Interview with Alex Canion (bass) of Voyager by Matt Bladen
MoM: For those that may not know you, give us a little insight into Voyager the band?
Alex: Well, we're five individuals that have a varied taste in music but we unite over our love for metal, grooves and general silliness. We're the metal gatekeeper's guilty pleasure. Your parents will probably not mind our music either haha.
MoM: How does it feel to be back on tour playing in Europe/UK?
Alex: Honestly, it's been amazing. The crowds have been so good, the touring life has been treating us well. Four Stroke Baron and Vola are beautiful people to be around, and we're all getting along like a house on fire. It's truly been a pleasure, because it's not easy getting over here to do all this.
MoM: What have you been up to as a band since the world went crazy in 2020?
Alex: Well, actually quite a lot! We came in second place (winner of the public vote, though!) at the Eurovision Australia Decides song contest, which was a huge moment in our career. We recorded two live stream concerts, one's available on our Youtube channel, the other we've just released on Blu Ray and Vinyl. Throw in some video clips, an Australian tour and now this Europe/UK run and it appears we've actually been quite busy!
MoM: Linked to the previous question. How was the Eurovision selection process for you? Did you enjoy it? Would you try and enter again?
Alex: For me it will always hold a special place in my heart. We entered our song "Dreamer" which when we play now, takes me right back to when we were filming it live on TV and the 3 thousand people in attendance. It was wild. We learned a lot - like, the importance of vocal warm ups haha. We'd definitely be keen to enter again some day, but for us it's really about having the right song to rally us and our fans. As far as I see it, Voyager does not need something like Eurovision to define us; so it's liberating to be able to do things like that for fun and for our own growth as a band.
MoM: We've heard rumours of a new album in the works, is this true?
Alex: Absolutely! It's finished and in my own humble opinion, it's awesome. So different to anything we've done previously, from a compositional and production point of view.
MoM: As an Australian band, what countries in the world do you love playing in?
Alex: We've been so fortunate to play in some amazing countries over the years. Europe is beautiful, especially venues in The Netherlands which are world class thanks to being subsidised by the government. I think a standout show for me was one we played in Mexico City. The fans there made us feel so loved and appreciated, I'll never forget it.
MoM: I saw that you are doing #VoyagerTries videos about the weird and wonderful food you've had on tour. What's been the weirdest and what's been the best so far?
Alex: I'm not sure to be honest - it seems we just like trying random deserts or caffeinated drinks haha. I wish I'd filmed it for the segment, but we had brioche aux pralines in Lyon yesterday. Yuuuum!
MoM: Finally tell us 2 x lies and 1 x truth about anyone in the band
Alex: Haha ok sure. Our lead singer is an award-winning Lawyer. Ashley (our drummer) was born in The Netherlands. Our guitarist Simone is an avid birdwatcher.
MoM: For those that may not know you, give us a little insight into Voyager the band?
Alex: Well, we're five individuals that have a varied taste in music but we unite over our love for metal, grooves and general silliness. We're the metal gatekeeper's guilty pleasure. Your parents will probably not mind our music either haha.
MoM: How does it feel to be back on tour playing in Europe/UK?
Alex: Honestly, it's been amazing. The crowds have been so good, the touring life has been treating us well. Four Stroke Baron and Vola are beautiful people to be around, and we're all getting along like a house on fire. It's truly been a pleasure, because it's not easy getting over here to do all this.
MoM: What have you been up to as a band since the world went crazy in 2020?
Alex: Well, actually quite a lot! We came in second place (winner of the public vote, though!) at the Eurovision Australia Decides song contest, which was a huge moment in our career. We recorded two live stream concerts, one's available on our Youtube channel, the other we've just released on Blu Ray and Vinyl. Throw in some video clips, an Australian tour and now this Europe/UK run and it appears we've actually been quite busy!
MoM: Linked to the previous question. How was the Eurovision selection process for you? Did you enjoy it? Would you try and enter again?
Alex: For me it will always hold a special place in my heart. We entered our song "Dreamer" which when we play now, takes me right back to when we were filming it live on TV and the 3 thousand people in attendance. It was wild. We learned a lot - like, the importance of vocal warm ups haha. We'd definitely be keen to enter again some day, but for us it's really about having the right song to rally us and our fans. As far as I see it, Voyager does not need something like Eurovision to define us; so it's liberating to be able to do things like that for fun and for our own growth as a band.
MoM: We've heard rumours of a new album in the works, is this true?
Alex: Absolutely! It's finished and in my own humble opinion, it's awesome. So different to anything we've done previously, from a compositional and production point of view.
MoM: As an Australian band, what countries in the world do you love playing in?
Alex: We've been so fortunate to play in some amazing countries over the years. Europe is beautiful, especially venues in The Netherlands which are world class thanks to being subsidised by the government. I think a standout show for me was one we played in Mexico City. The fans there made us feel so loved and appreciated, I'll never forget it.
MoM: I saw that you are doing #VoyagerTries videos about the weird and wonderful food you've had on tour. What's been the weirdest and what's been the best so far?
Alex: I'm not sure to be honest - it seems we just like trying random deserts or caffeinated drinks haha. I wish I'd filmed it for the segment, but we had brioche aux pralines in Lyon yesterday. Yuuuum!
MoM: Finally tell us 2 x lies and 1 x truth about anyone in the band
Alex: Haha ok sure. Our lead singer is an award-winning Lawyer. Ashley (our drummer) was born in The Netherlands. Our guitarist Simone is an avid birdwatcher.