twn: Why not? This is not a concept, just lack of appeal.

Q: Except for a minor emphasis on "Device", until now we’ve never heard any remixes for Diorama. Do you especially avoid remixes of your works?

twn: As for own remixes, i prefer spending my time thinking up new material, rather than working on already existing ideas at the moment. Other bands haven’t been that interested in remixing Diorama songs, yet, but there are in fact some current projects going on, like an Angels & Agony remix of "Howland Road".
 

Q: Would you ever call Adrian Hates a Godfather of Diorama in a certain sense? How great is his contribution to the formation of your band?

twn: I don’t know if i had found the courage to start my own band and to produce my own records without his support and friendship. He was a very important input at a time, when i was (like we say in Germany) completely green behind my ears and when making cds didn’t seem worthwhile even dreaming of. Anyhow, it was never planned to make Diorama a Diary-sidecar and his influence ended with the release of "Pale".

Q: You’ve been a Diary of Dreams insider for quite a long time. What ways do you use to make your music sound different to DoD’s?

twn: You wouldn’t believe how pointless this is to me. I don’t think of Diary Of Dreams at any time when I’m in the studio making music.

Q: Sporadically you infuse the virtues of the German language into your songs. Do you think it’s a good contrast to performances in English?

twn: Yes, i think the contrast is groovy. We’re planning to use more german lyrics in the future.

Q: Among others, your favorite authors are Franz Kafka and Charles Bukowski, the fantasy-monger and the hooligan novelist respectively. Does their peculiar literature influence your own art somehow? What else influences your music?

twn: Sure. Especially Kafka has influenced my whole way of thinking. You are what you read to a certain extent.
There are so many influences on different layers. Friends, nature, failure, envy, sex, articles in newspapers, drugs, a certain smell, whatever you can think of. Music is my way of uttering emotions, whatever touches me can result in a line or in a song.
The classical synth pop groups of the 80s have obviously contributed to where Diorama stands stylistically. There are also a couple of other artists who have been truly important for my (musical) development, like Leonard Cohen, Bjork or Ben Harper.
 

twn: If there is one thing that i absolutely hate on this planet, it’s decaffeinated coffee. This is even worse than light beer. When i think of Pepsi music i see a gay emergency room doctor and two virgin-teenage-sexbombs. Hmm, anyway, isn’t it a bit rash to base a tendency upon one single item?

Q: It’s known that Toronto, Canada is a really important place to you. Why? What does it mean to you from the point of view of Howland road?

twn: I’ve been studying in Toronto for half a year in 2001 and Howland road was the street i used to live in. yes, this was quite an important experience for me, as it was the first time I’ve left my hometown for more than a couple of weeks and as the trip was an urgent break at a point where i was physically and mentally completely exhausted. My apartment at Howland road became a quiet home to a newborn creativity and to somewhat strange ideas i put down in words and drawings which i added a soundtrack to, when i was in Germany again.
 

Q: There’s a song on "The Art of Creating Confusing Spirits" called "Home To Millions" that is a narrative about human limits and restrictions. Do you place any personal limits on the amount of interaction with, and/or influence third parties have on your ideas and their incarnation?

twn: From my point of view, "Home To Millions" is more about the frightening recognition of having no or almost no limits at all, like having a body without borders, accessible to everybody. Yes, there is a clear restriction to allowing influences from third parties. I have to like it.

Q: Your latest album has more social appeal than the previous releases. Now what is your attitude towards the Iraq crisis?

twn: I’ll make it short not to bore everyone with what has been said a thousand times already. This war is a violation of international law, as it’s not permitted by the Security Council. Therefore it is a major crime and threat to global peace. Its justification is based on ongoing deception and manipulation on the highest scale, while the actual reasons for this mission are obvious. It’s almost unbearable that they’re simply getting away with it.

Q: It’s been announced recently that you are working on new material. When will the raw stuff become the final product and what will it be like? Could you describe Diorama’s future?

twn: I’m crap at venturing reliable predictions, but we’re trying to deliver a new album by the end of 2003. You can expect some downloads in advance. One track per week, until the album is available, something like that. It will also be preceded by a single.
At the moment, we’re trying to get some new influences into our sound by working more intensely with acoustic instruments and by featuring other artists. We’re experimenting a lot with different approaches to music and some unusual stuff. However the result is going to sound like, we’ll probably stick to our principle of surprising ourselves and others with every new release.

Q: You often used to support Diary of Dreams live from early days. How do you feel about touring with them? Any plans to play gigs in Russia someday?

twn: Touring with Diary Of Dreams is always a good experience. Communication works perfectly on a musical and personal level and Adrian & co are excellent people to hang out with.
When i was a member of Diary, myself, being the support act was fairly logical. At this time, Diorama’s stage appearance was a one man/one piano show, hence easy to get Diorama on stage when i was at a certain venue anyway...
Yes, Russia is one of our next targets. If we find the right booker(s), it’s only a question of time, provided that you still want us, there.

Q: At last, is there anything you’d like to tell your fans and readers of this interview?

twn: No, nothing.


Special thanx to Andrew Stenning for his friendly help.

interview: q: & diorama [Torben Wendt]

fotos: silke jochum

quelle online Interview: synthpop.ru - 2003

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