Hi
Michael, many thanks for agreeing to this interview. You are the
first keyboardist to be interviewed at www.baroqueandroll.com so
may I congratulate you on this first of all.
MT: Thanks so much. I appreciate it.
You have recently gone from relative
obscurity to grabbing the prestigious keyboard slot on the last
leg of Yngwie Malmsteen's "Unleash The Fury" world tour. How did
you get the gig with "the maestro"?
MT: Lol...I was in the "right place, at the right time".
The Malmsteen gig must be the most
coveted slot for a keyboardist of your style, how was it playing
the classic keyboard lines of Jen Johansson, Mats Olausson and
Derek Sherinian?
MT: One of the most rewarding, exhilarating experiences of
my life. A dream come true for me.
Was it daunting to step into the shoes of
these legends as it where?
MT: Oh sure! I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. I was still
playing with Star Wars figures when Jens was making his mark in
Rising Force with Yngwie and of Yngwie's past keyboard players, he
was my biggest influence. Not in regards to soloing style, but
more the Toe-to-Toe duels and the general vibe of that whole
thing. Mats influenced me too later on in his really tight and
consistent accompaniment style.
Where you quite familiar with a lot of
the Yngwie keyboard parts prior to getting the gig?
MT: I've been really into Yngwie's music since I was about
17, so yeah. Very familiar with the parts and also the role
keyboards play in his music.
Did you get much rehearsal prior to the
gigs and when and how did these take place?
MT: We had 4 days of rehearsal. We went over the assigned
songs he had me learn and then Maestro focus's on anything he
wants to change or that isn't quite right. What I mean by that is,
I'd been playing a good bit of his songs for a long time but
always as a variation for solo piano. I'd tend to play too far in
the bass register with the left hand and a bit too high in the
treble with the right. He likes it when you stay toward the middle
and "fill it up" as he says. I have to say also, that it's really
quite amazing to watch him direct a band and to be directed by
him. He really has a gift for it and I couldn't imagine it any
other way. He's a consummate band leader, no doubt about it.
Where you allowed to put your own
inflections or is Yngwie pretty strict in what he expects from his
keyboardist?
MT: As far as playing the accompaniment keyboard parts,
yeah, it's pretty scripted but not uncomfortably so. He allowed me
to do my own improvised synth solos during songs Far Beyond the
Sun and Rising Force.
What material did you play? Where there
any unexpected tracks?
MT: Some of the songs we did were:
Rising Force
Demon Driver
Badinere
Cracking the Whip
Adagio
Far Beyond the Sun
Paraphrase
Dreaming
Gates of Babylon
Baroque & Roll
Exile
Crown of Thorns
Trilogy Suite into Red house
You Dont Remember, I'll Never Forget
Black Star
Cherokee Warrior
I'll See the Light Tonight
Yngwie is full of surprises and may change the set list at any
time so you've got to be ready. He really keeps you on your toes.
How
was it trading solos with Yngwie on tracks like Far Beyond The Sun
and Rising Force?
MT: In a word, MAGICAL...I remember thinking..."is this
really happening" lol...
What keyboard did you use for the gigs
and what sort of sounds do you employ?
MT: I use ONLY Korg Triton Classic 76 key keyboards and
Korg Triton Studio 88 key keyboard models. As far as sounds
themselves go, whatever sounds (often called "Patches") Yngwie
used in the recording is what I strive to get the closest to
unless directed to do otherwise. All of my patches are
combinations of different sounds (also called voices) so there
is a certain amount of keyboard “pre-production" before a show.
What were the most demanding tracks for
you as a keyboardist and what provided the most pleasure?
MT: The most demanding...well, It's all demanding, so you
can never let your guard down and I always push myself to play my
very best. As far as favourites...oh man, where do I start lol...I
love it all so much, my favourite instrumentals we performed were
Adagio/Far Beyond The Sun, Paraphrase, Baroque & Roll, Trilogy
Suite. My favourite "vocal" songs we did were: Rising Force, Crown
of Thorns and Cherokee Warrior.
What were your personal highlights from the dates in
South America?
MT: There are soooo many...just a few were getting to
travel (which I love by the way) to South America and seeing how
warm and friendly everyone was down there. Yngwie's South and
Central American fans are awesome. There was even a guy that flew
ALL the way from Scotland to attend Yngwie's final show of the
tour in Mexico City!! And of course every aspect of playing
for/with the Maestro and the rest of the band. I have to say also
how great Yngwie and everyone in the band were as well as Yngwie's
Tour Manager and Manager. All very friendly and professional, just
such a wonderful experience all the way around.
Do you know if Yngwie will be using you
on any future tours or his next album yet?
MT: It's possible...Im keeping my fingers crossed ;)
So lets go back, what made you take up
the keyboard and who were your early influences?
MT: Well, I don't really know what made me start...I was
just drawn to it. Earliest influences...Yngwie of course, Jon
Lord of Deep Purple, and Jens (Johansson). I was also influenced
by the heaviness of bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Dio
How
have these influences shaped your playing to where you are today
as a player?
MT: Well, Yngwie is by far my biggest influence not only
musically but also personally in his determination and
perseverance. Had it not been for that positive influence, I
definitely wouldn't be the player I am today. Heavy metal
influenced me too of course as did the playing of Jon Lord, Jens
and others. I'm basically a concoction of all my influences.
When did you realise you had a talent for
the keyboards?
MT: I think I was about 12...by the way, I've never had a
formal lesson and play entirely by ear.
What sort of bands have you played in
prior to getting the slot with Yngwie?
MT: Cover bands of all kinds...I also played solo piano in
lounges for several years in Las Vegas during my 20's.
Is music your main job or do you have to
work a day job as many musicians do these days to keep the dream
alive?
MT: I have played "for a living" already as my sole source
of income during the time period when I was doing the solo piano
gig thing.. right now I'm juggling a "day job" and Sessioning.
Have any classical works influenced you
as a player, if so who/what and why?
MT: The funny thing is, most of my "classical" influence
comes from Yngwie's classical influences since that is mostly what
I listened to for many years. I am enjoying J.S. Bach "Greatest
Hits" cd very much right now though in the past I've listened to
mostly Liszt, Paganini (the caprices) and Beethoven. I really like
strong melodies, pedal tones, diminished chords, and LOVE octaves.
Do you have any tips for aspiring
keyboardists wanting to play in the metal/neo-classical genre?
MT: Well, the road to your goals can be very different for
everyone and I don't believe there is any one "right" way...follow
your instincts and remember, it isn't just about knowing a million
licks and playing fast but playing with your ears and your heart
also.
Anything else you would like to tell the
readers of Baroque & Roll?
MT: Thanks so very much. Please stop by my NEW website at
michaeltroykeyboardist.com and say hello!
Michael, many thanks for your time.
MT: Thank you Andy. It was my pleasure!
Web Links
www.michaeltroykeyboardist.com
www.myspace.com/michaeltroy
