This "interview" was conducted with Oli of NEONGRAU on 23 july 2010 Thanks Oli
we are happy to get the chance to ask you a few questions For the first question will be Thanks Oli that you have found time to give answers to these questions,
Hello Oli. how are you doing?
averagely fine (as usual), thx
Where are you currently?
Atlantis
Could you briefly summarize NEONGRAU and what you guys are about?
NEONGRAU is a one-man "band"! It is about sarcasm, authenticity, fashion, style, indi(e)viduality...
Oli what noise do you make in NEONGRAU?
Hi level trash glam for hi level indi(e)viduals
How's the start of 2010 been for you thus far?
burned out, mediocre...it's July btw.
If people don't know what you and your music are about where have they been!?
In ugly elsewhere.
How would you describe yourself?
A rare fg genius.
If you could play a show anywhere in the world where would it be?
Utopia.
What day jobs did you guys have while you were putting the band together?
Hobby-surgeon.
What is your music background? Who are you and your bandmembers? Tell your story
...started as a singer and guitar player in an fab indie band / A human beeing with NO band members so far / That's what a bio is for.
What do you do when you're not partaking in band activities?
Collecting porn-stream subjects and rate the films.
Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?
Was listening to Fad Gadget's "Back To Nature"
If you weren't a musician what would you be?
A class A1+ attraktive female hoe from outer space with tan lines on the butt saying "wackawacka".
When did you form NEONGRAU? What inspired you to make music together?
04 / No together !!!
What are your top ten favorite Electronica / New wave / Indie Club Songs of all time?
FAD GADGET's - Back To Nature, Lady Shave, Ricky's Hand, Collapsing New People; FISCHERSPOONER - The 15th;THE NORMAL - TVOD, Warm Leatherette; ADD N TO (X) - Plug Me In; PEACHES - Fuck The Pain Away; TUXEDOMOON - Dark Companion;ZOOT WOMAN - Living In A Magazine.
Do you keep up with how the record has been selling? Is that really important to you?
Probably / Pretty important (if the number is right)
What? They didn’t want their friends to see them buying your record?
???
Who is your favorite band at the moment?
SUEDE again, PLAID, FISCHERSPOONER, SNEAKER PIMPS again
What band or bands would you like to tour with and why?
Hate most bands / hate touring (cause I am a fg one-man band as told x-times before)..ok, DAVID BOWIE + THE SPIDERS FROM MARS
Is touring a pleasure or a necessary evil?
A strange word.
What would you be doing right now if you weren't in NEONGRAU?
Don't know. I am (in) NEONGRAU actually !
And that's how you came up with the name of the band? How did you come up with the name NEONGRAU?
By creating a non-existing contradictory short name that fits me and my sound well.
If people don't know what you and your music are about, how would you describe NEONGRAU?
I would say. Take ur time and listen to it if u get the chance.
How did you come up with the title "spam n space"(NEONGRAU latest CD)
Just because the Album actually is about "SPAM" and / or in "SPACE"
All right. You guys toured heavily after "spam n space"came out. How did the whole touring, to support that record, turn out?
Like NOTHING!... NO GUYS...NO TOURING :-)
How do you feel to hold the finished cd in your hands?
Relieved.
What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?
Hate mp3 files, mp3 players and the sound of it.
What artists have you been listening to these days?
Peaches, IAMX, Roxy Music, Mansun, Plaid, Add N To X, Goldfrapp, Fischerspooner, Suede, Lamb, Japan, Fad Gadget...
How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?
The current album is from 2007. The press-quotes were fantastic. Promo sucks usually.
Is your family pretty impressed with what you've done?
Pretty confused.
Have you recorded any previous cd`s or posted any audio files on the Internet?
...naturally... as a free download at www... No, I try not to post too much of my work somewhere on the www.
What type of recording process did you use?
I am instantly deleting everything that reminds me to any other song.
Who produced your recording?
Doing all by myself. (instruments, vox, lyrics, production, artwork, etc)
What are your views on the current state of this Electronica / New wave / Indiescene in Germany.in terms of creativity and audiences?
Definitely more quantity than quality, unfortunately.
And the scene in other countries?
Probably similar .
What new music inspires you when you are writing?
No music while writing.
Tell me about lyrical compositions what you can tell about the done work?
Spam phrases in spam times against spam minded poeople + style amoebas
How does your music creation process work? How do you create a song?
I try to start something that i would like to hear right this moment.
How did you sell your CD’s/Audio Files? (Consignment? Live sales? My space, iTunes,Distributor?)
Physical distribution and and digi download (like iTunes) via Record Labels and Companies.But people can also contact me personally on myspace f.e.
Since the music industry is more open now to purely electronic music has this made things easier for you?
Don't think so. It is probably easier for boring minimal productions and Dj crap to spread their unnecessary, boring shit.
So what are their main influences as a band at the moment?
Not to be influenced that much.
Do you see the Internet as a benefit for bands like NEONGRAU?
Mostly not.
Does the growing possibility of someone downloading your material, rather than buying it, worry you?
Absolutely worrying ! Imagine people are possible to free download or copying butter, cars, haircuts...anything u produce for living ?!
How do you see the future of download / Copyright in area of goth-Electronica / New wave / Indie music ? What are the best ways to develop it in your mind ?
More fucking hobby shit, less hi-quality products./ More decent politicians.
What about all the big festivals? Summer Darkness in the netherlands? Mera Luna in Germany and Wave Gothic Treffen in Germany and many more?
Don't like masses.
What is the key to making music from NEONGRAU and what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?
To know what I DONT like.
If there was one thing you want people to know about your band what would that be?
It is worth knowing NEONGRAU
Please let us know about your upcoming plans, some new releases you like to confirm here
Sorry, don't want to talk about new ideas and upcoming plans in times of "WWW"- thefts.
It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity,Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
Thnx to everyone still beeing fair and having style + taste out there.
Do you think the music industry is dead?
Almost.
Where would you like to see NEONGRAU three years from now?
Still fighting.
What's the band's favorite song to play live?
I don’t play live…did I mention it !?!
What was it like the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio ore internet ore clubs? who was the DJ that played your song?
Great song…WOW…great station....where can I purchase a physical copy ??!!. Don't know who been the 1st DJ.
And, finally, what does the next twelve months hold for the band?
A 12 month periode of unknown future time and secrets
By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)??
Nice, but I think it is been a whole lot.
Last question before Ive gotta go! What bands would you like to tour with if given the opportunity?
NEONGRAU !
Thanks alot for your answers! We wish you furthermore great success
Any final thoughts for the people out there?
www.neongrau.com
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