Featuring Bernard |from Bernard Fate Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl | 12-09-2009
Thanks Bernard that you have found time to give answers to these questions. The first question is: Do you know the Netherlands?
Are you kidding? You really ask that? I live in the Netherlands for 6 years now. So: Yeah, I believe I know it. Of course I don't know everything at all. Nobody knows everything. I even believe that nobody knows everything about him- or herself! ;-)
Greetings Bernard could you please shortly introduce our readers your music project Bernard Fate?
The project is a reflection of myself, my thoughts and my fantasy. I started it because I love music and I need to catalyze my thoughts, feelings and dreams. I didn't think about a structure or even a musical compatibility. I just started it.
Please fill also a biographical resume about how,when and where... Bernard Fate was founded in ..... give us a more background information?
How? Well, as long as I remember music is an inspiration to me. It is a catalyst to everything I see, feel, taste or do. I just searched a way to express that kind of feelings. So I believe “Bernard Fate” was founded when I bought my first music instrument – a synthesizer of course. That was in 1986. I just started make music without any musical background. I just tried to translate my feelings into music!
How did you start to make music and what is music for you ?
I think I just gave you an answer to this question! ;-)
What and who are some of your influences in Minimal Music
What: A synthesizer. Who: A lot of musicians/bands. Here are some names for you: Depeche Mode, Poésie Noire, Joy Division, Dernière Volonté, Position Parallèle...
What are your top ten favorite EBM / Minimal Music Club Songs of all time?
All time? It is not that constant for me... It changes often. Here’s the list for know.
01. VNV Nation - Epicentre
02. Suicide Commando – No Tears
03. Joy Division – She's lost control
04. Depeche Mode – Behind the Wheel
05. Cardiacs – Is this the life?
06. Poésie Noire - Compjutr Syntax Error
07. à;GRUMH...- Danger Zone
08. Invincible Spirit - Contact!
09. Tuxedemoon – No Tears
10. Boytronic - You
Tell one secret about Bernard Fate that you have never told to anyone?
Sorry, that's secret. ;-)
So tell me a bit more about yourself, such as musical?
That is quite an open question... What should I tell you about me? Couldn't you a bit more specific? ;-) Well, I don't feel like a musician. It's more the feeling I have when I try to create music. On some point the music was good enough to let other people listen to. And of course it is great if there are human beings who like the music I created.When I create music I don't think about procedures or how thing 'should be'. I just do it and try to express my feelings as pure as it possible. ;-)
By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)
Yeah sure, they are fine!
What is the main idea, the message you want to leave to people who listens to you? What is your motto?
I don't just want to leave a message. I want to interact with other people. Of course at some point it is not possible anymore because there are too much listeners and therefore too much interactions. But I like to discuss things with other people. If this is not possible I hope that people will check out my lyrics. They are my thoughts – sometimes I also have criticism on myself – as everybody else should have.
I know the first question is always boring but could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about the stuff that you do?
Why do you think it is boring? I love to tell about my music! You wish to have an introduction? No problem: I am just myself. I try to translate my thoughts and feelings into music. Sometimes I try to write lyrics from another person's view. Music I hear has also influence to me of course. All I love, all I feel, all I wish to let you know and all I wish to understand myself. That is “Bernard Fate”.
What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?
There is no band. It is just me!. My first name is quite international so I decided to use it for my music project. But my real last name isn't that fancy... On some day I listened to some music (of course!) and the singer used the word “Fate”. Well, I thought “That's it!” - I decided to make my own fate. So, “Bernard Fate” was born. I didn't change the name and I don't intend to do so in the future.
When you start to record a new album, is all the writing done or does it continue in the studio?
I do everything at home. The last part (the Mastering) did a good friend of mine at his home. For the rest everything is happening at my home.
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 ": Liquidize"? Tell us a few words about the concept of this Demo CD 2006?
The concept always starts in my head. But I don't write anything down at first. It is more a process of what I think and I wish to make from it.The album “We” has just being released. Well, I wish to have more live gigs to promote it! The CD “Liquidize” contains songs I wish to share with others. It is a combination of putting away my worries to share it as well as I squeeze out my ideas. In a manner of speaking my thoughts are liquidized into music.
When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
I love music, it gives me strength. I love to put all my feelings into music! On some day just listening to music was not enough for me anymore. Creating music is much better!
So tell me about Orca Records / Nova Tune labels?
They gave me the opportunity to release the album “We”. It wasn't released that fast as I wanted to but it finally is released. It got the distribution I cannot do. It is a “fair trade” label and I have to pay for my release but any incoming money receives me, not the label. Well, I have to see if this is working well.
How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?
Very good! I had 3 concerts this year so far and I had good responses. It was great to talk to people who listened to my music and receive positive criticism. As I mentioned before I wish to do more live concerts. But it is not that easy to get a chance to perform live – I wish to thank the people who gave me a chance!
What do you think of a modern music and about Gothic scene ?
I'm not sure what you mean by “modern music”. But I believe you mean the music which is very commercial. Well I think that this is unfortunately the future – only band with a good working
Our usual question - what is Gothic for you?
