Featuring Seb Sebastian R. Komor Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl |7 januari 2010 21:24
01-For the first question will be - Thanks Sebastian R. Komor that you have found time to give answers to these questions, How are you doing?
Seb: Doing great. After a year of personal hell and exploration of new elements in life and music I feel I'm back on track again and that feels fkn great. Lots of inspiration and good people around me. 2010 is the year where a lot of new music and gigs will happen. Stay tuned for news through my sites.
02-Hello Sebastian R. Komor what noise do you make in Sebastian R. Komor?
Seb: I dig deep and hit hard. No reason to use sounds that don't cut through or create a reaction. Noise and sound is endless if you dig deep enough in the pool of frequencies and harmonies. Noise can be beautiful; noise can make you want to rip your hair out. I have a weak spot for sounds that accommodate the message and style of the song. Make sound and lyrics work together. Go to 11. 100% or zero. I don't half ass shit, not in my opinion anyways.
03-How's the start of 2010 been for you thus far?
Seb: Pretty good. Started with a great party with my girlfriend and friends, then its been a lot of positive things happening. Signed a deal to release a Moonitor full length album, finally! Just realized I had all these songs kicking around waiting to be unleashed. And many other great things coming up this year. 2009 was a sort of preparation for 2010 I think.
04-do you know the Netherlands? ?
Seb: Of course. Many great Techno artists come from there. And I believe they kick as in football to right? [Soccer for you north Americans]. Isn't Fatboy Slim from Netherlands?
05-For a lot of people, this is probably going to be their first full introduction to Sebastian R. Komor so how about you tell us a little bit about how you guys know each other and how the band came together?
Seb: Not sure which band you are talking about to be honest. My main project currently is MELT, and there I'm the captain, doing all the work in the studio, with occasional guest artists for base guitar and occasionally guitars. Moonitor is a solo project to. Zombie Girl was my X and myself, now lingering in space waiting for a revolution. Icon Of Coil is a result of Andy and myself meeting many years back, starting to make music together. The rest you can read all about online through various websites, also a almost complete discography can be found @
www.discogs.com/artist/Sebastian+Komor .
06-Do you follow the electronic music Industrial,Metal,Techno do you have any other favorite bands?
Seb: Being open to many genres of music has always been a thing with me. I never listened to just one style of music really. Love metal, industrial metal, love ambient, techno, classic music, some punkrock, even some hip-hop [the old school stuff like Public Enemy and Beastie Boys]. Currently sitting listening to Curve. Was blasting Slayer half hour earlier. To me regardless of style a song needs energy, a sertain vibe/mood, and preferably great vocals and lyrics. But I am a sucker for awesome outrageous sounds. It all comes together in my studio these days. This is why I re-animated MELT. It's time for that now. Bring together everything into one pot.
07-Tell me about Groups: Zombie Girl,Icon Of Coil,Moonitor,Bruderschaft,Komor Kommando,Monofader,Muscle And Hate,Off.Tribe, ?
Seb: Good time to mention Off:Tribe never was a band, just a temporarily name I had to Monofader. Bruderschaft was just that one song Forever, which I'm very proud to have been a part of. Currently I focus on MELT, Komor Kommando and my production tracks. Zombie Girl fell through due to irrational human behavior, which I really couldn't do anything about. To bad as it was a really fun project. Monofader is supposed to release another album, just haven't gotten the right vibe on the new songs yet, and we have to find a moment where we can get together and work on the album. Muscle And Hate again is just a one off thing, just that one release. It's a tribute, nothing else.
08-Can you give us a brief run-through of Sebastian R. Komor story so far?
Seb: Oh boy. That's a long story to put down. Let me send people to these sites for info:
And
[almost complete remix discography, minus the recent ones for Nitzer Ebb and Leaether Strip]. Metropolis Records has a decent bio on IOC. Go to the Alfa Matrix website for info on Komor Kommando and Zombie Girl.
09-How did you start to make music and what is Gothic for you?
Seb: Lol. Gothic, it's a stereotypical word for the unknowing part of society. But then you have the Goths who appear like every day is their last day. People who almost will choke you if you tell a joke in the club. But hey, whatever is your cup of tea. I personally like to enjoy life, even the darker sides, doesn't mean I need to be all serious and shit all the time. But there is some cool Goth music out there. I started making music after hearing some electronic stuff many years back, early 90's, bands like Depeche Mode. So I started saving up money to buy gear. After buying 2 synths and a 4 tape track recorder it was on hehe. Lo fi but its how it all started. The rest well, is history I guess. Music was really what I wanted to do so here I am.
10- What did you guys do for a living before Sebastian R. Komor?
Seb: I worked a bit for the Norwegian Government in a Youth Activity Centre. Meaning it was an Internet Café, pool room, class rooms for various art courses and such, concerts, etc. Simply because I refused to join the Norwegian Army. Before that it was school, then some random idiot jobs to make ends meet.
11-When did you form Sebastian R. Komor? What inspired you to make music together?
