Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Black Space Riders Interview


1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

JE: After the recordings we had a short vacation and then began jamming around without any pressure ... there were some beautiful jams and riffs in the rehearsal room, maybe we will use some of that for album no.4?!
SEB: Then we played a few shows in Germany and after that began to concentrate on finding a good mix of new and older songs for the release shows.

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2.You have a new album coming out this month, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taken and also how does it differ from your past albums?
SEB: It seems as if the direction in itself hasn't changed a lot - but the way to get there (again) is getting wider and wider.
JE: There´is even more variety than on the second album which showed more variety than the first one ... maybe a result of the slightly changing songwriting-process.

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3.The new record is a concept album, can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrics?
SEB: JE started with his picture of "Destruction - Ruins - Escape - new Beginning" in a cosmical context.
That was long before one of the songs of "D:REI" was fully arranged or composed. In the following rehearsals we began to experiment with phrases, or call it "themes".
When the songs were nearly finished, JE and I started writing the final lyrics.
JE: We have been experimenting in the studio with the sequence of the tracks; so we had to wait until the final finish of the lyrics.
SEB: And the last line of the song "The God-Survivor" was written after I entered the mic in Role's "Tonmeisterei" in Oldenbourg.

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4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Black Space Riders'?
JE: We have been looking for a cool sounding name which should  instantly give you an idea of and an image about what we are doing: playing heavy, hypnotic, spacey, atmospheric Rock.

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5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
JE: One of the best shows was one of the most intimate shows we ever played. We have been playing in a squat, taken over by hippies. The room had place for us plus maybe 30 people. But there were more than 60 in the room and the audience and the music ... everything was moving in waves.
SEB: Generally we are playing pretty energetic shows. We don´t have to play every night meaning we are not getting tired of playing.

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6.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2014?
JE: we are playing 3 exckusive Release-Shows in Germany and are working on more shows and some festival-slots for later in the year.

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7.The new album is coming out on both on BSR and Cargo, can you tell us a little bit more about these labels?
JE: Black Space Records is our own label. We want to keep our independency and all our rights so we have decided not to sign a traditional contract with  label. It´s a lot of work and that´s the reason why this label will only release records by Black Space Riders. Cargo is a well known, pretty big but independent distribution company in Germany who will distribute our album in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. There are different constallations in other countries. Every offer for distro or cooperation is welcome!

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8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of metal and rock?
JE: More than expected but far from "stardom". We haven´t been trying too hard to grow internationally ... now for the first time outside of Germany the guys from Clawhammer PR are helping to reach more people on the other side of the globe.

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9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

SEB: I see that the Black Space Riders are still on their direction to make a powerful and exciting mixture of many kinds of Rockmusic. Although you can perceive big steps from album to album, the common theme of our music was, is and will be evident. But at this moment - just a few months after recording "D:REI" - I really don't have a clue on what will be at the following album. I only know that I will adore it and that it will sound 100% like Black Space Riders.

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10.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

SEB: I guess no one will find out which song I mean, but the metrical foot of one song was inspired by the latest album of the US-Black Metal band "Black September" from Chicago. But this is the only direct influence I can name.
JE: General influences reach from classic Rock and Metal bands like (obviously) Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy to some of the Bands that we used to call "Alternative" in the beginning of the 90ies like Alice in Chains, Monster Magnet, Prong and others ... add some Killing Joke and a lot of love to early Pink Floyd and other Psychedelic Bands ... but we all are listening to new music as well. Also Non-Heavy-Bands.

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11.Do you have any non musical interests?
JE: Sleep
SEB: Masturbation.

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12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
JE: Spread the word! Tell the world about Black Space Riders! May the force be with you!

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