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Aethellis

Interviewed by Gary Hill
Interview with Ellsworth Hall of Aethellis from 2013
MSJ:

It’s been a while since we chatted. Can you catch the readers up on what’s been going on in the last couple years?

I've been working on my film Beside the Manor Selby, an Edwardian period production starring cult actor Conrad Brooks that I've written, directed and scored. The movie is online for streaming at Amazon now and the DVD and CD soundtrack are coming out in June 2013. The soundtrack will also have my “Piano Concerto no.1” on a second CD. I've also been promoting my band Aethellis' new release Northumbria (on the Melodic Revolution Records label) and doing various soundtrack projects for producers.

MSJ:

What's ahead for you?

I'm planning a funk/jazz project with bassist Erik Marks and saxophonist Joe Dwyer. I'm also working on another film production, Lamp of Conscience directed by Edward Hopf. I'm doing acting, shooting, editing and scoring. It's produced by Joe Dwyer and his Flyboy Film Productions. They are also finishing up the Shubian's Rift sci-fi mini-series which I'm scoring and helping produce. Plus work on an AI short film for Stanion Studios and soundtrack work for Royal Crown Productions.

MSJ:

What was the last CD you bought and/or what have you been listening to lately?

Most recently I've been to albums by Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith and Yes. Also got Keith Jarrett's The Koln Concert for my iPod which I had on vinyl back in the deep dark 70s. I still listen to Tony Banks' Seven quite a bit when I'm in a reflective mood.

MSJ:

Have you read any good books lately?

Quiet: The Power of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain, 11/22/63 by Stephen King, Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust by Ken Scott, Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard, A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommers by Caroline Stoessinger.

MSJ:

What about the last concert you attended for your enjoyment?

I saw 2nd Sole in Columbia MD this past February. Last year I attended concerts by Yes and UK.

MSJ:

Do you have a musical “guilty pleasure?”

Probably John Tesh! Although I'm not really feeling guilty! His music just brings a smile to his face; he's such a nice guy and when I saw him live in 1995 he had some of the best musicians playing with him I've ever heard. Some of his tunes are proggy; I believe "Group Five" is one that has quite a bit of asymmetrical meters in it.

MSJ:

What has been your biggest Spinal Tap moment?

 Like many folks who are in bands; quite a few. I do remember arriving at a gig with my keyboards in the trunk and the lock broke so we had to use a crowbar to get them out which dented one of my synthesizers. It was fine; not sure one made today would fare as well. But I was cussing up a storm and it reverberated through out the parking garage! A PA going up in smoke during a gig due to a thunderstorm. We got rained on last year during another storm. These are mild compared to some folks' stories, we've been lucky!

MSJ:

If you could sit down to dinner with any three people, living or dead, for food and conversation, with whom would you be dining?

Franz Kafka, Darius Milhaud, Tony Banks.

MSJ:

What would be on the menu?

For me, all vegetarian. Maybe Ethiopian food.

MSJ:

What would you like all your fans and potential fans to know about you?

I love dogs and hate any animal abuse. My wife and I have three rescues and we adore them.

MSJ:

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

Do what you love; take care of each other!

MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
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