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Autumn in the winter! The band Autumn just released their new album 'Altitude' last week. This is the fourth one and we got the opportunity to ask drummer Jan Grijpstra (drums) to tell us something more about the new album and the band. After their singer Nienke left the band just before the tour started to promote their third album, they found in Marjan a perfect follow-up. For Powerofmetal time to ask some questions to get to know something more. You had a lot of misfortunes lately; with this new record it should finally happen don’t you think? Jan: Hehe, what do you think should happen? So far I am still amazed how all things go and I am very proud of the band. This record is a new cornerstone in our career and I hope we can do even more cool shows because of it. Although Nienke left, Metal Blade must have still believed in you because of this second album, did you feel that support? Jan: Yes, definitely! They have a lot of confidence in us and I am very grateful for that. They never doubted that we would find someone else and them where very happy with Marjan. Marjan fits perfectly to your music, has there anything changed in song writing when you compare it with writing songs with Nienke on vocals? Jan: No, mainly because we wrote most material already before Marjan joined the band. Of course she gave her own touch to the vocal arrangements, but we did not have to change the music because of her type of voice. How is Nienke doing at the moment? Jan: She is doing well. She is working with her partner Arno Krabman in the Graveland studios (where we recorded some of the Altitude album) and she is working on a release of her new band Dejafuse. She had to cut back on the busiest things in her life, and unfortunately that was us at that moment. The music on the new album is a little darker than on ‘My New Time’, and you used Hammond Organs on a few songs. Whose idea was that? Jan: The Hammond organ was the idea of Jan Munnik, our synth-player. He experiments a lot with sounds and orchestrations. This gives a great extra dimension to the music. How do the songs come into existence and how do you choose between the heavier and the softer songs? What I mean is how do you find the perfect balance between soft and heavy? Jan: We had a lot of songs to choose from during the pre-production, so we had to spend some time thinking about that. I think in the end we chose in a natural way, by voting the most popular songs (between the 6 of us). The 13 songs that are on the album came out that way and I think this is sort of the way we thought the balance between soft and heavy songs should be. In my review I compared the music in the song “A Minor Dance” and the first part of “Cascade” with The Smashing Pumpkins, is that an influence, or am I just talking bullshit. Jan: To be compared to the Smashing pumpkins is not a punishment. They are not a major influence but we all do listen to albums of this band. So, yes, maybe subconsciously we are influenced by this band. What are the bands other influences? Jan: That ranges per band-member. I am a big fan of Faith no More. But also Katatonia is a big influence. The list will be a lot longer if we all contributed to it. Why is the band called Autumn? Any story behind it? Jan: Not really, it sounds good and is easy to remember. It obviously stands for the one season of the year where nature starts to prepare for winter and the days are getting shorter. The melancholic feeling (if you like) reflects the music of the band. Where does the album title ‘Altitude’ stand for? Jan: If will quote Mats (our guitar player) for this, since I can’t say it any better: “The cover more or less depicts the peak of our civilisation. These are the works of man, who has performed so many technological and scientific miracles in such a small amount of time. But confusion lurks. The balance is obviously shifting for the worse. It takes courage to step back and pursue happiness and prosperity through means less hazardous to our environment. Yet the man in his flying contraption does just that. He is vulnerable... and flying at high altitudes was never without peril.” Often it is very easy to compare a band with another, it looks like Metallica, or it sounds like Nightwish etc. etc. With Autumn this isn’t an easy job to do, I think you created almost an own sound, what is your opinion about that? Jan: Well, I am flattered that you mention this. It means we are doing something right! In general I think we are making symphonic rock, but I cannot give you one (with a female singer) to be compared to. Have you read some reviews already and if so, how are the reactions? Jan: Yes! They are very positive and we are very happy with that. It is also a big compliment for Marjan, less than a year ago she joined the band and already did a few major festivals and released her first full-length album. We are trying to keep up with the reviews and put them all on our website (www.autumn-band.com). People who still think you are playing Gothic don’t know what they are talking about, but do you think you can profit from the fact that Within Temptation is taking it easy at the moment and After Forever quit? Jan: Well, the bands you just mentioned are in a league of their own. I don’t think at this point that we can play shows they normally would have done. Hopefully one day… Already some deals to play on some Summer Festivals? Jan: Not yet, last year we did 3 major festivals in Germany (Wacken, Summerbreeze and Wave gothic treffen) so I am not sure what is in store for us this year. Is there a band also on Metal blade which could be the ideal touring partner? Jan: I guess it would be great to tour with other Metal Blade bands, but I don’t think the audience would prefer such a difference in style, hehe. We are the only band (as far as I know) that is more rock-oriented. Finally I give a few things you have to choose between, and say why you have chosen it? Going on tour with Metallica/Winning a Million in the lottery. Jan: Winning a million, with that money we could support the band and setup tours ourselves. Nienke/Marjan Jan: Marjan, she’s the singer of the band! I don’t really want to choose between 2 women, this means almost always trouble, hehe. Within Temptation/Nightwish Jan: Within Temptation, I support the Dutch scene. My New Time/Altitude Jan: Altitude, the last record is always the best. Metal Blade/Sony Jan: Metal Blade. More personal, a lot of trust in us and total artistic freedom. At the end of your life you can take 5 albums with you to heaven/hell, which ones are it going to be? Faith no More – King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime
The End – Elementary
The Wounded – Atlantic
Volbeat - Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil
Faith no More – Angel Dust Leave your final words (for this interview) to our readers here….. Jan: Thanks for your interest in the band! I hope your readers will check out the Altitude album and maybe we meet at a show one day. Interviewed by Reinier de Vries | 
