Root

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Root began as a three piece in Leicester, playing pubs, selling demos and getting local press coverage. Eventually it was time to move on to new challenges........ 
The rest of the story is told by this interview with David Kendall, the man behind Root.
*************************************************************************************
To start with, please give us the Root 
story from you played in pubs in Leicester to you released your first album. 
Which bands were you influenced by and why did you choose that name 
?

Being the only writer in the band, the 
direction was pretty much determined by what I was listening to at the time, 
which was Living Colour, It Bites, Dan Reed, Spin Doctors, Clapton. Although I 
was still listening to Yes, Saga etc that kind of thing was not possible with a 
three piece band. We played lots of local gigs, Paul eventually left and was 
replaced by Shaun, my brother on bass. We had great live reviews and a demo 
featured in Kerrang but the biggest blow came when Daniel left to go to college 
to study music production. The band limped on for a while with a new drummer but 
then fell apart.

I chose the ROOT name as it was simple and 
would not tie us to one type of music and it could be used big on posters – 
nothing more complicated then that.

I tried to rebuild the band and also join 
other bands, but was disappointed by the simple approach most wanted to take 
with the music. So I decided to try my hand at doing everything. I needed a 
target, so I thought I would try to record a CD. Also it would take the form of 
the progressive music I had loved since I started playing, but had not had the 
chance to try with the live band. Assuming I would return to live work soon I 
kept the ROOT name to save myself from starting from 
scratch.

What is the whole Root philosophy and 
ethos ?

Root is my chance to explore my love of 
progressive music. My aim is to keep the words grounded in real emotions but 
stretch out musically in any direction I want.

Let's go straight to the first album. 
Please tell us more about Dreams Of Green from 1998

Dreams of Green was the most 
nerve-wracking thing I had done to that point. I realised that every part had to 
be approached with so much attention to detail. I almost gave up a few times but 
was encouraged greatly by my wife, Lisa to finish it. It sounds very naive to me 
now, but it was a step in the right direction. The title came from a song on the 
album called "Not Water" where a fish dreams of how life would be on the land or 
'not water' as he sees it - based on an idea from an episode of the Twilight 
Zone. Don't look for the greener grass on the other 
side.

Please tell us more about your second 
album Follow The Dawn from 1999

Follow the Dawn was a joy to make. Boosted 
by the response to Dreams of Green. I let my ideas run free and had great fun 
experimenting and trying all the things I didn't have the nerve to do on the 
first CD. Lots more tempo changes, dynamics etc. The title comes from the song 
'Born' on this album, which is a song of optimism, suggesting that a new day 
follows the dawn for you to chase your dreams.

Please tell us more about your third album 
Poles Apart from 2000

Poles Apart was a strange album to make. 
Having tried all the things I always wanted to on the two previous albums, I was 
left wondering where to start. The songs guided the album though. When I write 
songs I usually strum quietly on a guitar and music and words flood in. This 
time the subjects were much more 'human' rather than stories. Relating to 
relationships and emotions. I decided to produce the album to highlight the 
feelings in the words, which stretched my producer's role and also limited my 
chances for stretching out musically. Keeping the songs to the point. The title 
comes from a track on the album, which talks of people appearing to be so 
different but ultimately being guided by the same path.

Please tell us more about your fourth 
album Resolution from 2003

Resolution took a long time to make. I 
started work on it very soon after the completion of Poles Apart and continued 
in the same vein as Poles. But because of a technical problem I lost several 
month's work. This was a big blow to me. I needed something to get me fired up 
again. I decided that I needed to stretch out and express myself as a musician 
as well as a songwriter. Not limiting myself to keyboard or guitar parts as I 
had done on Poles. Arrangements could be more complex, longer, more varied, just 
more fun for the musician in me. At the same time sad events in my life 
influenced me to write the most personal set of songs yet, which are tied 
together with a theme of hope and "Resolution". Believe in yourself and conquer 
your fear of falling and who knows what you may achieve. It soon became obvious 
that this would be a big task. As the songs took shape and the ambitious 
arrangements worked it pushed me to want everything on the album as perfect as 
it could be. The time it took was much more than my previous albums and as I 
worked on, new songs were being written. The songs all seemed to fit together so 
it eventually become a double album.

I also decided that the cover for the 
album also had to be ambitious. It's always great to get a progressive rock 
album with artwork to enjoy while you listen.

Please tell us more about your fifth album 
Illumination from 2005

With “Illumination” I had a very personal 
set of songs and learnt how to approach the songs as a producer would and let 
the emotion of the songs dictate the sound of the music. It was a little scary 
recording much shorter songs than normal without knowing how they would be 
received by prog fans, but it has gone very well.

