
Dear readers, it is our pleasure to offer you in this article an interview with one of themost interesting Progressive Rock projects on the modern scene. We give Mark Trueack of Unitopia.
The band formed in the mid-90s, how did the project come about and what memories do you have of the beginnings?
“I have many memories; however, it was Sean Timms and I who started Unitopia. Initially, we began jotting down ideas for our first album project, More Than a Dream. In fact, one of my fondest memories was standing around Sean’s grand piano, writing the title track. Our chemistry was amazing, and it marked the beginning of a wonderful writing partnership. When we entered the studio, we always had a lot of fun, but I particularly remember one time while working on The Garden album. The song in question was “Journey’s Friend,” one of the epics on The Garden album. I was behind the mic when Sean said, “For this part, I want you to make it heavy.” I said, “Okay,” and then whatever came out of my mouth made Sean fall off his seat! I sang this heavy, Brian Johnson-style vocal (like AC/DC), and we both laughed so much. Sean never expected it, but it turned out to be the take.“
You play a Progressive Rock genre contaminated by Jazz and World Music among others,
how did your passion for these sounds come about?
“Both Sean and I loved all styles of music and wanted to create something a little different from mainstream prog. My voice was always expressive and emotional, and Sean took full advantage of that.“
You are planning a live album entitled ‘Alive and Kicking’ for March 2025, recorded during your last tour, what memories do you have of those live dates?
“This was another incarnation of Unitopia, as we had taken a break for a few years. When Sean and I started
work on the remastered version of More Than a Dream – Dream Complete, we decided we wanted to start writing again. Enter John Greenwood. John was a blessing to us because he was eager, very talented, and full of ideas. And so, we became three. Then came Steve Unruh. Steve and I had worked together on UPF albums, and I thought it would be great to have him join Unitopia. With Steve on board, we were now four. With these four great writers, we began working on 7 Chambers. Enter Chester Thompson and Alphonso Johnson. And then we were six. The album was made, and the tour was being organised. Unfortunately, Alphonso had other commitments and couldn’t tour, so enter Don Schiff. The tour ended up being more of a promotional presentation, with seven gigs. There were many great memories; everyone got on so well, and there were plenty of funny moments. After the gig in Rüsselsheim, Germany, we were travelling to the hotel. John, Don, and Sean were in the front seat, and John started singing I Know What I Like (Genesis). At first, Steve, Chester, and I started laughing as we watched Chester bury his head in his lap, saying, “Oh no!” But soon Steve and I joined in, and we had an a cappella rendition going. Chester eventually looked up, smiled, and joined in, saying it was the most fun version he had ever heard. The gigs were all different, as we were still learning about each other. Italy was fabulous, and the crowd was incredibly receptive, especially since we had never played there before. Switzerland was wonderful—it was the only place we played Bittersuite. The Netherlands was particularly special, as we had played there in 2010 and loved every moment of it. There’s one moment I’ll never forget: at the very end, Sean and I embraced each other. It brought tears to our eyes and evoked so many great memories.“
A very intense concert, also featuring tracks from the last album, how was the audience’s response to the new work?
“I think everyone who attended the shows truly embraced our stories. Many people came up to us after the performances to say they felt our experiences, and that was incredibly satisfying.“
The album came out two years ago, are you working on new material in the studio?
“Yes, we’ve been writing quite a lot, while also intertwining with our solo projects. John Greenwood has been working on The BOY, Chester on Wake Up Call, and Don Schiff on his epic Best Of album. Sean has been busy with his Southern Empire project, and I’ve been preparing to release Save Us on 1st February, Journey’s Groove: An Adventure in Life in
May, and an end-of-year collaboration with Peter Lazar titled 7 Deadly Sins. So, what about Unitopia? We’ve written two epic tracks: Edison and The Day the Art Stood Still, with several others currently in progress. We’ve also contributed a track, Losing Our Identity, to the Artificial box set. There’s certainly plenty to look forward to!“
Your music lends itself very much to live dates, do you have plans in this regard for the near future?
“Hoping for 2026.“
“How has the way of experiencing live performances changed from the 90s to today? And what has changed for you?
“We didn’t really tour in the ’90s—just a few gigs in Adelaide. Progressive music wasn’t widely presented back then, so it was hard to get gigs. What has changed for me personally is my failing health and trying to stay one step ahead of it. Playing gigs with back problems, which I’ve had since a car accident in 1991 while working at EMI/Virgin, is very tough. But I truly enjoy presenting songs that people respect and appreciate. The pain tends to sit in the background as the adrenaline kicks in—it’s fun! I hope I’m speaking on behalf of the band when I say this, but I’m sure they feel the same
way, as we all face our own challenges at this age.“
How has your sound evolved over time?
“New technology, working on different projects, and collaborating with these wonderful people have brought so many brilliant ideas.“
You are the proof that Progressive sounds still have valid exponents, how do you see the modern music scene in your genre?
“I think there are many great new bands out there bringing fresh ideas to the genre. At the same time, some of the older bands are still searching for new ways to present their music.“
What advice would you give to young artists approaching music with a sound like yours?
“There are no boundaries—explore everything. But most of all, express yourself, and everything will fall into place.“
Do you have any other activities or artistic passions outside of music?
“I love nature, and living in Thailand is quite an experience. I love water and miss surfing, but as I’ve been unwell, it makes it very difficult. I also miss watching AFL football live, but I am very content and working hard to understand a new culture.“
I thank Mark and Unitopia for the interview and wish them all the best for the release of the album and the continuation of their artistic career.
Pre-Order the live album here: https://essentials.progrock.com/product/alive-and-kicking-unitopia-live/