What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.
I was always interested in instrumental music. As a child I recorded with small tape recorder title tracks of tv series directly from the tv speaker box.
So visual aspects have always accompanied my musical taste. If do not see any pictures in my mind, listening to music, it may be not my kind.
I started writing songs with lyrics and singing when I was about 16.
but I never really managed to get to a point where I just emancipate from my musical influences and find my own voice and style. Some time I started making electronic music. I never listened to electronic music. Well, in clubs, but not at home. But that way I found out how my style seems to sound, because I did not try to imitate another artist. It was not really dancable but is was freeing (listen to “oliver kern“ on bandcamp) . When I picked up guitars again I had more confidence in my taste and creativity. But I skipped singing until this day. I have tons of scetches and demos of songs. So maybe they will be finshed someday. I work on a bunch of them…
Provide us with some info about your latest release…
A conceptual album about my thought and feelings about environment, climate change and extiction of animals and plants. To be not overwehelmed by possibilities I chose the insects to fix my concept on.
In this release I was supported by some jazz musicians o my hometown. Normally I do all the studio work by myself. This time I needed woodwinds for some tracks.
Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?
The visual and suggestive style of Pink Floyds music was a big influence ever since. My Guitar playing might be more inspired by band like Pearl Jam, Afghan Whigs and that kind. But I also adore Jazz records (mostly the Blue Note), Robert Wyatt, Tom Waits, some film scores of Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Hans Zimmer, (right , I do not really listen to Post-Rock although ea Collective is mostly what is called Post Rock, maybe. But I see differences, though. …
In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?
Ea Collective layers sounds and melodies. Sometimes 4 Guitars and 2 synthesizers would be needed to do this live. Post rock is often just the classic rhythm and melody guitar setup. Some more jazz influence is maybe found in my music.
Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…
Albums: Afghan Whigs Black Love, Radiohead in Rainbows, Father John Misty Pure Comedy (yes, all with singers)
Movies: Interstellar, Big Lebowsky, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
Books: Gaßner, “Können wir die Welt verstehen“ thats Astropyhsics. Maybe I had enough time to understand it all on a lonely island. Douglas Adams Hitchhikers Guide ( all parts) , And maybe I would read Stephen Kings “it“ again. Loved it as a teenager.
Ask me tomorrow and I would choose totally different…
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?
Ea Collective never performed live. But I as a drummer started a jazz session in which I was playing the drums. Loved it too. But studio is more my natural environment. I love creating things and have them recorded.
Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?
My musical career is absolutely missing a career! I am 44 and this is my second interview. So maybe it starts right now…
Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?
“Hear Earth Breathing“ the title track of my 1st album is one of my personnally most important tracks. Anything ey Collective is about you can find there. Do not know if it is the most unique, though. Maybe “Bugs“ from “The Last of Their Kind“. Brings Jazz to Postrock.
Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?
Finished an Album about Corona just these days.
So I guess ea Collective will carry on reacting on actual Happenings and Crises and Chances (hope for)
Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…
What does you music intend?
I want to send the listeners to a journey. Sometimes it is a trip into your inner world, sometimes it is more about the outside, sometimes space itself. The hardest thing to do is keeping concentrated about it. Some songs are difficult and sometimes a track sounds just ugly or disturbing. I think it is part of the journey and therefore useful. Just clicking through the tracks will get you nowhere at all. You will have to be patient for this.
Curated by: Christos Doukakis
Recommended listening:
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Connect with ea Collective:
https://ea-collective.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/eacollectivepostrock/