No single man has been more involved with both the Neue Deutsche Härte and Neue Deutsche Welle movments than Joachim Witt. He is the veteran of the German Musik industry and continues to produce amazing albums that blow everyone away. Having just wrapped up his amazing Bayreuth Trilogy(which every DeutscheMusik fan should own!) and now preparing for his upcoming album 'Auf Ewig' we've managed to corner him for a moment and throw some questions at him.
You are listed as an influence for many, many new German bands. Who would you list as your influences? And which newer bands do you like ?
There have been quite a few artists that have inspired me. Velvet
Underground, David Bowie, CAN, NEU and Roxy Music.
What was the idea behind a Bayreuth trilogy?
The adaption of the term BAYREUTH described the nature of my songs in a most ideal way. Such intense emotions, romance and longing for a better future have certainly been a driving force for Richard Wagner, too. And because of his work’s popularity and the well known Bayreuth Festspielhaus (editor’s note: which is exclusively devoted to the performance of Wagner’s operas), I recognized a decent parallel.
Throughout the years you have constantly changed your style with almost every album. How hard do you find it to not repeat yourself these days?
Exactly! It’s the perpetual fear of repetition. I hate the feeling of monotony and dullness. I’m always in need of a new challenge. That’s also the reason now for the Bayreuth series coming to an end with AUF EWIG.
Now, your new album Auf Ewig, which is due out this month is somewhat of a re-made and remastered collection. Why have you chosen to do this, were you not entirely happy with some of the songs?
I see it as a wonderful perfection of the Bayreuth series that contains it’s most remarkable highlights.
Are the songs on Auf Ewig your favourites or are they just songs that your thought could have been better?
I think for the largest part it’s the favorites of the audience, as i experienced during the concerts.
You've managed to get oomph! to do a remix, are you close to the band? And how did you convince them to help out?
OOMPH! have been my springboard into the new world! They wanted me to join them when they went on tour and since then there is a friendly relationship.
I see your looking at moving to London to work on some musical ideas. How do you expect this to pan out. Will we still see you heavier side or will this end up in a totally new direction?
Even I’d like to know that right now, but at the moment my thinking is somewhat moving around in no man’s land.
You have put out many diverse albums over the years, which single one are you the most proud of and why?
SILBERBLICK and BAYREUTH 1, because each one meant a chapter in my life! MIT RUCKSACK UND HARPUNE, because KLAUS VOORMANN did the production! An admirable man and brilliant artist!
How did you get involved with Peter Heppner from Wolfsheim?
I got in contact with Peter Heppner because he was under contract with the same Indie Label at that time and it was the idea of the former label boss Lothar Gärtner to bring us together. The results are already music history!
(Editor’s note: he refers to the immense success of their concerted song “Die Flut”)
When you started making music, things were certainly much different. What are the pros and cons for you in comparing then to now?
It seems to me that back in those days fewer artists have had released a record. In contrast, because of the digital age and the worldwide web it is now almost impossible to have a real overview of bands and artists.
What's your opinion of the German Music scene of today? Do you think it's too commercialised?
It’s like everywhere on earth! For the vast part boring when it comes to mainstream material, but very much more interesting for the alternative scene! Projects walking the line between innovation and commerce, like it was in the 60‘s, almost vanished!
What German musicians/bands really impress you at the moment?
LEICHTMATROSE and GROSSTADTGEFLÜSTER!
Do you ever plan to just stop making music or will you continue as long as your passion for it continues?
I still feel the longing in my heart to accept the challenge and continue to make music, and as long as this feeling is alive, I will make music!
Do you still get the same thrill out of performing live as you did many years ago during your first performances?
I’m no longer that awfully nervous like back in the early days. That’s a good thing because I can communicate better with my audience.
You must be extremely proud of the Bayreuth trilogy. Can we expect to have another album along the lines of Bayreuth III?
Well, if I’d knew that today, I’d be very happy, too!
Is there any artist out there that you would really like to do a colobration with?
Maybe with TILL LINDEMANN from RAMMSTEIN or Marilyn Manson.
What's one major piece of advice you've learnt over your career?
That nothing is permanent and you have to have a strong will and a creative mind, to believe in yourself, to be successful as a musician on a long-term basis. In general, you have to cope with your own and others weaknesses.
How does it feel to know your music is heard in many countries around the world?
That’s a great feeling to know everywhere on earth there are people that understand my work. Which are able to share my emotions!
After having to use amazon.de for so many years to obtain your CDs, it is really thrilling to be able to obtain your music through Dancing Ferret Discs in the USA. How did this come about?
I got in contact with Eric Burton from Catastrophy Ballet and
Patrick Rogers from DANCING FERRET. Patrick liked my music so much, that he wanted to publish it in America.
There are a lot of theories out there as to why the music business is suffering now (CD sales down, concert revenues down, etc.).
Well, as an impact of the digitalization there are more artists than ever before, as a consequence a different spreading takes place. In addition, many people neglect the work performance of a musician and tend to try to get the music they want “for free”! Most even seem to think all musicians are wealthy like ROBBIE WILLIAMS. That’s not exactly helpful in raising a better awareness. Clearing up all the facts is the only way!
Having been in the business for several decades, what are your views on what is going on today? Any thoughts on how to fix things? record label?
I’m happy for the cooperation with Harry Gutowski from PRIMADONNA and I’m glad that i’ve found reliable associates in combination with FERRY HOUSE, who are first and foremost interested in the artistical quality of the music!
Is there any possibility of your playing a couple of shows in North America sometime in the future?
I’ve got a rather huge band! It’s „just“ a question of money! I’m no electro-act, that can travel around in the world with only a CD in his pocket and with almost no costs. If i could do it that way, everything would be much easier!
Your site has links to several political organisations. How important is it to you to be aware of what's going on in the world, and using your position to try to make a difference?
For me, aspiration after a better, fairer world is essential!!!
My life is accompanied by all that painful unrighteousness ever since!
That about wraps up or interview, do you have any last words for your fans out there?
My thoughts are with those people, who understand me and my way of thinking, and can partly see a deeper meaning in it. That’s what makes me happy.
On behalf of all your fans and DeutscheMusik.net, thank your for taking the time for this interview and all the best with the Auf Ewig release!
Thanks for your interest and I wish you all the best!
Nick
www.deutschemusik.net
Thanks to Tobias for translations
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