Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.43 03/03)
excerpts from an interview with Frank Boeijen (Keyboards)
Thank you for the compliments. We feel also that it is again a step forward in our own musically development. We felt ok after releasing "if_then_else" but not satisfied enough. We felt that if we had more time we could write and produce better songs. So that explains why it took a long time when "Souvenirs" was finally finished.
How has been the general feedback of "Souvenirs" so far?
Actually, very good. Of course there are always people who cannot understand the kind of progression we are into, but overal people are positivly surprised by it.
Is it more a help or a burden that you're still being connected to your metal past and that not everyone is open enough for your musical development?
I think both. If it wasn't for our past we weren't were we are now. We realise that. But sometimes I feel that we cannot reach certain people because we are connected with the word: metal. But I do believe that a lot of metal music lovers are open enough to listen to us. So we are not afraid of that.
In which way did producer Zlaya Hadzich influence the album, not only soundwise?
His influence was very big. He was the right man in the right time. He helped us really to think differently in songwriting and sounddesign. He did an exellent job and I believe it never worked out that good without him.
"You learn about it" is my ears the most beautiful ballad that was ever written by The Gathering. Was this song also meant as a balance to the more sombre atmosphere of the rest of the album?
Yes. This song is quite uplifting and keeps the album in balance so that it will not tumble into a dark depressive abyss. Altough I believe that the lyrics will make it a dark song anyway.
In which way did the guest musicians on the album influence the music?
This helped also a lot. A guest musician can make an ok song into an absolute top song. Trickster G from Ulver, a band from Norway, did that for example. With his vocal additions he made the song "A life all mine" a magical one.
Additionally to the music, has also something changed with the lyrics? Did they become more personal, more sombre this time?
Some lyrics are personal, but some are written in the "We" form and concern things we went through as a band. The lyrics are dark indeed, because all of us went through some difficult times.
Throughout the last 2 years you worked on 20 songs, from which the most are available now on "Black Light District" and "Souvenirs". What will happen with the others?
We don't know yet. Maybe they will end up on a B-side for a single or another EP. Some are good enough for a next record. But we'll never throw them away.
What did you expect with the release of "Black Light District", was it also a kind of try-out, how everthing works with your own label?
Yes, it is always good to hear that your music is being bought and hopefully listened. On the other hand, we do not care much about sale figures.
Did the end of the contract with Century Media and building up your own label Psychonaut Records also influence your musical development?
In a way yes. We now have to do everything ourselves which is OK, but hard work. But it also inspires to work hard for it, and to write good songs.
Are there also plans to sign other artists to your label?
Not yet. First we try to do our own thing, but we'll see what crosses our path in the future.
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2003