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Black Shark Said: INTERVIEW
18.10.2005
Interview von Sergio Vilar:
Interview with Pierre Laube and Uwe Reinholz, members of this great German band.
By Sergio Vilar
Please tell me the story of the band, under what circumstances was it formed? Please share your memories of those days.
Black Shark Said was formed in the year 2003, first as solo project of Pierre. In this time also the first album “Unrouged” was brought in and produced completely single handed by Pierre. The year 2003 was affected by many emotional events which influenced the first works strongly. All in all a time full of uncertainty, heights and depths.
Why was Black Shark Said named exactly?
In addition there is a small story to tell. In the year 2003 Yves recorded a small album with his previous band (Plasmic Ocean... some alternative stuff). On these first CD there is a cover song, called “On Black Sharkstreet” (actually an old jazz classic). Both the project and Pierre looked for a suitable band name. Pierre thought about something... cool sound however powerful. Not necessarily with a message behind. Pierre proposed the name Black Shark Said. The guys rejected and decided for the name Plasmic Ocean. Thus Pierre kept the name Black Shark Said for his own project. In the end you can associate nevertheless some with the name. The opposite, strength, much feeling, but never without bite. Nevertheless, last end simply a cool name :-).
What were the circumstances that led to the formation of the band?
The formation of the band resulted rather coincidentally. Pierre wanted to make music however not alone, but together with other musicians. Thus he looked for people. He gave up some announcements in local magazines. It lasted for a long time to found someone. It’s very difficult to find good musicians who trust to do some experiments. Not at last the guys should like and influence the style of Black Shark Said. Pierre means: “As Uwe called me I was very inspired. I knew that he is really a very well guitarist.” Uwe's master project (Toxic Smile) is well-known in the German progressive scene. Pierre's brother Yves came to Black Shark Said after he stopped to work with Plasmic Ocean. It turned out that also Georg was a true multi-talent.
Also a time full of heights and depths. Finally, it should precede.
For the moment form Pierre, Uwe, Yves and Georg the core of the project.
What or who was your biggest influence as an artist?
Last end we believe that we affected each other mutually at most. With Uwe's entrance into the band the style of Black Shark Said changed strongly. Naturally it positively expressed itself. But we have also external influences. Nevertheless most of us have different musical influences. Uwe and Pierre are inspired by progressive music (for example Pain Of Salvation ) particularly however of "multi-musican-projects". Many good musicians meet up in vein and become unity. So for example David Bowie, Björk, in addition, Death, Derek Sherinian, Planet X or Porcupine Tree. Also strong influences come from the classical period (for example Prokofiev, Bach), in addition, from the range of electronic music, like drum'n bass or nu jazz. But there is a small difference between us. Pierre preferes “black tea” and Uwe “black beer” :-). Yves style is more alternative rock like Pearl Jam or some other. Georg's roots are to be found in the jazz, nu jazz and Big Band jazz.
That’s Black Shark Said on “a(e)ffect structures drift”.
And what non-musical things influence your musical style?
Mainly the f... k’n crazy things those happens on the “Sesame Street”...*lol.
Non-musical things who influence our music are often the everyday life. Sometimes it is more a crazy mixture between coincidence, experience and emotions with that a cool sounds develops.
But not behind everything a deeper sense hides itself.
Your music it's wholly original, it's very different from most things occurring at this point in time. How would you describe or characterise your composing process?
From the beginning we tried to create a very independent sound. The electronic component, like loops or samples, was very important to us. It should remain nevertheless conventional “rock” music.
The composing process of “a(e)ffect structures drift“ was more studio oriented. That is to change in the future work. Often we first developed independently ideas. Sometimes the ideas were too complex around it to be arranged in typical continuous production.
We tried to keep the musical process really progressive. The function reminded usually of a pure studio project. But as said, this is to change.
Is there a creative scene you do identify with and consider yourself a member of?
Surely, there is a German creative scene. In our opinion it’s mostly independent and fragmented. Some underground stuff, you know? It’s not matchable with the scenes in Seattle or New York.
Your music it is written out ahead of time or you improvise in the studio, or is it some combination?
It is a combination. Most Vocal parts, Drums, Basses, also all saxophones/flutes and some guitars are improvised in the studio.
In my opinion "A(e)ffect Structures Drift" is a perfect album and surely one of the best published albums latelly. Could you briefly explain the process of composing and recording this album?
Thank you very much. It was a durable composition process. Up to the conclusion. All in all a very alternative function. The large challenge was to produce well with little budget. Often only structures of samples, loops, piano and synthesizers were the basis of the pieces. Sometimes only a guitar topic. Most pieces built themselves up gradually like a puzzle. It was a structured process. A “hand in hand work” in which the creative process was the leading part.
Can you share with us the meaning and inspiration behind the songs?
Ok, here some short stories in addition. 1. “Phylum”: the sound behind the crust of the tree “Luna”... also the threatening danger. You can read the whole story of “Luna” here. http://www.circleoflife.org/inspiration/luna/
2. “Animal Act”: a situation full of sexual energy...a little bit aversion...the extatic moment (solo)... the afterwards it.
3. For example “Luna”: some moments of Julia Butterfly and the tree “Luna” (a story much impressed us). The female voice you can hear is “Julia Butterfly”.
4. “Apcyze”: abcyze - a neologism, it’s a trial to describe how much nonsence you carry in your head... with a less of words... how important you are in face of eternity...?
5. “Pressure”: let something flow... under pressure...
6. “The Plasmic Ocean”: a small story about some critical moments in a musicians life (the educational index finger, you know? :-))
7. “Am I... ”: only the question “Am I...?“... the center of life... a deep emotion.
8. “Zero”: The tsunami in Asia gave cause for it. during thousands lose their existence, thousands have too much from everything. a conversation of the conscience.
9. “Increase Period”: simply an increase of one theme... of everything
10. “T.o.a.d.y.”: ...just a f... k'n toady, you know?
11. “II Risma”: the interpersonal worst case scenario.
12. “Impasse Blackpapered Motel”: a small story like in a road movie. it is a nightmare. some ill thoughts are in your head. Everything is surreal. In the dream you did somewhat wrong. The police is on your trace... and they will kill you!
13. “Uprooted”: a really sentimental love story... oh my god!! :-)... hell on earth :-))))
14. “Type 4 Sax-System”: woooow, this is Georg!!!
15. “Hidden Track”: remember “Luna”.
Who write the lyrics and music? All you are involved in the creative process?
Most texts developed in common work (Uwe, Yves, Pierre). All were merged in the creative process, but the most songs was written by Pierre and Uwe. You can recognize it on CD booklet.
How would you describe exactly what you're aiming for with your music, in the long term?
Sometimes music is the way to compensate the weakness of words only. It’s our way to tell something... wrong or good... you know? We want to provoke creativity.
Then, what music should we expect to hear on your new album? Will it stylistically be in the vein of “A(e)ffect Structures Drift”, at least on the whole, or something completely different?
The new material will become harder. How the next album will sound exact, we cannot say yet.
It should be an advancement of “A(e)ffect Structures Drift“. The music is not to develop back. We want to keep the creative process alive.
How so advanced it is the work at the moment?
For the moment we stand at the beginning with the new work. This time we fix some new ideas and begin to write new songs.
Well, thank you very much for doing this interview. Some final message?
We have to thank you! We hope to be able to inspire as much as possible people with our music. And we hope also that our independent sound remains existing.
Best wishes and keep on rockin!
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