Eine neue Amerikanische Gothic Band, produziert von keinem geringeren als William Faith ... da mußte ein Interview her. Die Realisation hat leider ein wenig länger gedauert als geplant, aber hier ist es nun, und sogar auf Englisch.

Entry: Please tell us something about the beginning of Autumn.

Julie: Well, I had spent a long time searching for people to work with on a projekt, but I have so many different musical influences and ideas, I really wasn’t heading in one particular direction or another, also I had always wanted to sing but I never really had. Meeting up with Jeff and Neil was an unexpected event, but immediately I knew that we shared a vibe, a wavelenght that couldn’t be ignored.

Neil: Jeff and I met in the fail of 1989 from an advertisement I had put up at a local record store. We got together and jammed for about 5 minutes before I know I wanted to work with him. After a couple of bands and a half a dozen singers later, we found Julie and now our musical circle is complete.

Entry: Tell us something about the members of Autumn.

Neil: I come from the Boewakantonwan Nation of Dakota people. I’ve been playing guitar now for about 10 years and have had lots of music theory and ear-training. I was recently married and I will be graduating this spring with a major in American Indian Studies and a minor in Classical Guitar. I also love 7-11’s!!

Jeff: I can only tell you about myself: I am 26, a computer fanatic, and I’m a programmer at a large computer manufacturer. The first album I ever purchased was the sisters first and last and always (in 1985) and I somehow it changed my life! (still listen to the album a lot while I’m at work) I’ve been playing bass for about 8 years.

Entry: What are your influences?

Julie: Everything from baroque to new age, punk, industrial, and a lot of other stuff as well.

Neil: I think my spirituality is the largest influence on my playing and writing. Aside from that, I do listen to a lot of Gpth and New Wave. I think the most influential band on me has been the earlier music by Clan of Xymox. "Medusa" is my favorite album of all time and I still listen to it quite a bit.

Jeff: My influences tend to reflect my mood swings. Aside from the stuff that everyone listen to (Joy Division, Sisters, etc.). I like lowlife, witchblade symphony, red house painters etc.

Entry: Please describe your kind of music.

Julie: I’ve been asked that question so many times, but still I have only one answer, passionate and without excuses - it just is what it is - hopefully something a little diffe5rent to each of our fans.

Jeff: Our kind of music is emotional, true to itself, full and lush and most importantly, personal. This band is a great emotional outlet.. I love writing music that gives people chills.

Entry: Please tell us something about your new CD "The hating tree".

Julie: For me the album is a statement about my life. It croniclesa period of despair and fear, but also the calm that follows the storm ...more than anything, it was a way for me to reflect on zhings I have been through and has helped be to purge some of the rage and sadness I had kept inside for far too long..

Neil: It’s done! I’d have to say the nicest thing about it is that we now have the means in which people can hear us the way we were meant to sound thanks to TESS records.

Entry: William Faith have produced this CD. Tell us something about it.

Neil: William is a great musical ally. He and Chat Blinman’s advice did indeed ad to the album without changing our sound. William kept us in high spirits throughout the whole recording event and it was an honor to work with such a talented musician. Gotta love that guy.

Jeff: William liked the domo-tapes that we sent to TESS records, and wanted to produce the album. It was perfect for both of us; we needed his experience and musical talent, and he wanted more producer work. I’d say that it was a perfect matchup, and we all had a lot of fun making the album. I can only hope that we can do it again next time.

Entry: Do you like Gothic Rock/Death Rock? Tell us something about the American scene.

Neil: Like I said, I love Goth very much. The scene here in Minneapolis is small but growing. It’s much larger on the coasts than here in the midwest indeed. San Francisco is the big Gothic mecca right now.

Jeff: It’s hard to define what exactly gothic rock is. I very much like stuff like sisters of mercy and fields of the nephilim. I tend to not care for much metal, distorted guitar in it which a lot of gothic bands get lumped into. The american scene is pretty diverse musically, and I belive that the scene here is growing. New bands like switchblade symphony and you shriek are bringing a fresh new edge to the scene here.

Entry: Are you planning a tour? When can we see you in Germany?

Jeff: We are touring the states this summer (late july/august). I don’t know if we will be able to do any european touring or not, considering the expence of going overseas. TESS has some big plans for this year, so it may just happen!

Entry: What are your plans for the future?

Jeff: Future plans are to expand our writing styles and hopefully tour as much as possible!

Neil: To never stop making music. I think a large european tour would be a good thing also.

Entry: Do you want to tell something to your German fans?

Julie: I would love the chance to travel abroad, especially to europe. It would be a dream come true to go on tour there - and I really hope to have the chance to connect with our fans there.

Neil: If there is ever a time that you want to write or e-mail, please do not hesitate! Take care of yourselfalso.

Jeff: Thank you for listening and getting in touch with us! (And reading all the way to this.)

Ich hoffe, Ihr hattet keine Schwierigkeiten beim lesen.

Contact über TESS Records.

M.V.