AmeriCymru:  Hi Dan/Laura? and many thanks for agreeing to this interview. Care to tell us a little about your new album 'Overture'?

Dan: The album consists of twenty-five artists from the West End and Broadway who have come together to be part of one of the largest collections of new music to ever be released. The album comes out across the World on October 24 ^th .

The album features; Marc Broussard ( Magnolias and Mistletoe , 2015 album), Earl Carpenter ( Les Miserables , Broadway), Melinda Doolittle (American Idol), Matt Doyle ( Book Of Mormon , Broadway), Hannah Elless ( Bright Star , Broadway), Jason Forbach ( Les Miserables , Broadway), Matthew Ford Gershwin In Hollywood ) Ashleigh Gray ( Wicked , UK Tour), Emma Hatton ( Wicked , West End), Samantha Hill ( Phantom Of The Opera , Broadway), James M Iglehart ( Aladdin , Broadway), Adam Jacobs ( Aladdin , Broadway), Arielle Jacobs ( Aladdin , Australia), Charlotte Jaconelli ( She Loves Me , West End), Rachel John ( The Bodyguard , West End), Adam Kaplan ( Newsies , US Tour), Emmanuel Kojo ( Showboat , West End), Kara Lily-Hayworth ( I See Fire , 2015 single), Rebecca Luker ( Fun Home , Broadway), Jai McDowall ( I Begin Again , 2014 single), Bryce Pinkham ( A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder , Broadway), Courtney Reed ( Aladdin , Broadway), Krysta Rodriguez ( Smash , NBC), Will Swenson (Les Miserables , Broadway) and Natalie Weiss (Les Miserables , US Tour).

AmeriCymru:  What can you tell us about the title? Why 'Overture'?

Dan: Our last album title ‘Love on 42 ^nd Street’ was a reflection of the stories and people we interacted with on a trip to New York City. Those stories shaped the music on the album through the ever powerful message of love.

We came up with ‘Overture’ quite quickly as the message of this album is how music connects everyone. It doesn’t matter where you are from you can still enjoy the same piece of music. It is the only true universal language. Within a traditional show’s overture, you hear snippets of songs or themes from the production and we felt it summed up the message that we were trying to put across. Hopefully other people will agree!

AmeriCymru:  The featured performers list reads like a who's who of Musical Theatre. What was it like working with so many talented artists?

Dan: We have certainly been fortunate both on this album and previous projects to work with some of the most celebrated performers of their generation. The amazing thing is that each artist’s voice and style is a completely individual. Even if they have performed the same roles there is still a big difference in how they approach a song. The hardest thing is trying to maintain the electric buzz of a live performance and capture that on a recording.

The recording process for this album has been a little like a working rehearsal that ends up being recorded. During the recording sessions we have had the chance to break down each song and work with the artists on shaping the recording. The vocal performances are truly very special.

AmeriCymru:  What can you tell us about the individual tracks on the album? Are they original compositions or Broadway standards?

Dan: There are twenty-one songs on the album and a further two overtures, all of which are brand new compositions. The majority of the songs were actually written for the artists who have recorded them.

We have though tried to capture the true essence of what makes the West End and Broadway theatre great and we hope the musical styles will familiar even though they are completely new songs. We have been heavily inspired by the great Hollywood musicals and there are a few throwback moments within the album where we get to nod to some of our heroes like the great Fred Astaire.

AmeriCymru:  What can you tell us about your song-writing/compositional style?

Dan: Generally with most songs Dan starts with the basis of the melodic idea and then Laura takes over and throws it all out! Only joking. We have a unique way of working where we are both very in tune with what we are trying to bring across within the song. Laura adds to the melodic idea and then does a piano arrangement. We then work on it together and write the lyrics together.

AmeriCymru:  Where will our readers be able to hear/buy the album online?

Dan: The best place is to go onto www.danandlauracurtis.com where you can currently stream a snippet of every song on the album. The CD is also available to buy on the site. Online stores like iTunes currently have a pre-order option from the download across the World. 

AmeriCymru:  What's next for Dan and Laura Curtis?

Dan: We are currently in the process of writing a musical which is certainly going to take up the rest of the year and the first part of 2017. Once the music is completed there is a long road ahead to get that across to production. We are not able to say that much about the idea at the moment but promise to keep everyone informed.

We are also starting a video series where we will record live videos with Broadway and West End stars singing our songs with Laura at the piano. Along with a few big concerts it promises to be a busy year.

AmeriCymru:  Any final message for the members and readers of AmeriCymru?

Dan: It is always a joy to come and speak with you Ceri. We have been fortunate to have been showered with support and good wishes from the readers of AmeriCymru in the past and we are extremely indebted to you for that. We would like to say a massive thank you for that support and to say that it never goes unappreciated. If anyone would like to connect on social media then on twitter we are @danlauracurtis

BUY THE ALBUM HERE

Overture - An Interview With Welsh Composers, Dan & Laura Curtis https://t.co/ZAXSSABIGU pic.twitter.com/M1ZHXbnMaA

— americymru (@americymru) October 4, 2016