Ποιο άλλο είδος μουσικής προτιμάς και ποιος σε έχει επηρεάσει  από τους καλλιτέχνες που έχεις συνεργαστεί;

Πιστεύω πως ο δίσκος Marcello Vestry με άλλαξε και μου έδωσε κίνητρο. Οφείλω χρέος ευγνωμοσύνης στον Rob γιατί μου έδωσε την ευκαιρία να λάμψω και να έχω μεγάλο μερίδιο συμμετοχής στο δίσκο και βέβαια είμαι πολύ ευγνώμων προς τον Bruno που με συνέστησε και πίστεψε σε μένα.

Ποιες  είναι οι αναμνήσεις σου  από τις ημέρες των Marcello/Vestry project, Devias, Burning Starr;

Οι Burning Starr ήταν η μύηση μου στο μελωδικό rock και ο  Jack Starr  μου έδωσε την πρώτη ευκαιρία και αυτό ήταν σπουδαίο.Οι  Devias ήταν η μπάντα που και οι τέσσερις μας ζούσαμε και αναπνέαμε για τη μουσική. Δουλέψαμε παρά τις αποθαρρύνσεις με μουσικότητα στις συνθέσεις, στην εμφάνιση, τις αρμονίες, την σκηνική παρουσία. Είχαμε επίσης, τόσο κέφι ως μπάντα και κάναμε τόσα πολλά μαζί. Οι Marcello Vestry ήταν εκεί που προσπάθησε να ανεβάσω τον πήχη-μουσικά- και με ομαδικότητα οι δε Bruno και ο Rob ήταν η σωστή συνταγή για μένα. Ο Bruno και εγώ συνεργαστήκαμε σπουδαία μαζί και δεν φοβόμασταν να κάνουμε τις σκέψεις μας να δουλέψουν. Μία σπουδαία σχέση  συνεργασίας καθώς ο Rob είναι πολύ εύκολος στην συνεργασία και ήταν πρόθυμος πάντοτε να ακούσει τις ιδέες μου.

Είναι τιμή μας να μιλάμε μαζί σας και να μαθαίνουμε  περισσότερα για τη μουσική σας και την σόλο καριέρα σας. Ευχαριστώ πολύ για το χρόνο που διαθέσατε από το πολυάσχολο πρόγραμμά σας για να μας μιλήσετε και στους οπαδούς σας για το παρελθόν και το παρόν μουσικό έργο σας. Ποιο είναι το "μήνυμα σε ένα μπουκάλι" σας για τους αναγνώστες του rocktime.gr;

1. A brilliant release after the legendary Different Sides in 2004….What prompted you to come back to recording/release a new compilation?

FV – I thought about how many years I’ve loved to sing and how some of my songs were never really heard. It was something I had the desire to do and then Carsten and I started talking and it eventually became real.

2. Do you believe that a musician should listen to different genres of music to write good music?

FV – I think it’s important, yes. Even if you don’t necessarily use another genre to write a full song it’s important to open your mind to different things and it can help with an idea for a song or songs along the way.

3. Has your approach to music or song writing changed thought years?

FV – Yes and No. Yes because I’ve gained so much experience after doing it for so long and that experience has helped me to be better I think. No, because I try not to overthink things. Many times your 1st idea is the best one.

4 What’s the most rock’n’roll thing you’ve ever done?
FV – Split my pants on stage and kept going on with the show!

5. Will you be touring to promote the album? Any thoughts about Greece?
FV – I have no current plans to do so, but you never know? I would love to visit Greece and so many other places too and doing shows there would be an honor. Or the difficult situation stops every move? Currently I think the whole world is on a virtual hold, but in the future I am always open to ideas.

6. Is there a kind of recipe for being a melodic/hard/aor singer?

FV –I think passion and confidence. I know it sounds cliché , but follow your dreams and do what you love still stands true. Also, confidence is so very important for a singer. You have to believe in yourself and drown out the negativity when it comes your way.

7. Any other genre of music that you prefer and who has been the biggest influence on you from the many artists you’ve cooperated with?

FV –I like some R&B, some country songs, some blues, but rock music has always been tops for me. I think there were so many guys that I played with that amazed me and influenced me in a positive way and most of them are featured on this collection album.

8. What encouraged you back to life as a performer and recording artist all these years?

FV –I think the Marcello Vestry album changed me and got me very motivated. I owe a debt of gratitude to Rob for giving me that opportunity to shine and for making me such a big part of it and of course I am very thankful to Bruno for recommending me and having that faith in me.

 
9. What are your memories from the Marcello / Vestry project, Devias, Burning Starr days?

FV –Burning Starr was like my initiation into melodic rock and Jack gave me my 1st chance so that was cool. Devias was a band where the 4 of us lived and breathed music. We worked on all fazes, musicianship, songs, look, harmonies, stage show. We also had so much fun as a band and did so much together. Marcello Vestry was where I tried to raise my game up and teaming up with Bruno and Rob was just the right recipe for me. Bruno and I work great together and are not afraid to say whatever’s on our minds to make it work. A great working relationship is very important and Rob is very easy to work with and was always willing to listen to my ideas.

10. It is an honor talking with you and learning more about your music and your solo carrier. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak to us and your fans about your past and present work. Which is your "message in a bottle" for readers of rocktime.gr ?

FV –This has been great so far and I’m very thankful for this opportunity and I’m also very excited about the future. I hope to see you all down the road my friends. Stay well. Peace and Melodic Rock! – FV –