After a successful career with the rock band, Triumph, and years of solo and acoustic work, Emmett is giving rock another try. He and Michael Shotton formed the band, Airtime, which will release its debut album, Liberty Manifesto, next week.
"Obviously, I grew up as a rock and roll kid," said Emmett. "And by the time we got (to recording), I was like, 'Right, so this is what I should be doing (again) and I'm actually pretty good at it.' Slipping back into that style felt very organic and natural for me."
The music on the 11-track album, recorded at Shotton's home studio, has a distinct classic rock sound, but with an added emphasis on melody and harmony. It makes sense, considering Emmett's musical background and Shotton's role with the band, Von Groove.
"Mike was the guy who kept telling me I was overdue for another rock album," said Emmett. "And then he told me I was going to be singing on it. I didn't think it was part of the deal, but I went along with it. I even (recorded some) bass tracks, which was a lot of fun. I felt like a goofy kid again."
The guys took their time with the album, recording it over parts of three years.
"Honestly, this was one of the best (writing and recording) experiences I ever had," said Emmett. "There was no pressure coming from a recording company breathing down our necks. It was pretty liberating. We were like, 'Who cares? Let's just do what we do and see what happens.'"
Shotton agreed, saying the two shared a "magical chemistry" when it came to recording.
"When bands make records, there are lots of great days, but there are also lots of days when you're creatively impotent. But we never had a bad day together," said Shotton. "We weren't afraid to take risks and try things. I mean, (the track) Liberty is six minutes (and 17 seconds) long. We didn't want to create a mainstream sound."
The album sits at number two on the Maple Music Top 10 Sellers chart. And it hasn't even been released.
To hear a preview of the track, River Runs Deep, visit www.rikemmett.com and follow the links.
Airtime has added guitarist Dave Dunlop and bassist Steve Skingley to help flesh out the band's live sound.
cclay@mississauga.net
