Interviews: In Somnia

We have had the opportunity to interview the Modern Metal band In Somnia from Austria. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Simon: When we started out, we used to call us “Darkest Mile”, but with changes in genre and linup we figured it was time for a new name. I was in bad conditions at that time and got insomnia medication, so that was a perfect fit for us. After we had the logo done and everything printed, we saw that this name is by far not unique, that’s why we decided to put a space between “in” and “somnia, leaving it “IN SOMNIA” which is basically the opposite by meaning “In Dreams”.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

That was no conscience decision. As you get better on your instrument you will sooner or later end up with metal or jazz - So we went for metal. I learned piano and organ when I was young, so I need something extra to the raw guitar and bass combo – just to assist the mood of a song. If you combine that you will receive our genre. Sure there where quite influences from other bands, that you can hear in our music clearly, but after all I think it comes down to the progress on your instrument that leads to a heavy genre.

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

Simon: Yes, definitely. Most of the guys I know from playing with them at the same show, while back then they where playing in other bands. So I tried to pick the best ones (musically and humanly) available in our town for IN SOMNIA.

4. Each band member favourite band? 

Dominic: August Burns Red

Flo: Periphery

Andi: Foo Fighters

Simon: Children of Bodom

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Simon: Everything, really – I can even hear my day-jobs in the songs in the way I write lyrics. Harlequin was the first album where I went that deep though – having all these mental crises packed into both, lyrics and music.   

6. Where was your last gig? 

Simon: I think it was in Villach and it was one of the best shows we played so far. Those Carinthians know how to party and they seem so free when they do it.

7. Where would you like to act? 

Simon: Anywhere, does not matter where, if people are interested in what we do. You can have a hell of a joy on each size of venue etc, as long as the people join the music.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Simon: Devildriver would be awesome

9. Whom not? 

Simon: Well I wont mention a name here, but we already had the pleasure with a certain blackmetal band, who where f idiots. They broke a mirror in the backstage area and slit themselves bloody with the shards, screaming around like maniacs and then they decided to put some paper in the toilet and shit onto it. I don’t know how they managed to do that but the whole bathroom at the venue was painted with shit to a height of 1.5m. Everything they drank ended in a pile of shards on the ground. If you ever saw a splatter, I guarantee the venue was quite worse after they went in. The next day, when we picked up our stuff, we saw a little Asian guy, who was here for cleaning – we went through the newspapers for several weeks after that, just to see if he hung himself in there.

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

Simon: Yes, that is essential. When we started off, I used to take some medicine (which didn’t work btw). For beginners, the more often you are on stage, the better it gets, I promise. But some tension before the first chord hits the audience will remain – and that for a good. I think if you lose that completely, you will lose the interest to perform in front of an audience, since we wont get no kick out of it anymore.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Simon: This list is probably extensive, and I can answer that only for me. This probably starts a bit surprisingly with the Austropop legend Gert Steinbäcker, then goes on to rock, where especially AC/DC, Oopmh, Korn and Rammstein were important as well as Devildriver, In Flames, Children of Bodom, Aitvaras, Sepultura and Trivium are considered an influence for me. Also, the techno "junk" of the 90s, Avril Lavigne, Nena, Bonnie Tyler and Green Day as well as Hans Zimmer and John Williams may not be missing on this list. When it comes to the profundity of lyrics, Steinbäcker probably influenced me the most. My guitar sound is based on Angus Young's with an extra tick of distortion and a little less bass. Where vocally I was inspired by Children of Bodom and Sepultura, in songwriting it was In Flames, Aitvaras and Devildriver - at least that's how I explain the outcome on “Harlequin”.

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

Simon: If we couldn’t play a song from [enter some stupid mainstream band here].

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Simon: There are too many individuals to throw them all into the same pot. I am grateful for all of them, but I cannot say something generalized.

14. What do you think of our site?

Simon: It’s great, you feature so many artists and offer so many options an artist alone would not be able to. As being a dev on my own, I also have to say, the graphical sight, responsiveness and structure are also state of the art.

15. Something to add?

Thank you for having me and IN SOMNIA, thank you for your time and most importantly, to all fans and supporters of the band, thank you for everything!