Interviews: Eloah

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band Eloah from Austria. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

No, the choice of the name was not planned; rather, it emerged during the early stages of recording our first demo over two decades ago. At that point in time, I found myself intrigued by the concept of the Elohim, as mentioned in the Old Testament, potentially being linked to ancient astronaut figures, a theory postulated by some authors. This idea was partially rooted in the fact that "Elohim" is a plural word, whereas the singular form, "eloah," is not commonly used, and it can be roughly translated as "coming from above." My initial experience of songwriting felt almost mystical, as if these songs materialized from somewhere beyond my conscious thoughts. This experience led me to believe that the term "eloah," with its connotation of "coming from above," resonated with my creative process. Furthermore, I've long held a deep fascination with quantum physics, which, incidentally, is my profession when I'm not engrossed in making music. With this in mind, I decided to replace the "h" in "eloah" with the symbol ħ, signifying the reduced Planck constant. In my view, this symbol carries immense significance in the broader realm of physics.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I've never been overly concerned with genre labels when it comes to our music. Defining our sound within a specific genre can lead to comparisons with other bands in that category, and that can be limiting, especially considering that our music draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, such as rock, jazz, metal, and ambient. Trying to fit our music into a single genre can create expectations that don't quite align with the nuances of our sound. While some reviewers have used terms like "progressive rock" to describe our music, it doesn't neatly conform to the conventions of well-known bands in that genre, which is why I'm somewhat uncomfortable with that classification. Others have referred to it as "art rock," and some have even labelled it as "singer/songwriter-based alternative music." If I were pushed to pick a genre, I might lean towards categorizing it as "alternative pop/rock." However, it's crucial to keep in mind that these genre distinctions only offer a partial glimpse into the essence of our music.

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

Yes and no. In the current formation, the only founding member left except for me is Dominik, whom I did know before founding the band; everybody else I met later after moving to the Netherlands in 2008.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Elmar: Savatage

Lila: Walela and Clannad

Orion: Winger

Peter: Frank Zappa

Johan: Etienne Mbappe and Deacon Blue

Dominik: Prince (TAFKAP)

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Our music-making process involves several diverse creative approaches. Often, inspiration strikes unexpectedly, and it's a visceral feeling that compels me to pick up my guitar, grab a pen and paper, and begin playing while writing down preliminary lyrics. This process, intriguingly, operates beyond my conscious control. After rehearsing the new song often enough (until it does not change anymore), I record an initial version of the new song, sharing it with my fellow bandmates. From there, we embark on the process of recording the drums, bass guitar, electric guitars, and vocals once again.

We have also explored a different approach, one that we utilized for the Mondstein albums. This method involves collaborative improvisation on piano, vocals, and (for Mondstein 2 and 3) drums. During these sessions, we engage in hours of spontaneous, freeform creativity. Later, I meticulously select the most remarkable segments from these improvisations and meld them into complete songs. We then layer on additional instruments to refine the composition.

Last but not least, our guitarist, Orion, occasionally sends me licks and riffs. I may choose to incorporate these into a song, perhaps adding acoustic guitar elements, and then layer on vocals, record a preliminary version, and send it to the band. While the second and third methods are more structured compared to the first, they all remain reliant on being in the right creative frame of mind and fostering an environment conducive to artistic exploration. Without these essential elements, the creative process may not yield the successful outcome we strive for.

6. Where was your last gig?

The band has yet to perform live in its current lineup. My most recent solo piano performance was last year at the planetarium in The Hague, during which I improvised a video of a total solar eclipse. Orion Roos, on the other hand, has a frequent presence in the live music scene through his participation in bands like Maestro (you can find more about them at https://www.bandmaestro.com/ , which also features our bass guitarist, Peter Douwenga) and Metalbats (for more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/VortexHeavyMetal/ ). Lila Herderberg is also actively involved in live music, often performing with Lila y Gekos (you can check out more about her work at https://lilageckomusic.info/ ). We're currently contemplating the possibility of putting together a live performance set once we've completed the recording of our current album.

7. Where would you like to perform?

Being able to perform in locations that boast a robust and nurturing music community is a key priority for me as a musician. Whether we're talking about independent music venues or spaces that are artist-run, these settings tend to cultivate a distinctive and lively ambiance that greatly enhances the performance experience. In essence, performing in such places not only offers a platform for a musician's artistry but also immerses them in a flourishing ecosystem of like-minded individuals, contributing to the growth and vitality of the local and global music scene.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

If it were not too much work for the musicians involved, naturally I would like to perform with one of the bands that our musicians are involved in otherwise, since it would show the same musicians perform slightly different styles of music. This would demonstrate the versatility of our musicians as they perform slightly different music styles, ultimately enriching the audience's musical experience.

9. Whom not?

Obviously, any band playing a style vastly different from ours, since probably we would not have the same audience.

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

Overcoming stage fright for novice bands is a common challenge, but there are effective strategies to conquer it. Naturally, practice will help to build confidence in your music, and rehearsing as a group will not only enhance your performance but also boost your self-assurance. Visualization techniques both during practice, but also on stage, can be powerful; picture yourself rocking the stage with a supportive audience. Generally, start with smaller, less intimidating gigs to gradually build your comfort on stage. Personally, I always try to remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process, and our audience is there to enjoy the music, not to judge us harshly. Whenever possible I embrace the energy of the crowd (but I don’t rely on it, that can be dangerous if it is not there...). Natural confidence is probably the best weapon against stage fright.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The answer to that is very different again for each of our members, and I guess that as a group I can probably refer you to our favourite bands: Savatage, Walela, Clannad, Winger, Frank Zappa, Etienne Mbappe, Deacon Blue, Prince (TAFKAP)

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

My apologies, I don’t recall any fan ever asking me for something weird.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We are incredibly grateful for our fans. Their unwavering support and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our success. It's humbling to see how our music connects with people from all walks of life. Their energy and passion at our shows inspire us to keep creating and performing. We truly value the connection we have with our fans, and we wouldn't be where we are today without them. So, to all our amazing fans, especially in the UK and in Japan, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of this incredible journey with us.

14. What do you think of our site?

As a band, we appreciate and value the opportunity to be interviewed by http://www.breathingthecore.com/. It's always great to connect with platforms that support and showcase the music community. We are happy to share insights about our music, journey, and experiences with the audience of http://www.breathingthecore.com/ and hope it fosters a deeper connection with our fans and music enthusiasts. Thank you for having us.

15. Something to add?

Please visit us here: http://eloah.at/ https://facebook.com/eloahmusicsite and you can find our latest album here: https://song.link/ProudToLoveYou