This "interview" was conducted with Christian of TourdeForce on 29 july 2010 Thanks Christian
Thanks Christian that you have found time to give answers to these questions, How are you doing?
I’m fine, thanks. And I feel at ease. What about you?
Thank You for giving me this precious space.
Christian what noise do you make in TourdeForce?
"Silent noise,forming sound like silent noise". I'm TourdeForce main composer, I manage electronics and sometimes I sing.
How's the start of 2010 been for you thus far?
On April 2010 We were proud (and we're still proud!) to announce the release of our new album "Colours In Life"! Probably the album of the year.You can bet, man. This information comes from trustworthy rumours! Our label Breakdown Records organized a festival in order to promote "Colours in Life" so we had the possibility to meet and play with the other label bands.Then a lot of interviews, album reviews... and other great things to come!
Do you know the Netherland?
Of Course. First of all when I was a boy I liked very much football, and three great football players from Netherland used to play in Italy for AC Milan: Rijkaard, Van Basten and Gullit.Now I completely ignore football, ‘cuz in Italy it turned from sport to despicable money in entertainment industry.So many “alternative” people I know think they have to go to Amsterdam at least once in their lifetime (they consider it as a holy pilgrimage; tradition says Rome… they say it’s for other priorities).
For a lot of people, this is probably going to be their first full introduction to TourdeForce so how about you tell us a little bit about how you guys know each other and how the band came together?
In many small towns (we live through the mountains) you can find an active local music reality led by young people.We all were part of this. TourdeForce were the first band (and the only one) who decided to experiment with electronic music in a reality made of punk,heavy metal, ska… uh, and heavy metal. Yeah, again.And We started playing heavy metal and gothic metal,too.One day I began to listen to some industrial rock (could be more correct to call it synth rock) … in the end, just like so many,in part We have to admit We were kinda of repentant metallers.
When did you form TourdeForce? What inspired you to make music together? Can you give us a brief run-through of TourdeForce story so far?
We were born in Bergamo, Northern Italy (south for Europe!), in the year 2004. We started as a duo, then the project became open to different colleagues and collaborators.Since from the beginning me and Eric (lead singer until 2009) wanted to express our feelings and ideas in music, to exorcize our demons, our passions, our fears. A strong interior need; then, to put together psychology, literature and cinema suggestions in our lyrics.
Do you follow the electronic music Electronica / Pop do you have any other favourite bands?
I do not. I mean, I’m not so passionate for the electronic alternative scene; I find interesting things from the past, very rarely new bands and production succed to be original to me.Famous acts become repetitive due to a sort of costraining mannerism.Some of my favourite bands are actually Depeche Mode (did I surprise you?),OMD,The Twins,Alice Cooper,Sebastien Tellier,the late Bowie,Filter.Most of all I like all songs from Bernard Sumner (NewOrder, Electronic, Bad Lieutenant).
How is your relationship with other electronic bands?
Some are willing, friendly and helpful. Unfrotunately most of them are thankless and ready to compete, to bypass others in order to make one single step in a brilliant non-existent career. This is the typical Italian case. Actually I have to say the rest of the world is absolutely less debased.
What are your top ten favorite Electronica / Pop Club Songs of all time?
oh it's quite impossible! I'll make a sort of free association:I'll choose one track for ten bands, but only referring to my last listenings...
Sparks. Tryouts for the Human Race
Giorgio Moroder. From Here to Eternity
Marvin Gaye. Mercy Me
Swing Out Sister. Not Gonna Change
Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. Dance the Way I Feel
Two Brothers on the Fourth Floor. Dreams
A-ha. Butterfly,Butterlfy
Alizee. Moi Lolita
The Twins. Not the Loving Kind
OMD.Souvenir
What would you consider your favorite cd's?
In 1997 I could have said Antichrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson, but...Here are other ten titles that refers to my present.
Filter. Short Bus
Depeche Mode. Black Celebration
Depeche Mode. Ultra
Swing Out Sister. Get in Touch With Yourself
Bad Lieutenant. Never Cry another Tear
NewOrder. Technique.
Electronic. Raise the Pressure
Alice Cooper. Million Dollar Babies
Erasure. Nightbird
Muse. Absolution
What is the main idea, the message you want to leave to people who listens to you? What is your motto?
Our first motto was ironic: COme on and dance I am your Saviour.One day in 2004 I was creating and sampling sounds for a song titled "Sogno e Incidente". Eric noticed (and he was pretty sure) that sound was similar to a strange voice saying "I am Your Saviour", so here is the original idea for that motto! Now I like to say that the use of electronic devices in music does not imply any lack of inpiration or feelings in music, as some purist say.Most of all long haired freaky people that do not apply. (stuck in '70s, they only like a song they pretend to hear even on a TourdeForce show: it's titled "Smoke on The Water").
