David Walters released the third EP „Awakening“ with RANDOM FOREST at the end of the year 2015. He talked with us about this release, his musical colleague Aaron Gilbert, his solo project The Echelon Effect, the „Pay what you want“-concept and his life apart from this two bands.
RANDOM FOREST just released their third EP „Awakening“. Where did you met Aaron Gilbert? What was the motivation to found this project?
I’ve been friends with Aaron for years, we met at a studio we were both working at about 12 years ago. We’ve collaborated on various projects over the years. Before starting The Echelon Effect and RANDOM FOREST I did some writing for film and TV and we collaborated quite a bit in that sense. The motivation for RANDOM FOREST was simply to have some fun! I was already busy doing The Echelon Effect, but sometimes you need to change the way you work for a while, so although RANDOM FOREST is similar in style to The Echelon Effect, it’s made in a very different way.
It is remarkable that there are four songs on every EP you released. Is this a special scheme behind RANDOM FOREST?
To be honest we felt that 4 songs was the perfect way to package ideas we had. Although the thought came after, now we see every new EP as a different mood. We will try and make a full length album at some point in the future.
Why did you choose Ambient and Post-Rock for your music? Is there a special motivation or just personal preferences?
Kind of a straight forward answer really, I (we) simply love Post-Rock and Ambient, it’’such a creative genre to work with and beautiful to listen to. It’s by far my favorite type of music. Aaron’s other interests range more into the electronic world, and I come from more of an indie background, it all comes together as RANDOM FOREST.
Beside your musical output with Aaron Gilbert you are active as The Echelon Effect since 2009. Do you favour working alone or with another musician?
Both! It’s such a nice difference to work with somebody. The ideas bounce around and loads of fun is had recording. It’s also nice to lock yourself away and create on your own. Every time we start a new RANDO-FOREST-EP it’s super exciting as its a completely different set up to The Echelon Effect.
Out of the fact that The Echelon Effect is mainly a one man project i guess you can play many different instruments. Which ones are you able to play and when did you start to learn instruments?
I play quite a few pretty badly! Keys/Piano probably being my strongest, Bass is probably my second instrument, and guitar is mainly used for effects. I can hold a basic beat on a drum kit. I guess you could call me more of a producer than musician, I definitely use lots of production tricks as an instrument which I’ve always thought maybe gave The Echelon Effect a different sound.
Are there any plans to bring the music of RANDOM FOREST or The Echelon Effect on stage? I think many of your fans would appreciate this.
There are no immediate plans, although i would say I’m closer with The Echelon Effect, maybe a year away i would say. RANDOM FOREST is always a possibilty as well. It would take time to recreate everything that goes into the studio recordings for both artists.
If one thing is noticeable for me regarding your former releases that the artworks and even the song titles thematise topics of nature. Is this your inspiration or where do you get your ideas?
Absolutely! I’ve always loved nature and science, although there is probably a stronger science theme running through the music. Also travel is a huge topic that i can never leave alone. I’m lucky enough to do a fair bit of traveling and it’s always fun trying to capture memories and feelings that I’ve had.
Most of your music is published as a digital release only following the „Pay-what-you-want“-concept. Is this profitable nowadays? Do you have another profession besides playing music?
An honest answer to is it profitable, no, not really. But there are other benefits, I try to get my music synced for video/film as that can earn ok. The more people that hear it makes me happy! In turn this gives more chance to it being used and discovered for moving picture. Really I feel that the listener and I are all it together and I am simply sharing what I’ve done with people. Outside of RANDOM FOREST and The Echelon Effect I write occasionally for TV and Film and that is what helps with income, I can honestly say I survive completely from making music!
Are there any musicians that inspired you most for your musical work or you call a idol? Maybe somebody that you would like to work with in the future.
Sigur Rós, Mogwai, This Will Destroy You, God Is An Astronaut, Punk, Daft Punk, Indie, The Cure, Classic Rock… it goes on forever. Although there is an obvious amount of inspiration from Post-Rock/instrumental music, I truly love loads of other genres, and respect true geniuses in each. I would like to think that I take a little inspiration from everywhere. Film also! David Lynch is a hero!
Okay, thanks to you at this point. If you have no objections i would like to finish the interview with our traditional Metal1.info-Brainstorming. What comes to your mind spontaneously for the following terms:
Steven Wilson: Talented
Iceland: Stunning
David Cameron: Annoying
Your favorite album: Left and Leaving – The Weakerthans
Germany: Beautiful and Friendly
Mr. Bean: Olympics
The last words are yours – is there anything you would like to tell our readers?
Cheers for reading, stay tuned for new music. X