1.) It's actually your first interview for http://www.gothic.ru, so would you please
tell us a few words about the history of Diorama?
torben: i started making music in the stylistic context of diorama because i needed a way to get along with certain issues in my life. around 1996, i made my first
productions basically as a solo artist. it didn't take long before the line-up was extended with my "sandpit-friend" felix and later on with bernard and
sash. what can i say? we made a couple of records and we got to play club concerts and festivals in many different countries.
2.)Last time in Russia you visited "2 capitals" of our country - St Petersburg and Moscow. Have you noticed any difference between these 2 cities? I mean, people, way of life and so on.
twn: spb and moscow are major cities getting to know which requires a lot of time. it wouldn't make sense to start commenting on differences based on the
superficial experiences we got the chance to acquire in the few days we were spending there. to me, impressions of certain environments also depend a lot
on the people you hang out with. and i can say that in each of the cities we met likable and thoughtful people who are absorbing music and art in a very
intense and dedicated way.
3.) What are your impressions about your 1st visit to Moscow? Which of the 2 concerts - that one or this one, you think, was more successful? With whom it was more exciting to share the stage - with In Strict Confidence & Beborn Beton or with Melotron? And who of them were more exciting not as musicians but as travel companions?
twn: the single show with melotron in october 2005 gave us the opportunity to play an extensive setlist which is always more appealing than slashing your playlist down to 40 minutes or something. the great thing about maythunder was that it was our first time in russia, so everything was new and even more exciting. as for our fellow bands, there are good connections to either
of the groups you mentioned.
4.) Have there been any difference between the public at the concerts in SPb and in Moscow? You played an extra song in Moscow, why? There was more response from the people or you just had more time to play?
twn: to be honest, i don't really remember. we probably made slight changes of the setlist between spb and moscow, which ended up in the extra track.
5.) What kind of music you prefer to listen to. Please name some of your favourite bands/singers/composers, etc.
twn: naturally, what i'm listening to privately always depends on my particular mood and the given circumstances. at the moment i'm into different sorts of things; movie scores from badalamenti and morricone, bands like keane and sigur ros, moby, iamx... everything else that's not on the radio.
6.) Do you still cooperate with Adrian Hates at the moment? Do you have any common projects, bands, etc.?
twn: i've been taking part in a lot of diary of dreams concerts and album productions over the last years and this cooperation is still going on, although at the moment it has become a little qiuet since both of us are having personal issues to take care of and we're also heavily collecting inspirations for our next works which, for me, always implicates isolation.
7.) In what musical events are planning to take part next year?
twn: in the first half of 2006, there are going to be some club concerts and festivals in germany and europe and we might put together a little tour in autumn. there will also be a single and an album release.
8.) One of my favourite Diorama works is "Howland Road". Could you please explain the idea of this song?
twn: i wrote the song in toronto/canada, where i've been living for half a year. "howland road" was the name of the street where my apartment was and where i found myself in a strange mixture between freedom and captivity, clearness and dazzlement. the lyrics refer to books and magazines i was reading at that time and to the funny microcosm i tend to build around me wherever i decide to come to rest. which i sometimes fail to find the reasons for. anyway, the repeating line
"trembling here does not affect you" descibes the phenomenon of backing off from the pulse of life because you feel like you've got nothing to contribute or you're afraid you might get hurt.
9.) Where was the inspiration for "Someone Dies" coming from? Was it your personal experience?
twn: i guess, the song is more about realizing the giant unspeakable tragic joke life itself is representing (considering the fact that all life is doomed to come to an end within a very limited time span) than about a certain event, although the picture i had in mind clearly was the death of a close person.
10.) On track "Two boats" from your last album the backing vocals were done by Liv Tyler. Is is that very Liv Tyler, the actress? If yes, please tell, how the idea of inviting her emerged and how was this cooperation
going on.
twn: i came across some vocal recordings of liv tyler (few people know she has a stunning voice) and asked her for the permission to use them on "two boats". she said yes, that's about it.
11.) Do you have a favourite animal?
twn: yes, my dog chester.
12.) Can you remember the worst hotel you have ever been to?
twn: you know, i'm not very concerned with luxury standards. it's great to have a comfortable place to stay, i love huge hotel bathrooms and all. but if a
hotel sucks, this doesn't really leave a lasting impression.
13.) Have you ever listened to any recordings done by Russian gothic/ electro/ synthpop bands? If yes, what are your impressions?
twn: during our stays i got in touch with several scene-oriented bands, their sound and their performances. some of them were highly interesting.
14.) Your image have changed since your fisrt visit to Russia. Do you work on your image and your behaviour purposefully or do you suppose music is the main thing and the musician may have a simple look?
twn: in my opinion, music is always more important than people. however, image also has its relevance if it reflects the music and amplifies the access to it.
15.) Please tell us about "Repale".It sounds like an individual work. Is is just an album of remixes to dance to or something else? What was the idea and the
purpose of its creation? Some tracks, e.g. "The Rich Are All Perverted" sound quite unusual for Diorama. Do you plan to record "harsher" songs for your "regular" albums?
twn: "repale" is a collection of different ideas and projects. it contains previously unreleased songs, remixes made by other artists and remixes made by
ourselves. basically, it served as a way to clear our heads before we would start working on something completely new. and as a special for fans and supporters to conclude an intensive musical period. it's neither a classic diorama album nor a hint towards how diorama will sound in the future.
16.) We've read at your site that Diorama is in the studio already - have you started to record your new album?
twn: yes, we've started to work on new songs.
17.) You recorded and produced all Diorama albums yourself together with Felix Marc. Do you have any plans for the future to co-operate with other
producers to acquire new sound? Is Hawaii your own studio? Do you make recordings just for Diorama or do you help other bands as well?
twn: at the moment it's not an option for us to work with other producers. hawaii studio is mainly used for diorama productions, but i'm also composing film
scores and music for tv and radio advertising.
18.) Do you prefer playing in Germany or touring in some distant lands? In what countries would you like to give concerts?
twn: of course, we prefer travelling to unfamiliar places and getting in touch with other cultures. there are still a lot of areas missing... how about greenland
and a pan-african tour for starters...?
19.) Another traditional question - what would you like to say or to wish to gothic.ru readers?
twn: we're feeling honoured by the interest and the time you're investing in us. and we're aleady looking forward to our next trip to russia.
interview: gothic.ru & diorama [torben wendt]
quelle online interview: www.gothic.ru - 2007
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