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Band page - Nachtgeschrei
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Hi there, I'm Nik of the band "Nachtgeschrei". I play the bagpipes, flutes and shawn.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
We call it modern medieval rock, but that's only a label. It's a mixture of medieval folk with dark ages instruments like medieval bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, shawn, flute etc. and modern, hard 'n heavy rock.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
We released our second album "Am Rande der Welt" on march 20th this year, so it's a really new release and we are all very happy about it. We tried to make it heavier and more straightforward than the debut "Hoffnungsschimmer" was, so we spend extra time for drums and guitars and generally took greater care of small details. Phil of SU2 studios did a great job and gave it a very modern and heavy mix and we finally got Travis Smith (of seempieces.com, the guy beghind the artworks of Opeth, Amorphis, Katatonia etc.) to do the artwork.
So what is there to expect? Lets put it that way: expect beautiful melodies, a modern and heavy production and a band that just likes to rock. It still has all these archaic instruments, like different sets of bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, shawn, flute, accordion, and haunting tunes but with more of a "rock"-feeling to it.
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
Joe (on hurdy-gurdy and accordion) and I have been playing together in a folk band for years. Upon this bands split, we were trying to get a new band together, but this time with a more rocking edge to it. Some of the other guys played metal, Hotti, our singer, did some singer-songwriter stuff and Sane was into alternative rock things. So when we got together in 2006, we just combined all these backgrounds and influences. It just felt like a natural thing to do.
We recorded two demo-CDs and gave loads of concerts all over the country before signing in with Massacre Records for the realease of our debut-album "Hoffnungsschimmer" in may 2008. In fall/winter 2008 we checked in at SU2 studio for the recording of our second album "Am Rande der Welt" (out since march 20th). We had loads of highlights as well as disappointing situations along the way, but we always did what we felt best with and that is what brought us to where we are now- to be totally honest to ourselves, our music and everybody else (and of course play everywhere we could).
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Who says we have? It's hard to say a band has "made it" or not, but we always were confident that we could become more than just another local hero. I remember one of the first rehearsals where I went home thinking "wow, this could really become something". We always did what felt good for us and are very lucky that other people seem to like it too.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Oh, where to start? We had so many great moments on the stage or with the fans we so much enjoyed- way to many to mention all of them. It's really great to have the opportunity to travel around and see all these different places and meet great people.
Speaking for myself, I also enjoy the quiet moments very much.
How is the writing process in the band?
It depends. Sometimes we have a melody or a set of chords in mind, sometimes we have lyrics for which we then write music. Usually, Joe (hurdy-gurdy), Oli (base), Sane (guit.) or Hotti (Voics.) come up with an idea for a song while Hotti, Sane and I write the lyrics. We then write the parts for the folk-instruments like bagpipes or the gurdy and find suiting guitar parts. Since we sometimes work with as much as seven instruments at the same time, this part needs great care.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
Yes, of course I did. No one of us can live from the music, we all either work or study, so we all have a life beside the band. It's like the thing with Bruce Wayne and Batman, although our dayjobs area lot less glamorous than Bruce Wayne's life is.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Actually no. I have a lot of respect for people who go their own way, no matter he rest of the world goes, but I don't "worship" them or anything. I look up to some great personalities or artist or the likes of but given the fact that I suck at being me, I better not try to be like anybody else.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Not really. Of course there are things that I wouldn't do again but I regard most of them as necessary. All these small things accompanied us on the way to where we are now and took us there. A record always is like a snapshot of a certain moment, you try to give everything you have at this point- then you move on. That is the nature of development- I wouldn't like to do the same thing over and over again.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
There might be some, but in most cases a song that feels good for a musician and is fun playing also becomes a favourite for the fans.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
The lyrics are important to us on a personal level- that is one of the reasons we stick with German lyrics (because it's our native language and the language feels the most natural for us). We try to take great care of them and not to sound chesey but to express what we want to say. Nevertheless, the music will always be the most important part of what we do, so if you don't care for the lyrics or don't understand German, nevermind. It's not necessary to understand the lyrics to enjoy the music, they just give an extra level to it.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Oh my, that's really a sad situation. I know bands with Top20-albums who can't live from their music, and it's getting more and more difficult with every passing day. I have not the slightest idea, how the music world will look like in ten years, but t will be a hard way to get there.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
Frankly, I don't know.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
No, but the lines "There's only one way of life - and that's your own" (by the Levellers) come close.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
My typical days are packed with work but rather boring, so I will spare you from this.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
As I said, none of us can live from our music, so we all either work or study - all the work with the band, all the being on the road combined with the everyday jobs results in little time for anything else and very little sleep. It is difficult to imagine how much work it is to keep the band (as a company) afloat for someone who hasn't experienced something like that first hand. I spend the few remaining moments of free time with my family's horse, riding my motorcycle or just enjoy nature or a good book.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
I don't know- there where so many strange things happening. On moment I always like to remember was when one of our guitar-players (I won't give you the name) was more or less dragged to his bed by the festival-security guys in Hamburg- but that's just one funny thing.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums: Loreena McKennitt: "The Mask and Mirror"; The Pogues: "Hell's Ditch", Nick Cave: "Murder Ballads"
Books: something by Eco, either "Focault's Pendulum" or "The Name of the Rose"; Preussler's "Krabat" and perhaps a book with collected tales by Edgar Allan Poe which I always enjoy
Movies: "Das Boot", "Hero", "The Big Blue"
-not a very "metal" selection, hm? Hey, I'm one of the band's folkies, you should ask Tilman or Oli the same question.
What is your favourite joke?
"I'm a musician"- that's a good one
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
We just released our second album "Am Rande der Welt", (Listen to one of the songs on myspace.com/nachtgeschrei or try to get your hands on one of the copies of the album if you like folk/medieval-metal. It really rocks!) so now we will be doing concerts and festivals do promote the album. I hope that you people will like it- hopefully it will attract new fans and friends. We're just back from a two dates trip to the Netherlands and hope to be coming back for more.
Apart from that our hopes for the future are that we are able to continue what we started, to do concerts and record CDs and generally rock!
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Thanks for the interview Steen - Cheers to everybody of revelationz.net and all the readers - check out our website nachtgeschrei.de or listen to some songs at myspace.com/nachtgeschrei - we're looking forward to see you at a festival this year!
Added by Steen - 5/13/2009
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by gizmo (Member) - Thursday, May 14, 2009 | 
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Comments: 140
Ratings: 4 | | An incredible band with 2 incredible records out.
Best newcomer of 2008 in folk metal
quality all over this band except maybe the singer could be a little better but not that he is bad at all.
Looking forward to follow thir career the next years
Posted by gizmo
Thursday, May 14, 2009 |
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