ANUBIS GATE
By Falber Teles • Nov 24th, 2009 • Category: Featured Band, Interviews
SOURCEWEBZINE – How has the band’s sound progressed/evolved from “Andromeda Unchained” to “The Detached”?
Jacob Hansen (V) – We thought we found a way of writing Anubis Gate material exactly as we always wanted it to sound, on “Andromeda Unchained”, and that was simply put into perfection on “The Detached”. We also wanted a little bit heavier sound, which I think we go. A bit more guitars and such.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Did you try to incorporate more different musical styles?
Jacob Hansen (V) – It’s always been interesting to do that, although with a metal twist. But everybody incorporates their won thing into the music. Henrik Fevre is normally playing pop/jazz and electro in different bands/solo projects, so it’s natural that his way of writing comes to life on our albums. But it’s nothing that we sit down and talk about. We just do it as a really natural thing.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Nowadays in every album the person responsible for the sound production is strongly mentioned especially when he is a known one. How important do you think is the producer to the sound of a band?
Jacob Hansen (V) – I think it’s very important to have a good producer/mixer/engineer. He will be able to take the band a step further down the path where they want to be, or he can twist it into something they never thought was possible! I’m not saying that the producer’s name has to be on the front cover. It doesn’t really matter who it is, as long as it sounds great and benefits the band. Actually, it’s not a sales point that this and that producer has mixed, mastered or whatever.
SOURCEWEBZINE – The band has a strong presence in all the various social media outlets like MySpace etc. Which platform seems to be most effective for you at the moment?
Jacob Hansen (V) – I’d say Myspace has done a lot for us. Over 110.000 visitors, and 92.000 plays has put us in the top 10 a few times, when you search metal or indie. The only bad thing is that this gives no royalties. We have a Danish site called Bandbase.dk where we will have legal downloads that pays us royalties soon.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What’s the biggest misconception your fans or friends have about you?
Jacob Hansen (V) – Hah… I don’t know. Never heard anybody say something negative about us just because they don’t know us. I think some people think we’re another Dream Theater clone. That is a misconception!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Are you there for business or pleasure?
Jacob Hansen (V) -In the band? For pleasure 100%! We earn nothing on this, so this is purely pleasure. And it’s a lot of fun for me, singing in a melodic band, since I used to scream my lungs out in a thrash metal band called Invocator.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned that you would advise other bands about?
Jacob Hansen (V) – Don’t expect small labels to pay you royalties, haha! Nah, there are so many advices I can give bands, since I’ve been in the business for many, many years. So when I work with bands, I often sit down and talk with them about their future, and there are some people who can learn a lot.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Are you able to do music for a living, or do you still have day jobs?
Jacob Hansen (V) – We all have our day jobs. 3 of us works with music. Kim is a music teacher and professional musician. Henrik also teaches music, and I have a studio.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What is your religion/belief system?
Jacob Hansen (V) – I think I’m sort of Christian… I mean, I don’t believe in Jesus, nor will I live after the Bible, but I believe in a story of this good man that wanted to help people. Wen I was young I hated religion, but if you use it for yourself to do good to yourself and others, it’s no problem. It starts to get very problematic when you are oppressing people in the name of a religion or a belief.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What are the best and worst things about being in a band?
Jacob Hansen (V) – Best things are friendship and creativity. Worst – compromises, compromises, compromises, haha!
SOURCEWEBZINE – It seems bands from Denmark have really been successful the past few years. Any particular reason why?
Jacob Hansen (V) – Yes, I think its was a matter of time. There were some people that fought hard to make Danish people known in the 90’s, and it finally seemed to work out with signings on international labels. The leaders were: Raunchy, Hatesphere, Mnemic and Mercenary. They were the first Danish bands from the underground to get signed on big, international labels. Before that we had Artillery or King Diamond, yeah even Pretty Maids and Royal Hunt. But the aforementioned bands really made a difference. Now Volbeat has taken over as the most successful band in Danish rock history EVER. And as their producer, that makes me so proud!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Anything else you’d like to add?
Jacob Hansen (V) – Thanks for this interesting interview! I hope you will support Anubis Gate -spread the word – and hopefully follow us on different websites. Thanks!
Falber Teles
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