Trition Devs
Interview Conducted July 6, 2021
By Dan Locke
TRITON DEVS is the creation of composer/guitarist/sound engineer Blacky Lee Stone, aiming to embark on a new musical project to signify a rebirth of the world after this tragic past year and unexpected period spent in lockdown. Collaborating with vocalist Eric Castiglia, drummer Zamkenoby, bassist Anna Portalupi (Hardline, Tarja Turunen), and internationally renowned drummer Mike Terrana (Yngwie Malmsteen, Rage, Tarja Turunen, Axel Rudi Pell). The collective of musicians has created an energetic 10 track full length influenced by elements of classic heavy metal, hard and progressive rock.
You are a composer, guitarist, sound engineer. What is your upbringing?
Blacky Lee South: After starting the classic path that leads a guy to approach self-taught music, I began taking private electric guitar lessons in my hometown until the next step of moving to Los Angeles to study music and sound recording techniques at the Musician Institute in Hollywood.
After returning to my country (Italy) and having further work experience, I opened my recording studio and continued to write and record music for myself and other artists.
How did you discover music?
Let’s say that in my family my mother played the piano for passion and fun but I remember one particular moment well … I was 10 years old when I entered a record shop and saw for the first time the vinyl record cover of “Iron Maiden Piece of mind “.
I didn’t know who this band was but I bought it right away and still didn’t know what heavy metal music was and the sound of a really distorted guitar.
I was immediately fascinated by the songs and the sound of that record; from there I started to approach the electric guitar.
How did you start to write music?
Over the years my musical attention has mainly shifted towards the world of solo guitarists, and instrumental rock music in particular “Joe Satriani” and the like.
Although I am a guitarist, I also like drums, bass,and keyboards; I have dedicated a lot to this style of music writing music and playing it live for many years.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I remember my first guitar being a Kramer but unfortunately, I don’t have it anymore ….
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make, and model?
After trying many very good guitars, several years ago I definitely fell in love with Tom Anderson guitars, (years of construction 1992) that sounds very good and after having customized it reached the top for my needs.
Used to a comfortable Tom Anderson I felt the need to have a new instrument with a more modern design but that was at the same time as manageable as a traditional body guitar and that also had the seventh string for heavier riffs without lowering the tuning.
From these needs, in synergy with Liutart I started working on the “Triton Devs 7st “model.
Telling you a couple of technical aspects I can tell you that for example the size of the body and its weight (Mahogany + flamed maple top) is slightly lower than similar guitars to be lighter and more manageable.
Like all the work and finishes, the choice of pickups was also obsessive, we tried several before finding the perfect ones for this guitar in combination with its woods. The choice fell on the Dimarzio XN2 Bridge position at the bridge and the Dimarzio Illuminator Bridge – at the neck.
This model is sold on commission.
How did you get the band together? Did you use Villaggiomusicale?
Initially, I contacted Anna through her official website who was very friendly and willing to collaborate. The contact of Mike Terrana was provided to me by her and also by him, I must say that in addition to being a good drummer he is a great person.
Eric and Zammkenoby I met through the “Fiverr” app, they are also two excellent musicians and reliable people.
I am happy to have collaborated with all of them.
Could your band be called a supergroup, because of the background of all the band members?
The band’s lineup is quite strong, there is a good chance of creating a good live show.
I hope with time to be able to create the right conditions to continue this project in an appropriate way.
How did you get your band’s name?
The invented name “Triton Devs” contains three different meanings.
The first meaning lies in the representation of the three weapons possessed by the gods Zeus, Hades and Neptune, which together form a single weapon called “Triton Devs”.
Secondly, the tritone is also a musical interval and finally, it is the name of my model of the 7-string electric guitar created in synergy with Liutart.
Describe your music.
My music has always had a strong imprint of Rock / Metal, but with the passing years and the musical maturity I learned to appreciate any kind.
If a song is really beautiful, it is regardless of the musical genre.
From everything, you learn and incorporate yourself into your musical background.
What was your first performance like?
I don’t remember exactly, but I think it was at the age of 15 years old with my first little band in my hometown.
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve. Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
You are perfectly right to get paid. You need one of these associations, I am a member of Siae.
What makes a good songwriter?
As in all things, even in music, it takes experience and preparation, arrangements and musical taste mature over time.
As you well know, however, it is not enough to be able to write only good songs to be successful.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I honestly don’t remember and most likely lost the registration.
It’s been a long time … I’m sorry ….
What is the process of writing your music?
I usually compose and record all the musical parts of guitar, bass, drums and keyboards quite definitively with a standard song structure.
Then there is the task of the other musicians to perfect my arrangements with their experience and personal taste.
For the sung part I leave all the work directly to the singer.
Tell me about your album “Stay Alive”?
The first project “Stay Alive”, is an album that contains all my musical influences and that gives a general panorama of my music.
Although they all have a rock / metal imprint, they are 10 songs with a different taste with light and ironic Rock lyrics.
Because of my way of composing, I think the sound is also quite original that it deviates from most heavy metal albums.
I hope that this first work is best received by the fans in order to open a breach towards a second album even richer in surprises.
Your album was delayed from a spring release to June 18th?
Yes, the unexpected always happens… but producing an album is a very demanding job.
In the end we succeeded 🙂
Tell me the backstory for the song “The Show”. It has a Deep Purple feel?
