Full Circle: a Dream Theater podcast

[robwebster]

Hey! Good morning / afternoon / whatevs. I don't know what time it is where you are, but it's 6th March 2019 for me, which means that When Dream & Day Unite is 30 years old! That's right, in five years it will finally be able to run for president. The campaign starts here, those clowns in Congress, etc. etc.

To celebrate, I have chosen today to launch my new podcast! The first episode is all about When Dream & Day Unite, and I enlisted Setlist Scotty to help out. (Spoilers: when I say "help out," what I mean is he was far more knowledgeable than me on the subject of WDADU and brings most of the quality content, whereas my main role was to say "what a nice song" lots.)

You can find it at this link https://www.robdwebster.com/dreamtheater/2019/2/2/full-circle-when-dream-and-day-unite or you can subscribe to it on iTunes and various other podcast apps if you search "Full Circle" and click the one that has a big circle on it.

The podcast is called Full Circle, and the plan is to do all the albums in order with various guests. The first episode took a little while, so it won't be a weekly show or anything, but I'll try and do a few albums sporadically throughout the year, depending on guest availability and whatever else I've got going on in my life.

Let me know what you think! I have worked quite a long time getting this up to shape, so the thought of it being out in the world is horrifying. I am genuinely interested in feedback though, so constructive comments will be taken in the spirit intended. We're getting David Prater to produce the next one which I'm very excited about. What could go wrong??

Additionally - I've put together a little survey on Dream and Day, which you can find here. https://goo.gl/forms/gLqkbbz5VHxEuArL2 Fill it out! I might use the results in a future episode, if they're interesting.

Thank you for listening if you do! Please feel free to share elsewhere.

[npiazza91]

Yeah I'm gonna check it out, gives me a reason to marathon all these albums again.  Man, I love that Ytse Jam riff.  For some reason I always forget about it until I hear it, probably because I rarely listen to this album.  Seriously, that riff is legendary.

[Sebastián Pratesi]

Hi, Rob! I just finished listening to the podcast. Thanks for doing it and sharing!

It was cool hearing you and Scott for the first time. Thanks once again to both of you for helping out with the 'treasure hunt' document last year. 

I like the format of the podcast, and the fact that the focus is always on the music. And, getting to know anecdotes from old-school DT fans/collaborators makes your project interesting to those of us who got into the band relatively recently. (I enjoyed Scott's story about his discovery of the Internet communities back in 1994.)

So, by all means, keep on interviewing people and sharing the results!

I didn't answer the survey, as I haven't listened to WDADU in its entirety yet - sorry about that! (If you happen to care, though: my answers to questions #3 and #4 would be Systematic Chaos and the self-titled.)

Oh, and: here's the link to an Ytsejam Mailing List archive, with over 6000 digests - in case it's useful for your future podcasts.
http://interzone.com/Music/Ytsejam/

PS: I'm not sure if you know them, but I suggest getting in touch with Mark Bredius and Noxon for a couple of these podcasts. Mark was the man behind DT's website for almost 15 years, and Noxon has ran fanclubs since the turn of the century. As you can imagine, both of them have many great stories to tell. (I have no idea which their favourite albums are, though.)

[Eldomm]

Thanks! I completed the survey at once since WDADU is one of my favorites. I actually started my DT experience with it back in 1989...

[robwebster]

I like the format of the podcast, and the fact that the focus is always on the music. And, getting to know anecdotes from old-school DT fans/collaborators makes your project interesting to those of us who got into the band relatively recently. (I enjoyed Scott's story about his discovery of the Internet communities back in 1994.)

So, by all means, keep on interviewing people and sharing the results!

I didn't answer the survey, as I haven't listened to WDADU in its entirety yet - sorry about that! (If you happen to care, though: my answers to questions #3 and #4 would be Systematic Chaos and the self-titled.

Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I was very keen to keep the focus on the music - I listen to a lot of podcasts, and nothing drives me mad like a podcast with an interesting concept, I check out an episode, and it starts with twenty minutes of some strangers talking about their lives. I very much want this to be something where everyone who listens to it goes away and wants to listen to WDaDU again, rather than going away knowing what I had for breakfast that morning.

Not to give too much away, but there will be very similar surveys for the other albums, so you will get the chance to rep DT12...

Yeah I'm gonna check it out, gives me a reason to marathon all these albums again.  Man, I love that Ytse Jam riff.  For some reason I always forget about it until I hear it, probably because I rarely listen to this album.  Seriously, that riff is legendary.

The whole album is SO GOOD. I always thought it was neat but sorely aged, and more interesting as a historical document than a "living" album. Having spent so much time with it, I now just think it's badass.

