(02.10.2014)
TOKIO HOTEL: MEETING AND INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND IN BERLIN
It happened! After 9 years of being a fan of Tokio Hotel I was able to meet with the band.
Photos, autographs, meeting face to face and … interview. How did this come about? Tokio Hotel after a few years break (their last album was released in the fall of 2009) return to the game. On the occasion of the release of the new album Kings of Suburbia on October 2nd a press conference in Berlin in the cinema Babylon was organized. With the help of Universal Music Germany and the Polish branch of the label I was able to get accreditation for this event. In parallel for a period of about 2 weeks before this event sustainable arrangements for the interview. When I received the first information about the possibility of obtaining this interview for editorial, in which I work, started for me both exciting and stressful period.
Final confirmation was received almost 2 days before the Conference. For this reason, I just had a day on the registration of equipment (camera, microphone), which contrary to appearances, it was not so easy due to the complexities of enterprise, which here not even worth translating. Everything happened instantly and was settled at the last minute-to such an extent that the hardware I received (and I support it) after hours. 16, about an hour and a half before moving to Berlin.
Why do I mention all this? I mean just to save everything as it took place. And I want to remember how much hardship and stress all of this cost me, if only because, to remember always, that it is just worth it. Doubt, weariness, or ordinary fatigue can make us hunt down at any time, but do not give up, because you might find that the purpose of the US is only a small step. 😉
I arrived to Berlin after midnight, several hours before the start of the Conference, which was scheduled to start at noon. I reached the cinema Babylon after 11. Before entering has already collected several journalists and operators of the largest German media and a small group of fans. Event was not made public, but the fans (not only local, but also those who went “in the dark” even from other countries) have to facilitate, in the form of a poster with the name of the band on the front of the cinema. I suspect, too, that some of them became aware of the location of the event through the grapevine from different people that had earlier access to this information. It has allowed them to come to the right place. Fans waiting in front of the entrance is certainly not counted on such good fortune that has befallen them. Organizers decided to admit to all who have gathered in front of the entrance. To recap just the fact that in the official competition, in which the prize was the entrance to the Conference to win were … 3 persons (+ accompanying persons, including 6 people), and finally in the courtroom were taken by dozens of fans (it is difficult to specify an exact number).
The Conference started with a view of the film, which consisted of clips from the recording studio, making of three new music videos and statements of members of the band (or maybe just Bill and Tom) on the new album. Then the loudspeakers have been released 3 songs from Kings of Suburbia. The most I remember traveling In Found Us and just this piece makes me the most with this throughout the day. When they finished the third track on the scene Bill, Tom, Gustav and Georg entered. Posing standing up for photos, I stood at the height of the second or third row of seats, and so very close. The boys finally sat down and started the proper part of the Conference, a series of questions from the gathered journalists. Bill answered most questions. George spoke two times, and Gustav literally spoke one word (‘nein ‘). Well, some things, however, remain unchanged. 😉
The boys behaved very freely, Bill answered very comprehensively, laughed and smiled. Tom in the same way. It was clear that completely came out of practice after a long break from giving interviews. Very nicely on them looked, they were full of energy and good humor – it doesn’t seem to me that this was a forced enthusiasm. Since the impression as if actually really enjoyed that return with new material that can fully subscribe.
After the end of a series of questions and answers, there has been time for the fans. Lined up in a queue for TH in turn would come up to the table, behind which sat the band. Everyone has received autographs and able to take a picture ( 90% of were so-called selfies) with the guys. Those who have been following the actions of the Tokio Hotel knows that this is something totally unprecedented. What’s more, the interference with the protection was virtually imperceptible. There was a time for a custom behavior (some of the female fans sat with the band at their table, one next to them with a small dog, which the boys took on hands, etc.). I for obvious reasons (I appeared there as a journalist, not a fan) only I watched this autograph session and selfies. I found that it would be very unprofessional on my part if I did, knowing that in a few minutes I will stand with them face to face with them at the time of the interview. A moment passed me by the idea that I might be the only chance to photo and autographs, but I decided to keep a cool head.
Before the last fan got to the table, behind which sat the band in the past hour. In addition, I have been informed that our interview, however, will not be the first and the first shall enter into other editors. The whole thing is therefore significantly extended. Besides, it turned out that the interview cannot be shown on cinema, precisely because of this delay. At our disposal was to be rather small and not-so-nice room for backstage relation. Universal Music Japan workers were very polite and helpful, keep us up to date on what and how much time it will take yet. In the end, it’s the moment when we were shown on the outside, where the entrance was on the side of a building behind the scenes. It was there in quite a dingy room had to be interviewed. When we went there we were told that we could all set as we like. In a hurry with my telephone operator we started to connect equipment and verify that everything works. Our rush turned out to be unnecessary, because … the band took a break to eat. Personally, I picked up this negatively, because from the time of their entry into the building it has been already four hours and, after all, are only human. The boys ate behind closed doors in a room next to the room where we were waiting for an interview. Almost all the time I could hear their voices.
At that time I could look around the room. It turned out that he was doing for their wardrobe. The team left your things: clothes, watches, sunglasses, food for the dog (Pumby), cups of coffee, etc. How did it feel to see all these things? More or less, such as if go to the other side of the mirror. Awesome. In the end, the band entered the room. I felt very nice when the boys turn themselves greeted with me giving hand and saying “hi/hello”. It certainly gave me encouragement:) Apart from the fact that it was already Tokio Hotel – this was probably my first interview with the star in another language other than Polish and outside Polish. Giving Bill a microphone, I said that you want to share it and … we started. The interview ran pretty smoothly except for a few situations:
situation # 1 Pumba begins to drink from the Bowl when I ask a question.
situation # 2 Georg fall glasses and momentarily disappears from the frame to lift them.
situation # 3 Pumba begins to lick me on the shoe to the delight of boys. This Bill has seen it, but despite the humor of this situation has kept the seriousness and continued his speech. I hope that editors somehow deal with this advise and interview will come out good in the broadcast.
After the last question I asked the band about saying to the camera something to Polish fans. Well, I just couldn’t refuse to hear live the famous “Hey! We are TOKIO HOTEL!“. We finished the recording, and I asked the guys about a group picture. Then it’s time for autographs and at the end of a series of selfies.
Bill already coming out of the room, but I could still ask about whether he’d do with me this photo. With a large difference in growth (additionally increased by the height of Bill) it was a real challenge, so the pics came out unfortunately quite out of focus. I could ask that he held my Smartphone. 😉 I’m sure you’ll notice that I do not have selfie with Gustav. Well, he went unnoticed, probably when I was shooting a photo with one of the guys. I’m not angry because that’s Gustav. 😉 The boys turn to bid farewell and went out of the room and we had to just pack up and leave.
To see THe Full Album, click an image ; )