ELECTROGARDEN FEATURES

CURRENT FEATURED ARTIST
THE NINE | BNI | ESH | ESH-2008 | GANYMEDE | ABOD
MESH | RECOIL | ULTRAVOX | CAMOUFLAGE | RED FLAG | GARY NUMAN
DE/VISION | CAUSE AND EFFECT | IRIS | BERLIN | VENUS HUM

FEATURED ARTIST

DE/VISION

  

On January 7th De/Vision released their Ninth studio album, entering the official German sales charts at number 53. You can also look for a limited 5 track single, “Drifting Sideways”, to be available through A Different Drum at the end of January. One of the more popular bands in modern synthpop, the Electrogarden Network took some time to conduct an interview with Thomas of De/Vision.

EN: You call your music progressive pop as opposed to the more commonly used term synthpop. Was that a move to get away from the stigma of synthpop? What is your opinion on the state of the electronic music scene and synthpop in general?      

Thomas: It wasn’t a move to get away from something, you can still call our music synthpop, we just thought that albums like Monosex or Void were different compared to the plastic-pop sound of Fairyland and earlier works. Their sound was more serious. That’s why we decided to call our music progressive pop from now on. In the end we’ll always be a synthpop band. Take a look at the charts, they’re full of electronic/synthpop songs, at least here in Europe. Electronic music is absolutely popular

EN: “Two” was a lot more down tempo than your previous work. What prompted the change and mood for ‘Two”? 

Thomas: After Markus had left the band and some other personal problems we had to deal with, it was impossible for us to write up tempo songs, we were not in the right mood to record a pop-album. Two is simply an expression of the way we felt at that time.

EN: The lyrics on “Two” seem very bitter towards love. Where did that come from?

Thomas: I’m not the lonely or bitter kind of guy, if that’s what you think. It’s just that I prefer to write about the sad side of life, that’s it. It’s more interesting to talk about the dark side.

EN: Markus had left just after the release of “Void”. What prompted his departure and how did this change effect the creative process within the band?

Thomas: There’s been some kind of disagreement between Markus and the rest of the band and finally he decided to leave, that’s all I can say. Of course, we’ve lost a very good song-writer, but I’m sure that, especially our new album shows that D/V are still D/V. Even without Markus we’re doing a great job.

EN: What can fans expect from “Devolution”? What sets it apart from your previous releases?

Thomas: Our new album is definitely a lot more up tempo than Two. We tried to go back to the roots and concentrated more on the electronic part of our music, still we used guitars and real drums. I promise electro pop songs with wonderful melodies and a great atmosphere.

EN: What are your favorite works from De/vision throughout your career? What albums were the most fun to make? What albums presented the most challenges?

Thomas: My favourite works are Monosex, Void and Devolution. I couldn’t say which one was the most fun to make, each one was very special, each had its own challenges and looking back, I connect so many wonderful moments with each recording session. That’s why it seems impossible for me to pick out a special one.

EN: Its a common thought in America that Northern Europe, especially Germany, is a hotbed for Synthpop/Futurepop music. Do you believe this is the case and if so why? Do you see the American market as more difficult to break into as opposed to the European market?

Thomas: Could be true...I mean, there are so many synthpop bands in Europe, especially Germany is known for its scene. Electronic music has its origin in Germany. The german band Kraftwerk created this new, electronic sound, their music became a world- wide success and they still influence the music scene. They’ve prepared the way for bands like Depeche Mode, Erasure etc. Synthpop is a European or even a German heritage, I think. The European market is much easier for a European band than the American market, that’s a fact. Especially the U.S. market is very difficult. I don’t think there’s a chance for a band like us to get a song or an album into the charts. We’re talking about a market where bands sell 10 million copies and more. There are a few hundred or even a few thousand people who buy our Cd’s, that’s it. That’s all we can expect.

EN: There is a small tour scheduled in Germany for April of 2003. Any plans for shows elsewhere? How about North America?

Thomas: We have planned to do a few shows outside of Germany towards the end of the year, also in North America, but I can’t promise that. It’s not for sure yet but I really hope we’ll make it this year.

EN: What bands do you listen to now? Do you find anyone exceptionally innovative and exciting?

Thomas: I listen to all kinds of music and bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins. I really enjoyed Depeche Mode’s latest release (Exciter). I think Robbie Williams is a great musician and I also like to listen to traditional Japanese music for example. But I couldn’t think of anyone exceptionally innovative recently.

EN: De/Vision is now in its 14th year. How far down the road can you see the band continuing?

Thomas: I really don’t know for how long the band will continue. As long as we’re in demand, I guess. Could be that we’ll exist another 14 years, hard to say. The end seems far away at the moment. Besides D/V we’re also involved in different projects with different people , so even when the day’s of the band were over, we still had enough to do.

EN: What keeps you guys motivated and energized professionally?

Thomas: Every day is a new motivation, a new challenge, a new inspiration. What else do you need???

EN: What interests do you have outside of the band? If you weren’t doing music for a living what would you see yourselves doing?

Thomas: I’m very interested in Martial-Arts, in my spare time I teach Karate here in Berlin, I read a lot and I love to play video games. Steffen also likes to read and I think he is a web-junkie. It makes no sense for me to think about what else I would do if I wasn’t a musician. I am a musician, that’s what I do. I can’t think of anything else right now.