1. There will be not too many people who’ve heard about Kurt Vereecke, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Music has always been in my life and I remember I started writing songs when I was about ten years old. Some years later I learned to play classical guitar. But... I wanted to play rock music. I guess I was about 16 years old when I bought my first real electric guitar. It was a second hand ‘Fender Stratocaster’. I’ve played in several bands in the past but always had that dream of making an AOR album. Finally that dream came true this year..

2. You’re already active for a very long time in the music scene. How did this all get started and which bands/records got you hooked on A.O.R.-music?

I’ve started my musical career as a singer and guitar player in bands that mostly played covers. Later I switched to keys and started to write a lot of own material. When I heard bands like Journey, Toto and Loverboy at the beginning of the 80’s I knew that was the music I wanted to play. In 1988 I’ve put together a real AOR band called ‘Rhyana’. That was the best band I’ve ever played with and we had a great line-up with the Swedish vocalist Timo Hara. Our single ‘I have a dream’ got much airplay on the national radio stations but the beginning of the nineties were hard times for AOR. That was the main reason the band finally decided to stop.

3. In 1994 you almost scored a deal with your band Rhyana with the German label Long Island Records. Was this the first band that you were involved in and how did you get this label interested in this band?

After the split of Rhyana In 1994, I recorded some demo songs on my own and was offered a record deal by Long Island Records when they heard the tracks. Sadly enough I didn’t have the chance to release an album then. The record company had to deal with lots of problems and finally broke up.

4. Soon hereafter Long Island Records went bankrupt and you decided to leave the music business and devote your attention to writing books and songs for children. Why didn’t you continue your musical career?

Well, after playing live for more than 15 years I had seen it all. I was a bit tired of all the disillusions and setbacks. That’s the main reason I decided to do something totally different. Because I’m a teacher in daily life I felt there was a great need for new songs for children. It took me six years to record 3 double CD’s with songs for children. I also wrote 3 music books for teachers to use in school. At this moment a big part of the Flemish primary schools is working with my songs.

5. After a few years of hibernation you again felt the urge to start writing music. When was that and what caused this renewed interest in writing music?

Right after finishing the songs & books for children back in 2001 I started to work on the Frozen Rain cd. I had the energy again, enjoyed playing again and still had my dream of making that AOR record I had always dreamed about.

6. Did you at that time already have the intention to get this material released someday or was that more of a coincidence?

Yes, right from the start I had the plan to put that album out, preferably with or even without a record company. It was now or never...

7. Although you wrote most of the stuff yourself, people like Andy Flash, Erik van Bers and Andre Vlerick co-wrote one some of the songs. Who are they and why did you decide to write songs together with them?

Andy Flash is a Swedish lyricist I met through the forum at melodicrock.com Andy writes some nice stuff and I’ve used some of it for the album. Erik van Bers was the guitar player of Rhyana and the songs “Never be a fool again” and “On the run” date back from that period. In my opinion these songs were perfect for the Frozen Rain album. André Vlerick is an old school mate who wrote some very nice lyrics in his younger days. I’ve always liked “Park Café” because of the positive message and feeling and decided to make a song of it.

8. All of your songs are characterized by an extreme form of catchiness. How do you succeed in doing this?

When I write music it always comes from the heart... The most important thing for me is that a song has a catchy melody, a strong chorus and a well thought-out song structure. When I’m working out the arrangement I always try to find a good balance between guitars and keyboards. Add on top of that all some expressive vocals and you have a good song in my opinion. Fans often tell me that my music makes them feel happy and they can hear the emotions through the music & singing which is very nice to hear for a songwriter. There’s probably a lot of myself you can hear through my music and I guess I also have my own ‘writing’ style.

9. Have you only written material for yourself or have you also been involved in writing songs for other artists? If so, which ones?

No, until now i haven’t written songs for other artists but the song “Waiting for you” has almost been used in an American movie a few years ago.

10. The writing process for this Frozen Rain debut album started already in 2001. When did you have the feeling that this could eventually turn into an album?

