Geoff Downes- Downes Braides Association Interview
I recently had an opportunity to talk with Geoff Downes about the new Downes Braides Association album Trauma. Here's what he had to say about it all and fututre plans.
JWS Good day Geoff good yo talk with you again
GD HI john thank you for being interested in the album (Trauma), we're very pleased with it really, I think it is a step forward for DBA, I hope folks will pick up on and connect with the album
Jws So how long did it take from start to finish ?
GD Overall it took about 18 months from concept through to completion, Bear in m8nd that Chris is usually based in Los Angeles whilst I am operating from Wales, so everything is done remotely but us each sending ideas and parts down the wire as it were, Chris is technically gifted and he dies a lot if the production and making our ideas sound good.
JwscIve heard the album and I think it is a fabulous one withbsomee very deep themed tracks and another wonderfully depicted sleeve by Roger Dean, I really liked it a lot.
GD excellent glad to hear that you enjoyed it, the tracks are a little darker in places, but I think it gives room to show our progressive rock Tendencies off well like in Lake Of Memories which opens withba big sy phonic i production and moves intona Drum and bass groove amongst other things and Traumais also very progressive, I thnk these work very well, Each of us have our own individual Trauma in our lives, some very deep and unpleasant and that have affected us deeply as individuals, I think we have managed to balance the deep tracks with some others that are more upbeat and hopeful.there is also a song with Marcus Almond who brings something different to the sound
Jws One of the tracks features the flute if the deceased David Longdon, How did that come about?
GD David was a dear friend and he had workedcwithnus on an earlier album (Skyscraper Souls and Halcyon Days ) and Chris had the sessions on file and was able spl8ce together some unused sections to enhance this new album, It’s a great way to honour his legacy as he was such a great man. We miss h8m terribly.This keep his legacy as does the new David Longdon Foundation that I am involved with. , i will be doing a speech in london later this year.for it.
JWS i interviewed him several months before his death he was a lovely chap he was telling me about how excited he was for the future with Sarah and also aboutvsee8ng the Who who he was achuge fan of,
GD I never knew he was a Who fan his own music was so very different style to TheI Saw himm8n newportvwith Big Big Train they were great he was a wo derf
JWS he was a big fan and was excited to be able to see them f8nally after the lockdowns
So Geiff I have to say i think thecalbumnsleeve is truly wonderful Roger has done a fine job with it.
GD I've known Roger for over 40 years now since the Drama album in 1980. All through the various Yes sleeves since (Fly From here, Heaven and Earth, The Quest, Mirror To The Stars and the new one Aurora amongst others)the asia sleeves and the last 4 DBA covers, Rioger really get the music and allow that to influence the artwork.
Jws she's a great chap he signed my Topographic Oceans sleeve for me last time I saw you n Manchester.
Gd he's been out with us a few times now he loves talking to folks and Is usually happy to sign things for people he is most gracious like that,
JWS So will there be more new music from you guys?
GD I certainly hope so its quite easy fir us as we both do DBA as a side Project to our main roles, Plus we aren't constrained by a label as Cherry Red are happy to release as and when we have an album ready So isn't a great pressure on us to do stuff.
JWS Any chance of more live shows at all?
GD I would rule it out, it would probably be one off events as we both either side of an ocean, but id like it to happen again I enjoyed the trad8ng boundaries show we did a few years ago.
In the meantime I have the Asia album out 8n November and the rescheduled Yes shows on the agenda plus we will be touring the UK with Asia next year no dates announced as yet though and the Europe withbAsia abd then the USa so a busy start to 2027 for me and Chris had his own thing going on as well.
JWS well Geoff my time has gone nice talking with you today, thank you for your time
GD My pleasure thank you john.
Author John Wenlock-Smith Friday 2nd October 2026