2011 Mar 22 From Metalcore to Acoustic Pop – Interview with Geert of The Black Atlantic
JUE Festival is half way. Until now, French house master Vatalic brought a good party with support from Pet Conspiracy, Beijing bands rocked it out. How do you like some Dutch dream pop to ease your mid-week nerves and calm you down a little bit? Have a listen to The Black Atlantic, if you like those acoustic twinkling guitar flows and peaceful crooning, catch them live at MAO Livehouse on Wednesday.
Can you imagine that Geert van der Velde, the lead singer and song-writer used to front a metalcore band? I couldn't, so I asked him:
How did you move from metalcore to acoustic pop?
It didn't happen overnight. It was a gradual process that took place during my philosophy studies (which I eventually abandoned to focus on playing music full-time). I started writing more singer-songwriter / acoustic oriented songs and eventually that morphed into a real project which I gave the name The Black Atlantic. And, eventually that project turned into a real band...
Your album has been downloaded over 100,000 times. Have you got many requests for actual copies?
Absolutely. When we released the album digitally for free we started with a limited edition handmade version of the album and then a few months later we released it in stores officially.
So far, we've sold close to 4000 physical copies in the CD and vinyl LP format combined.
There seem to be lots of metaphors in your songs. Is there anything in there might be hard to notice?
I'm sure there are some things in the lyrics that aren't too obvious but that is intentional. I don't really want to be too direct. However someone else interprets my lyrics is much more interesting to me than my initial intention.
I think that part of the charm of being a musician and songwriter is that whatever you create is open to the interpretation of others. I don't feel the need to explain every detail or even point out a lot of the small details. Those details, and maybe even the mystery surrounding them, and the possibility to interpret them in a personal manner, make for a more personal connection with the music.
Are you materialistic or idealistic or else?
Idealistically pragmatic. Materialism is one side of the coin. Idealism the other. Both sides influence each other continuously.
Aliens from which planet would most likely react to your songs?
Aliens from the planet Tralfamadore
Who and what gives you inspiration?
Arvo Pärt
Can you give us a five song playlist of what you've been listening to lately?
1) Arvo Pärt - "Silentium" from the 'Tabula Rasa' piece
2) James Blake - "Wilhelms Scream" - self-titled album
3) Tim Hecker - "Studio Suicide" - Ravedeath, 1972
4) Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) - "I'm Losing Myself" (feat. Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear) - free digital EP
5) Otis Redding - "These Arms of Mine" - The Very Best of Otis Redding
What would people be surprised about you?
That I'm older than I look (31 years old). That I'm a father.
What's your biggest fear?
To lose my wife and daughter in an accident.
What were you like in Highschool?
A stubborn, anti-authoritarian metal-punk.
What do you think of Radiohead's new album?
It's great, although not my favorite. I still need to listen to it more to fully comprehend it and give it a place in their catalog/career.
The Black Atlantic jam at MAO Livehouse on March 23 (Wednesday). RMB 50. 8pm.
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