Atomic Neon: Infidel Interview #76
First off, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, and where you live would be pretty standard?
We are Atomic Neon, a post-punk band from Germany.
The band members:
Rio Black (voice)
Lars Kappler (guitar)
Ro Boheme (guitar)
Dani Dark (keys)
Sandy Ch. (bass)
Friedi H. (drums)
How do you enjoy where you live? Is there a vibrant industrial community where you are? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity? What do you feel separates your music from the rest of the music in the your local music scene?
We live in an old industrial area (Ruhrgebiet),
It is gray and cold here, but people are honest and faithful... like us! ;-)
The music scene here is very big and varied, especially punk and metal are everywhere, but there is also a great Indie Alternative and Gothic scene!
The scene hardly affects us.
We are very independent and experimental, that also distinguishes us from some other bands!
If you could say there are underlying themes or messages that permeate throughout your discography, what would you say are the most important concepts and ideas you've tried to express throughout your artistic career, political, spiritual, or personal?
The cold in the world, loneliness, sorrow, fear. This is the mood of the songs.
But of course it is also about adventures, love and longing!
Atomic Neon is rather a nonpolitical band, even if humanity, justice and freedom are always an important issue.
When it comes to composing music, do you approach things with a clear vision in mind, or do you prefer to let songs feel themselves out? Do you have any particular techniques or tricks you use to keep yourself creative and consistent?
The music mostly arises from the feeling, surely there are also techniques that are tried out, but nothing consistant!
When you first started making music, was there a particular sound or artistic/musical influence that you would say was your biggest inspiration to start pursuing the creative path yourself?
We all have different influences, At the top there is certainly:
David Bowie, The Cure, Fields of the Nephilim and Sisters of Mercy. But also many other bands!
Have you had any particular moment(s) that you would like to share, that you would consider to be a crowning achievement in your musical career so far, or moments that you would say truly continue to inspire you to pursue your artistic path? What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
The most beautiful moments were certainly the great performances at the WGT (Germany's largest Gothic festival) and the finished albums,
as well the contact with the spectators, which always give strength and drive us forward.
The biggest challenges were always the breaks in the band, musicians who came and went, and above all the death of our guitarist and friend Trickser a few years ago.
When it comes to performing, what are your favorite sort of venues to play in, and what are your favorite areas to tour? If you could tour with any other band in the world who would it be and why? What are some of your favorite memories of touring?
We always love to play everywhere, in small clubs as well as in halls, Open Airs is already our favorite.
The Cure would be the band with which we would tour, a dream! ;-)
The most beautiful memories are always the performances, but also the adventures around it, band picnics by the sea,
or fun in the accommodations with the band and friends after the concerts.
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically?
The music was always a great part of my life (Rio), it has protected me, been comforting, and she keeps me warm and alive.
Music has shaped me, nothing else is so important to me in the world, I was always called to it.
Outside of the music in Atomic Neon, what other genres could you see yourself composing music in? Or should I say, do you see yourself inspired by? Do you have any other musical projects that you are involved with, or do you have any other musicians or artists that you collaborate with in some capacity?
(Rio) I've also been a vocalist of a punk band and an indie pop band, I like to cover songs from all genres, but my heart is already more in the alternative and goth scene.
I currently have two other projects, Rio Black & Band (German Dark Punk) and No Trust In Dawn (Elecro Post-Punk and Wave).
Lars still plays bass in his band Sweet Ermengarde.
Friedi plays drums at different bands - (Ghost Of Dawn, Kadaedkas)
Ro and Dani are also band members of Rio Black & Band
If you could collaborate with any musician or artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And what in particular draws you to want to collaborate with them?
(Rio) David Bowie, Robert Smith, they are the biggest and most important musicians for me. Awesome
Outside of music, what are some of your favorite past times and emotional engagements?
My life is music, there is not much else, at least nothing that is not private! ;-)
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
Peace, Love and Freedom
Rio Black
Check out all the details on the band on their official website:
Follow Atomic Neon on their official Facebook for all their latest information:
https://www.facebook.com/theatomicneon/
Download their music on their official Bandcamp:
https://atomicneon.bandcamp.com/
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