You are so engaged as a musician, a perpetual creative machine… I would imagine it is hard to let down. What do you do, outside of family, to rejuvenate yourself?
That’s a really good question (laughs). Usually, I’m into walking and getting outdoor exercise, which helps a lot. Lately, I’ve been so busy that I haven’t done much of that. When I’m more relaxed and in good spirit, the creativity is pretty natural to me and I don’t necessarily need to regenerate. Left to my own accord, I tend to just work a lot.
So, Dream Theater is doing the Progressive Nation tour this summer… and it got me to thinking what a cool annual event it could become. The thought of it becoming an annual event is pretty exciting; making it a huge, three-day festival as an expanded Bonaroo or Langaredo-type thing sounds cool, too. Having all your influences and [bands like] Tool, the Mars Volta, Explosions in the Sky, Porcupine Tree, Marillion, Coheed and Cambria, System of a Down, VAST, the Flower Kings… all on one stage… could you put in a request? (laughs)
Um, OK! Sure! (laughs) We’d like to see [the tour] become something we do every year. It’s a great idea and there’s a lot of interest out there.
You’ve certainly earned your nickname “The Wizard” in more ways than one during your career. What’s next, aside from the Progressive Nation tour? Have any other big plans?
I always do. For one thing, learning new technology is on my plate – feeling the need to learn new tools and investing time learn new programs – because I think technology influences people’s music and that can be a very positive thing. I think that’s what being progressive is about, learning the new, modern and forward-moving things.
I’m also doing a lot of programming things for the upcoming Liquid Tension Experiment 10th Anniversary shows coming up. That keyboard I used on the project 10 years ago I don’t have anymore. Dream Theater will get started on another album and hopefully I’ll get a little break in the summer to create some music for the next solo outing or project.
Jordan Rudess: The Road Home (Magna Carta)
1. “Dance on a Volcano”
2. “Sound Chaser”
3. “Just the Same”
4. “JR Piano Medley”
(“Soon,” “Supper’s Ready,” “I Talk to the Wind,” “And You and I”)
5. “Piece of the Pi”
6. “Tarkus”
Upcoming dates on Dream Theater's Progressive Nation 2008
Featuring Dream Theater, Opeth, Between The Buried And Me and 3
May 17 Cleveland, OH @ Time Warner Cable Amphitheater @ Tower City
May 18 Albany, NY @ The Armory
May 20 Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theater
May 21-22 New York City, NY @ Terminal 5
May 26 Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
May 27 Richmond, VA @ The National
May 28 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
May 30 Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
May 31 Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock
June 1 Tampa, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
June 4 San Juan, PR @ Coliseo Puerto Rico
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
This is really, really long Peter. But it is also very, very good stuff. I really enjoyed reading all about the different people Rudess has played with (especially Steven Wilson as I'm a huge P. Tree fan), and about his influences (loved learning about his favorite Genesis songs by Tony Banks).
You might wanna consider breaking this into two, or three parts next time as not everybody is the progressive music fan I am, and might not have the where-with-all to stick it with it.
But personally I loved this as I expect most other Dream Theater/progressive rock fans will as well. Great stuff.
-Glen
2 - Peter
Thanks for the compliment, Glen. Rudess is a great interview... and I had thought about breaking the piece in half, but couldn't seem to find a place I felt comfortable doing so. In the end, a monthly magazine-length feature piece comes along once in a great while for me. I had to leave it intact. Anyway, thanks for checking it out; I appreciate the feedback.
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Yeah!! Excellent Interview!!
It's about time the man (Mr. Rudess) gets some credit here on BC. He definitely adds dimension to D.T. unfortunately their new album was disappointing(to me).
As for the Progressive Nation Tour, if it was to get huge, I would rather see some more underground prog bands instead of including SOAD or Coheed... They have such a great line-up right now and I wouldn't want to cheapen it any just to make it huge. Maybe add a couple more bands like Aghora,Cynic & Spock's Beard. Adding SP to have another giant that can sell tickets & because they are wicked good.