Old school Dutch Goth band "Asrai" is a no nonsense live band. That explains why it took almost seven years for their first album to arrive. "It just never happened" Their base was founded in the early eighties with the band "Twins no twins" (yes sir, twin Goth sisters here). That they know how to make music maybe clear, there album was launched a week ago, yesterday they already made it to number one in the Roxx chart (Dutch alternative TV channel). Success causes strange consequences. New fans, music video's, merchandise and strange appearing articles in for instance: "Actueel" (a questionable mans magazine). Karin (Drums): "I hope they've laminated the pages"
1. Punk lies at the roots of Asrai, Where did it go wrong ;-) ?
Margriet: We started out seriously wrong. In the beginning we couldn't play at all. We borrowed some instruments just to try out playing them, and found out we enjoyed doing so. 4 girls who laid their hands on guitar, bass and drums for the first time in their lives. Obviously we played in a very simple, basic way, but because of this our sound was dark, slow and heavy. We played a lot in those days and funny enough we were welcomed as being very refreshing in between all the old-school punk- and hardcore bands.
Karin: Not in the least bothered by the lack of any musical experience we took up the initiative to start up an all girl-band, and thanks to the punk-spirit we could.
The music-scene back then was very male-dominated (and still is) so it was time for something new. So where did it go wrong? I think all the wining and criticism from the scene had a lot to do with it.
2. People often talk about the good old eighties, was it really better?
Margriet: I had a real good time back then. There were a lot of opportunities for bands, lots more places that gave local bands the opportunity to play live. I don't like these massive, over-crowded dance-party's and I miss the contact with bands that play a large stage for big crowds. The intimacy has gone.
So for me, I guess the eighties were better.
Rik: Every period has its charms. I like the nineties also (Leipzig!). Though in the eighties it seemed to me people I knew had a more sort of own opinion about music and politics. I think it had to do with the situation we were in. Lots of unemployment and the war machine called USA which shadowed Europe (NATO and Nuclear Missiles). I think now a new period has started to wake people up again.
3. You guys are used to play live, how did you experience the recordings?
Margriet: We've recorded in studio's a number of times, but this was no comparison to doing the recordings for "A touch in the dark".
All our previous recordings have been done live, adding double tracks afterwards. The advantage of this way of working to me was that you could keep and catch the feeling of the band and transfer this to the listener, it's a very true and honest presentation of the band. It's quite exciting and confronting to hear yourself on tape without any effects. Because the whole band was always present at the studio we were able to support each other and at the end of the day we would all be tired of listening and goofing around.
Recording "A touch in the dark" was very different, all the different parts were recorded separately, so without everyone being present at the studio all the time. We've also had a producer this time and a month worth of studio-time.
The bass and Keys were recorded in Germany; the rest was done at the Excess Studios in the Netherlands. I really missed the band feeling, but on the other hand it was great being able to experiment more with my vocals. This time I could permit myself to spend one day on 1 song, instead of doing 10 songs in one day.
It has all been a very intense and confronting time for all of us, but on the other hand it was very educational to work this in this manner and being more critical about the results.
Karin: I strongly felt like being an outsider.thinking you're playing better than ever, or at least trying to do so, and than a voice from behind the glass tells you that you can do much better than that.. In a studio you have to work hard. And it's really different playing on stage, feeling the chemistry between the musicians and the audience. Or to focus on timing at the studio.
4. It sometimes seems success is the worst thing that can happen to a "darker" kind of band. Do you agree?
Rik: I really don't know. I think we're very lucky and I like the new way of working during the recordings. Maybe Asrai has got a new kind of sound due to the fact a producer had ideas about the music and sound, but if I compare the original recordings with the new ones I don't believe we've lost the "Dark sound". The album sounds very melancholic and that's a typical Asrai aspect.
Manon: A lot of people suddenly think that they know all about what's good or wrong about your band and will spread that out over the Internet. It can help a lot but it can also destroy a lot. Success can help with realizing some of the dreams that a band have but you also have to give in a few things. There is always a price to pay.
Karin: Having success is a very strange but relative thing. I think every form of success has it's darker sides. Try staying true to yourself with all these hectic things going on all the time. The funny thing is that if you're successful you're treated as common good, it's hard keeping your own identity instead of becoming the identity that's being created for you.
5. Would you advice people to start a Goth band in Holland?
Karin: What's your motivation of making your music? For the kick of playing live it's certainly worth it, 'cause creating music with each other is an unique experience..But being an alternative-, or Goth band if you will, in Holland isn't easy. This is a very critical country, I feel there are other countries in which it's a lot easier.
Rik: As a guitar player > buy a cheap G400 Epiphone. Oh...errr...I think you have to meet musicians who really go for it. Don't give up. Distinguish your band from all others and I'm sure it will work out just okay.
Manon: Everybody who wants to make music should do so, regardless of how big the change is that you are 'going to make it'. Follow your heart and have a great time.
