How exactly are you deciding upon
your setlist, given the vast repository
you have to choose from?
Usually it is heavily based on new
songs, because the latest album
is what I`m usually most proud
of at the time of a tour. Those
are the songs I’m most excited
to share. Also, since I don’t have
any "hits" so to speak, I can shape
the setlist around the peaks and
valleys I can create with the
music itself without being forced
to play any particular songs. I
have romantic ballads as well as
violent brutal metal, so it gives
me a lot to play with as far as
keeping the audience’s attention.
How often do musicians have
to compromise their artistic
authenticity to stay relevant?
All the time, we are
compromising in one way or
another. If you don't, you will
never move forward. The trick
is to compromise only to the
extent that you can still walk
away from what you are doing
feeling that you haven't made
a complete ass out of yourself,
and actually be proud of the
overall thing you just did. My
last 2 studio albums, "Inferno"
and "Wall of Sound" have the
least compromising of my entire
career. I love them and don`t
regret a second of that music.
What's your response to "metalheads"
who turn up their noses at Babymetal?
Everyone has different tastes,
and everyone’s opinion is exactly
equally valid. I dig BabyMetal.
I also like Coca Cola. Maybe
you like Pepsi. It’s all good. It
would be so boring if everyone
liked the exact same thing.
What matters least when it
comes to making good music?
And what matters most?
There is no good or bad music.
The only music in the world that
matters is the music you like.
The music that affects you to the
point that you want to hear it
again. That's it. If you are able to
create music that you actually
like, that is the best feeling
there is. That should probably
be the goal of every artist.
Do you think art comes attached
to some kind of purpose?
All forms of entertainment are
life’s important distractions from
reality. Without them, it can be
a pretty cold and dark universe
out there. I thank my lucky stars
that my favorite entertainers
took the incredible efforts to
work so incredibly hard at their
craft for my enjoyment. To be
immersed in art that you love is
a happy way to go through life.
Given that music is so dominant in
your life, how often do you listen
to music just for recreation?
All the time. I'm listening to
the West Side Story soundtrack
now, which is a favorite.
Would you say you have
managed to accomplish much
of what you have desired?
Not even close. There is
much more out there. I have
a lot more I want to do.
When do you think a musician should
stop making music? For example,
should they stop when they start
getting bored? Or, when they can
no longer offer something new?
Whenever they want. It’s
no one's choice except the
person making the music.
Tell us about a few musicians that you
are really fascinated with right now.
Hyadain, Deafheaven, Maneki
Kecak, Mono (JAPAN0 and
PassCode come to mind, but
there are plenty more
How have you changed as a
person in the last 5 years?
Not much as a person, but in
the last 5 years I've made the 2
strongest albums of my career by
far, and I feel I'm finally getting
the hang of how to make my
music. It has taken a while.
What is the best compliment
your art has received?
If someone says "I enjoy your
music" and they mean it,
that is all I can wish for.
Do you have any warnings for new
musicians who look up to you?
No, I'm just flattered.
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
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