Rockezine.com interview with Dein Schatten on May 05, 2003

with Dieter Bornschlegel on May 05, 2003


		First of all, could you give me a really short history of your band? Or, solo-project, because Dein Schatten is a project of Dieter Bornschlegel aka Bornzero on his own? Yes, Dein Schatten is my new solo-project; a one-man band. But the idea of this dark project came from Ussi Christian Absi, an ex-"Gruftie". We started by the end of 1999.
		It seems you have a lot of experience within the music scene, having been with bands like Atlantis, Guru Guru and Ramesh. How do you think this helped you in your writing of “Das Ewige Eis”? Can you name some specific things that helped? Atlantis was a famous German rock band in the seventies. The sound was more like the English and American rock and soul style. White rock meets black Motown. Guru Guru was more a psychedelic, Krautrock band, with a cult status today in Japan and the U.S.A. Ramesh Weeratunga is a fantastical songwriter for pop music. He has written for many international singers like Justin Haywoods (Birds) or Sally Oldfield, and many more. And last but not least I have played in many jazz, fusion and country bands. I think you can hear the mixture of it all on "Ewiges Eis".
		Even after such a long time, there are loads of people that haven’t heard of your band. You’re not the youngest anymore; does this ever bother you, knowing there are artists of 12 that are more famous than you? I have no problems with younger artists with more fame. And, what is famous? And where is the beginning of celebrity? At the age of 14 I played with a rock band in the largest concert hall of Germany. Four years later I was one of the best guitar players of the German pop polls. Is that not famous? The practice, and the many concerts on stage all the time are my strong points. I always worked on my instrument and didn’t put my energy into marketing. Now it is time for my comeback and to get outside with my new ideas and my music. Now is the time for promotion and marketing. I still got 20 years or more to become a little famous.
		What are influences for your music, both musically and lyrically? And, how do you write a song after you’ve picked up a specific idea? Since many years I’m my own master. I follow only my own aesthetics. Of course I used to have idols. In my childhood unconsciously probably the songs my parents listened to. As a teenager there were the beat bands like The Beatles, Kinks, Troggs, Donovan, Small Faces, Simon and Garfunkel and so on. At night I used to listen to AFN or BBC, imitating the solos with my guitar. Then there was a time when I listened to artists like Yes, Caravan, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Leonard Cohen etc.. Most impressive for me was Joni Mitchell. Also Stevie Wonder, George Benson, John Abercrombie, Bill O’Connor, John Mac Laughlin… To compose a song, playing guitar, making samples or playing the other instruments is simple for me. Not the lyrics. To create the lyrics is the hardest work.
		The album sounds surprisingly fresh and sparkling. Partly this is due the production. Once again, this is a job that you did yourself. Why? Don’t you believe in second listeners? Yes, you are right. I like to work all alone: composing, as well as playing all the different instruments (guitar, bass, sequencer, drums, keyboard). There a many different ways to compose and arrange songs. I’m lead by the pure personal feelings. I am nervous if someone gives comment during the emergence of a song. Negative critics or positive critics, it is the same, it disturbs the developing process. The first songs I sent to Ussi to have him check the sound. But Ussi and I; we are different in thinking. Ussi is not the best friend of guitar sounds. He prefers electronics, and that became a problem some times.
		The combination of guitars, sample loops and rock-ish material is something that you don’t hear too often. Where did you get the inspiration to write such diverse songs? Mostly I sit in my practice room and play guitar and jam with myself. Or work at the drum machine to form new grooves. Everyday, spirituality is in the air. Many ideas end in the trash but some find a place in the back of my brain. However; every idea is a piece for a new song in the future, nothing comes without a reason.
		If you’re aiming for the world market, it might be a limitation not to use English. Why did you write an album with plain German songs? Okay, sure, I don’t speak and sing English on the album. I think that German lyrics are no problem for the listeners outside of Germany. Rammstein is the best example of how German lyrics are welcome in foreign countries. The biggest problem is, that the prophet is often not respected at his own country.
		How will this CD be commercially available? That’s a good question, and for me a good continuation of your last question. "Das Ewige Eis" is released in March 2003. But only for Russia by the Moscow label Irond Records. I am looking for a company for Europe and USA. A few radio editors and DJ’s around the world help and support me in finding a record label. That’s great. I have some new contact in the Netherlands. Soon, you can buy the CD directly at "Empyria", a new gothic fashion shop at Enkhuizen.
		If there’s anything REZ forgot to ask, let me know! I wish all the readers hope, peace and moments of luck, and I hope we will see you in the future on tour.

www.dein-schatten.de (Eelco )