(17.07.2015)
Exclusive Interview: Tokio Hotel talks about his expectations with the show in Brazil
Tokio Hotel arrives in Brazil for single presentation in São Paulo on 28 August. Bill, Tom, Georg and Gustav are on the road promoting the album “Kings Of Suburbia”, launched in October 2014, which comes five years after its predecessor “Humanoid”.
To prepare for the anticipated show, the Nation of Music chatted a bit with the Germans, who talked about the creation of the new album, relationship with the fans, what they think about our country and even about a possible zombie apocalypse. Check it out:
“Kings of Suburbia”. There were five years between the release of this new album and “Humanoid”. What was the reason for the delay?
Bill Kaulitz: We started writing the songs and it turned out were very different from what we were used to, you know? We took a lot of inspiration from the nightlife, has a more electronic footprint and when you do things on your own even just taking longer.
We used to listen to your songs in English and in German. What led you not to record “Kings of Suburbia” in German?
BK: It seemed more natural doing the whole album in just one language. We had not enjoyed the fact that the last CD was made this way because we were kind of forced, people were expecting it to be so. We did not want to compromise … Many times things just get better on a version of it, in another, and some things get lost in translation and, as I was writing the lyrics in English, I did not want to force a German translation.
The new record is something very different sound that fans were used to. What influenced this change? What did you think of the fan reaction?
Georg Listing: I think that what most influenced this change was the weather, as we had four years to write and produce this album, it was a natural development to our style. As only we could hear what was being recorded in the studio, certainly was a big surprise to the public and, finally, it was time and the fact that we are doing everything ourselves, all stages, from demos to completion disk and … I think that was it.
BK: The most amazing thing is that our fans are so loyal … it’s pretty crazy, so many people are with us for a long time and are still there and are very passionate. To me, that’s the most important thing a band can have and we are super happy that the fans are still with us for so many years, but at the same time we also noticed some changes, for example, a greater presence of guys at our shows and how our audience was getting older with time, as are we (laughs).
Well … soon you will be performing here in Brazil. Like to be back in the country? What are the memories of you the last passage here?
BK: It’s always good not because we note the appreciation of the people and how they are excited about the music, with the shows and everything, so I think it will be pretty intense, we expect a great show with a lot of energy. I remember the last time, the large amount of fans we have, and it was very good, so I think it will be a great show.
And what are the future plans for the band? Something special for this second half of 2015? They are already thinking about a new album, maybe an EP ….
BK: We have so many projects, let’s go on tour and I think they are about 50 shows this year yet, so we will focus heavily on our tour and in addition, we intend to return to the studio to meet some new producers and always seek people who can create new things with us. We’ve been in the studio and we have some new tracks that we plan to launch soon and still have other projects. Tom and I are writing a book and the idea is to launch by the end of this year.
How to play the band on tour in Europe in stadiums and then play the United States in smaller places with a smaller audience, it differs at the time of presentation?
GL: Actually we started this year in small clubs in Europe because we wanted to, we have become accustomed, is something we wanted to do for a long time, we wanted a more intimate moment with the fans, and it was possible in smaller clubs. And then we go to Latin America to perform in some bigger places and I think we can take advantage of both, really, it is pretty cool.
Let’s go to the questions that fans sent to us by our twitter. Starting with Priscilla Marinho de São Paulo “is there some food or some place in particular that they miss now living in LA ?!”
BK: Absolutely! I think we always miss our country, we have childhood memories, especially cake and the breads that are so much better in Germany, we miss it because of childhood memories, so you can feel the lack of things in Europe and Germany, but also love to live here, especially the sun in LA.
The Giovana Furtado of St. Andrew asked, “How does it feel to know that fans, tattoo record forever on their skin, your work?” And also want to know if the fans inspire them in some way.
BK: I think it’s very cool, certainly I’m very flattered, I mean, I can not imagine anyone with a Georg Face tattoo somewhere (laughs) but overall like, I have a tattoo of the logo of the band too, and I think was my first tattoo of all, certainly is a commitment, and we as a band feel it surreal someone make that kind of commitment. I once met a girl in LA she was enjoying all my hairstyles, so she tattooed my face with my hair every time I changed, it must have an 8 portraits tattooed on her body, and it was kind of crazy, but I’m certainly flattered.
And to close the fan questions, Amanda Silva de Blumenau wonders: “In a zombie apocalypse, what action character they would like to be a part of their survivor group?”
BK: I love Spiderman, I think he is a superhero who has the coolest powers, and I love that it means that you can fly, for me is amazing. So anything that happened on Earth, if you have type water or fire all over the place, he can always get away, so I think I would be Spiderman.
And finally. Do you have any special message for the Brazilian fans?
BK: Yes! Thank you very much for your support and love, we can feel it here by far. We can not wait to get there and show everything we have prepared, we worked hard on our show and we are super happy to finally show everyone, and will be very cool. We appreciate the love and support and can not wait to arrive.
