ELVENKING INTERVIEW

27-07-2010

ORIGINALLY RELEASED UNDER

MIRAS FANZINE ISSUE 8

ELVENKING INTERVIEW

M: Greetings from istanbul the city of seven hills. Well, bro tell us what are you doing these days as Elvenking crew.

Aydan: Hello! Well at the moment we are really working hard on the final details of the new album. The mix is done and we are valuating the mastering now. We are giving also final touches to the artwork and at the same time organizing things around the tour in support of the album. Really a lot of things to do!

M: How popular is Elvenking in your country Italy? Just the metal heads or most of the music listeners like your music?

Aydan: Well, I would say that in the last years the things are getting better and better also in our home country. Since a couple of years ago we were more popular outside Italy. Countries like Germany, Holland, Belgium etc gave a warmest welcome to our albums and live shows, but lately also things in Italy are becoming really good for us, even if it’s popularly know that Italian fans are not really into the local scene and prefer foreign acts. I would say that most of our listeners are metal heads but I have to notice that we have a good numbers of fans also between those who don’t listen usually to metal music, because they like a lot our different influences, especially from acoustic music.

M: After all this years and five great albums, do you think that the band stands the place you wanted it to be at the beginning?

Aydan: Well, to be sincere in the beginning of the band we never thought to be able to reach such levels. As said we come form a country where there was no space for metal music and in 1997, when we formed it was absolutely impossible to do something in this market. So everything we achieved is simply unbelievable for us. And thinking back to the old days and looking right now to where…well, I really feel proud.  

M: How do you write the main themes for the albums. Just your imagination or ideas from fantastic books?

Aydan: No, it is just from imaginations. But I guess you refer to the lyrics, and if you read them with attention you will realize they are about personal experiences and emotions. Nothing about fantasy or something similar. Maybe some people think that Elvenking lyrics are about fantasy or heroic stories, probably because of the name of the band, but, with the exceptions of few lyrics in our first album, this is really far from the truth.

M: Is Elvenking main job for you? If it is, is it really possible to earn money from music these dark pirate free mp3 days? Do you support free share on internet? Is laws enough in Italy to protect your art?

Aydan: Unfortunately we cannot consider it as a real job. As you said these are really dark days, and mp3s have ruined everything. I think that if things won’t change, music is close to the end or at least quality music, because there won’t be budgets to create and give forms to your ideas and to promote seriously your bands. I think that time is running and if there won’t be serious laws to protect all this, there won’t be future. I don’t understand what music business is doing for this massive problem. It seems like they do not care. I read the other day that also Christina Aguilera sold only 200.000 copies of her album. Well this is pretty impressive! When also pop music will be close to the end I think somebody will do something!

M: Personallay, which kind of music do you listen?

Aydan: Well, I would say everything, from metal to pop, from rock to punk and everything that has good melodies. But I would say that the very most part of my listening are good old metal and some new interesting band. I prefer melodic metal but also death or black metal are between my usual preferences.

M: Do you collect LP? Is it still populer format for you?

Aydan: Well, no to be sincere no. I am still with the good cd. No mp3 please!

M: Do we have chance to see Elvenking live in istanbul?

Aydan: I would come to play there also tomorrow if there are some promoters there interested in bringing Elvenking to play.

M: Thanks for the answers bro. Say hello to crew from us.

Aydan: Thank you very much for the interview. Our new album will be release in September, so check it out. All the best!