What is your location?
I live in Karlovy Vary, small town in Czech Republic in Middle of Europe.
What instrument(s) do you play?
Guitars, vocals, keyboards
For how long?
Guitars and vocals for 15 years, keyboards for 11 years.
Band/Solo artist?
I am solo artist because I cannot find suitable people for band.
What style/styles of music do you play?
It is mix of heavy metal, hard rock and new age. You can call it progressive metal.
Band name? (and how you came up with the name)
Zdenek Valecko. It is my own name.
Signed/ Unsigned? (If signed, include the label and information about how you got signed please)
Unfortunately still unsigned.
What is your WebPage address?
www.mp3.com/valecko
Are there MP3's available for download?
Yes.
Why do you play music? (what are your motives)
Simply I must. I want to express my ideas and feelings.
What is the single most important thing you have learnt from playing music?
If you want to sell your music you will hate it.
What in your opinion is the most important factor for a successful band?
Promotion, money, good manager, contacts for influental music business people. It is only BUSINESS.
Do you have a specific formulation for song composition?
Yes. First I create some story. Then I assign music pieces to some story events and write lyrics. Finaly I get all these parts together.
Where do you get your inspirations?
In past of my life, in my mind and feelings.
What kind of vibe do you try to capture in your music?
Everything what man can feel.
How do you communicate with your audience?
Via e-mail. But I do not have much audience.
How important is it to you to be successful? (In it for the music/meditation/ fun/ fame?)
Very much. It is for the feeling that my music has a sence and people listen to it and like it. I would like some money too.
How do you feel about any type of drugs? (Some musicians feel it helps enhance their creativity)
It is very thin ice. Drugs are very dangerous. But they can bring very unknown experiences. Musician can find many new ideas, lyrics, sounds and melodies with them.
What is your philosophical take on music?
Sorry, I did not understand to this question.
Where do you see the future of music?
My visions are obviosly quite different from all other people. I think, musicians will combine many music styles together. You can see it now. For example pop-ethnic-new age, 60s-metal-punk. I like classic-speed metal-hard rock or my own mixture hard rock-heavy metal-new age.
How do you promote your music?
I have uploaded my music on many MP3 sites. I am sending CDs to labels, attorneys, radios and magazines for review.
Do you have a manager? (If so, what tasks does your manager perform?)
No.
What do you think about the music industry?(Major and Indie record labels?)
I did not understand it. I would cancel it. Money and music are not friends. I hate pop music produced by Major labels. It is shit. Indie record labels have better chance to produce quality music.
Where do you see the future of the music industry?
I wish music industry would dissapear from the Universe. I wish these changes: less money for promotion, no mainstream, better access to music I like, cheaper manufactured CD, centralized music placement (just like MP3.COM, but with ALL music, not only indie music demos.).
How could the industry be improved and how would you implement this improvement?
See answer above. If I want for example good new age music, I must find it and get it immediately, for little money (for example $2). No seeking thru many music stories, MP3 servers and labels.
What is your opinion on recording technologies used in association with music? (digital/analogue/editing capabilities)
I am digital maniac. Digital is the best. Sound quality, editing and effecting capabilities. It is much cheaper too. Simpler work and service than analog.
Do you think these technologies are being used appropriately? (or are musicians cheating with performances)
I think musicians still cannot utilize full potential of these technologies.
Do you have any ideas as to how these technologies could be improved?
They are already perfect. But could be more reliable.
How do you think these improvements could be implemented?
Do not know.
Do you think artists are misrepresented or affected by the Media?
Yes.
What do you think about internet radio and what is your opinion on current attempts to disable these stations by imposing royalties? (most of
which the performers will never receive)
Internet Radio could be great medium, because it is reachable all over the globe. Money (and royalties) destroys all.
What about MP3's?
MP3s are great way to find new unknown music. But I take them only as temporary medium. I do not like to listen to MP3s from computer. I like to listen to CDs from quality hifi set. I thing MP3s could work as demonstartion and promotion of music. Then people could buy original CD. If CD would cost $2, I would never burn CDs from MP3s. CDs have better sound than MP3s, and what about booklet, cover, artwork? So no payments for MP3, lets sell CDs for $2! MP3 is another thing than CD.
What would you like to learn more about, or what unanswered questions do you have in regards to music or the industry?
How to get my music to the world? How to sell thounsands CDs, how can I be popular? How to make my music live?
What kind of aspects would you like to see covered in detail in this book?
How to be more succesful artist?
Is there anything else you would like to elaborate on, or are there any interesting stories you would like to share?
No idea.
