Interview with Vocalist and Guitarist Simon Andreas Brunner of InSomnia (Austria)
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| Photo by Philipp Weger • WegerPixel Photography |
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Simon Andreas Brunner: Thanks for having me!
CV:
Do you feel Heavy Metal music in
general is viewed differently by fans in Europe compared to fans elsewhere,
especially in America, and if so why?
SAB: That’s a hard question since I never had the chance to cross the ocean. According to my migrated American friends, it is though. What I think I could tell is, that for Americans it is more about rage than it is for most Europeans – we do need some melody, or at least me. But Harlequin had some impact on them too, so let’s see what people across the sea, hearing a foreigner screaming, think about that.
SAB: That’s a hard question since I never had the chance to cross the ocean. According to my migrated American friends, it is though. What I think I could tell is, that for Americans it is more about rage than it is for most Europeans – we do need some melody, or at least me. But Harlequin had some impact on them too, so let’s see what people across the sea, hearing a foreigner screaming, think about that.
CV:
What do you feel makes Heavy Metal
music so alluring to the fans? What is it about the music that personally resonates
so strongly with you?
SAB: Maybe it is unity in difference. At least the scene proofs some standing together even though the people come from different thoughts, political states, or wealth. Everybody is equal in the pit. From a musical standpoint, I think there are two important things. First – it is rough, has some good pressure and is presented with real instruments. Secondly – would you scream a love song? I guess not…. The thing is, certain feelings need to be presented like they are and that’s something Heavy Metal can do for the odd ones.
CV: Has Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over another? Is it confusing for fans as well?
SAB: I really think we should stop the labeling. I don’t know why this seems so super important to people. It is definitely true, that it leads to some complications, if you try to promote your songs and they are maybe the wrong sub-genre for the target audience. In my books there are just two genres: the good and the bad.
SAB: Maybe it is unity in difference. At least the scene proofs some standing together even though the people come from different thoughts, political states, or wealth. Everybody is equal in the pit. From a musical standpoint, I think there are two important things. First – it is rough, has some good pressure and is presented with real instruments. Secondly – would you scream a love song? I guess not…. The thing is, certain feelings need to be presented like they are and that’s something Heavy Metal can do for the odd ones.
CV: Has Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over another? Is it confusing for fans as well?
SAB: I really think we should stop the labeling. I don’t know why this seems so super important to people. It is definitely true, that it leads to some complications, if you try to promote your songs and they are maybe the wrong sub-genre for the target audience. In my books there are just two genres: the good and the bad.
CV:
How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we
are now living in a COVID aware, and
maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists
and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?SAB: Sure. The business is not making that amount of money anymore and this fact is delivered to its weakest link – the artist. Before COVID came along, all the money you could make from music where in live shows and merch sells. With COVID, exactly that disappeared for most artists I know, forcing them to get some stupid day job and being less creative. As if it wasn’t worse before, this now hits the fan. I think a lot will have to change in this business, otherwise the young wave will (have to) disappear.
CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting work? What keeps the band together and making music?
SAB: The thought of doing art, I guess. We are together as a group for a couple of years now and the stuff we are putting out is something we can be proud of. Something that is not part of the mainstream codex, something we could stick to…true emotion, painted in the air…that’s it.
CV:
On a more global view, how do you see your band’s music and songwriting
separating itself from just being another Heavy Metal act?
SAB: Basically, because it has all those very different influences, it truly is just different to the rest of heavy metal. We got things from anywhere, not just metal. If you can feel it, while you listen to it, you will exactly know what I mean.
SAB: Basically, because it has all those very different influences, it truly is just different to the rest of heavy metal. We got things from anywhere, not just metal. If you can feel it, while you listen to it, you will exactly know what I mean.
CV:
Can an artist truly be unique? Some would argue there is no such thing as being
unique; that it’s nothing more than a compounding of influences making an
artist who or what they are. Would this then say that artists today are
destined to be just copies of those who have already come to pass?
