AUTUMN
By Falber Teles • Jan 28th, 2009 • Category: Featured Band, Interviews
SOURCEWEBZINE – Please provide our readers with details about your latest release, the album “Altitude”.
Mats van der Valk (G) – Hello everybody!Here are the cold, boring details.“Altitude” is Autumn’s fourth full-length studio album. It will be released on February 13 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy) and February 16 (rest of Europe) via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Arno Krabman’s Graveland Studio and was mixed and mastered by Jochem Jacobs (Textures) at Split Second Sound. This is the same team of people that aided us when we made “My New Time”. But not all remained the same… This is our first album featuring new lead singer Marjan Welman! Some of you might know her from her charming vocal contribution to Ayreon’s “1011001”. Autumn are a 6 piece democracy, so “Altitude” has been pondered and debated over more then you could ever imagine. We can only hope it paid off!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Is there a theme or concept to the album?
Mats van der Valk (G) – It sure feels that way. To us, the entire album is like an organic entity, not just a collection of songs that sound good together. Every song and lyric has it’s specific meaning and purpose in the grander scheme. Every word, chord and mood is right where it should be. They unfold the story that is ”Altitude”. What that story might be, also depends a bit on who is listening. We hope we spark your imagination and that you may even discover a theme of your own.
SOURCEWEBZINE – How much time do you usually spend recording an album then?
Mats van der Valk (G) – The time it takes to record an album is probably somewhere between two and four weeks… But this is such a small amount of time in proportion to how long it takes to actually create it. When it comes to the creative stuff, we do everything ourselves. Music, lyrics, website, cover art, concepts, you name it. We all live quite far apart, so every detail regarding the new album was communicated by e-mail and Mp3. Imagine that for a sec. It’s hard, time consuming work. By comparison, recording is only the finishing touch.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What can fans expect sound wise from this new album?
Mats van der Valk (G) – This is the first Autumn album ever to be written by the same group of people as its predecessor, so “Altitude” is in many ways a logical progression from “My New Time”. The most significant change would be one of voice! Early 2008, Marjan Welman took over vocal duties from Nienke de Jong. Like Nienke, Marjan has a powerful rock-voice. That is where the comparison stops, but this powerful style fits Autumn like a glove. We think Marjan really compliments and enhances our music… It’s hard not to appreciate a voice like hers and we are glad to have her aboard.
As for the music, we feel that “My new Time” is the ramp, and “Altitude” the launched projectile. Heavy and daring. The songs vary from short, compact and straightforward to intricate and multi-layered. The six of us have combined our individual skills and influences to make you something authentic and intense. Enjoy!
SOURCEWEBZINE – You’ve been interviewed thousands of times over the years. What’s the question you’re sick of answering?
Mats van der Valk (G) – Frankly, we never get sick of answering any type of question. We appreciate that people want to know more about us, so we answer politely. Even if we’ve been asked a thousand times! Thanks for asking this particular question, though. That’s a first.
SOURCEWEBZINE – How is the metal scene in Holland ? What genres of metal are the most popular there?
Mats van der Valk (G) – The Dutch metal scene has always been alive, with many bands, fans, fests and ‘zines. There is lots of support for all kinds of rock, metal and alternative music. I couldn’t really say what’s popular right now, because it comes and goes… As a constant, old school heavy metal is BIG. More and more people seem to like it, and I can only agree! Up the irons!
SOURCEWEBZINE – What was your highlight of 2008?
Mats van der Valk (G) – Playing at both Wacken, and Summer Breeze Open Air in Germany! Wow. What a blast.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Since you’re a band with such a strong presence on the Internet, and the album did well anyway, does it bother you when people “illegally” download your music?
Mats van der Valk (G) – The actual downloading doesn’t bother me that much, but what does bother me is that people take music and movies for granted. That they are conveniently ignorant. When I download something, it’s like when I used to go to the music store to sample a new album. And if I liked it? I would buy it! That’s how to use it, you cheap thieves, hahaha!
Seriously. Don’t think that illegal downloading will not cost you fantastic music in the future. It will never exist, because great bands can no longer afford to make it. It’s true. Look around. This particular universal rule applies: Invest in what you love… Makes sense, doesn’t it?
SOURCEWEBZINE – Who are some current bands you admire?
Mats van der Valk (G) – I don’t admire bands. Be a musician long enough, and admiration becomes respect. I really, deeply, greatly, obsessively respect bands and artists like Kyuss, Neurosis, Oceansize, Editors, Entombed, Kashmir, Devin Townsend and lots more ?
SOURCEWEBZINE – As Autumn, what does your day to day consist of?
Mats van der Valk (G) – Sitting behind our computers, sending, receiving and criticizing lots of creative stuff. Sometimes we perform a show or record and album.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What’s your favorite hobby away from music?
Mats van der Valk (G) – Driving my 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback would be one.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Any final thoughts?
Mats van der Valk (G) – We would collectively like to thank you for taking an interest in Autumn by reading this. If we are so fortunate that you decide to listen to our latest brainchild “Altitude”, we hope you will enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it. Cheers.
Falber Teles
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