Chad Bowar: How did the reunion come about?
Paul Masvidal: Basically a series of synchronicities in a concentrated period of time led to the reunion. Cynic appeared in our lives through emails, dreams, phone calls and other forms of communication. We simply took direction from the universe and allowed it to unfold naturally.
What was the response to last year’s reunion tour?
Amazing. We were blown away by the reciprocation and love we received.
How many of the original members are in the 2008 version of Cynic?
From the Focus era, three out of four are on the album. Two out of four perform live, although Cynic at its core has always been Sean (Reinert, drums) and I who formed the group. So the essential core hasn’t changed.
Why did you guys split back then?
It was a number of things. We were disenchanted with the music business, and had our own desires to change and move onto other things. Life was shifting for us and we wanted to experience those shifts without being in a band.
How does Traced In Air compare to Focus soundwise?
Sonically Traced in Air is more modern and at the same time true to a classic record. We used the best of both analog vintage gear chains, microphones and consoles mixed with cutting edge technology. Traced In Air is a more exploratory record in the way that we recorded it, although I still think Focus holds up well in its own right.
Did you pick up where you left off, or was the songwriting/recording process different than on Focus?
I wasn’t interested in referencing our past with this new album. It was all about just being true to a process now as a more experienced songwriter. The vision is more realized now which allowed for a more developed record in all aspects.
Did you guys produce the CD yourselves?
Sean Reinert and I produced. Warren Riker engineered and mixed.
What inspired the album title?
At first a lyric from a song inspired the title. Soon after I began to see how it became this larger piece to the album puzzle. The record felt like it came from the ether and air and a pure source, so in some ways the title has a literal sense. There’s also the greater feeling of our music in general having an illusive quality, which feels like Cynic.
How did the European tour with Opeth come about?
I emailed Mikael from Opeth and mentioned our record was coming out right around the time of their European tour and suggested we put something together, thankfully as a mutual fan he responded positively. Then our agents began locking it down.
Do you have plans to do a U.S. tour?
Yes. We’ll be touring the states in late January.
Is the tour lineup different than the studio lineup?
We have Robin Zielhorst on bass. He was a member of the performance art Blue Man Group prior to Cynic.
Will Aeon Spoke also continue?
Yes. We have a new album written and plan to record it sometime in 2009 when have a window.
What other musical projects are you involved with?
I’m working on an ambient music record with my film composer friend Dan Licht and have some short films I’ll be scoring over the coming months. There are a few other things in the works, but too soon to mention.
How did you get involved with Death, and what are your memories of your time with the band?
I developed a friendship with Chuck (Schuldiner) in my teens. Over the years he asked me to help him out when he needed a guitar player in a fix. It was inevitable we’d make an album together. I learned a tremendous amount in those years. It was essentially Sean and I’s foray into the music industry and proper touring.
How did you get started in music?
I got my first guitar when I was 10. I studied classical formally and then realized I wanted to play rock. In my later high school and early college years I developed an interest in jazz and studied with some wonderful teachers.
Was there a song or album that inspired you to want to perform music?
I think it was the song “Guitar Man” by the band Bread. I’ll never forget sitting in my mother’s car hearing that song come on the radio and feeling tremendous inspiration and love resonating from that tune. It had these magical honest properties that communicated directly to my heart and inspired me to begin my own journey as a songwriter.
Who are some current artists you admire?
Brian Eno, Radiohead, Pat Metheny, Ben Monder, John Mclaughlin, Sigur Ros, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Joni Mitchell, Russill Paul, The Beatles.
