MI: Is the title of the album symbolic? What is the concept behind the title and the cover, of the clock and the dry land, if there is one? The artist who made the cover showed me his Idea and I liked it, i did not ask him for the concept, i was going to call the record "Xited" but then he showed me the cover and the title and I loved it. MI: You decided to fill the shoes not only of the guitar player, but also the drum player and the singer. For the rest of the positions, you have some collaboration with musicians like Jordan Rudess. Why didn't you use a proper band and how did you meet all the session players? http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.vie wprofile&friendid=5856229#>O. First of all I am a proper band myself, I don't need a drummer to lay down tracks for me, explaining what i want and what i want it to sound like when i know exactly what I want and I am a drummer myself. i am sure if you did not read the credits you wouldn't know it was done by the same person who did the guitars. as for bass Iyasu Nagata my dear friend/amazing unique bass player who was also in my band at the time layed down the bass track for most of the songs, there are a few I played on,,, and he is just an amazing player. its a pleasure to listen to him play that instrument. the other Drummer who plays on two songs his name is Eugenio Ventimiglia who was also in me band at the time, dear friend and amazing player himself and he played those two tracks ("end of summer", "Xited" ) MI: Where is your origin, cause the name refers to the ex Yugoslavia, or the countries around. The Daniel J, was a change to make it more commercial? The name Daniel J, I guess it was just easier to remember, Jakubovic is a long name which not many people can say haha,,, but yes it is a Czeck name, my dad was born and Raised in Czechoslovakia. MI: Jaroslav Jakubovic, is a relative of yours? I see he is the CEO of your representation company? I must assume you are coming from a music family? If yes how this has influenced you? Well Jaroslav is My dad, and he is a professional musician himself, an Ex Columbia Records Recording artist, was also worked with Bette Midler, Buddy Rich, THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER , Paul Simon, Carly Simon, etc...and I learned a big chunk of my musical knowledge from him, he taught me all my theory when i was 11 and i was raised in the studio and watching huge live shows my dad was playing on from the side of the stage,,, basically music is my home its what we do, it also answers the reason why in the studio i choose to play most of the instruments. MI: Where and when did this album was composed? It took two years, where you were writing and demoing your work? Or first you finished the material and then you looked for a record company? Well, it took a long time because I was recording on and off for a while and then i went in to the studio with my Engineer i work with Nick Rowe who is a band member of "BLOODSIMPLE" ( warner bros) and recorded intensely for a couple of months to get it all done. A lot of the stuff was recorded and then a year later re recorded,,, recording doesn't take a long time it was just really spread out, i was also busy producing a number of other projects at the time. MI: Your lyrics are having heavy references to personal beliefs and point of views .Why do you prefer this kind of lyrics, for this album? Interesting question, because that's how I am opinionated and passionate, when things bother me, they would come out in my song writing or in my playing,,, if things make me think or wonder, it comes out in song writing,,, crazy women make u write a lot of good songs! MI: How satisfied you are with record companies today? Was it easy to find a contract at the start of your career as progressive, or guitar orientated technical rock isn't the most popular genre especially at US? How did you get to work with Progrock? I owe everything to Jordan Rudess, since the day we met and he opened his house and musical life to me he has been the most amazing wonderful person, he introduced me to all these people and labels, he asked me to play on his record, shortly after he played on mine, this guy is one of the greatest people i've met. MI: How it is today with all these NWOAHM bands that copy eachother? What is NWOAHM??? I like a lot of new s*** I am not only a prog head, I like a lot of the screamo/emo/hardcore stuff that's out there, a lot of great songs and energy,,, just like any other era,,,, the strong ones more unique ones will survive,, ,also back in the 80 there were a million hair bands and only a few survived, unique ones,,, BON JOVI, etc.. MI: Are there any plans for touring? Shall we expect Daniel J supporting his studio work on stage and with which musicians with him? Is it a session man career, a better perspective for you? Well, with the Daniel J stuff if there would be an opportunity I would love to take it, these days I am full time busy with my band "Against The Wall" ( aTw ) you can check it out here WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ATWBAND we are always on tour, playing all over the east coast for now and working on getting a major record deal. MI: What are you listening to , these days? These days, well - STORY OF THE