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Interview with

Timur Karakus (vocals) from SCHÖNGEIST

Golden autumn has finally come into its own. And it’s not just a melancholic and peaceful season, but a time of hard work, if we are speaking about musicians, new releases, tours, concerts and what not. SCHÖNGEIST’s tour will start in a few days and in between all the preparations the band’s mastermind Timur Karakus found time to answer a few questions traditionally about music, tour and future plans. Read and enjoy!

Reflections of Darkness [RoD]: Now you are working on a new material. Maybe you could say something about it? Any changes, sonic experiments or else? When will the album come out?
Timur: The new material is rather exciting even for us very much. It will be more energetic, we will add more groove, more rock and especially much more fun ;-)

RoD: Autumn will be a busy period for you. What do you expect from the tour with A LIFE DIVIDED? Will you prepare some surprises for your concerts?
Timur: We expect a lot of fun and hope to have a good time with the audience. We will present a special mix of our band history.

RoD: What other plans does the band have for this and next year?
Timur: Well, between and after the tour we will continue working on our new record and at the end of the year on Christmas we will play a very special show with the band EISBRECHER.

RoD: The new design of your logo got a wide response. What did you want to say with it?
Timur: Just sun, moon and stars. Nice or not ;-)

RoD: Which concert of yours is the most memorable so far and why?
Timur: Out last show at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne was very impressive. I could compare it with the Madison Square Garden in New York. Huuuge.

RoD: What qualities/traits of character does one need to become a good musician?
Timur: You need a lot of power, self-confidence and the ability not to give up doesn´t matter what or who wants to break you.

RoD: The craziest action you’ve ever done?
Timur: Playing a show with HAGGARD. ;-)

RoD: Every person will find something special in your music. But what so special/ personal do you find in the music, beside the fact that it’s your music?
Timur: Authenticity is the key… Always. No matter what kind of music you make or listen to.

RoD: Your lyrics are mostly devoted to human nature, different deep and sincere feeling. Why did you choose such a complicated subject?
Timur: Easy subjects fit better to people living on the surface so to say. Long time ago I destroyed my surface, so there is no way back anymore ;-)

RoD: What made you start the project SCHÖNGEIST in 2006? What inspired you to write songs at the very beginning and what inspires you now?
Timur: The way of living of many people in this neo liberal world order. People are not recognizing the beauty that surrounds us, they used to see and show evil things I would call egoism and opportunism.

RoD: You immediately found your unique sound with a lot of wonderful notes or was it a long way of searching, experiments, etc.?
Timur: It was a long way but the way is not finished yet. Every year and every record is a search. Our music is always an adaptation of our current life.

RoD: If you had to describe your music only with one word, what word would it be?
Timur: Smart.

RoD: For those who have never heard your band before, with which song/album should they start a journey to the world of SCHÖNGEIST in your opinion?
Timur: I think that starting with our first record ‘Liebeskrieger’ will be quite good.

RoD: Do you think that the growing popularity for an Artist also means some lack of freedom?
Timur: If you lose your self-control, of course. You need to have some mechanism of stability. Good friends, family and so on…

RoD: What do you think about the importance of the Internet nowadays? Is it good or bad for musicians as mostly all songs can be found online and people can listen to them?
Timur: We are living in times now with MTV, less important print media and so on. Spreading music to the audience has changed in many ways. Going on tour is a good old way and actual than ever before. But for marketing – especially around the globe the Internet became an important factor. The art is a mastering the way of marketing within new media.

RoD: Your personal TOP-5 of gothic rock tracks.
Timur: 1. The Sisters of Mercy – Marian / 2. The Sisters of Mercy – Alice / 3. The Sisters of Mercy – Flood I / 4. The Sisters of Mercy – Amphetamine Logic / 5. The Sisters of Mercy – First and Last and Always

RoD: Finally a word of wisdom to our readers ;)
Timur: Stay healthy and don´t lose your humanity!


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