Interview with the Band Ristridi (Germany)

August 14, 2023

Interview with the Band Ristridi (Germany)

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.

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?
Ristridi: I don’t think so. To me it feels like we are all a big family. I have many online friends over in America, who I’ve never met, which I for example collaborated with or chat with regularly. It’s always nice to hear their new music and finding out that we share many tastes.

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?
Ristridi: It’s just very energetic and has soooo many possibilities to express oneself – talking about the many subgenres in Heavy Metal. I think there’s something in there for everyone, it’s just a really diverse kind of music.

It heavily resonated with me as a teenager and a young adult and I’m still not over it. The crazy musicianship in those legendary bands always have and will astound me.

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?
Ristridi: Of course there’s a bit of a jungle with all those sub-genres…but that’s also what makes it interesting. Being creative and creating a “new” mix of sub-genres is what will keep Metal alive in the future. Also, I think that making new “classifications” is a bit overrated. What matters is that the music has a certain originality, of course – but you also don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just write music that inspires, without caring too much about the classification

CV: How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we are now living in a post-COVID society, and maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?
Ristridi: Things have changed drastically. Many bands, even big bands can’t afford to tour anymore and cancel their tours. And small concerts are often overlooked and don’t gather enough visitors. Online Streaming is still only good for the Top 100. So yeah, the music business is in my opinion pretty f***ed. But nonetheless, people have the drive to create, to make music. That’s something that will never change and thus, there will always be new music for the music industry.

CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting work? What keeps the band together and making music?
Ristridi: I think that the mix of melancholy, catchy choruses but still complex riffs and ideas is what makes our music shine. We want to invoke feeling in the listenerand also make it interesting to listen to, hence the prog influences. Music will always be a part of our lives, I think that is what will keep us together.

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?
Ristridi: It’s something people can relate to. Mental illnesses are an important topic in many industrial countries and it’s not talked about quite enough. I hope that my music can help those in need in their darkest times – as these songs were kind of my therapy.

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?
Ristridi: Of course we all rip off each other all the time. Everybody has influences…nobody is “truly” original. But what matters is…do you get people to feel what you want them to feel? Does the artist and listener find a common ground? If the music of an artist touches your soul, in my opinion it has reached its goal and deserves attention.

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?
Ristridi: Oh, there are many life lessons, but I wouldn’t say that you couldn’t learn them elsewhere. One example would be that perseverance over time is key if you want to be successful. Success won’t come over night. You have to keep at it for a long time, until you can reap the benefits.

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?
Ristridi: Being a rock star means having a big following and “living the dream.” You put everything into your art and are successful with it. I don’t think it automatically makes you iconic. Being an icon is definitely above being a rock star. :D

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?
Ristridi: Next for me/us is the new EP “Dark Solstice” and our release gig for that EP. It will take place in Freising at Vis-à-vis on 23^rd of September 2023.

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.
Ristridi: Glad to talk to you and thanks for having me.

Check out Ristridi at:
Official: https://ristridi.de/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ristridi
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ristridi

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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.