When I started to work on the album I had lots of songs written. I tried to pick out the best ones and also wrote a lot of new songs. So there was no problem....I had material enough for an album. When I took the decision to make an album I didn’t wanted to feel any time pressure to get things finished. That’s why I preferred to record the album in my own home studio. There also wasn’t a budget available to record in a big studio.

11. This album is the first one to be released on the Avenue Of Allies label of Gregor Klee. How did you get in touch with him and why did you both decide to this partnership?

Well, many years ago Robert Pancur of Target Records already heard some of my music. I stayed in touch with Robert and kept him informed about my plans to make the Frozen Rain album. When I started looking for a label Robert told me his friend Gregor Klee wanted to start a brand new AOR label. I sent the Frozen Rain songs to Gregor who seemed to like them and I was offered a deal. With Avenue Of Allies Music I have found the perfect home for my music. Gregor and Robert are very nice people to work with. We share the same musical vision and listen to the same bands... Avenue of Allies Music will be specializing in AOR, Melodic Rock and Westcoast. The CD release schedule will be featuring brand new releases as well as re-issues of rare stuff and CDs of never before released vinyl LPs. All albums will be available as physical CDs and as digital downloads.

12. On the album we find contributions of artists like Steve Newman and Tommy Denander. How did you get in touch with them and what made them contribute to your album?

The first time I had contact with Tommy was after the first Radioactive album came out. I mailed Tommy to let him know how much I liked the album. Tommy sent a mail back and we started talking about music. I told Tommy about my plans for the Frozen Rain album and he offered to play some guitar for me. Being a fan of the man he didn’t have to ask that twice. With Steve about the same thing happened. Many years ago Steve told me that if I ever needed him I only had to give a shout. So, when I was working on the album I thought it would be fantastic to have Steve on it as well. I’m so glad with the guitars Steve added to the song “Red light zone”, and what’s even more, Steve has mixed the tune as well.... I’m really honoured that I had the chance to work with such talented musicians.

13. The twelve songs on offer here are performed by four different singers. Why didn’t you go for one lead vocalist for the whole album?

There are several reasons why I’ve used different singers. Some songs needed a powerful voice, other tunes have some very high notes that not every singer can sing. It would have been great if Johan Waem for example could have sung more tunes but he has a busy solo career so I had to find other lead vocalists who could handle the job. This project also gave me the chance to work with a good friend like Dirk Cauwels. Peter De Zutter also is a singer I wanted to work with. All of them did their very best. For the second Frozen Rain album however I will try to use only one or two lead vocalists cause Frozen Rain has developed more to a ‘real band’ instead of a project.

14. Vocal contributions are done by Johan Waem, Maurice Saelmans, Ollie Oldenburg and Peter de Zutter. Who are they, what’s their musical background and why did you decide to get them in for this record?

In this kind of music you really need to have a good lead vocalist. It took me two years to find the singers I was looking for. I saw singer Johan Waem the first time on television during the ‘pop idol contest” where he ended as one of the last 20 candidates. While hearing Johan sing I knew right away that he had the perfect voice for several Frozen Rain songs. I called Johan and he liked the idea of singing on the Frozen Rain CD. The recordings with him turned out fine and we had a great time in the studio. Ollie Oldenburg (ex-Zinatra) & Maurice Saelmans (Manilla) are two singers from Holland I discovered after putting an advertisement on a website for vocalists. Both have a very large vocal range which I needed in several songs. They’re both fantastic singers with a professional attitude. The two other lead singers on the album are from Belgium. Dirk Cauwels is a good friend I know for several years and Peter De Zutter (front man of the band USE) I met thanks to a mutual friend of ours. On the album I also wanted to try out a duet. Just listen to ‘On the run’ where Ollie Oldenburg & Dirk Cauwels alternate all the time. I’m very glad with the way that song turned out.

15. What are in your opinion the album’s finest moments and why?

I like all songs on the album. It means so much to me to have them finally all together on an album. Every song has its special moments for me. When I listen to the songs I always think back to the recording sessions and remember how much fun we had in my recording studio. The song “Waiting for you” has a special meaning for me. I always loved the tune and it is the eldest song on the album.