Please tell us more about your sixth album 
Wooden Hill from 2007

I approached Wooden Hill from two 
directions at the same time (if that is possible!). After illumination I was 
keen to stretch out musically, but I also had several songs written which would 
benefit from a melodic arrangement. It was my first album to major on guitar 
with keyboards in a supporting role and it felt much better to me for that 
approach. I had learnt so much over the years – playing keys, bass and drums – 
it was time to let the  guitar player in 
me take over again. It was my first album to combine all the elements that I 
wanted – lots of guitar, longer songs, harmonies and story 
telling.

 Please tell us more about your seventh and 
most recent album Bird's Eye & Tiger Striped.

Bird's Eye & Tiger Striped is the 
culmination of everything I have learnt since I started recording this music. It 
has the ideal combination of sounds from all the Root music I have recorded to 
date. It is so much fun to continue the approach started on the last album. 
Guitars dominate, but not just heavy ones – acoustics and textural ones too! 
Keys and harmonies are added to flavour the mix. Catchy songs, with prog music – 
exactly my aim!

How would you describe the musical 
developments on your seven studio albums ?

 As I have mentioned throughout my album 
stories. The major developments for me have been learning how to play all the 
instruments needed to make this music, but finally being able to return to my 
first love of guitar and letting those other instruments support my 
songs.

 Just to give those of us who are unknown 
with your music a bit of a reference point or two: How would you describe your 
music ?

The most common comparisons I receive are 
late Marillion and David Gilmour or Neo-Prog. It is so hard to know what you 
sound like yourself – I rely on others to tell me. I never stop being influenced 
by new music though, so I may take it anywhere I want 
to.

You have released all Root albums on your 
own and is doing the manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales yourself. 
What is your experiences and what is the approx sales figures of your albums 
?

I wish I could sell more, but I have found 
that bootleg downloads were available of my latest album very soon after it was 
released. That is very sad that people do that to musicians like me, who fund 
the whole process and put so much time into it. How can anyone be happy to steal 
my music and call themselves a fan?

What is your plans for the rest of this 
year and next year ?

I have many things to maintain – website, 
Myspace etc. I have also joined a covers band to get some gigging experience 
again as I am a bit rusty with that. At some point I would like to start playing 
Root music live again.

To wrap up this interview, is there 
anything you want to add to this interview ?

I would like to thank anyone who supports 
musicians like myself and buy our CDs, post reviews, news etc. You people are so 
important and enable and give us a reason to do this. Keep up to date and buy 
Root music from here and here 

