Jeff Scott Soto

W.E.T.

As I said in my review for W.E.T.'s debut album, Jeff Scott Soto has always been my guilty pleasure! This man has put a spell on me with his majestic voice and his works with TALISMAN, Axel Rudi Pell, Yngwie Malmsteen and more. Now he strikes back with his new project and he is more than willing to answer a few questions about this new step and his future plans...

By Yiannis Dafopoulos

• November 22, 2009

Interview with: Jeff Scott Soto from W.E.T.

Hello Jeff! Let me start by saying that it is a huge honour for me having an interview with you! I have been a fan of your work and when I came across your new project I just couldn't miss the chance to ask you several stuff. How did the W.E.T. idea come up? Who made the suggestion?

It started as an idea from Serafino at Frontiers Records who wanted me to do an album like this immediately after my departure from JOURNEY. But as I already had other plans in the works for some time on my next release (Beautiful Mess) which was a complete turnaround from AOR music, I insisted on releasing that 1st & then we discussed doing this. Once I heard the first few songs, I knew I would really be into this as I know of WORK OF ART & ECLIPSE, both bands are fucking great! Together, we created our own greatness!

The band is comprised of you and two more well known musicians. What about Back and Henriksson? Are they considered members of the band or just guest musicians?

For the most part they are in the band if there is a band to continue, they are on every song & on the videos so naturally should we continue we'll base the band on them to continue with us since they are the nucleus of how well the album came out.

Why did you decide to start W.E.T.? What more does this band/project has to offer?

As I said, it was a studio project that became much more once we all got more into the recordings, we offer good AOR Hard Rock with lots of melodies.

Why did you ended up using W.E.T. as a name for the band? If I am not mistaken it is an acronym for the bands you all play in. Who thought of it?

We had little or no ideas for names as we were under a really bad project name & I started putting initials together of our names but the only thing that seemed to work was the combination of our band names...E.W.T. didn't have the same effect!

The album is released through Frontiers, the undeniable rising force in the Hard Rock/AOR scene. How did you get in touch with them? Are you satisfied with the effort they have put on W.E.T. until now?

I can't believe you said 'rising force' without mentioning Yngwie, haha! They contacted me as I was working on my 1st solo album with another label I won't mention. It wasn't even 48 hours when I told that label when Hell freezes over I will let them screw me as they have all their artists. I got an email from Frontiers saying they were a new label interested in me as a solo artist. The deal was made within 7 days and I have been with them since, really part of the family now. I am very happy with the job they've done for all my releases thus far & I plan to continue with them into the future.

Is W.E.T. a full time band? Are we going to see more albums and live performances by you or is it just a studio project?

It really depends on the public demand, I think I can speak for everyone in saying we would love to do more together both live & in the studio.

The cover artwork is kind of simple and totally stands for the name of the band. Whose idea was it and who designed it?

The guy that has been doing ALL my artwork & graphic designs since 2002, Richard Mace of Sirius B Creative Solutions. He always completes the visions of the titles & sound of the things I've done. He is a creative genius & I can't imagine having anyone else touch the designs that complete my musical images.

You said that this is the album that JOURNEY would have released if you were still a part of the band. Don't you think that this is a bit too much to say? No intention to insult you, but some people might get offended with such a statement.

Offended? I don't think so. It's just a comparison nothing offensive to them. As well, my comment was more in that 'some' things on the album sounded very JOURNEY-esque, especially since Steve Perry is a huge influence on me as a singer. If a song is presented to me that sounds like JOURNEY, that influence really comes out subconsciously. But JOURNEY is definitely not nor ever will be as heavy on even the lightest songs on this album, the statement was more that I am singing the high, clean tenor again like I did back in the early 90's.

Did you all enter the same studio for the recordings of the album or each part was recorded in a different location?

We did it separately but it's nothing new for me as I've been doing this for years with TALISMAN, and this was before email & Pro Tools! So with technology today it's so easy to keep within budgets & do quality work without having to be together. This is a good chemistry that worked pretty well.

Except for W.E.T. what other things have you been working on lately?

I have quite a bit on my plate, between my work & roles with TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA now & in the Spring, I have some solo dates & other things possibly in the Summer before gathering for another TSO tour next Winter. It's a crazy busy time right now but I am having a great time staying busy.

Your last release with TALISMAN was in 2006 if I am not wrong. How are things there? What are the band's plans? Will the band continue without Marcel?

No, I won't do any more recordings as TALISMAN without Marcel, it's just not possible. With bands like QUEEN or THIN LIZZY, there were songs created by other band members that allowed to continue without going against the grain. Marcel created every element that was TALISMAN with me & it would be blasphemous to try & write or create as he did. I would like to do a final farewell tour in his memory, there is an amazing body of music I am very proud of & would like to keep alive.

Really, why and how did he reach this point? He was a talented and successful person and he will surely be missed...

It's really a personal question & I will respect his family & him by keeping it within our information. He is greatly missed & I will uphold his legacy in everything I do.

You have worked with numerous bands and projects. Can you pick one as your favorite?

TALISMAN!

You have been involved in the music scene for many years. How did it all start? Who influenced you and what singers did you look up to at the beginning of your career?

It's quite a long story but I literally have been singing as long as I've been talking, I loved the JACKSON FIVE & a lot of the Motown (note: old Funk/R&B label) stuff when I was a kid, that was my 1st real love & inspiration that I continue to be influenced until today. The 1st band I sang lead in was when I was 12 years old.

If you didn't end up being in the music industry, what job do you think you would do to make a living?

I would watch TV & sleep all day! Honestly there is nothing else I am interested in doing for a living or for fun!

Thank you for this interview and I wish you all the best with W.E.T. and your career. And last words from you?

Many thanks, Greece rules!!! JSS

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