SOURCE – Brazil has an incredibly passionate fanbase. How did it feel to step onto a Brazilian stage and experience that energy with Jinjer in November and December 2024?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – We’ve toured Brazil many times, and every time it feels like an absolute triumph. So, of course, the joy of finally returning was huge. This time, we also played in cities we’d never visited before, like Porto Alegre and Brasília, but even there, it felt like coming home. The people welcomed us with open arms and really gave it their all at the shows. This naturally boosts your motivation immensely, and you just explode together with the fans. There’s nothing better.
SOURCE – From your perspective, what stands out most about the Brazilian crowd—whether it’s their reactions, their knowledge of your songs, or their overall vibe?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – What’s really special about Brazil is that the fans not only sing along to the lyrics but also often scream the guitar melodies. That’s truly something special!
We know that many fans save up for concert tickets to see their favorite bands live. That’s exactly why the people at the shows are even more enthusiastic and fanatical, celebrating every note and every riff. I wish there were that much passion in some other countries, which are so spoiled when it comes to live music.
SOURCE – How do you manage fan expectations in the digital age, where instant access to music can sometimes diminish the excitement surrounding an album release?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – We only reach out digitally when there’s something genuinely worth sharing or reporting. We don’t want to become online entertainers for the sake of a few clicks and followers. It’s important for us to use our platform to discuss powerful and important topics—even if it’s not always entertaining—because that’s what we stand for.
SOURCE – Do you think singles allow for more focused promotional efforts, or is there a risk of losing the essence of the full album experience?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – I think it’s a great loss when fans can no longer experience a band’s new music as a complete album. Of course, it’s good and important to release a single now and then, but taking someone on a musical journey—throwing them back and forth, letting them experience a variety of emotions and moods—is only possible with an album. Furthermore, some songs don’t work well as singles and only make sense within the context of an album. Unfortunately, those kinds of songs are disappearing more and more.
SOURCE – Your new album Heimat is coming out soon. Can you tell us a bit about the sound and atmosphere of the new record?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – Of course, every HSB fan will get what they love and expect from the new album. We stand by our sound and our core identity, and we’re not about to change that. It’s highly emotional and deeply political music. Musical evolution with us happens in slow motion, and the many shifts and developments become apparent only after a second or third listen. But that only increases the listening pleasure. I’d say we’re more extreme this time in every direction—more melancholic, more introspective, but also just as aggressive and combative. The album delivers an overall positive vibe. It’s important not to let anger turn into unproductive destruction or self-aggression, but rather to channel that energy into something productive and forward-moving.
SOURCE – This album features some exciting collaborations. How did these partnerships come about, and what made you choose these particular artists and producers, such as Sven Helbig, conductor Wilhelm Keitel, the Mondëna Quartet, and the Ukrainian Sophia Chamber Choir?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – We’ve been integrating classical music into our sound for a long time and have made it one of the defining extremes of our musical range. Classical music allows us to explore even deeper emotional depths and create more striking contrasts within our sound. We have a wealth of ideas and visions, but bringing them to life requires absolute professionals and highly skilled musicians. Sven Helbig and Wilhelm Keitel have an incredible network and know exactly what’s needed to realize our ideas. They understand our vision and bring it to life. It’s always an honor to work with such talented men and women—it continues to be a huge inspiration.
SOURCE – You recently filmed videos for the tracks “Confounder” and “My Revocation of Compliance.” Could you tell us a little bit about them?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – “Revocation” is a very angry song, which we deliberately released as the first single. It was important for us to make it clear from the beginning that we’re not making any compromises on this record—we’re genuinely pissed off. “Confounder,” on the other hand, doesn’t go for such a frontal attack, but focuses more on how a clear and consistent stance can gradually and positively influence those around you. The two videos also differ greatly in tone. “Revocation” is an aesthetic orgy of violence, while the “Confounder” video has a more urban, cinematic atmosphere.
SOURCE – Do you feel that music videos still hold the same cultural weight in today’s industry, or has their significance shifted with the rise of streaming platforms and the dominance of short-form content?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – Yes, I think you can definitely feel this shift. There are hardly any stories being told anymore—just isolated snapshots. People’s attention spans are shrinking, and soon we may not even need visuals to evoke emotion—just direct brain stimulation. Still, videos remain very important to us for communicating our messages, and fortunately, there are still enough fans who appreciate this kind of content.
SOURCE – How do you handle the fact that streaming has changed how people consume music—quickly and frequently skipping tracks—compared to how they once experienced albums as cohesive works?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – It’s not all negative that music is now so easy to access and consume. As a student, I often spent my university money on a record that turned out to be a major disappointment. That happens far less often now. There’s also a lot more music in circulation, and you couldn’t possibly sample everything in a record store like we used to. As a fan of physical formats, I find the current landscape a bit frustrating, but it’s also inspiring. My favorite bands are coming up with creative ways to deliver amazing physical products. And of course, the digital world helps me discover new bands more easily. So, I think streaming is a loss if you live solely in the digital world—but if it’s an add-on, then it’s not bad at all.
SOURCE – What are your plans for this year, aside from the album release?
Maik Weichert (Guitars) – We’re currently playing summer festivals across Europe, and afterward, we might take a short trip to Asia in the fall. And of course, we’re also preparing for an extended European tour!
Photo Credit: CANDYWELZ
Contacts:
Video:
- NOTE ABOUT AI USE IN THIS DOCUMENT!
This document has been thoroughly reviewed and corrected for spelling, grammar, and syntax errors using advanced AI-driven proofreading tools. The AI system used is designed to analyze and enhance the language of the text, ensuring it adheres to proper English conventions while maintaining the original meaning and tone.
The proofreading process involved identifying and correcting typographical errors, sentence structure issues, and inconsistencies in punctuation. The document has been refined to meet the highest standards of spelling, grammar, and overall readability.