DECEMBER 2006
ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM INTERVIEW

Dominic Cifarelli

He's earned loyal fans by being a fixture in the Canadian music scene for years, toured with Ozzfest, released an album on a major label, dealt with band break ups, formed his own independent label and spent years working on an ambitious project that will soon bear fruit. But most people are coming to know Dominic Cifarelli, 27, of Montreal, thanks to the recent successes of his former band mate, Lukas Rossi. With the imminent release of first The Chronicles of Israfel album, now is as good a time as any to let him set the story straight about the evolution of his career, where he's been, and where he hopes to go.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: So let's start from the beginning and move forward. How old were you when you first picked up a guitar? When did you decide to make a go at a music career?

Dominic Cifarelli: I started at eleven after seeing and hearing Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme. I realized very quickly that I needed to be making records and touring for the rest of my life.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: You achieved a fair bit of success with Pulse Ultra in 2002, receiving good press for the album Headspace and touring with Ozzfest, but the group ultimately disbanded. What did you learn from that experience?

Dominic: I learned that I'm not necessarily a "band" kind of guy.

I have way too many control issues, and my ego is way too big for my size. When I have a vision, it needs to be seen through and carried out in an almost military fashion. I have never met anyone with as much discipline as myself. Not to say I think I'm better, but I have a one track mind and I tend to obsess over every detail until it's done my way.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Your next project was Rise Electric, your drummer, Maxx Zinno was also from Pulse Ultra, but you had two new members, frontman Lukas Rossi and bassist Jay Cianfrini. How did your music or your approach to music change from Pulse Ultra to Rise Electric?

Dominic: Well, I finally met a real singer who actually had the same drive as me. Luke is like a dream come true for me he is my ultimate rock star frontman/singer/songwriter and composer. Jay is the peacekeeper between us, I love the guy to death.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: You cited your current project, The Chronicles of Israfel, as one of the reasons you left Rise Electric for a time, just how long have you been working on it?

Dominic: I have been working on it since 2004. Secretly after rehearsals were done with Pulse Ultra, I would go back to the rehearsal room the same evening with Joey [Bastone] (who also owned the practice space) and go to the back room where we had a B setup and just played and got wasted. Then Pulse Ultra broke up and I was able to complete the majority of the concept and music. Then I called Luke out to Montreal and we formed Rise Electric which meant putting the Chronicles on hold for nearly a year. I started to miss it very much, and I realized how important it was to me. The guys in Rise seemed supportive at first, but they were right when they said I was focusing too much energy on it. That sort of lead to many arguments and then finally the breakup which was pretty mutual.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: People coming to the Chronicles from Rise Electric might be surprised by a different sound. What do you hope to accomplish with the upcoming album?

Dominic: Nothing! It's just a story I wrote about a character I invented. Kinda like me in a parallel universe. The music is just the stuff I love to play and hear as a guitar player/musician. I honestly just like to put myself in this made up world and write whatever I dream about and see around me. There are no record label people putting their two cents in and no one telling me what to change. The only way I can describe it musically is it might remind people of dream theater meets System of a Down meets Steve Vai, I guess. Conceptually it takes me back to the concepts inspired by early Genesis and David Bowie. Theatrically/visually I would say Marilyn Manson meets David Bowie meets Broadway. A real mess.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: What difficulties or challenges did you have to overcome while making this album?

Dominic: Actually sticking to a budget! I started an independent record label to be able to put this project out and also my older brother's solo jazz piano album out (which is out by the way, and it's ridiculously amazing!!). This is the first album that I produced so it was the biggest and hardest learning process I ever had to face. I learned so much from Neal Avron and Dave Schiffman who are phenomenal at what they do, but I wanted it to sound completely different than anyone else out there. I basically lost a lot of weight and I need to sell a lot of records to break even! I'm screwed!

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: You've mentioned being in the mixing stages, do you have an idea of when the album will drop? Will it be available to ship internationally?

Dominic: I am about six months behind schedule so far, so... I might need to go into hiding cause my president is gonna hang my balls from the Christmas tree if I don't have it done by January. Which won't happen. At this point it will come out in March, the latest I promise. It will also ship worldwide through our parent company vdowarehouse.com, it's like Amazon only owned by my president. So we can keep prices low and cut out all the middlemen. Check it out.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Do you plan on touring after it is released? If so, is there any chance of there being some American dates?

Dominic: So many people have asked me and yes, I do plan on touring. But, it really all depends on record sales and budget. This is not an average rock show. It's a much bigger production than most platinum acts even bring out with them. It may need to be scaled down but I really don't want to do that.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: In old Pulse Ultra photos and videos, I saw that you've experimented with stage make-up before. You've also got some really interesting photos up of some concept make-up for Israfel on you’re my space. Is that something you hope to incorporate into future live shows?

Dominic: Most definitely. It is a very big part of it all. It's not makeup to be scary or cool. It really is the way the characters would look in this alternate reality. I can't wait for everyone to see the album artwork and live show.

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: Finally, what are your plans for the future? Is this a one-time concept album or will you be continuing with the Chronicles in the future? Likewise, there's been some talk of a Rise Electric reunion, any thoughts?

Dominic: The whole reason why I started the Chronicles is so that it won't go away. I am not looking for a "hit" or a platinum record with this. I want longevity. And that's why it's not a band. I can't break up with myself. My other personalities may fight once in a while but I will keep making and putting out these records for a long time. It's a story and so far I have rough concept drafts for 3 more albums at least.

As far as Lukas is concerned, he called me to play with him in Ottawa and I was there for him so, as soon as he calls me I'll be ready. Thanks so much for this interview and thanks for supporting my boy Luke. It's about time people realized how wicked this kid really is!

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM: For more information, and to listen to two songs off the upcoming album, visit http://www.myspace.com/thechroniclesofisrafel


Interview conducted by
Candice Erickson
for ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM

Photo of Dominic Cifarelli courtesy of Paolo


The Chronicles of Israfel Official Site
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December 20, 2006

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