That this song remembers. Deep Purple I would not know …. I am me with my music, good or bad … I don’t like being a copy of someone.
Like everyone I have my influences but when I thought about “The Show” I wanted to write a very direct and fun classic rock song. one of those songs that never get tired and that makes you move your head up and down every time you listen to it.
What is your favorite track on your album?
There is not a particular favorite, I like them all.
Tell me about your Dance release in July. Since your album is called Stay Alive is this a take from the Bee Gees?
In addition to Metal music, I also like electronic music and sometimes I produce some dance songs.
In this case I created from the instrumental track “Summer Day” present in the album two other versions, a sung Rock version (This Summer Day) and a dance (Summer), it was a lot of fun.
The connection to the Bee Gees comes naturally but in reality, this album was started just before the pandemic broke out and the title “Stay Alive” was already a premonition of a great change.
Now it never seems to live in a science fiction movie where everything has changed and those are only the survivors.
Anna has a background in video productions, Will you be using her to make more videos?
I could not object to it but it depends on the evolution of the project.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
Having the opportunity to watch a video and stream music seems like a good thing and later gives you the opportunity to buy what they really like.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag. Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
As you just said the # symbol has been used for a variety of purposes, a musician probably associates it at first sight with an alteration in key, but for those unfamiliar with music theory, they will continue to interpret it as how it is applied to the purpose.
Digital vs. vinyl?
The advent of digital in musical productions has certainly simplified the work, especially that of editing …, but if we talk about sound, I think that now it is never a discourse aimed at “purists” and collectors.
Digital compression loses some nuances in the low, medium and high frequencies which may be precious to us connoisseurs but which are not influential to the average listener.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
One of my favorite songs from the 80s / 90s is undoubtedly Ozzy’s Bark at the moon, that initial guitar riff I think is something magical.
For me it represents everything you want in one word, still, today heard at monstrous volume makes you shiver.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
At the moment we have all been conditioned by the coronavirus and immediately the consequences, but at the same time after so much suffering and giving up the desire for freedom and in a certain sense the desire to return to the past is felt.
For me, it will also be back in fashion for Rock music with its lifestyle.
So, I hope.
Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?
All the canceled concerts were not beneficial and an alternative way was found to continue their career.
In extreme situations there are always those who make it and those who don’t … over time we will see who was able to turn this bad period in their favor.
During Covid-19. Almost everything got cancelled. Which included Metallica tour. Prior to the tour Metallica purchased a “cancellation, abandonment and no-appearance insurance” policy from Lloyd’s of London in any case of any potential postponement or cancellations. Lloyds of London refuse to payout of the policy because of the policy’s communicable disease exclusion. Do you think that Metallica is right or the insurance company is right?
Contractually, if the police did not include coverage for communicable diseases, I’m sorry for Metallica but Lloyd’s of London is probably right… but given the extreme and unthinkable situation, it could be reasoned and compromised.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Fortunately, I was always well, during my quarantine I worked on the album.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
It was not difficult to keep healthy. I continued to do it, as usual, luckily, I have a small gym at home and a dog 🙂
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Unfortunately, no….
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only. (Source: Facebook)
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think that the era of social media is lobotomizing mankind, concerts are held live on large stages, not in the bedroom or living room, but I have an idea that artists will pay fb to appear and promote themselves.
But the mechanism is always the same, nothing is free, both its social network and everywhere.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
You’re right, we hope that slowly returns to normal and that this period serves to reflect on the mistakes made.
I hope that post covid-19 global changes are better and lead us towards a better future.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
It could be a new fun experience or an alternative form of entertainment, but if the advancement of technologies serves to limit and accustom manto social isolation it is better to have less technology in some respects.
In the past if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I would try to stay in the musical field by changing my job role.
What is your happy place?
Your happy place is won over the course of life when you learn to appreciate what you have.
It doesn’t take much to be happy, but to get that little you have to work hard.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million. In the past year, a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million), Bob Dylan (over $400 Million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Neil Young’s song 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and income interest in his 1,180-song catalogue to Hypnosis Songs Fund limited. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
It depends on the economic situation in which one find s himself and we are talking about very important figures, a thought I would do it why not …
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s Co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists.
What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
I think everything is part of the system, if an independent artist made Spotify earnings like an established artist, he would not automatically be canceled as everything else is.
It always has been, but the more the world advances, the more the only thing that matters is money alone, either you manage to get into the lucky system or you have to settle for it.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Honestly, all these social networks have bored me.
I am a musician. I should spend my hours on the instrument and not stoned on the internet.
To each their own work.
Breaking news: TikTok is launching TikTok Radio, a full-time SiriusXM music channel going live this summer. The station will be available in vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM App, desktop, and all connected devices.
The station will be part of a new TikTok collaboration with SiriusXM and its subsidiary, Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent. Do you think this platform could become a force in the future of streaming music?
More promotional channels you have available the more likely to be known.
But as I said before if you can get into the lucky system, you avoid all these headaches.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners with Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival for an Event in Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set for September 23-26 with Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration in Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days and Shifts from Spring to November 11-14 in Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set for October 7-10 in Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
With the right conditions, I would be willing to play and the precaution I would take would be just one, safety for everyone.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thanks for the interview I found some interesting questions.
We hope to see you again in the future in some happy place.
Best regards
Blacky Lee Stone
