Duncan Patterson

AM : Can you present us all the participants (musicians and singers) on this album and on Which songs did they play or sing ?

Dani : Emily A. Saaen • vocals on Madre, Protegenos, O Efeito Do Verao, Learpholl, Believe, Goodbye Johnny Dear, Beyond The Morning.
Valentina Buroni • vocals on Madre, Protegenos and Ultreia.
Teresa Christodoulou • tambouras on Believe, vocals on Anathema Maranatha
Marcela Bovio • vocals on Believe
Mark Kelson • vocals on O Efeito Do Verao and Anathema Maranatha
Gustavo Roberto Mateo • vocals on O Efeito Do Verao
Emily Bly • flute and clarinet on all tracks except Ultreia and Goodbye Johnny Dear
Shane Wearen • mandoline, viola on O Efeito Do Verao, Anathema Maranatha and Fe, Esperanza Amor.
Áine O'Neill • harp on O Efeito Do Verao, Learpholl, Anathema Maranatha, Believe and Fe, Esperanza, Amor
Antonis Konstantelos • classical guitar on Fe, Esperanza, Amor
Vangelis Yalamas • percussion on Learpholl and Fe, Esperanza, Amor
Keith Horan • percussion on Madre, Protegenos, Learpholl, Anathema Maranatha, and Believe
Michael Cronin • drums on Believe

AM : How was the album composed ?

Duncan : I wrote it over a period of time. That’s all really. The process wasn’t anything unusual that I can expand on.

AM : How did you get the deal with Equilibrium Music ? How did it worked ?

Duncan : I made a few basic demos when I decided what direction I was going to go in. Then I thought about who to offer it to, and Equilibrium were the first label I thought of. I didn’t speak with anyone else. From there we got on with the process, which took almost a year longer than it should have, and we dealt with the obstacles and there was understanding on both sides. I’m happy working with them as people and as a label. Today’s musical climate is dire, so it’s refreshing to work with musical people whose interests span a little further than making easy money out of fashionably packaged bands.

AM : Why did you chose “Madre, Protegénos” as the album’s title ? To me, it sounds like a good charm or something like that.

Duncan : I got the idea during the time I spent in Mexico. I was surrounded by these Virgin Mary statues everywhere I went. It’s an immense symbol of purity and protection, and I got into a concept stemming from that. It’s not a religious thing, unless you really want to interpret it that way, it’s a much bigger picture than that.

AM : What are your lyrics talking about ?

Duncan : The lyrics are printed on the booklet and the website, and fairly easy to understand. I tried to put a more positive message out with these songs, much more than I have in the past.

AM : Goodbye Johnny Dear is traditional song that have been rearranged. The melody haunt my mind but I can't put a name on it. Which song it is and why this song ?

Duncan : The song is Goodbye Johnny Dear, as you said, written by my great-grandfather Johnny Patterson. I didn’t rearrange it really, in comparison to the versions that I know. I decided to record this, as I believe it fitted in well on this album. And I like the idea of keeping a tradition alive.

AM : What do you plan for the future of Ion ?

Duncan : I’m trying to arrange some live shows for this year. After that I will begin work on the second album, and plan out who will be involved. I want people who are really into it, the music, concept, ideals, everything. Too often I come across people who want to be involved for what I see are the wrong reasons.

AM : For our last question, our ritual one: ask you a question you wanted to be asked and answer it.

Duncan : Q – Do you have any other future plans?

A – Yeah, I’m writing a concept album about oppression, monopolization, and the elite that are screwing the planet up using ‘legitimate’ evil. It’ll be a piano-based affair, and I’m working on it with Mark Kelson (The Eternal). It’s the first ‘protest’ kind of thing that I’ve ever done, so it’ll be an interesting experience. Other than that I have a project called Deathcap which will see the light of day whenever I finish it. I’ve had a few offers from bands to collaborate on their albums, and help with production and stuff. If I’m into it then I’m into it, I’m happier when I’m busy.

AM : Thanks for this interview, Congratulations again for Madre, Protégenos... You have the last word !

Duncan : Thanks for the interest and the coverage. For updates please check my sites.
www.duncanpatterson.com
www.myspace.com/duncanpatterson
www.ion.equilibriummusic.com