Interview with Chris Harms (vocals) of Lord of the Lost
LORD OF THE LOST was formed in 2008 by Chris Harms (vocals, guitar), Sebsta (guitar), Sensai (guitar), Class (bass) and Any (drums). The band’s debut album ‘Fears’ was released the 19th of January 2010. When you learn that Chris Harms is writing songs mostly every day, you are not that surprised to read on the band’s MySpace page that they are planning to start with recording the second album next month. But for now let’s focus on the band’s debut album ‘Fears’.
Reflections of Darkness (RoD): How would you like to introduce LORD OF THE LOST and your music for those who have not yet heard of you?
Chris Harms (Chris): In a beer-mood we once called it pussy wetting Goth Rock; I’d like to quote that if you don't find it too offensive. The fact that we have a female drummer maybe gives me the right to make such sexist statements… ;)
RoD: You have a brand new debut album out right now, ‘Fears’, I reviewed it for Reflections of Darkness and it took me a week to get through all the songs (because I was constantly hitting repeat on several of the songs). I really like it! Would you like to tell me about how the album came to life? Did you have a vision of how you would like it all to turn out in the end? Chris: Oh, thank you, this is very in to hear, thank you for this compliment. I only had one aim; I wanted to create songs that I'd like to listen to myself. Everything came from the heart and this is where it's meant to go to as well, I want to touch people with those songs.
RoD: What or who inspires you when you write the lyrics / music? Do you need to be on a special mood to create / write?
Chris: No, I can do it whenever and everywhere. I don't need a musical instrument to write songs, this is just distracting for me. I don't like songs that originate from jamming; I like to conceive them in my head without the limitations of the instruments I am playing. Regarding inspiration, I just need to be in love, anger or grief to write good songs and I am always in at least one of those situations.
RoD: What drives you and makes you keep working with music? If you could not use music as a creative outlet, what would you use instead?Chris: I have always been like that, there's no cure for it. I am writing songs mostly every day, even when I don't want to or trying not to. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't use music to tame me. I think I'd be a drug addict instead.
RoD: You have made videos for two songs out off ‘Fears’, ‘Dry the Rain’ and ‘Last Words’. Can you tell me about how the videos came to life? The videos are directed by Nikola Stahl, how come you chose to work with him for both videos? Did the videos turn out as you thought they would?
Chris: Nikola is actually a girl; it's the German "Nicole" name. I conceived those videos together with her, the second producer Markus Woyda and my wife. We tried to give the music an optical frame as best as we could. We are very satisfied with the results. The joint venture with Ms. Stahl and Co. was a coincident; we just ran into each other and started working. We'll be doing a 3rd video soon.
RoD: When did your love for music start? What does music mean to you?
Chris: I wouldn't say music means everything to me because it's not the only important thing for me, but it is essential. I started learning the cello when I was 5 years old.
RoD: When you listen to music, what is the most important for you, I mean do you listen and read the lyrics or just enjoy the music part at first?
Chris: As a producer it's hard for me only listening to music without analyzing the production, as a composer it's hard to do it without checking the arrangement and combination of parts. If I am able to enjoy music as a pure consumer, I begin with just listening, later I am checking the lyrics to be sure I haven't misheard anything. I always want to know and understand everything.
RoD: How has your own taste in music changed through the years? What did you listen to when you were younger? What do you listen to today?
Chris: It started with Roxette. Then I began listening to Guns’n’Roses, Kiss, a little later Nirvana, Metallica, all those classics. In the late 90's, everything changed by first listening to Rammstein. Shortly after that, I became a huge fan of Manson and NIN, and Slipknot. At the same time I discovered the old heroes around Bowie and such like. The last years, I was listening mostly to metal core, bands like Soilwork, Machine Head… Since 2009, I discovered "evil" side of music and fell in love with Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and such like.
RoD: If you were hit by a car and lie dying on the ground - but you got to sing one song that people would remember you for, a song that would sum up you which song would that be?
Chris: ‘The Most Radical Thing To Do’ by The Ark
RoD: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and good luck with the new album!
Chris: Thank you!
For further information about LORD OF THE LOST please visit the band’s profiles at MySpace or Facebook
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