[Art]

I've downloaded it, will listen to it later. Congrats on releasing the podcast! 

[Art]

I listened to the episode and it's reall good! I like the format where you guys went song by song, with some higlights. It kept thing flowing well.

Looking forward to future episodes! 

[Samsara]

I haven't listened yet, but Setlist Scotty is a fountain of knowledge on early DT. I am sure it is entertaining. Looking forward to hearing it.

[RAIN]

I've downloaded it and get to it one morning on my drives. 
But I would suggest you get a move on the other albums as WDADU does rank low for most fans....Images and Words will totally get you some hits though eh?

[RAIN]

Alright, I've listened to the podcast now.

The Good:
Love the format.  Love having a "specialist" as well.  But hands down the best part is that you splice the actual parts of the song you are talking about, and that's something that is critical.  Listening to Talk is Jericho and his "classic album showdowns" is great, but I have to constantly stop the podcast and find the songs, and the exact parts they are talking about (if I can, and most of the times I'm driving and can't) and it's frustrating.  Your method/style is perfect.

The Bad? None.  Nothing bad.  Just some possible helpful thoughts.  I'm not sure where and how you are recording your voice, but it sounds a bit too echoey and tinny.  You may need a smaller space and some padding on the walls (blankets?).  And maybe, because you are clearly splicing/editing things in after the fact, just mix the sound a bit warmer (some more low end bumps).  It will sound nicer on the ears.  And I assume Scotty was on the phone?  Not too bad of a phone interview then.  Mitch Lafon always had terrible phone interviews, so bad that I can't listen.  Yours was good, just try to get it clearer even more.  If he was with you in person, then I'm not sure why he sounds so different.

But that's it, I loved it and can't wait until you get to each next one.  I am psyched about this project.

[Setlist Scotty]

Glad that you guys have enjoyed it! It was fun to do with Rob, and I'm appreciative for his willingness to be a part of this episode.

I would suggest you get a move on the other albums as WDADU does rank low for most fans....Images and Words will totally get you some hits though eh?

That goes without saying. But Rob wants to go in the order of release, so WDaDU was the first episode of the podcast. 
 
 

And I assume Scotty was on the phone?

Close - we chatted on Skype seeing as we're on 2 separate continents!   
 
 

I loved it and can't wait until you get to each next one.  I am psyched about this project.

You and me both. I'm curious to see what Rob has up his sleeve for future episodes!

[ytserush]

Will listen. Would have listened anyway, but Scotty is an added bonus.

[robwebster]

Alright, I've listened to the podcast now.

The Good:
Love the format.  Love having a "specialist" as well.  But hands down the best part is that you splice the actual parts of the song you are talking about, and that's something that is critical.  Listening to Talk is Jericho and his "classic album showdowns" is great, but I have to constantly stop the podcast and find the songs, and the exact parts they are talking about (if I can, and most of the times I'm driving and can't) and it's frustrating.  Your method/style is perfect.

The Bad? None.  Nothing bad.  Just some possible helpful thoughts.  I'm not sure where and how you are recording your voice, but it sounds a bit too echoey and tinny.  You may need a smaller space and some padding on the walls (blankets?).  And maybe, because you are clearly splicing/editing things in after the fact, just mix the sound a bit warmer (some more low end bumps).  It will sound nicer on the ears.  And I assume Scotty was on the phone?  Not too bad of a phone interview then.  Mitch Lafon always had terrible phone interviews, so bad that I can't listen.  Yours was good, just try to get it clearer even more.  If he was with you in person, then I'm not sure why he sounds so different.

But that's it, I loved it and can't wait until you get to each next one.  I am psyched about this project.

thank you so much - I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

I think you're probably right that I can improve my mic sound. I bought a new one for this project, and I think I was so delighted with the big improvement over the last mic that I wasn't as critical as I maybe could have been. I recorded on a hard desk, so that's probably what you're hearing.

Honestly, as much as I agree that IaW will drum up more interest, I think what's really fun about doing WDaDU is that because it is a bit more obscure and a bit less beloved, there's a bit of a kick in putting something out where we're saying, "hey, there's some really cool stuff going on here, listen to it again and see what you think." I sort of feel like everyone has already made up their minds about Images and Words, so I don't know if I might need to take a different approach. That's quite exciting in itself, mind.

[RAIN]

Honestly, as much as I agree that IaW will drum up more interest, I think what's really fun about doing WDaDU is that because it is a bit more obscure and a bit less beloved, there's a bit of a kick in putting something out where we're saying, "hey, there's some really cool stuff going on here, listen to it again and see what you think." I sort of feel like everyone has already made up their minds about Images and Words, so I don't know if I might need to take a different approach. That's quite exciting in itself, mind.

