Band: Hacke, Alexander
Interview by:
<< Back | Reviews:
- Sanctuary -
- The Ship of Fools (feat. Danielle de Picciotto) - Ergo
Alexander Hacke is best known as bass player for Einsturzende Neubauten. After being involved in the musicbusiness for more then twentyfive years he came with a solo album. Reason for us to ask him some questions.
For starters: You're a member of Einsturzende Neubauten for the last 25 years. What is it like to play in one of the most influential bands of the past decade?
Splendid! Thank you.
Even before you started playing in Neubauten you were busy with making music, you've produced records, are a member in multiple bands, compose film music and now you made a solo album. How come it took you so long to come  with a solo album?
We use music to evaluate and structure our lives. Three years ago I reached a stage where it became imperative for me to provide a profile of my own work.
Musically speaking what are you're greatest influences?
Soul- music of all sorts, really.
Hard Core. Country. Lounge. Surf.
Polka. What have you!
For two years you have been busy with Sanctuary. All the songs are recorded with the help of befriended musicians. To record the songs you've travelled half the world. Why did you choose this way of building the album?
I simply would have not been able to accomplish the task in any other way financially. Actually the initial intention was to create an equivalent of a "Road-Movie", meaning: To start off on a journey with portable technology, no finished script, adding events and characters to the story as the trip continues. In this case I even did most of the mixing and certainly pretty much all of the editing while moving from one place to another
How would you describe the music of Sanctuary yourself?
Considering that many of the involved musicians are of very diverse backgrounds and that I encouraged myself to allow the material to undergo the most extreme mutations, eclectic.
When one looks at your past with Neubauten it's to expect the style of music would be the same, but it seems that you've gone on a totally different path. Was it hard to leave your past out of your music? Or do you think it your past influenced you in some way?
The music I play with EN I would not be able to play with anyone else, but certainly there is stuff in me I could hardly do in that constellation. Everybody in this band follows intentions aside of it and needs to make a living.
That's how we're still together.
Despite of you worked with a lot of different musicians and none of the songs are recorded on the same place, there is a clear line to be found in the music. Was it hard to keep the same sound?
No. Also, good mastering does help.
Are there any artists who you like to work with in the future?
There are certainly quite a few people alive today whose work I am extremely fond of. So, as long as I manage to come up with a good enough reason to approach somebody, I will. Or be approached even. But everybody, who contributed to "Sanctuary" is a friend and generally people I like to spend time with.
If you had to pick just one thing to do in your life; Producing, playing in a band (any band) writing film scores or playing music on a solo base. What would you pick?
I guess I would not be able to maintain a high level of quality in any of those fields if I was stuck with just one of them.
Why did you choose Koolarrow Records as label for your solo album and not some more well known label like Mute or the own management of Neubauten?
Frankly, nowadays it is not easy and quite frustrating to negotiate anything in this business, so I am very fortunate to have found somebody with integrity who most of all understands what my work is all about.
On the website of Koolarrow there is talk of a tour. Now is all the music on your album recorded with different people. Was it hard to find musicians to form a band?
And not totally unimportant: are you paying a visit to Holland with your tour?
We will gather as a nucleus of a band in order to be able to efficiently present this music under various circumstances. Visually, Danielle de Picciotto will be in charge of affairs and Sugarpie Jones, Gordon W. plus Mr. Ash Wednesday will be helping to enhance your listening pleasure. Of course we will try to accommodate usual suspects when the opportunity arises and sure, Rotterdam and Amsterdam are definitely on my wish list for the European leg of the tour.
Besides this tour, do you have plans for the near future? Can we expect a new solo album?
I shall continue doing what I do best.
To end with a much asked question; is there anything you want to leave our readers with?
Support your favorite artists.
Stay alert and fight stupidity.
|
