Interview: Jason Sadites

Jason Sadites: I didn't really set out with a particular concept for the CD as a whole. I was very interested, though, in exploring the idea of using a lot of odd and alternating time signatures throughout the songs, while making them sound rather "common". On my first CD I held back from writing anything too
complex for the lack of having musicians that would be able to perform the musical ideas up to the level needed. With the musicians that I had the great fortune to work with on "Weve", that was not an issue, so I was free to write the music that I wanted regardless of the complexity level of the pieces.

Jason Sadites: I wanted to be very careful not to have a CD that seemed to ramble on endlessly. I wanted to put out a CD that the listener could listen to front to end and feel musically satisfied when it was over. It seems to me that in recent years there has been a leaning to very long CDs and personally, no matter how great the music is, I am usually looking to listen to something
else after about 45 minute mark. So, on 'Weve' I put together what I felt was the right amount of music to give the listener that aforementioned musically satisfying feeling.

Jason Sadites: When I set out to write the music for the CD, I had the goal of not using any "filler" songs on the project. I wanted to feel really great about each and every song on the project. Having said that, as far as my favorite songs, I would have to say that I am very drawn to the song "Weave" for it's simple, catchy melody over some tricky time changes. I am also very drawn to "Oddly Enough", which doesn't sound overly complex, but also has a lot of very difficult time changes. Since I worked with so many incredible musicians on the project it allows me the ability to listen to my own music in a slightly different way. Instead of focusing so much on my parts, there is always an incredible drummer or bass player to focus on how they interpreted the music.

Jason Sadites: I had been talking to a good friend of mine, Norm Vorano, about doing the artwork for the project. Norm is a great artist who I felt very comfortable giving full control over the art direction of the CD. After being so close to the music for so long, I really wanted to remove myself from the artwork side of things and leave it in the hands of somebody more capable. So, Norm came up with the artwork and along with it the title "Weve".

Jason Sadites: I was very fortunate to have the musicians I did on the project. The CD includes performances by: Tony Levin, Marco Minnemann, Kenny Aronoff, Gregg Bissonette, Matt Bissonette, Jerry Marotta, Brett Garsed, Martin Motnik, Chad Wackerman, Carlo De Lorenzi and Brendan Colameco. As I had mentioned earlier, I really wanted the freedom to be able to compose music without the fear of not being able to find the musicians who would be able to perform it to the level needed. That was definitely not an issue with these musicians.

I was able to make the connection with some of these musicians at NAMM shows over the past few years, while I was there doing demos for Budda Amplification. Some of the other musicians I simply contacted via e-mail. As I was writing the music, I already had a pretty good idea who I was hoping to have play on each given track. The thing is, when working with musicians of this level, is that you have to have a very flexible schedule with very few deadlines since all of these guys have so many projects on the go. So, I
simply set out to make the best CD I could with the musicians I wanted with no preconceived idea of how long it would take. It was great to make the contacts and friends I did throughout the project.

Jason Sadites: I have done a fair bit of studio work throughout the years for various bands. I am currently working on a project with an incredible pianist named Carlo De Lorenzi, which should be out later this year or early 2010. I am always interested in working with new musicians and am very well equipped in my home studio to do pro audio work. I recorded all the guitars on "Weve" in
my home studio. The idea of working with another fusion band or on a tribute CD is something that interests me very much.

Jason Sadites: It really hasn't affected my personal music shopping habits as of yet.

Jason Sadites: I am using the normal sites that most others are using such as MySpace and Facebook as there is no reason not to use these tools. Although, I haven't really got into the whole Twitter thing. I find it rather hard to gauge what affect these sites are having, but the way I see it is that the more places your name can be seen the higher the chance for potential listeners to hear your music.

I find that the relationship I have with the companies that I endorse has also been a great marketing tool. Budda Amplification has a song from "Weve" on their MySpace page for listeners to sample. Since the Budda is the only amp I used on the project it gives the listener a sample of my music and they get to hear how the amp sounds. I am also working with Michael Tuttle Guitars and will soon have a free download available to showcase Michael's guitars, which by the way are the most incredible instruments I have ever
played and now the only ones I play. So these relationships are also great promotional tools.

Jason Sadites: The more time that passes, I find myself listening to less and less guitarists. Some of my favorite CDs recently have been by drummers. Working with Marco Minnemann has been a great inspiration. He is such a phenomenal drummer and musician. I have also been listening to some of the solo work by
Manu Katche, who is another drummer that I find very inspiring. Those, along without with whatever else I happen to hear that strikes a chord with me can act as creative inspiration.

Jason Sadites: I have already written a decent amount of material for another project although it will be a while before that all comes together for release. As was mentioned before I would really love to collaborate with some other musicians, possibly co-writing or contributing to their projects. I guess I just want to keep making, what I hope is, good music, whether my own or in collaboration with others, that listeners can enjoy for a long time.