Oh, I understand completely why you started with WDADU, completely.  I'm just stating the obvious that once you have I&W or Awake, I'm positive, especially with the format (which I love), is going to blow the roof off.  Congrats to you.

[Loggins]

I have a hard time listening to podcasts, but you did a great job. I'll listen to the next one. Good luck!

[Zydar]

I gave it a listen a few days ago, and I really liked it. The only type of podcasts I am interested in are these kinds where people discuss albums and each track off them (I'm currently listening to a great Paul McCartney podcast with this setup, you'll find it on Spotify as 'Take It Away').

Can't wait for the I&W episode 

[ytserush]

Not really a podcast guy either but this one brought back a lot of memories about what my thoughts about the first album were during that time and how I stumbled on an Images and Words promo at a record faire before the album was even out.

  Thought the band had broken up because I hadn't heard any news for more than 2 years. Fun Times.

[Another_Won]

Alright, I've listened to the podcast now.

The Good:
Love the format. Love having a "specialist" as well.   But hands down the best part is that you splice the actual parts of the song you are talking about, and that's something that is critical.  Listening to Talk is Jericho and his "classic album showdowns" is great, but I have to constantly stop the podcast and find the songs, and the exact parts they are talking about (if I can, and most of the times I'm driving and can't) and it's frustrating.  Your method/style is perfect.

The Bad? None.  Nothing bad.  Just some possible helpful thoughts.  I'm not sure where and how you are recording your voice, but it sounds a bit too echoey and tinny.  You may need a smaller space and some padding on the walls (blankets?).  And maybe, because you are clearly splicing/editing things in after the fact, just mix the sound a bit warmer (some more low end bumps).  It will sound nicer on the ears.  And I assume Scotty was on the phone?  Not too bad of a phone interview then.  Mitch Lafon always had terrible phone interviews, so bad that I can't listen.  Yours was good, just try to get it clearer even more.  If he was with you in person, then I'm not sure why he sounds so different.

But that's it, I loved it and can't wait until you get to each next one.  I am psyched about this project.

Saw this part and listened the same day.  Really great!  I took some notes so I could make a good post, but now can't find them.  Suffice it to say I'll be listening.

[Progmetty]

I really enjoyed it, thanks for sharing!

[Herrick]

I'm still listening but I wanted to comment on that alternate intro to Status Seeker. It's pretty cool! Definitely cooler than the studio version. The only thing I don't like about it is how it weirdly just goes into the rest of the song. I'll have to hunt down that live version.

[Podaar]

Listened and enjoyed, Rob. Thanks to you and Scotty.

Keep us apprised on when the next episode airs.

[nattmorker]

I forgot to comment that I've already heard it. Great work! I really enjoyed it, other than TOWHTSTS (which I think it's just fine), I really like the album.

I didn't know about the alternative intro to status seeker, I also haven't thought about how the guitar goes with the narrative in TKH (it simulates the laughter, etc).

Agaian, great work. I'm looking forward to hear the next episode!

[robwebster]

Listened and enjoyed, Rob. Thanks to you and Scotty.

Keep us apprised on when the next episode airs.

So glad you liked it! I have hosts pencilled in for the next two, but still a lot of research to do, so no sight of a recording date yet.

I said a similar thing earlier in the thread, but my real challenge right now is that the next two albums are Images & Words and Awake! What on earth can you say about those albums that people don't already know? There are good answers to that question - there's definitely good and interesting stuff out there, but it means you need to dig that extra bit deeper, and these are really important albums so I'm keen not to rush them..!

Scott's already sent me loads of neat bits, though, with more in the pipeline, and I've got some neat rarities of my own for Awake in particular, so hopefully it will be worth the wait.

I really enjoyed it, other than TOWHTSTS (which I think it's just fine)

I, too, lived in darkness once.

[Sebastián Pratesi]

Hi, Rob. I wanted to ask you a question (RE: accomodation in the UK) through PM, but it says that your inbox is full.
So, would you like me to send you an e-mail? Or, shall I ask you here?

Thanks!

[robwebster]

Sure, email me - I think you have my address from all the Treasure Hunt stuff?

[RAIN]

So it has been months...when is the next Podcast coming out?
I'm looking forward to it.

[Metal_Bandicoot]

Alright, I just finished listening to the first episode and I have to say..... it’s very fantastic!  I loved that you brought on a guest who was a fan from the beginning to contrast your opinions as a 2000s fan. I learned a lot of cool DT facts during the episode. I love how genuinely enthusiastic you are as a host. The approach to reviewing the album was very interesting. You did a fantastic job of editing your conversation with the play through of the album. I hope future episodes are similar to the first one. I thought it was awesome!

