Can you give a brief introduction about Schwarzes Fragment?
Schwarzes Fragment is a German dark-electro project. It was founded 2008 and tries to combine elements of the music styles Electro, Darkwave and EBM were the lyrics are a kind of poems.
Everything starts somewhere but what was it that made you decide to create your own band?
In my youth there was a feeling deep inside me to make music – and later on to make it more public. For years I sat next to my keyboards and I’ve started to learn arranging songs. In this time I’ve also started my DJ career. After studying I’ve moved to Munich and it was impossible for me to have the opportunity to get some DJ gigs. So the idea was born, that it is now the right time to try something new – to decide it’s time for Schwarzes Fragment.
You started in 2003, did you already have an idea about the music style of Schwarzes Fragment or did that take shape later on, How did this happen?
Not really. For the first time Schwarzes Fragment was only a name, so that I’m able to give the instrumental songs a name. It wasn’t a good idea to have songs named like “unknown1.mp3” *laughing*
2003 the phase started to make instrumental music which were very similar to “Illuminate” and “La Crimosa” songs. Only a few of them where published since the sound was not professional enough. Most of the instrumentals sounded very artificial due to unprofessional instruments. In parallel I wrote lyrics which didn’t fit to my instrumentals.
All this changed in 2008. I’ve got a tip from a colleague for a special synthesizer. This instrument was so awesome and this was the time, when Schwarzes Fragment got the sound for which it is known now. Additional to the synthesizers I’ve bought a microphone, so that was able to start to add vocals on the tracks.
Schwarzes Fragment also took a break for several years, why was this?, did you really stop creating music?
No, I didn’t really stop. Between 2003 and 2008 was the phase of writing instrumental songs and lyrics, to get an idea of the music I want to make. From time to time I take some of my very old instrumental songs and make them sound like current Schwarzes Fragment songs. Mostly I’m doing this when I’m having a creative trough. But hopefully this is seldom. Most of the lyrics of current Schwarzes Fragment songs are from between the years 2003 to 2008.
You also have a side project called Lost Avatar, Is this project still active?
Lost Avatar was born in spring 2010 with Max (a very good friend from mine) who is member in the band Soul in Sadness and Human vs. Machine. The idea behind was to start a project which sounds like a mixture music Max and me is doing. The result was a project which sounds like a mixture of Qntal, Helium Vola, Diary of Dreams and the music we made for our own. Lost Avatar is still active. A new song will released this summer. It takes time to write, arrange and record all the stuff since we both have our “normal” music projects which also take much time.
Who are the members of Schwarzes Fragment, what are their roles in the band and how did you all meet?
Schwarzes Fragment was formerly a one man project and was never meant to be a live act. After the first songs the fans requested live concerts. After hundreds of talks and messages I’ve decided to do so but not as a one man project.
I’ve searched for musicians in Munich to play for Schwarzes Fragment. But this was unsuccessful. I’ve told this to my best friends Peter and Felix. The problem was solved, as Felix and Peter have many years experience in playing the keys and they were willing to be part of Schwarzes Fragment. The result is that Peter also started to become more professional in playing the guitar, so that current concerts are also played with live guitar, so that it sounds a little bit different from studio versions.
It is known that Germany is huge when it comes to Industrial but how did you become part of the scene?
In the 90ies I came in contact with music from LaCrimosa, very old songs from Apoptygma Berzerk and Project Pitchfork. My friend bought a CD of this style of music. For him it was a mispurchase. He gave me the CD and I was fascinated about this style of music which was unknown to me. Then all the things get started. I’ve began to visit concerts and festivals. I’ve also started to become a DJ in the scene and later on a musician.
Schwarzes Fragment recently got signed to Ionium Records, How do you get in contact with them?
A few days before we’ve signed to Ionium Records, which is a sub label of Bruno Kramm’s (Das Ich) record label Danse Macabre. I came in contact to them because of some radio specials. Thomas T.H. from Ionium Records (he has also a band called “T.H. Industry”) asked me at the Mera Luna festival 2009 if I’m willing to publish my music over his label. After different offers for record deals I’ve decided for Ionium Records. Also Peter and Felix were informed about contract details to make a decision together.
