Heimataerde

Hi Ash, first off all, please tell us more about the latest split EP "Unter den Linden/Vater" released by COP International.
- "Hi! Both EP's have not been published in the USA. However, we realised quite some demand and reacted to it with the release of this split record. There was stock shortage on the original pressings anyway."

It seems like the 'Vater' single is a bit less inspired by medieval tendencies than your prior releases, what do you think and will future releases have more modern sounds as well?
- "Well, I hope you find it inspired at all (laugh)! Those instrumental tendencies were never intended to be self containing, but adequate for the individual song. With the EP 'Vater' those elements have been used less often. They are present of course, but more in the percussive parts, helping to drive the songs. The choirs were an asset which I devoted more focus, but you see, there's a lot in music apart from the obvious. Archaic instruments will be a part of Heimataerde's music, with changing intensity of use, the song is the master key if it comes to arranging the orchestra."

And by speaking of medieval, how did you come up with that idea to combine hard hitting modern electronic music with classical and less used (in the combination area) instruments?
- "I liked the atmosphere on medieval trade shows and fairs, with the music and clothes coming alive. Besides, it fascinates me because it was a different world from ours. It is a strange land of time, devoid of the romance we want to see in it. The pictures and artwork give a good idea of how I think the middle ages might have been. I was also interested into knights and the Templers, together with the ancient music this led me to mix it with dark electro, very fitting to the sinister and grim aspects of the middle ages, so I began to experiment with archaic instrumentation and modern beats."

While researching, I mostly came up with German interviews and articles, how's the reactions been outside Germany?
- "Through the Internet we are able to get glimpses at Heimataerdes reception. There is a lot of reaction via MySpace or Vampirefreaks and similar. Most impressive of course is personal feedback when playing a show abroad. At the Infest festival in Bradford, UK, we were very inspired by seeing how open minded people can be and let themselves being carried away by the atmosphere of a Heimataerde show."

You have a quite big live crew, are they somewhat involved in the rest of production, or is Heimataerde a one man army?
- "No, concerning the musical writing process, Heimataerde is a solo project. On stage this wouldn't work, so I devised a band, with which we perform the Heimataerde saga together live."

Since I'm born and raised close to Visby, the old important city of the German Hanseatic League, medieval and historical remains have been part of the every day and youth, what's your connection, if any?
- "Old Europe is still full of witnesses of the medieval epoch, even where I live. Of course some city ensembles or the occasional castle spark my fantasy. Since I have some connection to medieval re-enactment, I tend to see those remnants with a practical eye."

'Vater' was the single released in 2008 from the full-length 'Leben Geben Leben Nehmen' from 2007, any new released planned?
- "Oh yes. Currently there is very busy work on the next album, continuing the story of Ashlar von Megalon. There will be some guest artists, although I don't want to give away much more... You'll probably see some new info quite soon."

Even though the winter barely left, summer is closing in, what's the festival and touring plans for this summer?
- "This year's live activities will be a bit fewer, since the work on the new album has priority. The schedule is quite full with little allowance, but after the next release we'll don't stay put."

Any last words to our readers?
- "Thanks very much to our listeners, festival goers and other friends! We shall see you again, and keep watching for the Unwesen stalking closer..."