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Featuring Michael Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl | Date:21 februari 2009 From:God Experiment

Thanks Michael / God Experiment that you have found time to give answers to these questions,

so tell me a bit more about yourself, such as musical how and why did you come about starting God Experiment? What are the inspirations for God Experiment?

I think the sound is always my attempt to express something what I have in mind when I start with a song. It should create a picture in my own head. It is always something I need to say or let's say "suggest". At first to satisfy myself. The final understanding should be inside the listener.

Where did your love for music, computers and electronics come from?

I grew up with listening to a lot of music. I like pure electronic music done only by machines. I love 'Front 242', 'Skinny Puppy', 'The Neon Judgement', only to name a few. I love the two-man-band 'Suicide' from the USA. Their song "Frankie's Teardrop" was a revelation for me. I was fascinated as I discovered that band. As I bought my first electric guitar I tried to create songs only together with a drum machine and recorded it with a 4-track-recorder on tape. This little machine had amazing sounds inside and I think that was the reason for it all: fascination in synthetic sounds!

So how did you first get into the Goth/Industrial scene?

I also listened to a lot of guitar bands like 'The Sisters of Mercy' or 'The Mission' that time. So my Gothic-base was formed very early. If we have to talk about industrial, in my opinion, we have to mention "Einstürzende Neubauten". THIS is industrial noise. They create pure noise with their instruments. Everything between and combined together is that what I love and like to hear myself. Like I told you before I know what I wanted to do because I think I was still 'programmed' for that.

I know you now almost 6 years, as I made my first banner, as long as I promote you, what do you think about my banner and my website?

Yes, Ruud, we both know us a long time now. And I thank you for all what you have done. I think more people like you should keep such ideas alive. To tell what it is all about. I want to know more about the backgrounds of bands. And such websites like yours are perfect for such information. It is important for me to know more, to read something more about new things, old things, new bands, old bands, their histories etc. I think you do a good job with it.

How did you become connected to make music?

It was my wish to make my own music since I started to listen to music more careful. And I had an acoustic guitar very early. So I could learn a bit and train my ears - I don't know if the training was successful but this guitar is still with me and in a good condition [:-D]. I am always fascinated when I can hear a new good song. I try to listen "behind" a song. I'm very interested in the structure, how the artist can express what she/he would like to say with it. And I'm fascinated in good lyrics. I'm still learning to write good lyrics [;-)]. I would simply burst if I could not make music or just create melodies or write down some lyrics. I would miss something. I think I wouldn't get along if I could not get rid of that. Somehow every musician is an extroverted person and is trying to tell everyone about his mood [:-D].

Can you give us some insight into the beginnings of God Experiment a musical project? What's the history of God Experiment? How did it initially come to be? Can you give an introduction to God Experiment? Can you tell us a bit more about the musical projects, bands and site project you were involved with prior to God Experiment?

Prior to 'god experiment' and my band before? I played guitar in some evil punk and metal bands [:-D]. But soon I formed my own 4-man-band. 2 Guitars, 1 Bass-Guitar and a drum computer. At that time I thought bands should sound like THIS. Like my heroes 'The Sisters Of Mercy'. It was my wish to keep this electronic thing together with the other instruments. I think it was also a very good excuse to do noise without telling a drummer what he has to play [;-)]. Mainly I prefer to work alone. The sound of my previous band was something like EBM-Industrial-Gothic. We combined all our influences. It was great but still something was missing. I could not create that what I wanted initially. After we split some years ago I found a good way to my computer. And so I tried to create something new. But I was bored of guitars, so these first songs are only full of electronic. And so 'god experiment' was born. This name was in my head long before.

Tell us about your own unique style of music?

The sound I try to create is always an attempt to combine the sounds of all my influences. I try to achieve feelings and emotions with sounds. And if this works for me - it's ok for me.

What are your views on the current state of the electro scene in Germany, in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?

Mainly I don't care too much about a scene. And I don't want to be pushed in only one category. Music has to be good and timeless. I wish all the people out there would be more open minded. They should give the bands more feedback, especially new bands. It goes too fast sometimes. The bands can not grow with their ideas. I can not say anything really about differences in other countries.