16. The excellent production job was done by yourself as well. Didn’t you feel the need for an independent ear or where budget constraints the most important reason for this?

In the past I have done a lot of recordings in different studios so I had some experience with recording & producing. I also perfectly knew the sound I wanted to produce and it can be very hard to explain to an outsider what you exactly want. I also didn’t want to feel any time pressure to get things finished. That’s why I preferred to record and mix the album in my own home studio.

17. The artwork for the album was done by fellow Lord Eddy Meuwese. How did you get teamed up with him and what was the assignment that you gave him for the artwork?

Many years ago Eddy had signed my guestbook and he asked me to take a look at his website. I did that and was impressed by his fantastic photos. I asked Eddy if he had an idea for a cover for the Frozen Rain album and he came up with a picture he had taken in NY. I liked it right from the start. The years thereafter Eddy, Gregor Klee & myself worked out the ideas for the booklet. Eddy has become one of my best friends.

18. What do you want to accomplish with this first album? When will this album be a success for you?

With this album I hope to reach as many AOR fans as possible. The reactions of fans all around the world have been wonderful and when people tell me that my music can brighten up their days and makes them feel happy I know all the hard work was worth it.

19. The album is out for a couple of months now. What’s the overall reaction of the press and the music fans so far?

It’s great to find messages from fans in my mail box, my guestbook or at My Space telling me they like the album a lot. Funny when some people tell me they are the ‘biggest’ Frozen Rain fan ever.... The album also has received many good reviews which you all can read at the Frozen Rain site.

20. The music on the album really reminds me of the eighties A.O.R. period and more specifically of bands like Treat and such. Do you think that there’s still a market for this pure A.O.R. nowadays and what do you think of the comparison with Treat?

Thanks for comparing my music with a great band like Treat. Personally I think the first FR album is sounding more a bit like the ‘Boulevard’ albums which also contain some lighter AOR with many keyboards. Looking back at all messages I have received after the release of my album I may say there are still a lot of people around who love AOR & melodic rock. It’s a shame radio stations don’t play this kind of music much more. When the genre could have some more airplay I’m sure more listeners will discover this kind of music.

21. What are your ideas for the short-term future now? Is there any chance that another Frozen Rain album will see the light of day?

While the first album was more a 'project' with many guests Frozen Rain will be more like a 'real band' in the future with me playing most of the keys and bass guitar, my brother Hans Vereecke on drums and Rik Priem on guitar. Rik is an experienced guitar player with a great sound. His guitar will play a prominent role on the next Frozen Rain album. Rik and I have already started to write new material for the second album that will have a bit of a heavier touch. My friends David Allen and Chris Swinney are gonna give me a helping hand to write some great lyrics for the new album.

22. What are your five all-time favourite A.O.R. albums and why?

I guess these are the bands and albums that got me hooked and made me fell in love with AOR.

1) Toto: Toto
2) Journey: Escape
3) Giant: Last of the runaways
4) Signal: Loud and clear
5) The Storm: The Storm

23. Suppose if you would be able to create a touring band for promoting this album and there wouldn’t be any limitations, who would you like to be part of it? In other words, which are your favourite musicians and why?

All of the musicians below because they’re all very talented and have been very important in the history of AOR & melodic rock music:
- Guitar: Steve Lukather, Neal Schon, Dan Huff, Tommy Denander
- Bass: Mike Porcaro
- Drums: Daniel Flores
- Keyboards: David Paich, David Rosenthal, Jonathan Cain
- Vocals: Bobby Kimball, Steve Perry, Jim Jamison, John Waite

24. If there is one thing that you would still like to achieve in your music career, what would this be? What the ultimate dream that you still have?

I’m very glad that I’ve realized my dream, the making of an AOR album. The only dream is still have is that with the next album more people will discover the Frozen Rain sound.

25. Okay, Kurt, thanks for your time and willingness to answer my questions. The famous last words are yours.

I want to end with saying a BIG thanks to everyone who has supported me the last few years and to all of you for checking out Frozen Rain or buying the album.