Tempo Talks: A Conversation with The Screaming Pope
THE RELEASE
Meet George Bolton, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Boston, Massachusetts. Having nimble fingers and being quick of wit, George's journey has been as varied as his skills. This background is the bedrock of his art. He has been a key figure in electronic music since 1980. His style is a fusion of styles based on years of experience and interest in all kinds of music. Bolton has been behind the band from the start, playing everything from the organ to various percussion instruments. The Screaming Pope is George Bolton's permanent claim to the innovative spirit of art.
Welcome to Neon Heights, The Screaming Pope's latest creation! Everything has been leading up to Neon Heights, after the Screaming Pope began in 2020. It was an album of wide-ranging musical styles, with the warm air of South America and Europe echoing ringing in its ears. Bolton's artistic acumen goes beyond just sound painting--it also extends to his various album covers and music videos from his previous projects. Recorded in a home studio just outside Boston, Neon Heights stands as a monument to Bolton's skills both as an engineer and producer. This venture into unexplored territories marks the very ethos of The Screaming Pope. The album, inspired by Hollywood's more pleasant sonic associations, succeeds in creating a gripping story.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
The Beatles probably were the most inpactful in popular music, not just for me, but many generations.
Throughout the production of your new album, were there specific challenges or breakthrough moments that had a profound influence on the overall direction and cohesion of the project?
Some of the combination of loops I used and synth parts surprised me as I put it all together, which has been happening more often with my work.
Can you offer insights into the collaborative dynamics that shaped your latest album, shedding light on the contributions from producers, co-writers, engineers, or featured artists and how their involvement impacted the final body of work?
I hope people enjoy my work and find it both challenging and rewarding.
Considering the entirety of your album, what lasting impact or impression do you hope the collection of songs will leave on listeners, both individually and as a cohesive musical journey?
My future projects will use and break many music theory techniques, which I have been implementing more and more.
As you look forward, how does the release of this album set the stage for your future projects, and are there any subtle hints or clues you can share about the evolving musical direction you plan to explore in the coming months?
I have been venturing into even more genres of music and using more acoustic parts, and kind of dipping into the singer-songwriter type sound as well as some punk and rock sounds occasionally.
KEEP UP WITH THE SCREAMING POPE BELOW:
