{"id":12431,"date":"2025-05-01T16:34:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T07:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.museonmuse.jp\/?p=12431"},"modified":"2025-05-01T16:34:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T07:34:03","slug":"vol-145-pete-lesperance-may-2025-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.museonmuse.jp\/?p=12431","title":{"rendered":"Vol.145 Pete Lesperance \/ May 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pete Lesperance <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\nPhoto by Kevin Vyse Photography<\/span><\/p>\n

HAREM SCAREM return with their first new album in five years, \u201cCHASING EUPHORIA\u201d. Known for their enduring presence in the world of melodic hard rock, the band continues to captivate fans with their signature sound.
\nThe new album delivers everything listeners have come to expect\u2014catchy and melodic vocals from Harry Hess, rich vocal harmonies, and hook-driven riffs and tastefully crafted solos from Pete Lesperance that drive each track forward with finesse. It\u2019s a record packed with highlights, living up to\u2014and exceeding\u2014the expectations of longtime fans.
\nWe spoke with Pete Lesperance about the making of \u201cCHASING EUPHORIA\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\nPhoto by Kevin Vyse Photography<\/span><\/p>\n

Interview \/ Text\u00a0 Mamoru Moriyama
\nTranslation\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hiroshi Takakura<\/p>\n

Muse On Muse : When starting work on the new album, what kind of discussions did you have with the band regarding its direction?<\/span>
\nPete Lesperance : As always, when Harry and I begin writing for a record, our main focus is simply creating the best songs possible. We don\u2019t have a set direction for the album until the music starts to take shape.<\/p>\n

MM : In our previous interview, you mentioned that songwriting is the most important and challenging part, and that you took your time with it rather than rushing. Could you tell us about the songwriting process for this album and the details of recording after the songs were completed?<\/span>
\nPL : Songwriting is definitely the most time-intensive part of the process for us. It took about seven months to write and record the entire album. Harry, Creighton, and I worked independently in our home studios, tracking songs as we wrote them. Having collaborated on so much music together over the years, the recording process now feels second nature to us.<\/p>\n

MM : The album cover illustration for this release is once again mysterious and striking. Was it once again designed by Andr\u00e9 Blekkmark?, as with your previous albums?<\/span>
\nPL : Yes, we collaborated with Andre again. His concepts are incredibly intricate, and his attention to detail is unmatched. We also loved how his artwork translated into the video for Chasing Euphoria. We feel that his visuals perfectly complement our music.<\/p>\n

MM : The album opens with “Chasing Euphoria,” a powerful and melodic track that perfectly represents Harem Scarem. As it’s also the title track, could you share the story behind it?<\/span>
\nPL : “Chasing Euphoria” explores the endless pursuit of happiness\u2014the way we\u2019re always seeking the next thrill or the next high in life.<\/p>\n

MM : The second track, “Slow Burn,” and the closing song, “Wasted Years,” both have a driving energy that really elevates the listener.<\/span>
\nPL : We really wanted to make this an energetic up-tempo record and these two riff ideas were inline with that concept. I\u2019m glad it\u2019s coming across that way.<\/p>\n

MM : Tracks like “Better The Devil You Know,” “In A Bad Way,” and “Reliving History” unfold with a captivating build-up from their intros, drawing the listener into their emotional themes\u2014all while maintaining the signature Harem Scarem sound.<\/span>
\nPL : Better The Devil You Know” was originally written for the Change The World album, but at the time, it didn\u2019t quite feel like the right fit. So, we set it aside and later brought it back for this record.
\nThe demo for In a Bad Way was initially sung by Harry, but we felt it would suit Darren\u2019s voice better, so we re-tracked the vocals.
\nReliving History was the first single from the album, released alongside a lyric video. I have to say, I really love the acoustic version of this track that appears on the Japanese release. <\/p>\n

MM : Songs like “Gotta Keep Your Head Up,” “A Falling Knife,” and “Understand It All” immediately grab the listener\u2019s attention with their strong, hook-driven guitar riffs right from the start.<\/span>
\nPL : Thank you! My only goal is to write a riff that\u2019s even a fraction as cool\/iconic as Crazy Train or Ain\u2019t Talkin\u2019 \u2018Bout Love\u2014something that other guitarists would be excited to play.<\/p>\n

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\nPhoto by Al Piazza<\/span><\/p>\n

MM : Once again, you’ve successfully created top-tier melodic hard rock through your songwriting and guitar work alongside Harry. We previously discussed the songwriting process for this album, but could you talk about how you arranged the guitar riffs after writing the songs and your approach to the guitar solos?<\/span>
\nPL : Whenever I sit down to write a riff, my goal is to create something that would have inspired me as a young guitarist\u2014playable, yet incorporating technique and hopefully engaging for other guitarists.
\nWith this being our 16th record, my biggest challenge is avoiding repetition and keeping things fresh.
\nMy approach to soloing has always been the same: I start by improvising over the section until something catches my ear. Once I find that starting point, I build the solo from there. Every solo is fully written, and when I perform live, I always play them exactly as they were recorded.<\/p>\n

MM : The guitar tones on this album are outstanding and really enhance the songs. Could you tell us about the guitars, amps, effects, and pedals you used during recording?<\/span>
\nPL : The entire album was recorded with my Les Paul Studio, now equipped with an Evertune bridge, except for the solo on World On Fire, which was played on a Charvel with a Floyd Rose. No amps were used\u2014everything was tracked directly through the Neural DSP Quad Cortex into the UA Apollo interface.<\/p>\n

MM : Aside from Harem Scarem, you\u2019re also active with “Smoke and Ashes.” Could you tell us more about this project?<\/span>
\nPL : Smoke & Ashes is a country rock project that my good friend Aaron Allen and I started during COVID. It began when we got together to write a song (High On Sunday) for a solo project I had in mind. We had such a great time collaborating that we decided to keep writing and officially became a duo. Over the next seven weeks, we wrote seven songs and have been releasing singles since 2021. Our latest release, The Great Unknown, is out now, with a lyric video currently in the works.<\/p>\n

MM : What are your upcoming plans?<\/span>
\nPL : We have an upcoming tour of Europe in April\/May and sadly at this point no plan to come back to Japan\u2026 at least not yet. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

MM : Lastly, Please leave a message for your fans.<\/span>
\nPL : Thank you all so much for listening over the years and we hope you enjoy Chasing Euphoria.
\nWe hope to come back and play for you soon!<\/p>\n

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