First of all, congratulations on a decade of Gothminister. Did you celebrate it already and will you do something special for the fans?
Well no we re not celebrating until next year because even though the project started in 1999, it wasn `t “published” before 2000 (the first show), so in 2010 we ll do the 10 years anniversary celebration hopefully.
Every starting musician starts with a dream, can we say that your dreams are fulfilled or are there still some left?
Both yes and no. Yes because I didn t dream that I would come this far. A lot of clever musicans competed in the early days at the rehearsal rooms, and I was one of those lucky ones to get to play live shows and release my music all over the world. No because I am not done yet. Always aiming a little bit higher. The day I will answer yes on this question, then Gothminister is history.
If you had to sum up 3 special moments in those 10 years, what would they be?
1. Our first German show ever, performing @ the M`Era Luna mainstage in front of 10.000 people in 2003.
2. Recieving a personal call from Max Cavalera (Soulfly,ex-Sepultura), saying he was a fan of Gothminister and invited us all to come backstage with Soulfly and Ozzy Osbourne at Oslo Spectrum in Oslo (sadly we had our own show at the Quart Festival that day but we met Max later).
3. Every time I see that Gothminister make an advancement.
We all can hear what progress the music made in the past 10 years, what “progress” did you make yourself?
After having been playing music since 1988 I now look at it a lot different. A production for example, doesn t necessarily have to have maximum punch, clear or distorted sound, this or that. Now there s only one main thing for me: either it works, or it doesn t.
How important is the visual part for a band like Gothminister?
Very. Once we performed at the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo as a showcase for new PA systems/Sound equipments without any makeup or costumes, we were picked by a sound company because of our (probably) good live sound. It probably sounded good, but looked really boring compared to our normal stage shows. Never again!
In 2008 you have released the 3rd album, happiness in darkness. How were the comments on it?
Great. And the album reached no.1 on Vampirefreaks sales lists in the USA and our first single no.7 on Deutche Alternative Charts in Germany. That was cool.
The album has a catchier style, something you planned or it just happened?
I always make the music I wanna listen to myself, so maybe I was in a catchier mood than when making the previous album. J Important to always follow your own needs. I only make music for myself and then hope to be lucky that also someone else share the same musical taste.
Gothminister is a band that plays strong live shows, what is the secret of a good live show?
To somehow connect with the audience.
You will play for the second time at the summer darkness festival, how do you look back on the first time and what can people expect this time?
No, you re wrong. It is the third time for us at SD. First time was in 2003, the second in 2005. Expect? Well, if I told u that, there would be no room for surprises…
What will be next for Gothminister after this tour?
A new tour together with Revolting Cocks, starting in November 2009.
Can we schedule an interview for 2019 to talk about 20 years of Gothminister, or will you be retired?
Time will tell! Try to contact me again then :)
Thanx for your interest in GM and thanx for the interview!
B;A & GM ;)
www.myspace.com/gothminister