Projected formed in 2012 went on to write and record a debut album that would do well for the band, as they played shows getting themselves out there. After a 5 year stand still, a follow-up album in terms of a double album called "Ignite My Insanity", would see a release. Guitarist John Connolly discusses about this new double album and what other plans these guys have got lined-up.
1. First of all, we would like to know about the formation of the band. When and how was it formed?
We formed in 2012 and it was just an idea for a project that I'd asked Vinny to be a part of first. I asked Scott to track drums next and while listening to Tremonti demos with Scott and Eric, Eric offered to help out, so that was it. The lineup was formed.
2. Tell me about Projected. Why did you decide to name the band with such a title? What kind of ideas did you explore before deciding upon it?
It was called Projected because it was the "projected" side project that we would be doing. I liked the sound of the the working name for the project, so we left it. We didn't really explore any ideas at all. Was just a bunch of demos that seemed like would be pretty cool to finish in song form and see what would happen.
3. In your opinion, what is the best way to define Projected's sound?
Raw, honest heavy rock. No programming really and not a lot of extra stuff going on. Just drums, bass, guitars and vocals.
4. What are your main musical influences? How huge is their influence in your sound?
Metallica and Pantera are my 2 biggest ones and they have a huge influence on our sound.
5. How about when it comes to the song writing for your music making process, how does a song come into form for you?
I honestly have no idea lol. They just kind of happen. I usually pick a drum beat and start playing guitar over the top of it. Once an idea starts, I sort it out in 'song" form and then arrange it a bit. Part lengths get decided once there is a vocal melody idea in place and then words get put in last. Once vocals and melodies are sorted out, we do the major arranging and editing to finalize the song.
6. Where and when did you record "Ignite My Insanity"? Are you satisfied with how it turned out?
We recorded drums and main guitars at Architekt music in Butler N.J.with Mike Ferretti. Mike had done 3 Sevendust records with us and had worked with Scott on a project earlier, so it made sense from an efficiency standpoint. We spent about 10 days in the studio tracking all the main parts, then shut down and moved to my home office studio 1119 in Orlando. All main vocals, solos and overdubs where tracked there. We tracked all bass while out on tour with 7d in Canada and the Midwest and Eric tracked his vocal harmonies at home in California. Once all the parts we're in place, we sent everything to Mike for bass re-amping, final editing and mixing. We started tracking June of 2016 and Eric finished up vocals in February of 2017. Personally, I love the way it turned out.
7. Did you get everything you wanted from it, or were there some things you wanted to do that never got to be made possible?
We got way more out of it then we ever expected being that it turned into a 21 song double album. It just kept growing and growing and far exceeded our expectations. It just kept building and growing naturally, so we kind of just let it go where it was gonna go.
8. When it comes down to "Ignite My Insanity" why did it take you 5 years to get it out there, and why take the route of releasing a double album instead of another full-length album?
Schedules between Sevendust, Alter Bridge and Tremonti dictate when and how we could work on the project again and it simply took that long to get it done. The double album started to happen once we started trying to cut songs down for a single full length. Every time I tried to cut a song, there was always and argument to keep it, so we soon realized it would be easier to add songs instead of cutting them, and 21 tracks is where it ended up. As a kid, i grew up with records and there was nothing better than a double record. This is a it of a throw back to what it was like when I was a kid just getting into music.
9. Can you tell us something about ""Ignite My Insanity"" and the lyrical themes behind each track. What were the ideas you wanted to put across?
It's a concept record that ties to the Sevendust Alpha album. That record was the first chapter where someone was dealing with the voice in their head. This is an extension of that. Now there are multiple voices and the individual has come to terms with the fact that they may be going insane and is struggling to figure out how to live with it.
10. How would you say that "Ignite My Insanity" and "Human" differ, compare, and are in equal to each other?
I think Human was an experiment to see if it could even work and IMI is the next logical extension of what it could become. IMI is the organic evolution of the project. I love how Human turned out, but listening back, I felt a bit unsure of myself vocally. IMI feels a bit more confident to me, but its still a little weird listening to myself out front. I'm so used to hearing Lajon, Myles and Mark in that spot and it's strange for me to hear myself in that spot, especially considering how much admiration and respect I have for those guys. All tremendous talents and great friends.
11. When can fans expect to see more singles or videos off "Ignite My Insanity”?Rat Pack is pretty unconventional in their approach, which I love. We already released 2 videos and 3 songs before the album even dropped, so its hard to say when we will release more since so much is currently out there.
12. Are you all supported by your relatives towards your devotion to music?
I sure hope so lol. It would be kinda tough at this point since I've been doing this for 25 years now.
13. Thanks a lot for the interview. Speak out to your fans, supporters, critics and our readers before we wrap up!
Thanks so much for all the love and support over the past 5 years! We are humbled by all the support we've gotten so far. Much respect and hope to see y'all out on tour at some point in the future!
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