There are some tracks from your debut album 'Delivered Hate Object' which can be downloaded for free at www.mp3.de/godexperiment. Can you tell me more about this?

I wanted that these tracks should be heard. I love them. Each has a special meaning for me. I love all tracks on "DHO" of course. But "Victim" which I created with Malea on vocals turned out to be a healing song for myself. "Falling Overhead" was somehow a new beginning for God Experiment. It was done already a while ago. And so I decided to put them on.

You have very nice album. Tell me more about the lyrical compositions. What you can tell about the done work? How does your music creation process work? How do you create it? What is currently inspiring your material as an artist? How do you go about writing songs?

Well, thank you! The lyrics. Hm… As I said earlier: of course they mean something special. Basically I talk to special persons, real or not real ones. Or I blame simply the completely mankind [:-D] The lyrics for "Dissect", for example, were written on a marriage - it was just the situation - and all I needed was a paper and something to write and I excused myself for some minutes to have time to write that stuff down. Yes, I should have other thoughts on a marriage, right? [:-D] And that's why the name of that song has the extension "[I watch]" if anyone can follow my sick brain [:-D] It all depends on some situations. But I have a clear red line in which direction the next albums will go. I have a lot to do [;-)]

How did you come up with the name of your band, God Experiment? And what is the key to making music as God Experiment? And what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?

The name has two meanings of course and I think I don't need to explain them. I like words or expressions with two meanings. The name came already into my head during the 90s. Long ago. You can transfer one of the meanings onto my person [;-)]. Regarding music I have to say that I try to please myself with my music. It should give me some peace to get away from the daily shit. Then I think I would like to invite someone else to share that with me. It is obvious that another one takes something else out of my songs. That's ok. I simply would like to make more songs. I think I even just started to begin to tell the beginning of the beginning [:-D] I have a lot to tell. And I think you will be surprised with what will come up next [;-)]

What ideas, movements and personalities would you say were crucial for the definition and development of skin contact as a creative entity?

The idea is simple: I try to tell the world that there is a lot of shit music our there and that they have a listen to mine! [:-D] No, honestly, I think there are personalities which inspired me to think about to be someone who could tell or give something to others. Hm… I think Ian Curtis of 'Joy Division' with his direct way to tell something was a huge inspiration. The irony and sarcasm of Andrew Eldritch of 'The Sisters Of Mercy'. Their early songs are my favourites. 'Anne Clark' with her music was also a kind of start. And also 'Psyche'. Darrin is a good boy!

What do you think of its intermingling with the electro, Darkwave and EBM scenes? While electro is your main musical pallet, what other music do you listen to?

I would like to say that I listen to every kind of music. You can also create great songs with acoustic guitars and violins when you have a great melody. I like 'Slipknot'. And 'Neurosis'. These are metal genres. But I don't call it metal. 'Slipknot' amuses me and 'Neurosis' lifts me up. I also like movie scores of good films.

How long have you been in the music industry and how has it changed over time? Now I have to ask, what's the inspiration for the God Experiment story?

When you have a look on these illegal download websites you have your answer. It is easier than ever. Copy kills music!

This was not possible some years ago. In that dimension. This is a huge change.

My inspiration? I started just to share my thoughts about some things, to find other people who have same thoughts, who like my music.

Mainly bad things I have to deal with will find a way to my lyrics.

Do you have a personal favourite song, could be your own or other?

It is very hard to name only one song. But I say "Quite Unusual" of 'Front242' and "Marian" of 'The Sisters of Mercy'.

Tell us a little bit more about God Experiment What do you do in your spare time? Are you working on any current or future projects?

I'm total into music. I make music in my spare time. Yes, I work on new stuff. I have a lot of new things which will hopefully become true.

But it is too early to talk about.

It has been a pleasure to interview you on your music activity. Well, any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?

Give me a chance to create more. Listen carefully!

Thanks for your time!

Thank you!! It was my pleasure.

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