Ther you go!
Original interview by Zois Liaromatis for Metal Hammer and Heavy metal(Greece),no 235.
The interview takes place minutes after the end of the band’s soundcheck in Athens 09-05-04 and anneke speaks.At first it seems like another ordinary-typical interview but things change as we reach the end.Enjoy!
1)How’s the tour so far?Where are you heading next?
It’s great.It have to say this year’s tour is better than any other.There is slightly more people coming to our shows in each country we are playing.It was really good.This weekend we are in Greece and after that we are heading back home,where we will play in some more shows and festivals.Moreover,in a few weeks we will play in Russia for the first time,we are working on some new songs,we are quite busy at this time.
2)What are the reactions from the fans so far,concerning the new album?
Quite good.I didn’t expect this because I think that live albums don’t draw the fan’s attention so much.But i must admit that the album is doing pretty well and its sales are also ok.There is a possitive vibe,people are talking about it and attend our concerts.We didn’t expect that this would happen for a live album.We all thought it was special but you never know if the fans will actually like it.
3)The setlist today will be based on “sleepy buldings” only or there will be other songs as well?
Yes,we play many songs from “souvenirs” and “black light district”,the records we did before the live album.We also play some semi-accoustic stuff and other more rock-oriented songs as well,because if we only played the semi-accoustic ones….we don’t want people to fall asleep during the show(laughs).We did that show in holland,the crowd was sitting on their seats all the time and these were very emotional moments,but when you are at such clubs as this one today,you have to show a more “rock ‘n’ roll” attitude.
4)The crowd in Holland didn’t fall asleep during that show though,when you recorded “sleepy duildings”…Yes,yes that is true,i’m glad that they didn’t (laughs).
5)Where you inspired by another band in doing the “sleepy buldings” album?
No,not really,we had this idea fro a long time now.But i know that there are many bands doing the same thing right now.They all had the same idea,the “hey,let’s do an acoustic album now!” kind of thing.Yeah,it is quite funny,maybe this is a new trend(laughs).
6)But,if “sleepy buldings” was –in a way- created because you “had to”, in order to end your contract with century media,why did you tour to support it?
I think that every album we make has to be a good one,a good “the gathering” album.The fact that this album was the last one with century media had only to do with business criteria and contracts,that’s music business etc.That’s why we didn’t want to make a best-off album only,we wanted it to be special because we want each album of the band to be a (points out the word) “gathering” album.Our names appear on the credits of this album and therefore it has to be good.That’s why we always do whatever possible in each album,we promote them,we tour for them and…..
7)…..you respect your fans.
Οh yeah,sure thing we do,and they also respect us as a band.Moreover,i love to tour,I love to be perform live so….why not?
8)Does “sleepy buildings” either as the title track or as the whole record represent the band’s style in the future?
“Sleepy buildings” is such a “pure”(?) record,we were insired by its “purity” during the albums creation.We had to get rid of all the “heavy” stuff and all while we recorded it.”Souvenirs”,on the other hand,has such a “wide” production,there are many things going on inside that album.Therefore “sleepy buildings” is exactly the opposite of “souvenirs”,it is so “empty” and I like it that way.
I think that the next record will simply be rock again,as we originally are,maybe a little “cleaner” though.We were inspired by sleepy building’s purity,but now I think it is time to rock a little more,be more up-tempo.
9)Let’s go back to the past.How did you start your carreer as a singer?
As far back as I can remember myself,I would always sing and dance.My beginning was with the school choir at the age of 12.We toured with that school choir at Christmas and i already had a solo song to sing.I was on stage from that on.That was the biggest thing I did when I was young.
Before that,my mother wanted me to go to these so called “singing contests”,and I did that at the age of 10-11.So,in a way,i was always on stage,enjoying the crowd’s attention,singing and dancing.The gathering is,of course,the biggest band I participated in.I was in some other bands before them,many different styles of bands,I also did some duets or I even played alone on the street with my guitar.I have played for quite a long time in the streets to make money in the past.
10)You were in need of money?
Yes,a long time ago,maybe 15 years back from now,I didn’t have enough money and I’d always have these stupid jobs because I was singing in some bands and such.
Two times per week I would travel to different cities,put my hat down and just play,in the middle of the street. 
11)Could you ever think that time that some day in the future you would create albums,tour all around the world and be so appreciated by the fans for your music?No,no these things exactly!(laughs).We aren’t a huge band,the gathering aren’t that huge but we have such a great status.We play everywhere and the fans that attend our shows all around the world like us.On the other hand though,we always come back home,we can walk around and noone will recognize us.Hardly anyone(laughs)!.
And that is so great because you can actually live your life and then get on tour and have so many fans that admire you.This is the greatest thing in the world!When I was singing in the streets,I (points out the word)knew it somehow that I walk down on this path,because I simply love music.I don’t care how but I just knew that this is what I always wanted to do,create music for the rest of my life.But,yes,I could never dream of being part of such a great band.We are having fun all the time,we have such good friends,we create our music……It is awesome!
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