| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
I'm in the studio as well as touring a little. I'm recording stuff
for two new projetcs right now. One is my new Band "Majesty" which I
joined a few months ago.
We are currently in the studio recording stuff for the third album
which will be out at the end of this year. And also recording stuff
with my old Bandmates from "Vanize" with a new singer from Sweden. We
are looking for a label with that new material. Besides that I'm also
doing some Festivals with "Majesty".
|
| 2.
What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoints(s) of your career
to date?
|
Highlight is without a doubt the Empire recordings so far with all
those great musicians involved. It has been a real great thing to be
able to work with these amazing guys.
Lowpoint is that I still have to give guitar lessons to earn my
living.
|
| 3. Who have been your main influences on your career to date?
|
I grew up with Gary Moore, Deep Purple, Malmsteen, Rainbow, Kiss,
ACDC,Thin Lizzy, Maiden etc.
On the guitar-side I'm totally influenced by Gary Moore, Allan
Holdsworth and Malmsteen.(What a Trio?)
|
| 4. New album, 'Trading Souls', has just been released. What are
your personal favourates on the album and why?
|
"Did You Ever Love Me" is my fav on the record. It means much to me
as well as I love the whole tune. Another Fav is "Pay Back Time". I
like the choir arrangement by Tony so much. It delivers a great
atmosphere.
|
| 5. How did you manage to get such an all star line-up on the album?
You've got three very well respected musicians in Tony Martin, Neil
Murray & Don Airey.
|
I guess I had luck and asked the right people in the right moment.
|
| 6. Have Empire ever toured and do you plan any gigs with this line-
up at all?
|
No we didn't play so far and I'm really working hard on changing
that!!!
|
| 7. How do you view the current state of rock music? Do you see a
bigger audience now for metal/hard rock than say five years ago?
|
Yes it's getting a bit better but still the trendy music scene is too
big for me.
A smaller market would be enough for that kind of music. But
unfortunately not the Best Quality sells the most. Some people say
the melodicrock scene is getting bigger. I wish it'll be so!
|
| 8. How do you come-up with the lyrical ideas for the band?
|
Normally Gerald and me prepare basic parts of the lyrics and then I
forward them to Tony. He adds then his stuff to it. And then we speak
about it short before the recording session.
|
| 9. What do you do in your spare time outside of music?
|
Family.
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| 10. Message to your fans...
|
Hope you'll love the album. And I'm looking forward to seeing you on
Tour somewhere!!!!Thanks for the interview and stay Heavy.
Cheers Rolf
|
