Captain Mirage’s musical originality is apparent from the CD's opening track of Ray The strong influences of Steely Dan, Queen and Peter Gabriel are also evident..
Standing at the helm of the Captain’s musical offerings, both melodically and lyrically, is a 27 year old Dane - Claes Cem.
Copenhagen born – the world was his home thanks in part to an adventurous mother who traveled the globe. Diverse environs like Greenland and Nicaragua were among Cem’s childhood homes, and television viewing rare.
Instead a youthful musical appreciation was encouraged by his mother - herself a talented guitarist. Singer/songwriter Neil Young and slide guitarist Ry Cooder were steady companions, via their LP’s, and also significant were the ever - present melodies, and lyrics of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, core members of the American 70’s band Steely Dan.
Which explains Cem's distinctive blending of rhythms with vivid, yet somewhat ambiguous, lyrics especially evident on songs Daddy Avalon, Ray and the Limit.
Don, a song of an in denial alcoholic, follows internal brooding over his sickness.
Some days I say to myself
‘Don, you don’t fancy that drink’
Well that statement seems to change
With the arrival of a friend
Admitting his own ease with expressing emotions Cem states it is natural they play such an intregal part of his work. He also prefers, in Steely Dan fashion, to write from another person's perspective. The process gives him the freedom to explore ideas he might not personally agree with.
One very personal cut however, is the song Father written for his own deceased parent.
Now his guitar playing garners praise , however his first foray into instrumental playing was less successful. It was a piano.
He laughingly remembers,
“I was not good at it. I prefer my strings on the outside.”
Currently dividing his time between Copenhagen and Glasgow, the latter has become a more frequent domicile in part to the burgeoning international music scene, and the acceptance of advant garde music.
When in Scotland, Cem regularly sits in with the Injuns, an alternative rock favorite.
While he readily admits the vast musical talent offered by his fellow Danes – like Captain Mirage’s Kasper Daugaard, Kleeme, Morten Ristorp and Kasper Larsen, he equally concedes life in Denmark can be easy. Such comfort can sometimes dull the creative edginess his soul requires.
Recently signed to Your Favorite Records, Captain Mirage’s debut CD, of the same name, is scheduled to launch September 20th at Copenhagen’s musical venue Krudttønden.
If you are seeking relief - book a ticket now and enjoy this mirage... is the real thing!
To find Captain Mirage see: www.myspace.com/captainmirage
For more information on the Injuns see: indie-musicians.suite101.com/article.cfm/injuns
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