Gothic is for me the music which was made at the end of the 70's till begin of the 80's. Simple the music which was made from bands : Bauhaus, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death and many more. Gothic is for me beautiful melancholic music!
What was your best live experience so far?
My first concert! The next question should be 'why?'... I guess because it was a combination of my naivety, naturalness and the positive reactions of the visitors that night. Just perfect! :-)
Please list the name, age, school, and respective instrument of each band member
Name: Bernard
Age: 39
School: MBO Informatica
Instrument: Synthesizer, Violin, Voice, Programming,...
Not really band members - but they join me for live events:
Name: Sandra
Instrument: Voice
Name: Irene
Instrument: Synthesizer
What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
That is difficult to answer! A genre... well, I love Darkwave, EBM and Gothic but I also like to hear not to difficult tones. Like pop. My work is somewhere in between of all that I guess. That is really hard to say for me. What do you think? My major influences? I already give you the answer of some of my influences. Well, the major one are: Joy Division and Depeche Mode.
What do you do to chill out?
I take my bike and drive a couple of kilometers! If I can't do that (because the weather is very bad) I grab a magazine to read or I view something nice on DVD. ;-)
What is currently your inspiring material as an artist? Tell me all about the dark scene of The Netherlands?
I often listen to other band and I like the artists not much people know. So I visit small venues when there is a live concert of an artist nobody heard before – that is inspiration to me. Try to feel what the artist feel when he/she or them are performing. It is not that important that this artist is into the dark scene as long as I feel it is honest. I love to see that! The dark scene in the Netherlands... well, it is not much space for it I believe. But there are still a couple of people who try to build up more. Of course money is essential for it... but it seems there's not enough crowd to build more...
Do you think that people from the music press didn't expect you to grow up musically?
I don't think so. I didn't think it myself so I don't believe the music press did.
What is the key to making music from Bernard Fate? What inspires you to keep growing as a musician?
I already gave you an answer what the key is. Look above... ;-) The inspiration to keep growing is to be a better musician of course! If you don't grow you're stuck. And if you're stuck... well, that's boring to me if I am stuck-ed. That would be a point to me to stop making music.
How do you see the future of download / Copyright in area of goth-industrial music? What are the best ways to develop it in your mind ?
Honestly: I don't think there is a bright future for goth/industrial music. I think it's getting worse day by day and people only download music without paying for it. It's a pity that musicians/labels have to look for new and better ways to develop a brighter future. Why is it not possible for so called 'fans' (the down-loaders) to develop a better understanding for the music and what's behind it? I don't understand that it's no problem for some people to spend 50 Euro for a night in a club but not paying 10 Euro for a CD.Of course it's not that black and white but at the end I see more black then white.
What do you do in your spare time?
I'm biking a lot. I like the nature and with the bike it's possible to discover a lot in the neighborhood. I like also cooking. Spending time with friends and play board games is also a nice monthly habit of me.
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 like variation. If there is a party where is played a good mix of Electro, Darkwave, EBM - I appreciate that. I like electro the most but there are a various songs I love. I am open to other music but I don't like techno, rap, punk. Of course there are always some kind of exception.
How long have you been in the music industry and how has it changed over time?
Hmm, I am not sure how long I am in the music industry. I would say since 1996 when I first sold some self burned CD's with own music. The greatest changes are that the professional music production got better and it is necessary to do much more promotion. There are also much more bands now and it is more difficult for musicians.
Please let us know about your upcoming plans, some new releases you like to confirm here
Well, I'll have to promote the album “We”. Therefore I plan to release a single from the album – the song “Soul Mates”. For the first time I'll create a music video. But that will take time as it is complely new to me. So if you wish to follow the news just submit a newsletter request on my website bernardfate.com or take a look on myspace from time to time. ;-)
Tell me, are there any new bands out there lately that you're into, any tips for the future? What is the future for your music?
The band Contrast just released their first album and I really like it. Another tip: eXcubitors! The future of my music is unknown as everything. But it is good to know that my music actually has a future, don't you think?
… and what is next on the Netherlands agenda?
There is nothing planned in the Netherlands - but very close: My next concert is on november the 6th in Geldern, just over the border in Germany.
Were you asked to play or did you have to ask for a slot?
Both, it is almost 50/50. ;-)
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
You can listen to snippets and full songs on my website http://www.bernardfate.com or of course on Myspace:
www.myspace.com/bernardfate I also recommend the DVD “Live in Emden” which can be ordered for just 1 Euro (+ P&P) via
www.radio-mic.de . It contains Live concerts from Newcomers (Bernard Fate included).
It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity. Well, any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
The interview was also a big pleasure to me. Thank you! Also a thanks to the ebm-industrial fans. And if you wish to ask a further question: Just contact me. I would like to thank everybody who supporting me.
Thanks for your time! Great work on the albums and good luck with everything. Any closing remarks you'd like to say to ebm-industrial.nl?
I appreciate your work as well. Keep it going on that way!
Cheers, Bernard
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