The sound of A Mountain of One is as big as the name - it is epic. Like the burning sun coming up over the balearics, or an enormous black crow landing on your shoulder while you stand on top of a desert mountain, tripping. This isn't meat and potato music, thank god (or maybe buddha) it is spiritual, transcendental, euphoric, almost theatrical but brilliant. For the last few months AMO1 have taken their swirling psychedelic rock on tour around Europe. Main man Zeben Jameson spoke to Moon Rocks about life on the road.
AMO1 brings together loads of different influences, did it take a while to develop your sound?
Subconsciously we spend our whole life absorbing influences and developing into what we create, it's only when we consciously set our mind to open up as wide as we can make it, to go on that journey, that we tap into a universal feeling and language. This can be scary and exciting and anyone can do it but you need balls of steel!
The influences for A Mountain Of One are greater than the sum of it's parts as from it's beginnings it has involved more and more people and their experience, which is what makes it exciting as there is an energy that folks are gravitating towards, contributing to, and feeling a part of, especially when it's coming to a gig and all singing along... which by the way has started happening!
 |
Dreamy, druggy, hypnotic and cosmic are words that have been used to describe your music? How would you describe it to the uninitiated?
All of the above + psychedelic, epic, melodic rock with a sprinkling of euphoria and maybe a hint of paisley mist.
Everything about AMO1 seems big - from the name (don't get much bigger than a mountain) to the sound (epic) - are your ambitions for the band on a similar scale?
We feel good about the music we make and we'd like the whole world to feel this good, thats the goal.
How has the tour been? Where were your best gigs?
The tour has been extraordinary! This sound has been amazing to take to the stage... it's huge and magical... I really feel like we're just getting started, people have been really warm and hospitable. But some of the standout shows we're Berlin, Ghent and Cargo in London.
 |
On a dream tour covering the whole world, where would you love to play?
Well given my already - ha ha - glittering career pre A Mountain Of One I've played Wembly Stadium, Madison Square Gardens and Rocking Rio (200,000 People) so it would be fantastic to pay them another visit.
Who would make the perfect hitch-hikers for the AMO1 tour bus?
Lenny Bruce, Hunter S, David Bowie and any of the Mighty Boosh!
Do you ever get homesick on the road? If so, what helps?
There's always a point when you spare a thought for the folks back home and it feels good to know how proud they are of you out there doing your thing, playing your music, making people happy. It's also nice to get the perspective of being on the road, dreaming about home whilst playing your guitar, jamming, writing songs. Making new friends.
 |
What's planned for AMO1 in 2010?
More gigging, more music, more everything that brings, harmony, peace and merriment to our lives.
Hot off the press is our latest song release 'Lie Awake' ('psych sumer anthem' NME ) and the film we've just finished on an intimate study of couples, shot in the dark with a 35mil stills camera using a new technique called light painting edited like stop frame animation. We also have a hypnotic new website on the way to keep an eye on with any and everything you could possibly wish to know or do with A Mountain Of One. Peace and Happiness for 2010!