TWISTED ILLUSION INTERVIEW

Twisted Illusion reveal their enticing double-album ‘Insight To The Mind Of A Million Faces’, on Friday 22nd September. In anticipation of the release, the progsters talk about their background and more:

What is the full band line-up, who plays what?

The core line-up for most shows is Mark Wagstaff on Bass/Vocals and Matt McDade on Drums then we get Jack Wild on Guitars and Jess Lawton on keys for bigger/headline shows. Matt Jones – Guitar/Vocals.

How and when did the band form?

The band started out as a traditional, democratic typical band, writing songs together, but early members soon lost interest. I (Matt Jones) took the reigns and kept things going. We formed and released an album extremely quickly, which I have now banished from our discography as a demo. It’s was rushed and full of naivety.

When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?

I feel that was during the recording of Temple of Artifice. I think the songs happened so quickly and organically, I have learnt I work incredibly well under pressure and subsequently I have given myself a mammoth workload with this double album and I feel it created a great album. In terms of live, I feel the line-up of Jess, Jack, Matt and Mark is unstoppable, because every player is outstanding on their instrument and we really come together as a unit when we play the bigger shows with this line-up.

What are your musical influences?

Vocally I am the biggest Jeff Buckley fan you will ever meet but also a huge Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury fan, to me the best singers are the ones with the bombastic ranges and power. So, i try and bring my own spin to that outlook. In terms of bands. Toto are a massive influence. The masters of creating perfect studio pieces and in my opinion the greatest progressive pop band to ever exist. Criminally underrated. And Rush. Of course.

Where have you played or toured?

Twisted Illusion have played all across the UK in 2016/17. With acts such as Kobra and The Lotus, Blaze Bayley, Luke Appleton (Iced Earth – Acoustic tour), Massive Wagons, Bigfoot, Kaine. Played in most major cities across the UK and covered most regions to support the Temple of Artifice album release. We also sold out a hometown show in Manchester in October 2016.

If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it?
Do you have a tour on the horizon?

I would describe our music as a great meal, fulfilling and full of flavour. An infinite tapestry of guitar based sound, swirling in a self-aware slurry of self-loathing whilst simultaneously chiming out perfect harmonies just like Abba would. We are the new wave of British prog. Prog has moaned for too long, I moan too, but with a glint in my eye.

Where can we find your social media sites?

Facebook is our hub for everything, go there or you hate us – www.facebook.com/OfficialTIband/