As a fan who discovered DT in early 2009, I’m ashamed to say I hated WDADU for the longest time. I only bought it because it was the only DT album I didn’t own. I just wanted to complete my collection. Big surprised, my main issue was JLB wasn’t the vocalist. I actually love the album now. Charlie Dominici fits this album well. After listening to this podcast I actually really want to meet him now!

Keep going with the podcast! I can’t wait for the next episode!

[tedesco23]

Finally just listened to this—wonderful!

It is interesting to me how much my experience of this album mirrors Scotty’s. This was my first DT album back in 1990, and I absolutely wore it out. My friends and I all universally considered it the best thing we had ever heard, the perfect marriage of all of the other stuff (Metallica, Maiden, Rush, Queensryche) that we listened to back then. They were our little discovery, and it was like we had struck gold.

Fast forward a couple of years, walking in to my local music store and finding I&W. I remember almost shaking paying for it, mumbling “thank you” over and over again to the cashier. Then I got it home, put it on, and I remember how totally underwhelmed I was. Pull Me Under was fine, but it didn’t nearly have the edge of the heavy stuff on WDADU, and then halfway through Another Day, I was almost disgusted.

Obviously I came around quickly (Take the Time and Metropolis did the trick), but I know very well that experience of WDADU being MY Dream Theater, and having to adjust.

[robwebster]

Thank you both for the positive feedback!

So it has been months...when is the next Podcast coming out?
I'm looking forward to it.

It's been slow progress, due to a mix of technical difficulties (my DAW has started causing my laptop to crash - not ideal!) and life getting in the way, but ep 2 was recorded ages ago and is mostly edited now. I'm trying not to commit to dates just because I don't want to give myself grief if I don't meet them. I'd be surprised if I didn't have a chance to finish it up within the next two months... but we'll see how it goes!

[nattmorker]

Really looking forward to listen to the next episode, whenever you manage to finish it. I've already said it, but it was a great listen!

[Lupton]

Really enjoyed your podcast rob. Fantastic job! WDADU was the 3rd DT album I purchased. I got both I&W and Awake within weeks of their release and did not even know about that 1st record until I read about it in some magazine. I found an imported copy at a CD shop and despite the poor production, it immediately won me over. Probably helped that I never really dug Labrie's voice so I had nothing against Dominici. He's just sort of there for me. No like or dislike.

I'm a fan of EVERY song on this album. I too always felt that Afterlife was a weaker track, but I will say it has a great unison section after the guitar solo. I miss being able to hear the keyboards in the unison stuff. In most of the albums with Rudess he's so much quieter than JP that it really spoils the unison stuff and almost makes it sound just like the guitar with a harmonizer type effect on it. IMO there's really no point to unison stuff if one of the instruments is much louder than the other. So I love the fact that the keys are really loud on this album despite the thin guitar tone. It's probably the only DT album where the keys drown out the guitar in spots and being a huge fan of Rush's Hold Your Fire, it evokes that vibe for me (like in the bridge of Status Seeker).

Didn't Terry Date produce this? The same guy that produced Pantera? Can't be the same guy can it? 

[Jamesman42]

Not gonna lie, I am only posting to say hi to Rob and glad to see you still have 11 as your avatar

[Trav86]

I guess this isn’t coming back?

[Mebert78]

Couldn't sleep, so I ended up listening to the WDADU episode after seeing this thread.  Well done!  Lots of great details and analysis.

[robwebster]

I guess this isn’t coming back?

It is - I'm just very very slow!

We recorded the second episode over a year ago, but a mix of technical difficulties (now resolved) and general fatigue (not resolved!) have slowed me right down. With the first episode it was like having an very exciting idea I absolutely had to write down, the second one is like "man, the first episode was good, I really hope I both equal it and don't screw DT's biggest album up" so I've found it a lot more daunting, to be completely candid.

That plus it's a heavy edit, lots of song snips, lots of dialogue cuts, and it's a lot longer than the previous podcast - it's in a daunting place! The edit is like 80% complete though so it absolutely is coming. Some day!

I'm also trying to work out how I make it more sustainable going forwards. I'm very excited to do Awake and FII, I have no interest in making years-between-episodes the norm, and I have no interest in making the format less ambitious, so I'm just trying to work out how I square all of those. I'll get there!

But yes, sorry for the delay, I'm very conscious of it. It will definitely be about *before* Images and Words turns 30!

(Just editing to add - man, this is a very similar update to my last one! Man in "fails to do thing he planned to do in 2020" shocker.)