This is the interview I had with mike on  12-30-2002 just after he finished recording   "MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS"

1: How is life these days?

MT: Life is a bit stressing to say at least: I have just completed the new album, and now I hand it over to the people who are in the business, and hope they wont fuck it up!

2: How would you discribe your own music style?

MT: Itґs pure rockґnґroll.
Itґs got all of my many influences in it, and at the same time it represents how I see life and how I feel.

3: What kind of expierience from the past do you think has influenced you the most in becoming the person you are today?

MT: The more I live the more I know.
I have made many learning mistakes and I feel I constantly try to live them down or not repeat them.

4: Why Tasmania instead of Denmark or USA?

MT: I have lived for 18 years in the states, and i needed a change for myself.
I needed a more simple place for my son to grow up in.
I love Denmark but I donґt want to live there at this moment.

5: What besides music is your drive in life?

MT: Beside music, my son is what I live for all the way?

6: Would you concider to write a book, if so what would it be about?

MT: Yes I would like to.
Iґm sure it would envolve around the live I have lived and what I have seen and learned and expierienced.

7: We heard that you have played in a musical in your youth, what kind of musical?

MT: You hear a lot donґt you.
I was furtunate enough to spend a lot of my youth in an youth club that amongst many things worked with theater and music, and of cource I was part of it as I was with soccer and many other things.
But it never was anything I saw as a future.

8: Are you still in contact with some bandmembers from White Lion & Freak of Nature?

MT: Itґs the saddest part of it all.
After so many years in these two bands there are so little contact.
Still I am in constant contact with Jerry Best and Kenny Korade from F.O.N., and once in a blue moon I speak to James Lomenzo from WL

9: What was the funniest thing that happened during you last tour?

MT: What fun! It was great to play Europe again and how I missed it.
All shows were great, and I am gratefull to all who came and supported.
But there was too much shit going on within the band.
That wonґt happen next time.

10: During your last european tour you recorded the gig set live in a studio.
Are there any plans to release it on cd in the future?

MT: No

11: Why do you often write songs which are about difficult times in life instead of the happy things? For example: "Darkness"!

MT: Writing songs about the harder and difficult times and things in my life is more inspiring than writing about my happyness.

12: On your "recovering... tour" you told some fans during the gig: "Donґt wear the T-shirt if you donґt know the lyrics".
It seems these days a lot of people donґt listen to lyrics anymore, they only listen to the beat!
Can you give any comment on how important lyrics are for you?

MT: I think itґs a 50/50 situation.
I think lyrics are very powerful in the right song where you can really hear them.
At the same time sometimes you have a killer groove that just calls out for Baby, Baby,Baby I love you all.

13: You have just been in the studio to record a new album "More to life than this".
How did you come up with an album/song title like that?

MT: The title seems to come after a struggling day where you feel like fucking it all and disappearing into the woods and leaving civilization behind.
A lot of times I find myself saying "Thereґs got to be more to life than this".
I think itґs a powerful statement, and at the same time the song is strong.

14: Can you discribe what the 12 songs on "More to life than this" are about?

MT: First of all I have chosen to only put 10 songs on the album.
After many hours of listening and trying to place the songs in the right order it felt better as a 10 song album.
And I donґt think that anyone will feel they donґt get enough out of the 10 songs thatґs on.
Now the album has balance and harmony and I like it!
I really cannot describe music and songs in words.
But I feel my fans will enjoy the album from the first moment to the last.
Itґs a true Mike Tramp album, like the previous two and there is a natural progression, even though I am a bit of a stubborn person who donґt really want to change.

15: What is you favorite song from the album, and why?

MT: Itґs way too soon for me to have a favorite song.
All 10 songs have a special place in my heart and mean different things to me.

16: Itґs great that Steve Lukather (TOTO) is also playing guitar on "More to life than this", how did you get him to play on the album?

MT: I know Steve from the old days in LA, and even though we might not have spoken in the past 8 years....
When I called him, after I noticed Toto was playing in Copenhagen while I was recording, it was like no time had passed at all, and everything as like old times.
I asked Steve if he would have time to come play on a song or two, and he said yes, and i was thrilled.

17: Does the album music style sound different from "Recovering..." with Steve Lukather and Todd Wolfe on guitar?

MT: No not at all.
Steve only plays a solo on one song, and Todd Wolfes parts are not as many as I originally thought.
Olliver Steffensen and Myself are doing most of the guitars.
And if things could have been better I would have had olliver with me from the start.

18: Do you already know who will be in your touring band when you hit the road again?

MT: No, not at this moment.

19: You have not released a single from your previous album "Recovering the wasted years".
Are you planning to release a single/videoclip from "More to life than this"?

MT: I am honored that fans think highly of me, but at this moment and based on the labels I am on, there is no money for a video, pain and simple!

20: We heard that you are having some succes in Indonesia.
Why do you think radio stations in Europe and USA are not picking your music up and play it on the air?

MT: I did some shows in Indonesia and it was fun. There are so many bands and artists out there today.
Twice as much as 10 years ago.
The once with the powerful record comany usually wins.

21: Is there anything you would like to add to this interview yourself?

MT: Thanks for keeping my name alive, I really appreciate it.
See you on tour next year,

All the best,

MIKE

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