[BOLT] Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

We played a tour in late March with our good friend N and some nice festivals, plus further planning for future releases and some shows.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

I guess the biggest change or difference would have been the addition of drums respectively an additional band member. Hence, the whole writing process including its approach and sound changed in some ways. Specifically the addition of drums comes naturally with rhythmic changes or, as in our case, the general addition of rhythm. We understand ( 0 4 ) as a journey with recurring musical ideas which are featured throughout the album and tiled together by fuzzed out bass guitars, drums and degraded effects.

3.So far all of your music has been instrumental, would you be open to working with vocals or lyrics in the future?

We already have plans to work with someone on vocals, but rather in the sense of an additional instrument than central element as you would find in a classic band set-up.

4.Most of your song titles are named after numbers, can you tell us a little bit more about this concept?

Actually there isn’t too much of a concept apart from the songs being connected to a consecutive number. Since we don’t have any lyrics, it leaves enough room to the audience to interpret or relate to a song or an album whatever they want. Also, we don’t have too much say, haha.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name [BOLT]?

The name derives from a black beam, which in our early days represented our ‘band name’, but actually wasn’t pronounceable. We then came across an industrial bolt, which came closest to the previously used black beam.  [ ███████]

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

This year’s Dunk!Festival was remarkably good. It doesn’t happen too often that there is a strong connection between the audience, us as a band AND the place/venue we actually play which in that case was the forest stage and happened to be a special and unique experience.
When it comes to the performance itself, it depends on quite a few things. In an ideal world, we offer an intimate and equally intense performance. But that depends on things like sound, stage, audience, lighting or the like.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the next few months?

16.6. in Leverkusen and 25.8. in Mülheim (Ruhr). Both are festivals which combine art and music. Maybe a long weekend in late October.

8.You have also been a part of a few splits and collaborations, can you tell us a little bit more about the bands or artists you have shared these recordings with?

We met all of our split and collaboration partners before we actually worked on a record. Or it was suggested by one of our labels. Anyway, an important criterion to all of our works with other artists is the creative work and the goal to enhance our, as well as our partners musical horizon. Keep in mind we started as a bass duo which naturally comes with limitations to sound and song writing. Therefore, having the opportunity to work with other artists was (and still is) an endless source of inspiration and enabled us to foster our own creativity.

9.Can you tell us a little bit more about the labels you have worked with on the new album?

Both labels, Dunk! Records and Narshardaa Records, are run by very kind and enthusiastic people and put a lot of effort in our latest album. Dunk is based in Gent/Belgium and Narshardaa in Kiel/Germany.
It was nice to see that both labels were open to work with us and leave their more common path of post rock and hardcore.


10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal, doom and drone?

That’s quite hard to say. We don’t focus too much on genres themselves, since it would limit or restrict not only our own music, but also views on our music by third parties.
Generally speaking feedback so far has been very good, which we are very grateful for, but again, that’s not really connected to genres. Most people who get back to us or write something about our songs and albums share a general interest in music which tends to move away or beyond genre limitations.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Currently we are working on a collaboration with an US film composer, the next album and a theatre project. The recordings to two split albums are almost done, same with two N+BOLT albums.
We like to keep all of that as well as all of our future works quite open. As mentioned before, too many labels on your own musical style might restrict you in one way or the other.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

All three of us share an interest in what one might describe as heavy and/or atmospheric music. This ranges from black metal, post metal or rap music to pop music. I guess a key element to all genres we are interested in, is some sort of a well created atmosphere and a creative approach to song writing.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

I guess Andi’s interest in recording and mastering is worth to be mentioned.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thanks heaps for the interview. Equally to the reader for dealing with our messy answers. Hearts.

https://wearebolt.bandcamp.com/music