INTERVIEW MIT SHANE TOLD VON SILVERSTEIN AM IMPERICON FESTIVAL

20.04.2018 ARENA WIEN

Last year you released your Album Dead Reflection. Are there any differences compared to the past ones?

Yeah I mean every record has different songs on it that is the first thing but we took a bit of a different approach. We worked with a different producer, different studio and the song writing process was different too. We did a lot more sending songs and files back and forward over the computer and working on them on our own and sending them back instead of getting in a room and jamming. That made it easier to hear the nuances and the changes.

Who does the songwriting?

 On this record a lot of it was Paul Marc Rousseau writing the majority of the music and I wrote some of the songs too.

 You have a favorite song from the new album and an all-time favorite?

Oh Jesus. We have so many songs now I really can’t pick an all-time favorite but from the new record I like Aquamarine because it is a personal track for me about a dark time I went through. It took a long time to write it and when it was done i couldn’t listen to it because it was so personal and real but now after having like a year time to reflect back on it I can listen to it and enjoy it more in a different kind of way. The lyrics are very specific because it is what happened.

You are touring a lot in different counties. Did you notice anything special about the fans in Europe?

They are different. People tend to listen more intently and focus more on the details of the live show whereas like in USA people just want to kick each other’s heads in. It is much more physical in the crowd whereas in Germany i think people are very keen to take it all in and they still rock out. And the European fans give very honest feedback what they liked about the show and want to know why and care about the reasons like „Why didn’t you play this song? “.  In Canada, USA it is more like I’m here for a good time and a one dimensional experience.

Are there countries you haven’t been touring yet but would like to go?

There are some places in Europe. For example my background is Estonian, my grandparents were born there and I have never been to Estonia and that is a place I really would like to go. I also heard that Greece is beautiful but we have never been there. We have never been to Africa at all. We are constantly looking for new places to go but on the other hand we also want to come back to the places where people really love us and want to see us.

Is it hard for you to be on tour for such a long time, away from home, friends and family?

That’s the hardest part about doing what we do. Missing everyone’s birthday and special occasions like weddings. But we wouldn’t do it i fit wasn’t worth it in the end.

What are you doing after the show? Party or sleep?

 It depends. If we have a day off we sit around and have a couple of beers and other nights we have to leave right after finishing the show.

Are you still nervous before you go on stage?

No. I would say there is a feeling that you get and it’s not really nervous it is sort of excitement. You feel the adrenaline and excitement to start.  It is energy that is in your mind and body.

Anything ever went wrong on stage?

Sure all the time. You can’t control everything and there are all these different instruments and cables. You got a guitar, cable, microphone, etc. and if one thing goes wrong it won’t work. All the time things can go wrong it’s all about how you handle it and make the best of it. I remember a show ten years ago in Dallas, Texas and suddenly the sound was gone. I couldn’t even talk in the microphone and the crowd could not hear me. So I said bring me an acoustic guitar and with my loudest voice I said “Hey everybody come here and be quiet” and I did not know what to play so I just played Basket Case by Green Day and everybody sang and had the best time. That’s a moment I and these people will never forget. I also could have walked off stage and say "Fuck You" but I made the best of it and it turned into something special. It’s all about the attitude and to enjoy the fact that life is not perfect but if it was it would be really fucking boring.

Do you have some crazy fans stalking the band or waiting at the bus?

Only from time to time. For the most part people are really respectful and understanding. We don’t get any big problems like other bands with really young fans. We don’t have anything too crazy happen.

Thank you for your time. I wish you a great show and an amazing tour. 

Thank you