RK : First of all , thank you for accepting our invitation for an interview.
Chubby : You´re very welcome, thanks for this opportunity to talk with you!
RK : Share with us what is the story behind the name AEVERIUM. Why did you decide to pick this name for the band?
Chubby : Well actually there is no deeper meaning. I just created this name in the middle of a sleepless night on my mobile phone, just put some letters together....fortunately this is the Latin word for "the Beast"...I could imagine worse names.
RK : Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? How did you all first meet each other? Has anything surprised you about it all so far?
Chubby : At first sight, the band was supposed to be a studio project with musicians from all over the world. But as the first pre-productions were finished we all thought that it´ll be a good match to form a live band as well. Michael (guitar player) asked me to sing along to one or two of his songs which he has written together with our keyboarder Andi. Michael was my long time neighbour but I never knew that he was an overwhelming songwriter...so I gave a listen to his songs and for me it was more than clear, that we have to found a band with this. So I used my best contacts in our home based music scene and we´ve found Lars on bass, Klaus on drums and Aeva on vocals. First time we met was in my house to check out the possibilities of rehearsing, writing songs and also how to promote it efficiently. I was surprised that it all worked out!
RK : What was the first song you played as a band?
Chubby : I think the first song indeed was "Heaven´s Burning" followed by "The Ground Beneath Your Feet".
RK : How strictly do you separate improvising and composing?
Chubby : We compose our songs very efficiently. The basic of the song is composed by Andi and Michael. Then we have a pre pro session with me and it comes to arrangements and polish up the song. Then we do the vocals, which Michael does the lyrics for. So as you see, we work really efficiently since we all have limited time space. We are all into families and daily (part time) jobs. The only thing where we change stuff could be in the studio when we produce the album or at this point when your rehearsing the new stuff.
RK : Let’s talk about your album, “Time” released in 2017, which is already a massive hit. Tell us something about the album.
Chubby : For us it was a next step into more modern sounds and the continuation of being just Aeverium. Always a read thread through the album regarding the lyrics....On BREAK OUT we also had the element "Time" in our lyrics, so we decided to continue with this one. It was a hard process of composing, but absolutely worth it!
RK : What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?
Chubby : Unfortunately we had some time issues during the process of vocal production and the mixing process. So our nerves were very strained...but also here: In the end, absolutely worth it!
RK : Your debut album Break Out became popular immediately after the release. How did it feel when you got so much support from your listeners?
Chubby : It´s just surreal. We had plenty of great times on the road promoting the album and the reactions were overwhelming so far! Not just only in Germany, also in foreign countries! Like a dream come true.
RK : If you had all the money and time in the world, what song either yours or someone else’s would you love to re-create? What the video be like?
Chubby : Hm, maybe I would do a very epic symphonic acoustic version of "Do They Know It´s Christmas Time" now ... simply cause I like Christmas and this song, also the message in between. I love the power of the 80's sounds. If I had the chance to compose this song with a big orchestra...put some Aeverium elements in it, just with acoustic instruments....a little slower than the original....carried by a magnificent epic ness.....I think this would be a hit again! The video? Well....based on the subject putting some real footage from the "bad mad world" into it. as long as it catches hearts, i would do any footage for it....feed the world, you know....always a present subject....sadly...
RK : Where do you think you are all happiest: In the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?
Chubby : Stage, definitely. We´re a live band overall!!! That’s a fact. It´s our strength to play live and carry our music through the audience! Always fun to play with the guys, I couldn´t imagine something else.
RK : Since you are on the metal scene for quite a long time we are sure you went through many challenges. Was there ever a time when you simply want to quit?
Chubby : I don´t agree that we´re in the scene since a long time...we were found in 2014 so it’s almost 5 years now. We´ve been through some tough times though but since the fact that we´re all grown up and mature we take everything as a gift to reflect your work, yourselves and of course the music...as Aeva left the band this year we were all really sad and felt a bit like powered out. But you reflect, talk, change ways....get up and move on! The flame is still burning .
RK : What advice AEVERIUM would give to fellow bands when picking up a studio?
Chubby : You need to have a really good pre-production! You need to have a good vision of how your music will sound. you need to talk first to the sound engineer and of course check the fee...if it’s too cheap it could be really worse, you know what i mean...? Check out their other productions and see if their sound combines with your idea of sound!
RK : Outside your genre, what music do you like?
Chubby : Me personally i like 80´s Pop music. There is so much power and epic ness in it! Also i like bands, who catches my ear. Could be pop, soul, metal, acoustic, rock, classic or whatever. To name some of my fav acts i would say Depeche Mode, Type O Negative, Queen, Glen Hansard, Midge Ure, Alter Bridge, Within Temptation and The Night Game.
RK : How has 2018 been treating you so far? What is one musical goal that you have had for this year and how close are you to reaching it?
Chubby : It was a bit of a quiet year, since we didn´t had much shows. Aeva left the band so it was really hard to find a new female singer for us. In the end we´ve found her and we´re really happy with this. The first shows with her went really well and we´re really looking forward to 2019.....so 2018 is a wrap . Next goal: New album 2019....we will nail it .
RK : Is there anything you want to let people know about, other than your recent album and tour?
Chubby : We will continue writing songs to produce our 3rd and of course best album ever! A tour will start in the 2nd leg of 2019 i guess....and yeah, i like to give everyone a small advice: If you like our music please BUY our album, do not rip it from the internet! simply because you will destroy our way to continue. getting rich in music business is a hard score to be done, so all we want is making music, play live and have a great time with our fans! this is only going to happen when our fans BUY our albums....oh and by the way, please buy the music from ALL bands you like!
RK : Have you ever been to India and anything you know about Indian Music Industry?
Chubby : Unfortunately not! But maybe there’s a chance to visit this beautiful country and play some concerts! It´ll be awesome!!!! So invite us.
RK : We (Retro Kolkata) are trying to make a bridge between National and International Art & Culture By featuring National & International personalities who already have made their own path in their respective fields and we think your story and tips might help the newcomers to build their career. Please say something about our initiative and any special message for your Indian followers.
Chubby : Thanks again for having us and give us the opportunity to talk to you and the Indian Community! We personally think it´s a great work you guys do for creating that bridge...not only for Art and Culture but for giving us the opportunity to introduce ourselves as musicians and humans to the Indian Community! Music is a language everybody speaks.....one love, one friendship, one world! Let´s keep working together! धन्यवाद
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