Music Existence Interview: Steven J Vertun

Steven J. Vertun recently released his deeply personal “Ghost”, the lead single off of his upcoming, debut LP Ghost, Shadow and Sun. Directed by Matt Zane (John 5, Wayne Static, Zakk Wylde, DMC, Orgy) of Lord Zane Productions, “Ghost” is just one piece of a larger story that is Ghost, Shadow and Sun, by a man who is MUCH more than just musician.  We got the chance to chat with the busy multi-instrumentalist, business entrepreneur, and athlete to get behind who he is, and what Ghost, Shadow and Sun is really all about.

And yes, there will be an accordion in the near future.

Thanks so much for sitting down and taking the time to talk to us.  What can you tell us about your upcoming LP, Ghost, Shadow, and Sun?  How does your debut album compare to your work with Eye Savant?  Can we expect to hear an accordion at any point (fingers crossed)?

GSS was a body of work born completely out of personal reflection, encompassing several different experiences, all somehow relating to the aftermath of losing a loved one; not only the emotional process of that, but cataloging the changes that occur and the person you evolve into as a result of the experience.  The lead video/song, “Ghost,” is a straight-up ballad and a bit of a mislead as the balance of the CD is more alternative rock oriented.  The songs range from this single ballad to medium paced rockers to big guitar anthems.  Not necessarily stadium sized, AC/DC wall-of-sound explosions, but good medium-sized amphitheater explorations.

Ghost, Shadow, and Sun is not so much a departure from my work with Eye Savant as a moderate shift in style, or perhaps better stated, a shift in presentation.  I think the work flows nicely as a continuum of the ES style/genre.  I was the principle song-writer, wordsmith and voice of Eye Savant, so I’d say there is commonality but extension due to time, experiences and technical advancements.  GSS was started with a couple of members from the final Eye Savant line-up, however they both moved out of state within two months of each other (I hope it wasn’t something I said!…perhaps it was everything that I said….) and we were less than 25% done with the recording at that point.  That required a search for and the use of other exterior musicians to finish it out.  And, then there were several of the already laid down tracks that needed to be re-done (note to self… NEVER-EVER let anyone convince you that there is no need to work with a click track…EVER!)

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