Coming from a Martial Industrial Folk (mostly) background, Der Blutharsch are a truly unpredictable force nowadays. Listening to several of their different albums in a row must be puzzling for most people into "Rock & Roll". Der Blutharsch requires your effort, but Albin would agree with me that the best way to approach his band would be in a complete effortless mood...
He kindly answered my questions:
CONCEPT
What's the meaning / interpretation of Der Blutharsch band name?
Der Blutharsch has two meanings... first it's an old nickname for Swiss volunteers in the Swedish wars... but as well in Austrian slang it means "dried blood"
Well, hard question... I have no real clue... I seldomly talk about ourselves or our music.
If I would, I would suggest just to listen to it. In the earlier days I described it as "kinky march music"... well... these days I do not really know hot wo categorize it really.
But, actually... so what... best is always to listen and decide by some himself
Main sources of inspiration when composing
May be... but I am not really aware of what exactly... Mainly for lyrics... for the music I like some stimulant stuff, like good white wine or our homemade cider... but sometimes also some other stuff... =)
You have to know I have an own studio in my house... so I spend nearly every night in the studio playing around... and most times the music just "happens" - means I am more a sound-constructor than a composer... I start with a simple beat or a riff or an organ line, and then add more and more... it's like cooking...
Are your sound and concept in constant grow and evolution?
Yes, I hope so... otherwise it would be boring for myself very soon.
I LOVE to do music... it's my passion... and mostly I like to discover new directions... it's like a good journey!
Would this be a natural process which comes along your own personal evolution through the years passing by, or would it be intended at some point?
It's a natural process... I mean, I am just keeping myself and ourselves open to anything. NO restrictions so to say..!
As I said, is like cooking... if you use good basic products you get a good meal... but if you know how to use some herbs and other stuff, you get a really delicious meal
What do you think of trying to preserve the primitive / original sound recording after recording, year after year? Would "purity of concept" be opposed to evolvement / changes?
I think if you as a musician are following a "concept" you are already lost... music and sound is more about emotions than a concept..!
So, I do not really care... as I said: NO restriction. I always tell people who work with me "only rule - NO rules!"
Which is the reason for your songs to be untitled, yet your albums are titled? What's the importance you give to the lyrical aspect in Der Blutharsch?
Well... in the beginning it was tough... as we did more or less instrumental music, and I liked the idea of letting things open to the listener... and not restrict him with titles... meanwhile we use titles... but I am not sure if we'll continue using titles... we will see...
Would you consider Der Blutharcsh a Do It Yourself band in any sense? Any importance given to this?
I think so... I mean; I have an own studio... record at home... produce myself... how more DIY could it get then? :=)
How do you draw the line between taking Control and let things flow by themselves?
I lost control - many times... but this is how things work best.
In the end everything melts together somehow... it's maybe magick... well, or not... whatever... but it's as I mentioned... just happens normally.
I never know, when I start working on a song, what comes out in the end... and this is as well something which keeps it really exciting for myself
COMMUNITY
Do you conceive Der Blutharsch for yourselves in the first place; or do you have the crowd, the live performances, the whole concept of transmission present when writing?
Nothing at all. I just play around to keep myself busy and not getting bored... hahahaha.
No, honestly... I do the music for myself. I HAVE to do music... it's a passion but also an order from above... I do it for myself... and there's nothing better in life than when an album is finished than listen to it - (best when chemically imbalanced) - and then consider the album good. And that's it... after this final listening session (mainly when I get the finished album from the factory) - it's done and I put it aside and never listen to it again. At this moment for me the new album starts... and I have a new target... or to say it with my own words: "a new journey starts" - and I am curious where it leads me to
What would be the ideal place / stage / surroundings you'd choose to perform live?
A small venue (max. 300 people) with a low stage (eye to eye with the enemy) and a good loud soundsystem... with a really good backstage filled with good food, good drinks and some good weed.
Actually... as 95% of the gigs we perform.
Which would be the best way for you to transmit us the true Blutharsch concept you're envisioning in your heads when it comes to give public life to your music?
I am quite happy at the moment... we got a new line-up and it's all friends of mine (and my wife)... so this is exactly what it should be. Making some music with good friends and enjoying, and having a good time.
But I am privileged... as all people I work with are really good musicians with passion... and everyone are doing as well their own projects which I adore... so, playing live with people you adore what they do - is
a privilege..!
