Tracy McShane - Mastermind
Interview By Robin Stryker
Mastermind is an American progressive rock band that was at the forefront of the prog rock renaissance in the early 1990s. The band has just released its seventh studio album, "Insomnia" (19 February 2010 worldwide release on Lion Music). Femme Metal chatted with vocalist, Tracy McShane, to get the inside story on Mastermind.
Welcome, Tracy! We’re glad you could join us today. Would you start off by telling us a bit about Mastermind’s history and how you became a member of the band?
Yes. How I became acquainted with Mastermind ... well, actually first I met Bill Berends [one of the founders of Mastermind] through a friend. We were introduced when I was playing with another band. I went to see Mastermind at a Philly show, and at the time they had Lisa Bouchelle fronting the band. It wasn’t until later that Bill expressed wanting a different singer, being that Lisa didn’t have time to gig, so I went and auditioned. I had been in Bill's studio previously doing backing tracks on a friend’s band CD, but I really wasn’t familiar with Mastermind’s music until then.
What was it like being the "new kid" in a band that was already well-established?
Well, at first it was a little scary. I had a lot of homework to do learning the material. At the time "Angels of the Apocalypse" was recently released and Mastermind was scheduled to do some shows. I remember one the first gigs was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [USA] at the Beehive Theatre. I remember thinking that these people are expecting Lisa ... and well, they got me. Some fans were disappointed, and some liked me.
Please introduce the other members of Mastermind and give us an idea of what special ingredient -- both personally and musically -- each person adds to the mix.
Well we will start with Bill ... Bill is our fearless leader. He is so very talented as a composer, writer, and guitarist. Bill is also very professional and quite intelligent, not to mention that he is very funny at times. Personally I have grown to love Bill, these things I mention were all very attractive to me. I look up to him sort of as my mentor. Bill ROCKS!!!
And we can’t forget Richard. Rich is an amazing drummer, the chemistry between both brothers [Bill and Richard] is by far something that you don’t get overnight. Rich also is someone you can count on being ready to gig. If it weren’t for him we wouldn’t have gotten to most of our gigs. Personally too, Richard is a funny guy that can break the ice in any occasion. I love working with both of the Berends brothers and have grown quite fond of them through the years. ;)
Jens is a funny guy, super talented, but I haven’t spent all that much time with him. It’s great that he likes recording with Mastermind! Can’t quite comment on the bassist, we have been through so many.
Has the curse of the vanishing bass player finally been lifted?
Don’t know what to say about the curse of the vanishing bassist. We would like to think that there has to be someone out there to fill those shoes.
For people who have not yet heard the new album, how would you describe its sound?
The sound is dark, sultry, with twists and turns.
What do you hope your fans take away with them after listening to “Insomnia”?
I hope fans, when they listen to it, want to listen to it again ... over and over.
To me, the new album sounds leaner, grittier and harder than earlier Mastermind albums. How has the feedback been on the album?
We’ve been getting lots of positive feedback. Old Mastermind fans weren’t quite so sure about the different sound, but many have grown to like it.
There are certainly plenty of things keeping people up at night these days. What is the significance of the title, “Insomnia”?
This album on many levels has been just that ... the waiting, worrying, the pain, the unknown.
After a particularly rough day, “Piggy World” puts a sly grin on my face. Which track resonates with you the most, and why?
All the songs have a special meaning for me. I would have to say "Piggy World" because the song actually describes my day. I would call Bill on my way to work ... blah ... day job ... and bitch and complain. Pretty much everything you hear in the song. LOL!! Bill made a song out of it.
Congratulations on signing with Lion Music! It sounds like a number of labels were interested in “Insomnia”. What made Lion Music the right label for Mastermind?
THANKS! Well, record labels come and go, Lion Music has a good reputation. Seemed like the way to go.
If I understand correctly, Mastermind expected to release “Insomnia” fairly soon after the “Broken” EP came out in 2005. What happened?
A band called Evanescence happened. No, seriously, that was the plan, to be released then, but it was a hectic year. Then we really weren’t happy with what was being offered and kept looking at different labels.
Please tell us about your musical background and training. Did you always want to become a singer?
I think I came out of the womb singing, so that would most definitely be a YES! I have had training all through grammar and high school, church choir, and theatre.
If you could go back in time and give your teenage self a piece of professional advice, what would it be?
Don’t get old...
Do you prefer to play live shows or prefer the process of creating and recording songs?
I do love playing live the best. I love to write too, more so now.
This might be a bit premature, but is Mastermind working on new songs?
Mastermind is always writing new material... gotta keep moving :)
What are the band’s future plans?
To write, record, ROCK out around the world, and make a movie!
Thank you so much for the interview, Tracy. Do you have any parting words for your fans at Femme Metal?
Thank YOU for taking the time to listen to our music!! If music is YOUR passion don’t let anyone put you down because of that, follow you dream!! Thanks for the interview Robin!!
Links
Tracy McShane Official Profile
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