Interviews: Kollaps

This is a new interview with the Post-Punk band Kollaps from Australia. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

It came from the record “Kollaps” by Einsturzende Neuabuten. Initially, I did not intend to create industrial or post-industrial inspired music but I eventuated into leaning towards these sounds naturally. I’ve always felt a bit odd about this as the marriage between the acts has made a lot of lazy comparisons however recently I’ve changed my opinion on the name as it seems to have a lot more reference now to the sound of how Kollaps’ music is developing and the state of the world of which it is inspired by. I’m also inspired by this idea of combusting and reanimating oneself, collapsing and rebuilding, ... Condemnation and redemption and so it is only in these last months that I’ve come to quite like the name again. I probably have a different answer on this depending on which day I am asked. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Actually, as I mentioned I did not set out to begin creating industrial music; it began more as a post-punk kind of endeavor. The project naturally became very dark and harsh and I think this is indeed what separates it from other artists and makes it distinguishable.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Kollaps has cycled through members; recently my two good friends in Italy are now contributing to the records and playing live and tour with the band while I’m handling the core songwriting duties in my studio here in Switzerland. I live in Switzerland right on the Italian border, and so I cross over and meet my dear friends and we rehearse together.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

We prefer collectively not to answer as our tastes cycle through different things so regularly.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The world around me inspires my songwriting. Chaos, violence, addiction, and romance. I like the conflicting elements of the world we live in which obviously has moments of great beauty and simultaneously is a violent lunatic asylum filled with perpetual misery.

6. Where was your last gig?

It was actually at Roadburn Festival in Tilburg.

7. Where would you like to perform?

I would like to perform in Ukraine; we had a tour scheduled there prior to the war breaking out and I really hope to make it there. I would also like to visit the United States; I have never been there.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

Rectal Hygienics. Or DUMA.

9. Whom not?

That’d be a long list if I could answer truthfully.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

That’s an interesting question, actually. I’ve had an odd relationship where I’ve experienced stage fright to quite extreme degrees on varying occasions although it hasn’t been consistently an issue. At high-pressure shows; I often resign myself to fate. The best way to overcome it is to know your craft well and be well-trained and rehearsed for your performances.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

VAST, Swans, Keiji Haino, Otomo Yoshihide. I say this often but I am quite inspired by my friends who are also in bands so to rattle off a few names: Brighter Death Now, Of The Wand & The Moon, Trepaneringsritualen, Lustmord, 

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

A blooded rag was used to tend to some wounds that had occurred on stage.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I’m appreciative of them, of course. One thing that has stood out to me over the years is what kind of diverse audience they are in terms of the broadest possible regard. Some are lawyers, or punks, gay or straight. Some are degenerate criminals and other fans are audio nerds.

14. What do you think of our site?

I like it.

15. Something to add?

Kollaps’ new album “Until The Day I Die” is available for preorder through our record label Cold Spring. You can check this out on the label’s website www.coldspring.co.uk. We have recently released a single called “The Hand of Death”, and are on the cusp of releasing our video “I Believe In The Closed Fist”. Our socials are here: www.facebook.com/kollapsmusic www.instagram.com/kollapsmusic