Hi Bernard, how are you doing?
Fine, thanks! I am quite busy – but it is not bad to be busy ;)
Before making this interview I doing some research and I read that you don’t see yourself as a musician. In regard to music, how do you see yourself and what is the difference between you and a musician?
That is a really good question. You did a really good research! Well, I see myself more as a music fan who tries to create good music. The difference between me and a musician is that I can't read notes or try to bind myself to a classical music structure. I just create music like I wish to have it. Further, I do treat listeners / fans like anybody else who's curious about me.
You are creating music for almost 25 years, why did you start with it, what were your motivations back then and have they changed over the years?
I like music that much that I don't just want to listen it. It is still the same reason why I create music and it is the reason I started to make music. My motivations didn't change. I still wish to create something new, something special and interesting with my very own touch!
In 25 years also the creative aspect of music has changed a lot, what are the most important changes for you. What are the benefits of the current hardware and software or do you still stick with the old ones?
The most important change is that the music production is much better now. That relies on the current hardware – I didn't use the old ones. It's easier to create music – but I still wish to have a brain2midi converter. I still have problems to 'convert' all my ideas into music. The hard- en software is helping but I still wish to do 'my thing' – not something a software wish me to do – do you know what I mean?
Haha, it's pretty obvious that the 80's are my common influence, isn't it? I like the way much musicians/bands made music in the 80's: Naive, stubborn and with self-confidence. I most like the strange synthetic sound aspect that time and the simple but nice melodies. I try to catch that naive and stubborn way. :D
How do you look back on the album now, it is out for some time? Would you like to have some things differently?
Of course I wish to have things made differently. Sometimes I wish an album is like evolution but if you have released an album it doesn't change. The production could be definitely better. That's something I can do better in the future, right?
How were the comments on the album?
That it is an album which relies on atmosphere. Maybe some people expected a more danceable album – but it is not. There is also mentioned that the album is quite minimalistic. I got not bad comments in my opinion.
Originally the album was only available as a download but it is now available as a hard copy as well, why originally only as a download?
That's the choice of my label. I am not happy with that choice but I was told that it seems that there is no market anymore for 'the real thing”, a CD. It was my choice to have a CD as well. I believe that there are still some people (like me) who wish to have a CD instead of mp3 files.
These days the most electro seems to more beat driven than based on good melodies, how do you feel about this and do you feel connected to the current electro scene?
I like the beat driven stuff and I also like the melodic music. I feel connected as long as I have the impression that there is some feeling within the music. I get bored if there is only beat and too few variation in the music. But: enough bands reach my expectations. :-)
The album is about relationships – bad ones and good ones. As my music is more melancholic I decided to put two empty chairs on the cover. Because if you're alone it's like there is nothing... The song “the last sheet” is an example of it. Somebody left you – you feel empty. Therefore you leave as well...
Did you create the album completely on your own or did you get help of friends?
The music creation is made all by myself. But I asked a few people to bring in their thoughts: Mike Black wrote the lyrics for “Soul Mates” and “Empathy”, Birgit played violin on two songs and I asked Sandra to add her voice. Irene made the cover artwork and I had help by mastering the CD.
With your music you want to interact with people, can you explain this. Do you want to get them in certain moods, make them think about certain aspects?
Indeed, I wish people to read the lyrics and think about their live, relationship and environment. I don't want to get somebody in certain moods but I wish him or her to understand what I try to say. I you listen to “Teile des Ganzen” – I wish to make clear that a good relationship is worth a lot. On “Secrets” I try to make clear that you should not have too much secrets against your beloved partner.
Do you think you succeed in this with just music or would you need other media as well to have the best result?
Well, creating some more videos would help catching a better result. But the music is and should be the first priority.
For live shows you are assisted by Sandra and Irene, can you introduce them to our readers?
Irene is very good graphic designer and Sandra had some ideas about singing some passages in songs. Irene's enthusiasm to play live brought new ideas into my music.
Sandra is my girl friend and Irene our best friend – there is already a good chemistry! I asked them if they wish to be a part and they joined... it's possible that both of them have more to do on and with my next album. ;)
At the moment I am busy getting new shows. For this shows I have some live elements as digital drums, live synthesizer and – of course – live voices. I also plan to have pictures beamed to the wall – I realise one by one.
Any last words for the readers?
Great to have you! :D
www.myspace.com/bernardfate