YEAR, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, UNDEROATH, SLIPKNOT, ANBERLIN, DEMON HUNTER, LORENE DRIVE, THRICE, AGAINST THE WALL, BLOODSIMPLE, once in a while i pop in the long time fav GENESIS "Genesis" from 1983 or "We can't Dance" ( Genesis 1991 ), or a DT CD to shred along with hah! MI: How do you see the Metal scene at the US today. What about all this nu metal bands having success. Is there any room for your kind of music? I love the whole metal Scene, I think "Losing Time" can fit anywhere, the market is just very small for that kind of music unless you are DREAM THEATER. I made that CD knowing this, I love it , the music, all the sections and solos and vibe, but I also love the nu metal, rock, alternative scene, which is where me and my band and what i do these days fits! MI: What are your future plans? To sign a major record deal with my band aTw and Tour the world!! MI: Which are your musical influences? Dream theater, Lorene Drive, Falling Up, No Trigger, Blindside, New found glory, Slipknot, Children Of Bodom, Soilwork, Dashboard Confessional, Chevelle, Linkin park, sum 41, 3 days grace, Limp bizkit, Metallica, Pantera, Avril Lavigne, Anberlin, Crossfade, Sita, Yellowcard, Anouk, Yes, Genesis, Phil collins, billly joel, Sarah mclachlan, My Chemical Romance, Mandy Moore, Reggie and the full effect, Nickelback, Plain White T's, Story of the year, Switchfoot, P. D, System of a down, Hoobastank, Bloodsimple, kelly clarkson, hilary duff, Killswitch engage, UnderOath, Hawthorne eights, Breaking Benjamin, Don't Look Down, Thrice, Meatloaf, It Dies Today, Unearth, Avenged Sevenfold, Mastadon, Coretez, Stellar Kart, One Day Left, Meridian Drive, Bullet For MY Valentine, Plain White T's, Demon Hunte MI:. Your work reminds me a lot of Richie Kotzen, in a more progressive way. Combining the guitarist point of view, with more alternative /Fm rock sounds and the progressive blend has been easy for you? In my new band its even more extreme, the combination of Radio stuff with the guitar work, its what I do, I always have to play my ass off on the guitar, I wouldn't feel I am doing what I do best if I don't do it. MI:Using the saxophone, was something we don't usually find at a heavy/progressive rock album, besides PINK FLOYD. Was it another chance to help you stand out? Has the input of Jordan Rudess and his experience to do anything with that? My Dad is the one who plays sax, and he is the best Sax player on earth!!! no doubt! we always do things together, he makes appearances on my music. Jordan Doesn't have anything to do with that, but Jordan Enhanced my Record big time with his Playing, the 3 songs he plays on made "Losing Time" more attractive, to me and to everyone. I think on the song "Rush" which is he last track on "Losing Time" he plays the most amazing solo I ever heard from him. and its on my record!!! MI:. Tell me a reason for a metal/rock fan to buy your cd instead of all the other new releases? Well, honestly it is very different then anything else out there, its just not a KILLSWITCH record, or a DREAM THEATER record, or a THREE DOORS DOWN record, its something different and unique , crazy heavy and progressive and also very catchy and fun. u should try it. MI: Which is your favourite track of the album and why? Well, I love "End of summer" and "Rush" the most. they are just so pretty and cool to me, i succeeded in writing 10 minute songs that are really cool and happening. and there is so much good and exciting stuff on there. I am happy and as time goes by I like it even more. MI: Who is responsible for the cover? Marko Heisig MI: In our days the progressive metal seems to have a small revival, can Daniel J, get some help and recognition form this situation? I don't know, if you know a way let me know. my way of getting recognition is working with my band right now, we are getting amazing responses, crowds are just going insane. MI: What's the response of the people to your music till now? All the reviews I have seen from all over the world regarding "losing time" are incredible, I have never read such complimenting reviews. they get into details about the songs and the way it all sounds and its just great. and regarding my band , everybody who sees us loves it, goes nuts, moshes etc...rock n roll! MI: If you had the chance, or choice to work with some musicians without budget limitations, to create your optimal album, who would be? hmm,,,wow,,I'd do all the guitars and some of the drums, Jordan Rudess will do the keyboards that is set in stone!!, wow so many possibilities, Joey from slipknot for some drums, vinnie paul, dave grohl , for bass, Tony Levin, Iyasu Nagata, my dad will play sax, vocals - the guy from bullet for my valentine, Howard Jones for some screaming, I'll sing and bring the ice coffee, Chris Lord Alge will mix half the record and Andy Wallace will mix the other half. MI: What you see as your next step? Finishing recording the aTw record, getting a deal and touring MI: A message for our readers? Turn it up, kick a** and make sure the songs are good!!! ( - ; MI: Is there anything else you want to add and I didn't ask you? There is so much good music out there,,, ,its crazy!! MI:Thanks for your patience to answer all my questions.

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