Thank you to David Kendall for this interview

Root's PA profile is here and homepage is here

Edited by toroddfuglesteg - January 10 2011 at 14:36

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toroddfuglesteg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658	Topic: Root Posted: December 12 2010 at 13:57
	Root began as a three piece in Leicester, playing pubs, selling demos and getting local press coverage. Eventually it was time to move on to new challenges........ The rest of the story is told by this interview with David Kendall, the man behind Root. *********************************************************************************** To start with, please give us the Root story from you played in pubs in Leicester to you released your first album. Which bands were you influenced by and why did you choose that name ? Being the only writer in the band, the direction was pretty much determined by what I was listening to at the time, which was Living Colour, It Bites, Dan Reed, Spin Doctors, Clapton. Although I was still listening to Yes, Saga etc that kind of thing was not possible with a three piece band. We played lots of local gigs, Paul eventually left and was replaced by Shaun, my brother on bass. We had great live reviews and a demo featured in Kerrang but the biggest blow came when Daniel left to go to college to study music production. The band limped on for a while with a new drummer but then fell apart. I chose the ROOT name as it was simple and would not tie us to one type of music and it could be used big on posters – nothing more complicated then that. I tried to rebuild the band and also join other bands, but was disappointed by the simple approach most wanted to take with the music. So I decided to try my hand at doing everything. I needed a target, so I thought I would try to record a CD. Also it would take the form of the progressive music I had loved since I started playing, but had not had the chance to try with the live band. Assuming I would return to live work soon I kept the ROOT name to save myself from starting from scratch. What is the whole Root philosophy and ethos ? Root is my chance to explore my love of progressive music. My aim is to keep the words grounded in real emotions but stretch out musically in any direction I want. Let's go straight to the first album. Please tell us more about Dreams Of Green from 1998 Dreams of Green was the most nerve-wracking thing I had done to that point. I realised that every part had to be approached with so much attention to detail. I almost gave up a few times but was encouraged greatly by my wife, Lisa to finish it. It sounds very naive to me now, but it was a step in the right direction. The title came from a song on the album called "Not Water" where a fish dreams of how life would be on the land or 'not water' as he sees it - based on an idea from an episode of the Twilight Zone. Don't look for the greener grass on the other side. Please tell us more about your second album Follow The Dawn from 1999 Follow the Dawn was a joy to make. Boosted by the response to Dreams of Green. I let my ideas run free and had great fun experimenting and trying all the things I didn't have the nerve to do on the first CD. Lots more tempo changes, dynamics etc. The title comes from the song 'Born' on this album, which is a song of optimism, suggesting that a new day follows the dawn for you to chase your dreams. Please tell us more about your third album Poles Apart from 2000 Poles Apart was a strange album to make. Having tried all the things I always wanted to on the two previous albums, I was left wondering where to start. The songs guided the album though. When I write songs I usually strum quietly on a guitar and music and words flood in. This time the subjects were much more 'human' rather than stories. Relating to relationships and emotions. I decided to produce the album to highlight the feelings in the words, which stretched my producer's role and also limited my chances for stretching out musically. Keeping the songs to the point. The title comes from a track on the album, which talks of people appearing to be so different but ultimately being guided by the same path. Please tell us more about your fourth album Resolution from 2003 Resolution took a long time to make. I started work on it very soon after the completion of Poles Apart and continued in the same vein as Poles. But because of a technical problem I lost several month's work. This was a big blow to me. I needed something to get me fired up again. I decided that I needed to stretch out and express myself as a musician as well as a songwriter. Not limiting myself to keyboard or guitar parts as I had done on Poles. Arrangements could be more complex, longer, more varied, just more fun for the musician in me. At the same time sad events in my life influenced me to write the most personal set of songs yet, which are tied together with a theme of hope and "Resolution". Believe in yourself and conquer your fear of falling and who knows what you may achieve. It soon became obvious that this would be a big task. As the songs took shape and the ambitious arrangements worked it pushed me to want everything on the album as perfect as it could be. The time it took was much more than my previous albums and as I worked on, new songs were being written. The songs all seemed to fit together so it eventually become a double album. I also decided that the cover for the album also had to be ambitious. It's always great to get a progressive rock album with artwork to enjoy while you listen. Please tell us more about your fifth album Illumination from 2005 With “Illumination” I had a very personal set of songs and learnt how to approach the songs as a producer would and let the emotion of the songs dictate the sound of the music. It was a little scary recording much shorter songs than normal without knowing how they would be received by prog fans, but it has gone very well. Please tell us more about your sixth album Wooden Hill from 2007 I approached Wooden Hill from two directions at the same time (if that is possible!). After illumination I was keen to stretch out musically, but I also had several songs written which would benefit from a melodic arrangement. It was my first album to major on guitar with keyboards in a supporting role and it felt much better to me for that approach. I had learnt so much over the years – playing keys, bass and drums – it was time to let the guitar player in me take over again. It was my first album to combine all the elements that I wanted – lots of guitar, longer songs, harmonies and story telling. Please tell us more about your seventh and most recent album Bird's Eye & Tiger Striped. Bird's Eye & Tiger Striped is the culmination of everything I have learnt since I started recording this music. It has the ideal combination of sounds from all the Root music I have recorded to date. It is so much fun to continue the approach started on the last album. Guitars dominate, but not just heavy ones – acoustics and textural ones too! Keys and harmonies are added to flavour the mix. Catchy songs, with prog music – exactly my aim! How would you describe the musical developments on your seven studio albums ? As I have mentioned throughout my album stories. The major developments for me have been learning how to play all the instruments needed to make this music, but finally being able to return to my first love of guitar and letting those other instruments support my songs. Just to give those of us who are unknown with your music a bit of a reference point or two: How would you describe your music ? The most common comparisons I receive are late Marillion and David Gilmour or Neo-Prog. It is so hard to know what you sound like yourself – I rely on others to tell me. I never stop being influenced by new music though, so I may take it anywhere I want to. You have released all Root albums on your own and is doing the manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales yourself. What is your experiences and what is the approx sales figures of your albums ? I wish I could sell more, but I have found that bootleg downloads were available of my latest album very soon after it was released. That is very sad that people do that to musicians like me, who fund the whole process and put so much time into it. How can anyone be happy to steal my music and call themselves a fan? What is your plans for the rest of this year and next year ? I have many things to maintain – website, Myspace etc. I have also joined a covers band to get some gigging experience again as I am a bit rusty with that. At some point I would like to start playing Root music live again. To wrap up this interview, is there anything you want to add to this interview ? I would like to thank anyone who supports musicians like myself and buy our CDs, post reviews, news etc. You people are so important and enable and give us a reason to do this. Keep up to date and buy Root music from here and here Thank you to David Kendall for this interview Root's PA profile is here and homepage is here** Edited by toroddfuglesteg - January 10 2011 at 14:36