Interview with Singer Jack Meille of Tygers of Pan Tang
By Mick Michaels
Cosmick View: Hello, Jack! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.
Jack Meille: Thank you Mick for showing interest in Tygers' music!
CV:
Do you feel music fans, especially Heavy Metal fans; now expect a vinyl edition
of a band's new material to be part of their listening choices? If so, has such
an expectation actually cornered bands into an additional financial burden that
in the long run could be hit or miss in the payoff?
JM: It's no new news the fact that buying vinyl has gained interest once again. Considering that digital music is the new market, investing in vinyl is like making a stand: music cannot be just ”liquid” and on air, it's something physical, and the vinyl makes it more valuable. We, as Tygers, are quite lucky as Mighty Music, our record label, has always been into vinyl and it's very keen to invest on them. Bear in mind that since I joined the band, there hasn't been one Tygers record that hasn't gotten a limited edition vinyl version.
JM: It's no new news the fact that buying vinyl has gained interest once again. Considering that digital music is the new market, investing in vinyl is like making a stand: music cannot be just ”liquid” and on air, it's something physical, and the vinyl makes it more valuable. We, as Tygers, are quite lucky as Mighty Music, our record label, has always been into vinyl and it's very keen to invest on them. Bear in mind that since I joined the band, there hasn't been one Tygers record that hasn't gotten a limited edition vinyl version.
CV:
As a veteran band, what does vinyl mean to Tygers
of Pan Tang? How about you as an individual artist, what does vinyl mean to
you?
JM: I'm a compulsive record collector since I was 8 years old and I'm very proud of my record collection which is mainly CDs with a couple of hundreds of old vinyl. There are records just like Jethro Tull's “Thick As A Brick” or “Led Zeppelin III” that you have to have in vinyl format to get the whole experience!
JM: I'm a compulsive record collector since I was 8 years old and I'm very proud of my record collection which is mainly CDs with a couple of hundreds of old vinyl. There are records just like Jethro Tull's “Thick As A Brick” or “Led Zeppelin III” that you have to have in vinyl format to get the whole experience!
CV:
What do you feel vinyl means to the fans? Is the sound really better as many
claim or is it more of a nostalgia sort of thing in your opinion?
JM: I think vinyl allows the listener to take time off to listen to the music. You can't listen to a vinyl record while driving to work or while you are jogging…do you? Listening to vinyl means taking your time to just listen and enjoy the package which includes the front cover and the inner sleeve, reading the lyrics of the songs while you hear them...it's almost like pagan rite.
JM: I think vinyl allows the listener to take time off to listen to the music. You can't listen to a vinyl record while driving to work or while you are jogging…do you? Listening to vinyl means taking your time to just listen and enjoy the package which includes the front cover and the inner sleeve, reading the lyrics of the songs while you hear them...it's almost like pagan rite.
CV:
Since the shutdown of 2020, the band now has two new members, guitarist, Francesco Marras, and bass player, Huw Holding. How much does a
band's internal and external dynamics change when new members come on
board? Is there an adjustment period for everyone?
JM: It definitively changes and we all hope for the best! What's really strange is that due to the pandemic, Francesco hasn't yet met Robb, Craig and Huw. But thanks to technology we have been able to share the music between us and so far “the music has done the talkin'” and we really felt comfortable and musically synched like it has never been before in the band. Francesco is not only a phenomenal guitar player, but a great songwriter and arranger and he is very open when it comes to sharing and trying different musical solutions.
JM: It definitively changes and we all hope for the best! What's really strange is that due to the pandemic, Francesco hasn't yet met Robb, Craig and Huw. But thanks to technology we have been able to share the music between us and so far “the music has done the talkin'” and we really felt comfortable and musically synched like it has never been before in the band. Francesco is not only a phenomenal guitar player, but a great songwriter and arranger and he is very open when it comes to sharing and trying different musical solutions.
CV:
As well, how much does the music change when new blood is added to the mix? Is
there any concern with things going a different direction?
JM: Well I guess Robb,
Craig and myself know what makes a song a “Tygers song”. We are lucky that both
Francesco and Huw seem to share the same vision. The new songs are the
expression of the whole band.
JM: Yeah that's exactly what's behind the title of the EP. I'm really proud of the lyrics I wrote for “A New Heartbeat.” The whole pandemic experience and the lock downs have had and still have a huge impact on me psychologically. It was thanks to music that I got through it. Writing melodies and lyrics helped me to take off my chest all the frustration and literally made my day. There nothing as overwhelming as the feeling you have when at the end of the day you listen to the music you have created and recorded.
CV:
Many people feel streaming services have robbed artists of a fair payday for
their time and music. Regardless of one's stance, streaming platforms have
become a necessary component to artist awareness and fan
interaction. Do you see a way that these services can exist in a
better capacity, where the artist isn’t just another cog, and the services are
more than just a “necessary evil” for artists and bands?
JM: Can I be totally honest…since the streaming there has been a constant flow of payment from what in the U.K. is PRS. Since it's digital, reports are now more accurate. Yet the money you get per stream or download is ridiculously little and we should try to change that. What really now is jeopardizing any band's existence is the complete absence of live performing and the impossibility to plan a tour. For a band like Tygers, touring is crucial for all reasons. I would have never expected that we'd not be performing for almost two years.
JM: Can I be totally honest…since the streaming there has been a constant flow of payment from what in the U.K. is PRS. Since it's digital, reports are now more accurate. Yet the money you get per stream or download is ridiculously little and we should try to change that. What really now is jeopardizing any band's existence is the complete absence of live performing and the impossibility to plan a tour. For a band like Tygers, touring is crucial for all reasons. I would have never expected that we'd not be performing for almost two years.
CV:
Comparatively speaking with regards to streaming services, do you consider
Internet radio a friend or foe, especially considering that not much of
financial return is garnished on the airplay received for most bands on such
stations?
JM: Well I think there should be more control of the airplay. Most radio station programs have podcasts and you can easily trace when one of your songs is played. Again PRS or whatever company should be doing that on the musicians’ behalf.... Let's see what is going to happen in the next few years.
JM: Well I think there should be more control of the airplay. Most radio station programs have podcasts and you can easily trace when one of your songs is played. Again PRS or whatever company should be doing that on the musicians’ behalf.... Let's see what is going to happen in the next few years.
CV:
In addition to the new EP, what more can fans expect to see coming from Tygers of Pan Tang in 2022?
JM: You will get a brand new album! We are finalizing when to record, mix and master it in order to be sure to release it by the end of 2022.
JM: You will get a brand new album! We are finalizing when to record, mix and master it in order to be sure to release it by the end of 2022.
CV: Thanks again Jack for taking the time to share with
our readers. We wish you all the best and continued success.
JM: Thank you for your support and I really hope to meet you at one of our concerts in the UK very soon!
Check out Tygers of Pan Tang at:
JM: Thank you for your support and I really hope to meet you at one of our concerts in the UK very soon!
Check out Tygers of Pan Tang at:
OFFICIAL:
www.tygersofpantang.com
OFFICIAL
FB Band PAGE: www.facebook.com/tygersofpantangofficial
OFFICIAL
INSTAGRAM:
RECORD
LABEL WEB STORE: www.targetshop.dk/tygers-of-pan-tang
OFFICIAL
JACK MEILLE INSTAGRAM PROFILE: www.instagram.com/mantrajack/
OFFICIAL
JACK MEILLE FB PAGE: www.instagram.com/mantrajack/
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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