01. EMF:  HI, it’s really cool to have an interview with you. It was surprise to get your CD, cause I know Roberts Voice since his time with the German Band Wicked Sensation.  Your music is some times compared with White Snake and Deep Purple, but you have your own trademarks , a little bit of blues and country sound. Where do you see  your typically trademarks of  your music  by  yourself?

Alan Cotton : I like to call it New Millennium Hard Rock! It has a lot of the best elements from all the classic bands, but still has modern production values. The best of both worlds.

02. EMF:  What facts can you tell about making the Twisted?

I Alan Cotton : I had decided to put a new band together, and Robert’s name was recommended to me. I gave him a call and the next week he jumped on a plane and we started writing together. It was that fast. By the time we started to look for the other members, we just wanted friends of ours. I gave Butch a call and he jumped on board. Robert had just finished touring the Star One cd with Joost, so he was next. Butch recommended Mike, and that’s how it all came together. The whole idea was simple, just write music we love and record a classic rock and roll album.  
We began searching for the right producer but it became more of a problem with scheduling conflicts than "musical differences" with them. By the time Producer Bobby Selvaggio (Creed, Puddle of Mudd, Jewel) came on board, all the main tracks had been cut. Since the release date of the album kept being moved back, we knew it was going to be a problem taking Butch and Mike out on the road, so that's when bassist Wim den Boer and drummer Wilfried Broekman joined the band. Robert had worked with both of them in the past, so we all got together in Boulder for full production rehearsals and it went over so well. It just clicked from the first note. Couldn't be happier. These guys have amazing chops and can play anything, but they know exactly what to play for the songs. That's why we are really looking forward to start recording the second album.

03. EMF:   Can you tell something about the background work in the band?

Alan Cotton : People will know Robert Soeterboek from his work on many of the Ayreon albums and the Star One album as well as with Wicked Sensation. Bassist Wim den Boer is best know for his work in Abyss and Jeff & Co. Drummer Wilfried Broekman comes to us from Martyr. My background is from working with Maestro Alex Gregory as well as years playing on sessions in the studio.

04. EMF:  Where is the CD available via Internet or in special shops?

Alan Cotton : In Europe the album should be available in your local shops as well as the larger online music stores. In the US, Twisted is available at Amazon.com, Target.com as well as the online shop at our website http://www.cottonsoeterboekband.com.

05. EMF:  To get an impression of the songs on the CD, can you give a short comment, track by track ?

Alan Cotton : Since Robert writes all the lyrics, I will try to stick to answering mostly about the music...

01. Set Me Free
I actually came up with the main riff a long time ago. It had changed quite a bit and ended up being a song I recorded with Mike Stone from Queensryche on vocals. I always liked the heaviness of the original riff better, so I pulled it out and we wrote a new chorus and lyrics for it.

02. Pretty Maureen
A song Robert wrote for his wife Maureen. A nice crunching and rhythmic riff through out and a song that has a lot of meaning for Robert. I like it a lot.

03. Twisted
The riff just came to me while I was playing. Listen closely and you will hear the guitar army going on here. A lot of different guitar lines through out and some cool slide parts. Robert already had these lyrics, and they just fit together perfectly.

04. Colorado
This is one of those times when the whole inspiration for a song comes to you at once in a flash. It has the Jimmy Page type descending riff slowly building to the bridge, then the heavy chorus kicks in. I had just played it for Robert and we went out in my front yard just looking at Pikes Peak and he said "I have it". I think it struck him the same way it did me.

05. Leave Me Blue
A real southern sounding song using a sparse arpeggio motif to outline the chord movement leading in to a simple but effective chorus. Very nice.

06. Little Sister
Big classic rock groove that goes in a slight different direction for the chorus. When the refrain kicks in, it's pure soul. Ha ha Love it.

07. Gold and Gray
Another southern influenced song. It has that Alabama swamper meets the Stones feel.

08. Still of the Night
Just a classic Rock and Roll romp. I've heard so many groups base there whole sound off of this one idea. I just wanted to say - "hey, here's our take on it".

09. The Game
The most European sounding song on the album. Heavy but in an even more modern direction than the rest of the album. It has a real nice Mick Ralphs type solo on there.

06. EMF:  What are  the current Band activities?

Alan Cotton : Right now most of our time is spent promoting the album. Caf Fine Records is a company Robert and I started so it is a full time job.

07. EMF :  Can we hope to see you live in Germany in the next time, may be at some Club Shows?

Alan Cotton : Yes, we will definitely be playing Germany. It looks like we will be appearing at some of the larger festival shows but nothing confirmed yet.

08. EMF:   Where do you play live at the moment and how run your shows?

Alan Cotton : We decided to wait until the second album is done before we do a large tour. We will be touring through out Europe and the US.

09. EMF:  Have you already any plans for new releases within the next 2 years?

Alan Cotton : Yes, Robert and I have written half the new album already. I am trying to get back to writing in the next few weeks to finish the rest of the songs. The plans are to have the second album out by the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010.

10. EMF:  From your point of view, what is important for a perfect teamwork within a band?

Alan Cotton : That’s a good question. My perspective is a band can’t just be a group of great musicians, they also have to be a group of great friends. If you don’t like the people your working with, it’s almost impossible to create that magic.

11. EMF:  What means internet promotion on Myspace and You tube for you?

Alan Cotton :Myspace has really been great for us. We have been able to expose our music to people from all over the world in a very short time. But Myspace is just one part of it. The online ezines and print magazines as well as radio are still a very important part of promotion for us.
 
12. EMF:  Some reasons for the Fans to give Twisted a Chance?

Alan Cotton :Are you tired of going to the store and not finding any music that interest you? Want to hear an album full of music the way it use to be played but with a modern twist? If you like rock and roll, you will love this album. It's New Millennium Hard Rock!

13. EMF:   At the End of  the Interview some words for the Music Fans?

Alan Cotton :First, I want to thank Stephanie and Eternal Metal Flame for this interview and for supporting new music and to your readers for taking the time to read it. Please stop by our website or myspace page and check out the band. Help support the music you enjoy and also support magazines like Eternal Metal Flame that make interviews like this possible.

Interview Online since : 19.11.2008
More Info under :  hhttp://www.cottonsoeterboekband.com/
Thanks @: Alan Cotton & The Cotton Soeterboekband