Zeal & Ardor 2024: Manuel Gagneux über das Album "Greif", neue Wege & Band-Experimente @ROCKANTENNE

Summary

In this engaging interview, Manuel from the band Sil and Ada reflects on the evolution of their music and their approach to creating their new album, 'Greif.' He discusses how the band has become more collaborative, with new members contributing to the sound and creative process. The conversation delves into the diverse genre influences in their music, the personal themes explored in the album, and how they balance staying true to their roots while experimenting with new elements. The interview also touches on their live performances and upcoming tour plans, offering insights into their artistic journey and the future of the band.

Takeaways

• 😀 Manuel is currently busy with promotional work for the band's new album and has been engaging in numerous interviews over the past few hours.
• 😀 The band now presents itself as a collective, rather than as a solo project by Manuel, with a more inclusive approach to the band's music creation process.
• 😀 The addition of new band members has influenced the production process, adding diverse ideas and improving the overall quality of the album, even though Manuel still writes the music solo.
• 😀 While Manuel still writes the music alone, the input from other band members, particularly in their instrumental contributions, has shaped the sound and added new layers to the album.
• 😀 The new album 'Greif' incorporates influences from various genres, such as rock and electronic music, reflecting Manuel's personal tastes and experimentation.
• 😀 The album's musical diversity serves to surprise listeners and break away from the formulaic approach of previous albums, while still maintaining the band's core identity.
• 😀 The decision to experiment with different genres and sounds in the new album stems from Manuel's desire to avoid stagnation and to keep the music fresh for both the band and the listeners.
• 😀 The personal nature of the new album reflects Manuel's current emotional state and life experiences, with the themes ranging from personal stories to fictional ones, while still being rooted in genuine emotion.
• 😀 The title 'Greif' references Basel's annual tradition of the 'Vogel Greif,' symbolizing the connection between the band members and their hometown, as well as the fusion of different elements, similar to the band's musical evolution.
• 😀 The album features a mix of old and new sounds, including softer songs like 'To My Ilk' and harder, more experimental tracks, showcasing the band's versatility and desire to push boundaries.

Q & A

Why has Manuel and the band decided to present themselves more as a collective rather than as individual members?

Manuel explains that the main difference now is the involvement of other band members in the creative process. The band wants to present themselves as a whole, rather than Manuel being seen as the sole music maker with others merely supporting. This also allows the band to take on more interviews together, which was a new step for them.

How has the involvement of new band members affected the album's production?

While Manuel still writes the music alone, the new members contribute ideas and elements that he wouldn't have thought of, leading to a better, more enriched album. Their input has added new dimensions to the music, making it more collaborative and diverse.

Has the band's sound changed due to the new influences brought by the new members?

Although Manuel continues to write the songs alone, he admits that the new members influenced the music by bringing their own musical ideas. This has subtly altered the sound, even though it remains rooted in the band's core identity.

Why did the band choose to experiment with different genres and elements in their new album 'Greif'?

Manuel wanted to avoid repeating the same album as before and felt it was important to explore new musical territories. He believes that introducing various genre influences would bring excitement and novelty, while also keeping the band members engaged and passionate about the songs.

Where do the musical ideas for the album come from, and which artists or genres influenced them?

Manuel mentions that the ideas come from the music he personally enjoys, such as artists like Arc, Mr. Bungle, and Tomahawk. These influences from his youth, including genres like rock and electronic music, shaped the album's diverse sound.

Why did the band move away from the themes of black metal on this album?

Manuel reflects that the band has already explored black metal themes and even composed music for a film with a black metal band. After some time, he wanted to focus on music that felt more authentic to him, rather than sticking to a style just for the sake of it.

What are the thematic elements of the album 'Greif'?

Manuel clarifies that the album doesn't follow a single overarching theme. Instead, it consists of various small, sometimes fictional, stories. He emphasizes that the emotion behind the music is key, even though the lyrics are not directly autobiographical.

Why did Manuel decide to make the album more personal compared to previous works?

He chose to be more personal because he felt the need to explore topics that were currently significant to him. Writing songs that felt real and emotional to him became important, especially as he realized that the previous, more abstract themes no longer resonated with him.

What is the meaning behind the title of the album, 'Greif'?

The title 'Greif' refers to the mythical creature, the griffin, which symbolizes something between worlds, much like the band's blending of different influences. Additionally, it connects to Basel, their hometown, where the 'Vogelgreif' (Griffin) is part of a local tradition.

How has the band felt about the reception of their new music at festivals and during tours?

Manuel acknowledges that introducing new music to an established audience can be intimidating. However, the band has received positive reactions, even when some fans were initially surprised by the softer or more experimental tracks. They aim to surprise listeners without alienating them.