by David Ryder
Staff Writer
Eden, a progressive rock/improvisational band comprised of TCHS students, recently released a self-titled LP “Eden,” consisting of 50 minutes (6 songs) of funky, instrumental and improvised progressive rock.
This reporter met with members Connor Tutins (guitar), Mitch Tutins (bass) and Benjamin Petersen (drums) to find out more about the band.
David Ryder: Can you tell me exactly what type of music you play?
BP: Well, we like calling it progressive improv. But really it’s a mix of a lot different styles of music…you know, like Jazz and Rock.
Mitch Tutins: Some Funk, too.
Connor Tutins: The main idea is that I listen to a lot of Miles Davis, and what he used to do is he just would completely improvise everything he did, and we want to do something similar. We try to change it up, add different melodies or harmonies. But most of what we do is completely improvised on the spot.
DR: What are some specific artists or bands that are an influence for the band?
MT: I like a lot of the ambient such as Brian Eno, Flying Lotus, Tyco, various other artists, most of them independent.
BP: Well, the music I listen to while I’m alone doesn’t influence my drumming as much, but still, I guess Benny Greb is one of the most influential drummers I listen to.
DR: So how often do you play live?
BP: Well we kind of go in cycles with our playing. Like right now, we are playing at least once a week.
DR: Where do you normally play?
CT: Mainly we play at cafes in your local college town, places like Natura Coffee, near UCF.
DR: Do you see students forming bands and promoting themselves, or bands looking for an identity?
BP: I don’t really see it at all.
CT: Or maybe they try but they just end up imitating what they’ve heard before, or something they know will be popular.
DR: Any closing statements?
CT: In our album we have a song that is 17 minutes long if you have the guts to listen to the whole thing.