Best mood / state of mind you'd recognise as ideal to listen to (and understand) Der Blutharsch
Chemically imbalanced... works best for me at least... as I get lost in the tunes and notes... but I have to say... I listen to a song many hundred times 'til it's finished... and after that, I am not interested anymore...
Can you make a living with the band? Would you?
Fortunately I am able to live off music since I started with TMLHBAC - and keep fingers crossed that I can continue... it's necessary to have the head free... I think.
I would not be doing music as a hobby only... maybe, but not in the way I do... 85% of my life is music, so...
Would you like to share with us your other occupations in life besides the band?
As I said, my only "occupation" is the music... but I have some other passions... my second biggest passion is cooking... we cook every day, bake our own bread, make our own cider, etc. It's nearly as good as sex... sometimes even better... depends... =)
Also - we bought a house and have quite some ground... so there's always some work... at the moment we planted new apple trees last year - is time to cut the trees and cultivate them... I always have some stuff... 2 years ago we did huge renovation work, and did loads ourselves... which is also nice... I mean; to work with your hands and restore old stuff... I love as well to go to see concerts and art exhibitions... but more I like to travel...
TRASCENDENCE
Ancient human tribes and civilisations considered Music as a way to trascend, to reach their gods and divinities, their most supreme inspirations.
Do you agree with this vision? Would it be applied to Der Blutharsch somehow?
No, it's theoretical bullshit. Music is just music... and good vibes - but all this theoretical bullshit bores me.
I am more the rock n roll type... =)
Did Music turn yourselves into some sort of spirituality, ritualism, creed, belief, etc.? ...
No... the only thing which puts me in a more spiritual dimension is to move into the woods... we have only nature around our house... no neighbours... and this somehow is really amazing... to live in the woods... It changed my whole life and also my view on many thngs... somehow I think it made me an old hippie..?
... Or, did you bring it with yourselves in the first place and created the band to let these feelings out and reach like-minded people?
I created the band by accident. I had another band before and the first Blutharsch album initially was planned to be released under the other bands moniker... but then we split up and I reworked it and released it
as Blutharsch... then it continued and - here I am.
How important (if any) is ritualism both in the band and your daily lives?
Totally un-important.
PEACE OF MIND
What other type of bands / artists / styles not directly related to your kind of band do you enjoy and would recommend?
Oh, many... there is so much good music out there.
I, at the moment, totally LOVE "Pharao Overlord" - one of the best bands ... Black Angels, Wooden Shijps, Uran... just to name a few.
I totally LOVE Aluk Todolo as well as White Hills (both friends of mine) or 7 that spells - the band of Niko and Jerry (who now are in the live line-up of Blutharsch).
But I like loads of different music and styles... Spacemen 3 (i.e.) - or even some good Rocksteady... whatever.
I always say... there is only good music and bad music... that's it.
Did Blutharsch's members take part in other bands / different music styles in the past / current?
Yes... actually Jörg is in Amestigon (a really groovy BM band), Niko and Jerry are in 7 that spells (we now started a project together named Jastreb), Marthynna is in Blutharsch since over 10 years - we together are now working on a dance album as well... and then I have always guests invited taking part who have bands I adore themselves... Lina/Deutsch Nepal, Matt Howden/Sieben, Niko/7thatspells, Dave/White Hills to name only a few...
Also I like to collaborate with musicians who do their own music, such as ALuk Todolo, Skullflower, White Hills...
Favourite format to release your recordings in
Vinyl -but as well I like tapes and CDs still... it's all three good formats.
On the following subjects, please choose one or a few answers that come to mind at first thought:
a lyrics: sing along
a song: sing along
a band: cool or uncool... depends on the people
a show: action!
a year: gone fast
a book: paper... best format still for words
a film: OSS 117
a conspiracy theory: bullshit - for loosers
a place: my home - and maybe Bangkok
a historical moment: Monument Worker and Kolkhoz Woman in VVC. Moscow. Russia
What can we expect from Der Blutharsch from now on?
Well, let's see... I have some plans...but you know - "Time is thee enemy!" - but IF I succeed... a new album and tour in September, 2 collaborations planned for this year - one with Breakbeat act "Hecate",
one with "White Hills" band working on a project to make the music to the word of Josef Dvorak (a founding member of Wiener Aktionismus and a Satanist). I think that's it for the moment...
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