Schwarzes Fragments debut album is called ‘Seelenkiller’ also one of the entitled tracks on the album itself, Can you tell us when will this album be ready for release and where can it be purchased?
The release will be on 30th of July in a worldwide digital release. You can purchase it over the different download portals like iTunes, Amazon MP3, musicload, Napster a.s.o.
Additional you can get a real audio CD from the band directly with a colored booklet and a color printed CD. Just contact mailorder@schwarzes-fragment.de and request one or more audio CDs. For people who don’t want to support “Schwarzes Fragment” with their money for e.g. buying new instruments will be the possibility to download the album for free.
Bands that use German titles are often compared to a few big bands like Blutengel, Rammstein and so, what does this mean for a band like Schwarzes Fragment? Is it a blessing or a curse?
Yes, of course we’re sometimes compared to other big bands like Blutengel, Rammstein or Witt. But to be honest – it’s okay. I’m personally not interested in names; I’m interested in music! If a song fits my taste of music the name behind is nothing but smoke and mirrors. When we were compared to big bands firstly it was surprising for us, as we didn’t thought about it that this will ever happen.
What can we expect from the 'Seelenkiller' album?
You can expect 7 dark-electro tracks which are definitely club-worthy, melodious and captivating. Additional a bonus Soul in Sadness-metal remix of one of our first songs “Eisenherz” is on this album. The original song of “Eisenherz” is not yet published on the “Seelenkiller” album since we plan to publish it on the following album.
When recording the album did the pieces fall into place or was some aspects of the music not quite what you expected?
The music is what I’ve expected all the time. The hard thing was mixing and mastering since I’ve never done this before. But with many tips from my musician friends (Soul in Sadness, Human vs. Machine) it was possible to handle this after some months of learning.
When listening to the album I had to think about Cephalgy quite often, are they an influence for you? What are other influences?
There are influences of many, many bands I personally prefer. The idea was to pick all the music elements and styles I like from those different bands and mix them up into a new project with own lyrics. The reaction from fans and listeners are really different. People say “It remembers me for Cephalgy”, another says “Oh, sounds a little bit like Blutengel music with the vocals of Rammstein” a.s.o. I think to get compared to many other bands is okay, better than only get compared to one band, since this can mean we’re copying a style and don’t have an own.
2008 was a big year for Schwarzes Fragment, you participated in the “battle of bands” contest organized by Sonic Seducer and you also reached a top 10 ranking in the German Electronic Webcharts, How did this make you feel?
It made me feel happy and really, really surprised. From hundreds or thousands of bands worldwide Schwarzes Fragment reached place 27 in the first year (2008) of participating the contest. One year later on 2009 we’ve reached place 6.
Why did it take a number of years before the album was set to be released when the attention was peaking at the end of 2008?
I’ve never wanted to make and sell a demo CD in its typical way. You know those bands releasing a demo CD with very bad sound, caused by bad mixing and mastering a.s.o.? I’ve never wanted to do so. If I’m releasing a CD it should be professional. So I had to learn how to produce music. After these two years the quality is so good, that I’m okay with it to make a release now.
What can people expect from a Schwarzes Fragment liveshow?
Schwarzes Fragment live concerts are in a way different of the typical CD sound, as Peter the guitarist is playing live to some of the songs. We’re doing this, to make the music for the audience more interesting. Generally I would say: Come to one of our concerts and have a look and listen to it *smile*
For a new band it is often hard to make audiences dance instead of just watch a concert, how do you get them to dance, What is the secret?
What is the secret? There is no secret! The secret is in the music. When I think of our very first concert, the people started to dance at the very first song. Maybe it’s the right mixture of beats and melodies?
What are your dreams and goals for Schwarzes Fragment?
In the future I’d like to play at some huge festivals like Wave Gothik Treffen and also in other countries than Germany. I’m also working on the next CD which I plan to release next year. It is also planned to make a music video this summer.
Now we have come to the end of our interview, Is there anything you wish to say to the readers?
Thanks for your interest in the dark-electro project Schwarzes Fragment. It was a pleasure to answer your questions.
www.schwarzes-fragment.de
www.myspace.com/schwarzesfragment