That Joe Payne: I love to challenge my limits

In the bio on his website it is mentioned that Joe Payne has an exceptional vocal range: 5 octaves! The first time I heard him, was on Permission to Fly, the latest solo album by Dream Theater keyboard wizzard Jordan Rudess. I was quite impressed by the vocals on that album and became curious to who That Joe Payne was…

When he announced that at the end of december 2024, he would be performing in the Netherlands, I thought that would be a great opportunity to have a chat with him…if that were possible. Joe Payne was invited as special guest at the Prog Proms shows, an annual music fest, set up by Arie Verstegen and Edward Reekers.

The odds were in my favour and so on december 28th met with Joe Payne at De Pul in Uden, where they would play later that night. We sat down and had a very lovely chat. I honestly think we could have gone on talking, but of course the band had to do the soundcheck.

We covered quite a bit, of course the Prog Proms and the Netherlands, but also his (to me) surprising connection with Prog (The Enid!), his solo music and his writing process. And of course his collaboration with Jordan Rudess…