Sky Gazing Post Rock or Music to the Film in Your Head - Sidewaytown

How did your band Sidewaytown come into being?
Well, actually Sidewaytown is a solo-project I started with in 2006 after the split of my former band Autumnblaze. I felt that I had to do something different - musically and lyrically – to grow as an artist and person.

You mention that you were in the band Autumnblaze earlier. You then moved on to form Sidewaytown. What was your inspiration behind forming this band?
I guess the biggest inspiration behind Sidewaytown was the challenge to start again from zero after the years I spent with Autumnblaze. It was like a second birth cause I had limited myself in some ways before and Sidewaytown was or is the chance to burn all musical borders to build up something completely fresh and stunning.

Your music is very sublime, intense and has a haunting quality. Who is your music inspiration?
I think nowadays most of my inspiration comes from the musical and personal experiences I’ve done in life. I know how what I really like and I know how the music should sound in the end. A big inspiration source are also books and movies. It’s like diving into other worlds and this is the best you can do to wash away the burdens of the ordinary life. And well, it gives inspiration cause your thoughts are free in those moments when you read a book or watch a movie.

How would you describe your music?
I would describe it as sky gazing post rock or music to the film in your head. Warm guitar melodies and vocal harmonies embrace and welcome you, gently caress soul and senses or unload in emotional eruptions.

How do you distinguish yourself from other bands?
I think we definitely have our individual sound. Perhaps it’s a little bit loudmouthed after just one album is released but at the latest with the release of the second CD we will prove it. The other thing is that I don’t look on other bands.

Tell us more about your album "Years in the Wall" on Guitarati. What is the inspiration behind the album?
“Years in the wall” contains a conceptional story of disilliúsion and delusion, hope and love, longing and death, a world where words destroy life. Musically I tried to write songs with a similar basic sound to create a very visual, floating kind of musical landscape. It’s like an ocean the listener has to dive in to catch the pearls at the bottom of the ground.

Do you write your own songs?
Yes, I write all songs and lyrics. That’s also quite special cause I work without pressure from a label or a producer who tries to push me in a certain direction. No, it’s simply pure songwriter stuff in here.

Which is your favorite song from your album(s)? Is there a story behind it?
Hard to say. There some fave songs on the album but if you wanna force me I would say “Don’t visit a dying bastard” cause it contains the best chorus I wrote for a very long time. The story of the song is part of the concept, the protagonist meets his grandfather in a nursing home to confront him with his dark past.

Are you working on a new album?
Yes, I do. I’ve written a bunch of new songs. At the moment I’m thinking about the musical frame for each song. Maybe like an architect who first has to create an image in his head.

What is a day like in the life of a musician?
Standing up in the morning, taking some drugs, sleeping with different women and listening to the loudest music. What did you think? Ok, JOKE. Honestly it’s what everybody does: Trying to do the best out of life. Sometimes you win , sometimes you loose.

Any parting shot for your listeners and fans?
I would like to thank you so much for supporting Sidewaytown. Keep on with it. And if you have some time, visit our websites www.sidewaytown.com and www.myspace.com/sidewaytown to get more information and to watch our sweet videos.