Interviews: Human Traces

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal/Progressive Metal band, Human Traces from Germany. 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?

Tom Haberland: We struggle way too long and besides human traces, we had ideas like luftmensch or calla

Kyuho Lee: I prefer Umnachtet 

Johannes Löffler: After months of trying to find a name our first singer suggested this one. We only found out later that one of his old bands was also called human traces. Our first single was already out, so we just stuck to the name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Tom Haberland:  I don’t even know how to call this genre

Kyuho Lee: I didn’t choose the genre, the genres chose me.

Johannes Löffler: There was never a conscious choice to do this music. We all shared a collective interest in bands like Vildhjarta or war from a harlot's mouth so Tom just started writing riffs that reminded us of those bands. 

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

Tom Haberland:  No we find us online in a berlin metal group

Kyuho Lee: Absolutely not

Johannes Löffer: Jacques and Johannes knew each other from high school but the rest met through the band.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Tom Haberland: Probably BMTH

Kyuho Lee: Burzum

Johannes Löffer: Hard to pick one but I listen to a lot of loathe right now.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Tom Haberland: The Trauma of being alive.

Kyuho Lee: Tom does that

Johannes Löffer: I don’t know, I guess it's a mixture of challenging myself and creating a certain emotion/energy with the music. 

6. Where was your last gig? 

Tom Haberland: In berline basement

Kyuho Lee: With HT, I think it was a small venue in Berlin I don’t remember the name.

Johannes Löffer: With human traces in Berlin. Small punk club, I think it was called k17

7. Where would you like to act?

Kyuho Lee: Worldwide

Johannes Löffer: Weiß nicht ganz was damit gemeint ist? 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Tom Haberland: John Zorn.

Kyuho Lee: Viktor Choi

Johaness Löffer: Nico Webers (wfahm) bryan garris (knocked loose) turnstile, Moneyboy.

9. Whom not?

Tom Haberland: Rammstein - I hate Rammstein

Kyuho Lee: Till Lindermann

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that? 

Tom Haberland: At the beginning for sure but not anymore. But controlled breathing and do some pushups before the gig so you get the blood flooding.

Kyuho Lee: Cut yourself before go on the stage.

Johaness Löffer: Just try to play as many shows as you can and practice so you can play everything with a lot of headspace left.

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

Tom Haberland: I would say no fanshaming here.

Kyuho Lee: Nina hagen, electric callboy and rammstein  

Johaness Löffer: A lot of the 2010s deathcore and tech death bands like the faceless or thy art is murder. 

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

Kyuho Lee: If I can stop them from killing themselves.

Johaness Löffer: So far nothing weird, but I’m just the drummer lol 

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Tom Haberland: They are the reason I keep on going and didn’t quit already

Kyuho Lee: Totally appreciate them the most in the world.

Johaness Löffer: Very kind and supportive people. Still hard for me to process some days. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Tom Haberland: I really appreciate it that you are giving newcomer and underground bands a platform, thanks for that!

Kyuho Lee: Who are you

15. Something to add? 

Tom Haberland: Try to stay alive!

Johaness Löffer: Thanks for having us!!