Pigeon Opinion Featuring an Interview with 2002

Interview with 2002

What inspired the title The Wishing Well, and how does it reflect the themes of past stories, present reverie, and future aspirations across the album?

This newest album began taking form as a collection of reflections on some of the happy memories of our long career. As time progressed, we came upon Nellie's beautiful golden koi fish art and thought "where would such a magical creature live?" It inspired us to think of other interesting tales we had heard and the idea of a magical wishing well was born, a well containing not just wishes, but stories, hopes and dreams from around the world and from our shared experiences on this planet.

As your 23rd album, how did the creative process for The Wishing Well differ from your earlier releases, if at all?

Our actual processes don't really change. Compositions often begin at a particular instrument or sometimes simply by humming a melody overheard in a dream and then shared with another band member.

You’ve described the album as drawing from different points in time. How do you translate memory, imagination, and hope into instrumental music?

Instrumental music is much like painting. The only difference is using sounds, instruments and hearing instead of paints, brushes and sight. Inspiration comes from lots of places - maybe from a dream or a beautiful clouded sky, or perhaps something a friend says. Sometimes the colors simply flow like magic when you sit down at an instrument and reach into your heart or soul to share that moment.

Can you talk about the collaborative dynamic between Randy, Pamela, and Sarah on this record? How have your roles evolved over the years?

Randy and Pamela met in high school in 1979. We parted ways during the college years, both joining many bands in many genres. These varied experiences contributed to our signature sound. Coming back together in the late 80's was an exciting time to share what we had each learned and to synthesize the creation of the new band, 2002. Sarah, began contributing to the band’s sound around 2008, when she was just five years old, singing harmonies on the song Yeshua. Sarah would go on to compose piano songs for the band and also to provide harp and lead and backing vocals on many albums.

The opening track, “Overture: The Restless Heart,” features Keyreel Raskolenko. What drew you to collaborate with him, and what did he bring to the piece?

Keyreel Raskolenko has been a friend for many years. We first met him when our daughter Sarah joined a local youth Celtic strings ensemble with Keyreel as the director. Sarah and Keyreel both played violin, and had quite a few years together rehearsing and performing. Keyreel is truly a master of an infinite number of musical genres. He passionately knows how to tap into each one and draw out something unique and special. It's an honor and a joy to have him join us on our compositions.

Your sound has spanned ambient, new age, and light progressive rock. Where does The Wishing Well sit within that spectrum?

The Wishing Well definitely pays homage to our earlier days of 2002 with albums like Across and Ocean of Dreams and River of Stars - instrumental albums that span both ambient textures as well as complex and dynamic orchestral compositions.

With 12 albums on the Billboard Charts, how do you balance staying true to your signature sound while continuing to evolve creatively?

Inspiration can come from so many sources. But I think our sound is always recognizable as 2002. We have a palette of traditional sounds and instruments that make up the backbone of our compositions. We experiment with new instruments that accentuate and serve to enhance what is unique to our legacy signature sound. For example, we have always created layers of our vocals into virtual choirs, but the way these are assembled is sometimes new and experimental.

Looking back on a 34-year career, what do you feel The Wishing Well says about where 2002 is today as artists?

It's pretty hard to compare one album to another - especially over a 34-year career! Each album has a unique personality to us, all the way from ambient soundscapes to light progressive anthems. It's not unusual for us to go back and revisit an earlier style. It's like stopping by to say hello to an old friend. As far as the most recent albums go, we have certainly been revisiting our earlier days as 2002 while hopefully still pushing the envelope of passionate, instrumental music.

How did receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 influence your perspective going into this album?

The Wishing Well was our 4th album since 2021. It's preceded by Hummingbird (2021), Clouds Below (2023), and Time Traveler (2024). Receiving the Lifetime Achievement award was a thrilling experience! Joining the ranks with our friends and colleagues David Arkenstone, Chuck Wild (Liquid Mind) and David Lanz was such an honor. It's always inspiring to know that your music resounds with your audience!

What do you hope listeners feel or reflect on after spending time with The Wishing Well?

Our albums are like journeys. As we compose each song and the album unfolds, we are presented with a beautiful place to travel towards. The Wishing Well is an album that filled us with joy and optimism and we sincerely hope that our listeners will join us in. that destination.

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out 2002 on the Pigeon Opinion Playlist