SAB: Ok, let me put it this way. If you tell 100 musicians to play the A-melodic-minor scale, you will get 100 times the melodic-minor-scale, but it will not be the same at all. The art to push your playing corresponding to the songs given nature will always give something unique. If having an influence would be the key, we wouldn’t have any creative artist out there. All the bakers make bread; do you like the bread from each and every bake equally?
SAB: Ok, let me put it this way. If you tell 100 musicians to play the A-melodic-minor scale, you will get 100 times the melodic-minor-scale, but it will not be the same at all. The art to push your playing corresponding to the songs given nature will always give something unique. If having an influence would be the key, we wouldn’t have any creative artist out there. All the bakers make bread; do you like the bread from each and every bake equally?
CV:
Are there life lessons to learn being in a Heavy Metal band that you feel
cannot be taught elsewhere? If so, what are they?
SAB: Sadly, there are some yes. Society will always take advantage of that and picture you as some antichrist. Yes, I don’t believe that there is something beyond, but I didn’t slay a billion people because of my believing. I really think religions in general are the worst things happened to humanity ever. If it makes you hate somebody, your god might be not what he/she promises to be. If you are unconscious once in your life, where was your soul or memory then? I think everything will rot in the ground when it’s over.
CV: What do you feel makes someone a “rock star”? Does being a rock star automatically make one iconic or are the two completely different in your opinion?
SAB: The last of those died in late December 2020. I don’t think that this is an existing species anymore. But for the question – I think everything comes down to attitude. So yes and no. I think if you are truly a rock star, you will be iconic. Becoming a rockstar is just possible with a certain attitude, which automatically will make you iconic. But those talents are deceased, and I don’t think there is space for them nowadays anyway.
SAB: Sadly, there are some yes. Society will always take advantage of that and picture you as some antichrist. Yes, I don’t believe that there is something beyond, but I didn’t slay a billion people because of my believing. I really think religions in general are the worst things happened to humanity ever. If it makes you hate somebody, your god might be not what he/she promises to be. If you are unconscious once in your life, where was your soul or memory then? I think everything will rot in the ground when it’s over.
CV: What do you feel makes someone a “rock star”? Does being a rock star automatically make one iconic or are the two completely different in your opinion?
SAB: The last of those died in late December 2020. I don’t think that this is an existing species anymore. But for the question – I think everything comes down to attitude. So yes and no. I think if you are truly a rock star, you will be iconic. Becoming a rockstar is just possible with a certain attitude, which automatically will make you iconic. But those talents are deceased, and I don’t think there is space for them nowadays anyway.
CV:
What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming as the world looks to surmount
a new normal laced with a load of restrictions?
SAB: If you’d invite me to the States, sure I’m gonna be around. Global finance policy can’t withstand the pressure any longer, so I am sure that there will be some solution for this whole COVID thing within a year. Until then, we have at least time to practice and getting our shit done…would be awesome to play some shows though.
SAB: If you’d invite me to the States, sure I’m gonna be around. Global finance policy can’t withstand the pressure any longer, so I am sure that there will be some solution for this whole COVID thing within a year. Until then, we have at least time to practice and getting our shit done…would be awesome to play some shows though.
CV:
Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It
was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
SAB: Thank you for having me, and thanks for the condolences. See you next time. And for our fans in the States: Thank you for being part of us!
Check out InSomnia at:
Official: http://www.in-somnia.eu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InSoMusic
Instagram: https://instagram.com/in.somnia.official
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/InSoMusic9
SAB: Thank you for having me, and thanks for the condolences. See you next time. And for our fans in the States: Thank you for being part of us!
Check out InSomnia at:
Official: http://www.in-somnia.eu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InSoMusic
Instagram: https://instagram.com/in.somnia.official
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/InSoMusic9
Like The Cosmick View on Facebook at:
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The Cosmick Voice
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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