Seb: That's just my name, not a band name. Occasionally I use my name in remixes, that's its. Oh an that Techno 12", released through Rasputin Records, a French label.
12-What are your top ten favorite Industrial,Metal,Techno Club Songs of all time? Who are you influenced by? What would you consider your favorite cd's?
Seb: Techno: Push by Underworld. Atom Bomb by Fluke. We Have Explosive by FSOL. Poison by The Prodigy. Industrial: Virus by Frontline Assembly. Yo Gung [futter mein ego] by Einzturzende Neubauten. Wahre Arbeit Wahre Lohn by Die Krupps. Metal On Metal by Kraftwerk. Metal: Did My Time by Korn. Shock by Fear Factory. Battery by Metallica. Superbeast by Rob Zombie. Elite by Deftones. Disciple by Slayer. Then you can throw in bands like Timo Maas, Leftfield, Plastikman, Goose, Bjork, Massive Attack, KLF, Curve and more.
13-What are the future plans for Sebastian R. Komor?
Seb: They are many and ongoing. Producing more production tracks for this company in the states who puts my music in tv shows, video games and potentially movies as well. It's fun. Release the MELT full length is on top of the list, among a Komor Kommando full length album, that and I have numerous other plans I want to materialize this year. One thing being making a sample CD, or sample packs.
14-Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
Seb: I have projects signed to different labels yeah. Working with Metropolis Records, Tatra Records, Alfa Matrix, FIXT, Out Of Line and more.
15-What are you currently listening to on your MP3 player?
Seb: Today it has been a Curve day. Last week was a lot of Slayer and Tool.
16-By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)
Seb: Not bad. Still the longest interview I have ever done.
17-What is the main idea, the message you want to leave to people who listens to you? What is your motto?
Seb: Open your eyes. Don't be blind to what's going on around you. Enjoy life. Rock out! Dance!
18-What's the name of your band? Where did the name come from? or what's the story behind the band name?
Seb: Depends which band you are talking about. MELT is a word I always liked and have used since 1993 I believe. Its short and looks great graphically. Moonitor was just me throwing in my love for our galaxy, space and the unknown which exists out there, somewhere.
19-If people don't know what you and your music are about, how would you describe Sebastian R. Komor?
Seb: 1 louder than the rest. 100% no bullshit music. Straight from the soul. Dirty, hard hitting Industrial/Techno/Metal. Once you've heard it, its in your blood ;)
20-very cool number Electro Body Music where did the concept come from? and whats planned now that your album is finished? or anything else you're working on? Tell me why this title, Electro Body Music Tell us a few words about the concept of this?
Seb: Thank you. This song will have a new version of itself with Jean Luc de Meyer on vocals [vocalist from Front 242]. It will be part of the Squarehead album called Voltage Controlled Body Music.
21-Some quick fire questions: guitar or synthesizer?
Seb: Both. Cant live without either. They work in completely different ways and the ideas coming from these instruments are based on different concepts. By that I mean a riff I come up with on the guitar, I would never come up with on the synthesizer and vice versa. Love em both.
22-band or solo
Seb: Lol. Solo in studio, band on stage.
23-How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?
Seb: Not sure which album you are referring to.
24-What do you think of a modern Gothic and about Industrial, Metal, Techno scene?
Seb: I don't really have an opinion about it. Never been into the Gothic scene. Things have changed, people are more concerned about what clothes they wear over the actual music itself. Also in many cases the whole concept of being open and alternative have become an irony of itself, but there are many exceptions to. I have faith in good music.
25-What's your favorite track of yours?
Seb: Oh haha, hm, some of the new MELT stuff I think. Its personal and I am happy with how the songs are turning out.
26-What and who gets you excited about music today?
Seb: Radiohead, Slayer, Korn gets me exited. But also the way I create music these days gets me going. A bit of a different, more old school approach. I don't want the technology to get in the way of a good song. The basic elements of a song should work without any fancy pants fx and editing, if you catch my drift. Its how I work these days. In the current industrial music scene I feel very bored. I keep hearing the same shit over and over and over again. Same formula and same synth presets, I mean come on people..really?
27-Our usual question - what is music for you?
Seb: Life, everything. Its my religion.
28-What was your best live experience so far?
Seb: Whiskey A Go-Go in Hollywood, LA. Just for the fact of the history in that venue. Opening for Frontline Assembly and Skinny Puppy was pretty fkn great to I have to admit.
29-Please list the name, age, school, and respective instrument of each band member
Seb: Again, its just me. A difference between studio members and stage members of course.
30-What are your views on the current state of this Industrial,Metal,Techno scene in Canada.in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?
Seb: The Canadian audience is great. People are really dedicated here. That of course changes from city to city like anywhere else in the world, but a band coming to Canada gets a warm welcome. The scene itself is a bit scattered I feel. The Gods like Frontline Assembly, Skinny Puppy and so on have made their mark, put Canada down on the map in the industrial world. A few newcomers are around doing their thing. Time will tell if they will be the great followers of of the path FLA and SP laid out. Then you have Ayria from Toronto which is doing great these days. I haven't spent much time in Europe the last years but I feel the scene is stagnating in horrible ways. People pound out compilations and songs mostly with the same sounds and patterns and to me its just overly boring, not to mention major lack of creativity. And all the copycats. Yeah no, I hope for a change in this or it will just implode due to all the shit around. USA suffers from the same but in a way being such a big continent there is a lot of variety as well. I like to stay positive and hope that some good change will come soon. I'm to busy doing my own thing anyways ;).