What’s the name of your band? where did the name come from? or what's the story behind the band name?
"TourdeForce" for the sense of urgency and rush in modern times; for over-stimulation, bombardment of messages and informations from media.We're all involved in a TourdeForce, everyday we have to rush, to fight, and never stop.
"Colours in Life" where did the concept come from?
Tell me why this title, "Colours in Life" Tell us a few words about the concept of this?
"Colours in life are what we share", as lyrics says.
Colours are first of all the songs included in our album.Lots of emotions of every kind: from joy to melancholy,We wanted to transmit something suitable for everyone. Life Emotions in music, cold or warmer, to share with our listeners.
How is your relationship with the fans like? Is it nice to meet fans or have you also problems with intrusive hysterical female and male admirers?
Of course it's very nice, they're fantastic! Sometimes I find they're not intrusive. On the opposite, they're shy! I wonder... do we inhibit them? :p
How do you feel to hold the finished cd in your hands?
"We did it!" Then in a second I think of the next one.
How is the current promotional tour going for supporting the album Colours in Life?
It's going slow, but We have all the time in the world in order to make the hit in the right places.On 4th september our label Breakdown Records planned a great show,we're going to open for Covenant concert in Turin, Italy.
What's your favourite track of yours?
Nice question. Actually a song of mine called "Grey is Not Enough".
What and who gets you excited about music today?
Today... Filter (they're new album is coming out this august 2010). Sebastien Tellier, Muse.
Our usual question - what is music for you?
Making music is like a strong interior need, a form of catharsis.Listening to music is emotion. Like few human things music also succeds to identify our feelings... or a memory.
What was your best live experience so far?
In 2007 We opened for Client concert in Milan. It was a nice experience. We also had the possibiliy to share the same dressing room (Well, we had to came out when the girls were going to shower) 'cuz the sewer was broken. We cannot document one of them had the runs (violent!) before the sound check and this caused the sewer blockage (wc were only into TourdeForce dressing room! O_o'), anyway... they gave us hospitality 'cuz the stench in our room was horrible and intolerable.
What are your views on the current state of this Electronica / Pop scene in Italy in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?
The scene is a bit saturated, and full of clones. Famous acts repeat themselves due to a sort of mannerism.
What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
With a smile We like to define our music as Eclectronic, because of the variety of our compositions. TourdeForce comprises many collaborators and we're open to every kind of crossover.Everyone has got his musical background, his own style...so We take our inspiration from all genres,but our major influences always comes from Eighties music!
Since the music industry is more open now to purely electronic music has this made things easier for you?
it was difficult anyway, Italy is bad business and they tend to mistreat some kind of electronic music.
Do you think that people from the music press didn't expect you to grow up musically?
Maybe Some of them always prefer to listen to the same, old stuff, repeated perpetually.But every single day of our life brings a change in our behaviour,in our judgement, in our point of view, in our sensibility.It's clear We also change or grow up artistically! With some involution exception.
How do you see the future of download / Copyright in area of goth-Electronica / Pop music ? What are the best ways to develop it in your mind ?
To destroy, to remove Internet would be the only as absurd as impossible final solution to stop download.We have to deal with it, to manage, to exploit if possible. No other way. Do you remember that Die Krupps album title? Hi Tech, Low Life.
If there was one thing you want people to know about your band what would that be?
You gotta love us 'cuz We can provide your daily emotional requirement.
Please let us know about your upcoming plans, some new releases you like to confirm here
First of all We're thinking of a version 2 of "Colours in Life", a sort of remix album the way Nine Inch Nails did for their (his) releases.
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with songs samples?
Absolutely, feel free to keep in touch with us on facebook and myspace, We'll be pleased to answer you personally.We always find some time for you!
It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity, Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
And, finally, what does the next twelve months hold for the band?
Thank You so very much for this opportunity. We invite once again our fans to share their emotions with us.Listen to our music, you won't regret!Concerning your second question... well, I took a month to answer all questions, but it was nice. Next months some live show, new collaborations,the remix album... and of course the next "album of the Year" :)
By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)??
Of course! It was such a complete interview! I wonder who succed to read as far as here! :) Thanks a lot!
Any last words? Thanks alot for your answers! We wish you furthermore great success and a lot of fun with your live-shows.
That's enough words. thank you once again!
