.: FuryRocks :: interview :: Erol_Sora_The_crazy_business_of_Rock_Roll

Published: 23 February 2010

Erol Sora - The crazy business of Rock & Roll!

In the mid seventies a guy picked up a guitar when he saw Kiss playing for the first time. Ever since the guitar is a central item in the life of Erol Sora. He grew up in Canada but moved to Los Angeles to know the music scene of LA much better. He, however, is influenced by the music of Europe. Erol decided to cross the ocean and finds a place in Londen. He’s got the opportunity to play with ex-Uriah-Heep’s John Lawton in his band and is for a couple of years a member of the John Lawton’s band. When John decided to take a break for a couple of years it became time for Erol to play his own music. In the past years he wrote some brand new songs influenced by different kinds of music and in 2009 he recorded Desire And Truth, his second album with his band Sora. Just before the release of his second album Desire And Truth on 26 february 2010 Erol Sora is so kind to answer some questions for me. The guitarist and vocalist is a modest man who loves to play music and talk about it.

First of all I want to congratulate you with your new CD.

Erol: Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoyed it.

You started playing the guitar in the mid seventies? What was the first song you learned to play?

It was “Mrs Robinson” from Simon and Garfunkel! Then I started listening to KISS and everything changed! Another early song I learned was “Day Tripper” by the Beatles. I think that was the first guitar solo I was able to play.

You lived in Canada in your early days. After that you moved to LA and London to experience the music in those cities. How do you feel? Are you a Canadian Englishman, an American or….?

My citizenship is dual; Canadian and British. I love London, LA and Vancouver. They’re all great places to live, as I’m pretty adaptable. I find London/Europe in general possibly a more appropriate place to be if you play classic/melodic hard rock as there seems to be greater interest over there than in North America these days.

Can you tell me something about the time you lived in LA? What did you learn? How is the scene over there?

I lived there during the mid/late 80s, early 90s right around the whole hair metal era. It was really fun, I still go there quite a bit to see my friends but I was always into British/European bands like Whitesnake/MSG so I found it hard at the time to find a band that was appropriate. The majority of musicians I came across wanted to play more “party rock”. I like this style too but I have a much greater interest in playing music that’s Deep Purple influenced etc…. I ended up playing in a band called Siberia there and we played the usual places on the strip but eventually split up due to the classic musical/personal differences scenario. I learned a lot there in terms of studio/live experience there and also how to deal with the different types of personalities you come across in the crazy business of Rock & Roll!

What was the difference when you moved to London?

The whole architectural and cultural environment was so different to LA. I love the pub culture and British sense of humour so I felt at home right away. I grew up watching a lot of British TV/comedies so I could relate to the people there. Plus, all bands tend to play London, including a lot of European based acts that you would never see in North America so that was great. Also, London is so busy/energetic. I really miss it and may move back, we’ll see…

I believe you always a member of the John Lawton Band. Is that true? Is this band still exists?

Yes, I played in John’s band for quite a few years while living in London. We put out two studio albums and two live albums/DVDs. We also managed to play many shows throughout Europe which was a great experience. I am very proud of the work I did with John and would be great to play with him again one day. John decided to put things on hold a few years ago and he currently makes many appearances throughout Europe so he’s keeping busy. It was an honour to play with such an amazing singer and great guy.

What do you expect of 2010?

That’s a bit hard to say. I’m hoping the new CD will generate enough interest to be able to come over and play some shows in Europe but realistically, taking into account the current economic climate, it’s tough for bands to do this at the moment but my fingers are crossed!
I miss Europe so much and was very fortunate to have made some very good friends over there while playing with John so I really hope to get back there. It’s been too long. In the meantime, I’m constantly writing new material.

You picked up the guitar when you saw Kiss? What kind of feeling have you got when you see these sixty year old boys nowadays performing on stage like young gods?

You know, I’m happy to see bands I grew up with still doing it as long as they’re doing it well and I must say I think KISS are. I thought their last album was great and the show in Vancouver was really cool. Most of the bands I grew up listening to are still around and though they may not be as successful as they were in the 70s/80s, I always enjoy checking out new music from the classic bands. I respect artists who keep doing it regardless if they’re playing smaller places or making less money. The first song on my album “Taste Of Rock & Roll” is in a way a tribute to such artists.

You wrote the words and music. You arranged and produced your last album? You do it all by yourself. What’s the reason for that?

I love collaborating with people but originally the first SORA album was a way to get a lot of songs out of my system that I had built up over the years. When the response turned out to be so positive, it really motivated me to do another album in the same manner. I’m constantly writing so as time goes by, you just naturally end up with a certain number of songs that are self-written. Plus, I love singing and for certain songs I really wanted to get across a certain feel and honesty by doing it myself. I’ve always respected singer/songwriter type artists. As a vocalist, I’ve been influenced by the more bluesy type singers which suits my natural voice as I’m not a screamer. So far, people who are fans of that bluesy style of singing have told me they think the vocals on the new album sound great, though if people want to hear Rob Halford, they’ll be disappointed. Having said all this, I also hope to get involved in some more collaborative type projects this year that will be separate from SORA.

Where do you get your inspiration for the songs? Is it your own experience or just your imagination writing the songs?

I get a lot of inspiration from current events and news. This new album turned out naturally darker, maybe heavier than the last simply because of all the crazy things going on in the world over the past few years. A few of the songs on the album are actually in a sense commentaries on various political, social, media events in recent years though done in a fairly subtle manner. Some other songs are more tongue in cheek and done from my imagination while others are inspired by personal events or people I know such as the ballad “When You’re Gone”.

You will release your new album on 26 february. Are there any plans to promote your CD on stage?

We’re rehearsing right now and things are sounding great. We’ll be doing some local shows soon in Vancouver and if possible, then take it elsewhere but again this is very dependant on what is financially feasible/possible in terms of getting the band overseas.

You’ve been influenced by many people in music industry and worked with other great guys. When you got the chance to choose someone to write an album with. Who will it be?

So many people but in terms of hard rock, I would love to write an album with either David Coverdale or Ronnie James Dio who are two of my all-time favourite singers and writers. To play guitar alongside those two singers would be great. It would also be a dream come true to work with Paul Rodgers.

You started making music in the seventies. You like the music of the eighties and the nineties. Imagine you could live again or maybe could travel in time. What time would you choose and why?

I would love to be living in London/Carnaby Street right around the time of the late 60’s right before the great hard rock era of the early 70’s. It would be great to have been part of that era which I thought was so exciting both musically and culturally. The music that came out then was so fresh and new and to me it really was a musical revolution. Plus I loved the fashion in particular how all the girls dressed at the time!

As a vocalist you mentioned earlier David Coverdale and Ronnie James DIo. Could you react as the guitarplayer Erol Sora react on the following names:
-Ritchie Blackmore

One of my favourite, if not favourite guitarist, no one sounds like him. I could listen to him play all day as his playing is so vocal like, melodic, and passionate. Plus I love his sound and his writing.

-Ace Frehley

Again, KISS got me into Rock and Roll and some of Ace’s early solos are just so memorable and catchy that they’re like little songs in their own right. He is also a very recognisable player and some of those KISS solos are just classic!

-Gary Moore

Another one of my top players. Great how he combines the melody, technical skill, blues all together and always comes out so tasteful. I also really respect Gary’s writing in fact, I find all my favourite guitar players are also great songwriters.

That’s what I really wanted to put across with my album in terms of having the focus primarily on the songs/vocals, yet also have a memorable guitar solo on top.