The Ottoman Empire (now called Luna Mortis)
questiones answered by Brian
** Interview by Mike - April 2007 **

BRIAN: The Ottoman Empire was started in late 2001 in my hometown of Monroe WI. We played a variety of styles in the beginning and became more focused on progressive metal over time as personnel changed. I’ve been the only original member for a few years now.

ADRENALIN: I read that you give 50 – 60 students guitar lesson every week. Where did you get your love for guitar? How long have you been playing?

BRIAN: Well that number is closer to 70 these days…but I started playing guitar my freshman year of high school, or at the beginning of 1995, so I guess a bit over 12 years now. As soon as I got my first guitar it became top priority and I devoted as much free time to it as possible. I also began writing my own music as soon as I had a guitar in hand. Even to this day I’ve never felt like playing and practicing is a chore, it is something I’ve always enjoyed doing.

ADRENALIN: What other influences do you have in life and in music?

BRIAN: In high school my main influences were the 3 M’s, Metallica, Megadeth and Motorhead. I liked the aggression and intensity of this music, but eventually moved on to more solo oriented material like Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani. I discovered Dream Theater when I was in college and that completely spun my head around. I’m also very influenced by Classical music, from Bach to Stravinsky and everything in between.

ADRENALIN: Since the beginning of your life as a musician, what have you learned about the music business? Any advice that you would like to give younger musicians who are just learning to play an instrument or starting a band?
 

BRIAN: I’ve learned that if you want to attempt to make a living as a musician in a band, you’ve got to do it for the right reasons, namely because you love music. With the sheer number of bands out there, you’ve got to work on getting noticed. You can’t sit around and wait for the world to come to you, you’ve got to go out and make things happen. It’s very easy when you are first starting an original band to sound just like whatever you happen to be listening to at the time. Work on writing original or unique sounding material to set yourself apart from the hordes of copycats out there. Developing as a musician and developing craft on your instrument is also very often overlooked but essential.

ADRENALIN: Being a progressive thrash metal band in Madison, how easy is it to find places to play and other area bands to play with?

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