like to get out there?
It’s been a fun ride, and I’m grateful for all the music, the band gigs and great fans. I appreciate the responses to my recorded music and videos. Time to slow down and savor the moment.
MSJ: This interview is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2024  Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2024.
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