Interviewing James tomorrow. Questions for him?

[RodrigoAltaf]

He was very cool and graceful...answered all my questions, including some funny ones. We're gonna publish it in two websites: one with the transcript, and the other with the audio.

Looking forward to it, and thanks for including us in your preparation.

I will include you guys whenever I get a chance to talk to the band.

One snippet of it:

- What do you do backstage when the long instrumental sections kick in?
- I'm usually relaxing and smoking cigars!

[bosk1]

I really hope he was joking about the cigars part.  James is far too smart and seems to be much too conscious about trying to take care of his voice than to smoke.

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

I really hope he was joking about the cigars part.  James is far too smart and seems to be much too conscious about trying to take care of his voice than to smoke.

I think Mr. Mangini must have jumped on your call! 

[hefdaddy42]

I really hope he was joking about the cigars part.  James is far too smart and seems to be much too conscious about trying to take care of his voice than to smoke.

I think Mr. Mangini must have jumped on your call! 

Kind of what I was thinking lol

[TAC]

I really hope he was joking about the cigars part. 

He was most certainly joking.

[bosk1]

I really hope he was joking about the cigars part. 

He was most certainly joking.

I would think so.  But Rodrigo just presented it matter-of-factly.

[MirrorMask]

Maaaaaaaaybe he could be smoking, but for sure he doesn't do it while he sits around for an instrumental passage in his little boot behind the amps. DT solo sections are long but not THAT long.

[jonny108]

Maybe I'm going crazy and I can't find the picture now but I'm sure James posted a picture somewhere of him on a boat smoking a cigar. 

[RodrigoAltaf]

I really hope he was joking about the cigars part. 

He was most certainly joking.

I would think so.  But Rodrigo just presented it matter-of-factly.

You're right man, my bad...I should have made it clear that i was joking.

I wish the interview would have been slightly more informative - it would have been the case if I did this after I had access to the new album. But it went quite well, and many of the questions you guys suggested were asked. I sent it to his PR, who listened to it and enjoyed it. We'll publish next week!

[Sebastián Pratesi]

I wish the interview would have been slightly more informative - it would have been the case if I did this after I had access to the new album. But it went quite well, and many of the questions you guys suggested were asked. I sent it to his PR, who listened to it and enjoyed it. We'll publish next week!

Cool, thanks!

Maybe I'm going crazy and I can't find the picture now but I'm sure James posted a picture somewhere of him on a boat smoking a cigar. 

This one?



It's from his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi-ZDGhnHRX/

[Madman Shepherd]

I'm pretty sure he says in Lifting Shadows he said he used to smoke cigars and drink on tour but when he rededicated himself to his singing he gave that all up on tour. I found it interesting he said while touring meaning he probably partakes when he's at home.

[cramx3]

I'm not sure having an occasional smoke will destroy your voice, but I can't imagine him smoking on tour and performing at a high level like he needs to for DT.  Maybe when he was younger that was possible. 

I'm sure cigars aren't the only smokes he enjoys 

[RMGadelha]

People don't usually inhale cigar smoke, but I'm not a doctor, so I don't know if that matters or not. I smoke a pipe (with my distinguished accent) and cigars occasionally, but I'm not a singer.

[Renzo]

People don't usually inhale cigar smoke, but I'm not a doctor, so I don't know if that matters or not. I smoke a pipe (with my distinguished accent) and a cigar occasionally, but I'm not a singer.

Yeah, as long as you don't inhale the smoke I don't think it affects the vocal cords that much. Cigars aren't like cigarettes unless you really want to hurt yourself at all costs.. 

[Architeuthis]

Maybe politely ask why he sounds so awesome on his solo and guest appearance albums and only "meh" on DT albums lately.

Hmmm, maybe you're being fecetious.  I think the last three albums has some of his best vocals to date, with The Astonishing being his best ever. Can't wait to hear what he's done on the new album!

[RodrigoAltaf]

I asked something along those lines. I think I said "many people say that your solo work fits your voice much more than in DT, would you agree with that statement?".

[TAC]

What's the point of smoking a cigar if you don't inhale?

[cramx3]

What's the point of smoking a cigar if you don't inhale?

Bill Clinton didn't inhale

[TAC]

What's the point of smoking a cigar if you don't inhale?

Bill Clinton didn't inhale

He also did not have sexual relations with that woman.

[RMGadelha]

What's the point of smoking a cigar if you don't inhale?

If you're talking about the effects, the mouth also absorbs nicotine through the skin. Cigars are usually not inhaled because they don't suffer the same treatment as cigarettes, which makes cigar smoke easier to irritate you if you inhale it due to the lack of this treatment. With that said, some people do inhale cigar smoke. I don't.

[geeeemo]

I'm not sure having an occasional smoke will destroy your voice, but I can't imagine him smoking on tour and performing at a high level like he needs to for DT.  Maybe when he was younger that was possible. 

I'm sure cigars aren't the only smokes he enjoys 

Well, now-a-days there are gummies, drops and cookies at the local Green Cross, so all is good!!

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

I'm wearing out my F5 key! I can't wait for this interview! 

[RodrigoAltaf]

 We have the transcript already, I just need some time to tidy up the article. It should be published in the next day or so!

[gzarruk]

We have the transcript already, I just need some time to tidy up the article. It should be published in the next day or so!

What about another tease while we wait untill tomorrow?

[RodrigoAltaf]

James said he wrote lyrics for 3 tracks, one of which is "the bonus track". I wanted to probe a bit more into the format in which these songs will be released, but we moved on to other topics.

[CDrice]

That's awesome! I had hoped that James would have stepped up on the lyric side of things when Mike left, so I'm glad he finally got to do it. So, depending on how much songs the new album has, that means that JP may have done lyrics only for a handful of songs.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the interview 

[dream75]

James said he wrote lyrics for 3 tracks, one of which is "the bonus track". I wanted to probe a bit more into the format in which these songs will be released, but we moved on to other topics.

Bonus track? 

[Bertielee]

James said he wrote lyrics for 3 tracks, one of which is "the bonus track". I wanted to probe a bit more into the format in which these songs will be released, but we moved on to other topics.

Bonus track? 

Yep, that got me intrigued as well.

B.Lee

[mikeyd23]

James said he wrote lyrics for 3 tracks, one of which is "the bonus track". I wanted to probe a bit more into the format in which these songs will be released, but we moved on to other topics.

Bonus track? 

Interesting...

[gzarruk]

If there's a "bonus track", there could be more than 1, right? 

[Cool Chris]

Ugh, not this bonus track nonsense. Release one version of the album. If you want to release a Special Edition with a second/bonus disc with live tracks, a DVD doc, whatever, that's fine. But don't have multiple versions of the album proper.

[AboutToCrash]

When's the last time DT had bonus track/s on an album?

[hefdaddy42]

What's the point of smoking a cigar if you don't inhale?

You draw the smoke into your mouth and exhale, observing the flavors, consistency, and quality of the smoke itself.

If you inhaled cigar smoke, it would be bad.

[Cool Chris]

What's the point of smoking a cigar if you don't inhale?

You draw the smoke into your mouth and exhale, observing the flavors, consistency, and quality of the smoke itself...

Then you blow that stinky, toxic shit out to cloud the nice, clean air of everyone within a 20' radius. 

[Architeuthis]

When's the last time DT had bonus track/s on an album?

The piano and guitar outro on DT12 after Illumination Theory..