31-you have very nice numbers` tell me about lyrical compositions what you can tell about the done work? How does your music creation process work? How do you create a song?
Seb: Never the same. Depends on what style I work on. For example a MELT song often starts with an emotion or a topic I want to get out. So it often starts with a guitar riff or a beat to fit lyrics or a lyrical idea. Where the main idea is loud and proud, right in your face, no bullshit. For the more dancefloor oriented stuff the beat is obviously important. I love to play with sound to create grooves out of sound you usually wouldn't expect to become percussion elements. With todays technology there are no limits, just your own imagination and abilities.
32-What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Seb: Melt I would call Industrial Metal with some Electro influences as well. Moonitor is straight up Techno/Tribal. Influences is life itself really. The people I run into, the things I see, read and hear. Things that irritate me. I feel majority of the population on this planet is asleep. Completely ignorant to what's going on around them.
33-Since the music industry is more open now to purely electronic music has this made things easier for you?
Seb: Absolutely not. To survive as a musician these days is harder then ever before. Its harder to get paid for the work, royalties are less, people don't want to pay for CD's as much anymore, and many people complain about the prices, which at times is justified. Some labels charge way to much for a CD. But I feel more inspired than ever before. To stand tall and move on. Music means to much to just call it quits. Its cool the more alternative side of things is more commercially accepted but the ironic part of it is at times the pop music world is more edgy and on the forefront of sound than many industrial/alternative bands. Go figure ;).
34-So what are their main influences as a band at the moment?
Seb: People, human stupidity, greed, religion, sex, love, hate, violence, mother earth, sound and noise.
35-What is currently inspiring your material as an artist? tell me all about the Industrial,Metal,Techno scene of Canada?
Seb: I belive that was also question 30. ;)
36-Do you think that people from the music press didn't expect you to grow up musically?
Seb: Who knows. I don't care what people think. I'm glad I did grow. The fact I now have 2 guitars in my studio says a lot. 8 years ago I would think you were crazy saying I will one day play the guitar lol. Its important to listen to all sorts of music.
37-what is the key to making music from Sebastian R. Komor and what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?
Seb: To be openminded and not fall into one pattern. Don't be afraid to step into unknown territory. Just let the sound and music happen.
38-How do you see the future of download / Copyright in area of goth-Industrial,Metal,Techno music ? What are the best ways to develop it in your mind ?
Seb: Peoples morals about it all is what needs to be addressed. I'm for obvious reason not digging the whole download generation, well illegal downloading that is. Its respectless towards the bands and labels. I just don't think many people out there today gives a shit or think about how much work and money is behind an album. Its sad to know so many songs are just a file on someones computer, becoming background noise. But hey, it all might change soon. I love music to much to treat it like just another file on my computer you know.
39-what was your childhood like?
Seb: Fun. Lots of family, fishing, fooling around. Apparently I was a quiet kid. Not much problems lol. Well, I changed all that. The devil took my soul in the name of Rock'n'Roll.
40-If there was one thing you want people to know about your band what would that be?
Seb: Its all coming straight from the soul. No pretence bullshit.
41-Please let us know about your upcoming plans, some new releases you like to confirm here
Seb: A Moonitor full length album coming out shortly, could even end up being a double album. The Komor Kommando album should be out this year, before May. Then of course my main focus, the MELT album. And probably some remixes. Well the Nitzer Ebb and Leather Strip remix is coming out this year. Keep your eyes open for all this yo!
42-It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity,Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
Seb: Stomp it like you mean it. Rock 100% or just go home!. Spread the love for music. See you around somewhere this year. Cheers to 2010!
43-and what is next on Canada agenda?
Seb: To make it less cold! Fkn freezing up here now. I must say the Canadian Geese are the smart ones. They go "fuck this weather, lets go south!". But music wise there is the Kinetik festival in Montreal in May again, where Komor Kommando will be performing. http://www.festival-kinetik.net
44-How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Seb: A bit here and there. Go to these sites:
Or just hit iTunes.
45-How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Seb: A lot. Went from almost knowing nothing about music production, song writing til now where I have learned a lot about how everything works. What elements in songs should be where, and why they work or not. But it's a never-ending path really. Constantly learn new things you know. But yeah, the last 5 years is where a lot has been improved.
46-How is the new line-up working out?
Seb: Again I'm not sure which band you are referring to.
47-And, finally, what does the next twelve months hold for the band?
Seb: Only great things. Its time to rock, and rock hard!
48-Any last words?
Seb: 1 Louder!
49-Thank you for your time Sebastian R. Komor.Good luck
Seb: Thank you. Cheers
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