Not all of our readers might know you, so maybe you could start off and tell us
a bit about the background for Autumn?
Nienke:
Autumn is a Dutch rock/metal band. It’s hard to say in which box we fit best
when it comes to our musical style. Some refer to it as a gothic/ stoner
mix….It’s up to you listeners to decide I guess. We are with six people and this
band has been around since twelve years. My New Time is our third full length,
and our first official worldwide release.
How has the response been on the new album, and what kind of expectations do you
have for it?
Jan:
So far the reactions were very positive. Most people point out the differences
with the previous album(s), but often in a very positive way. We expected that
kind of reaction and were curious about the outcome (positive or negative). We
did what we wanted to do, and it seems to be appreciated by the press and fans.
So far so good!
If you should choose one song, which represents the essence of Autumn on the
album, which one would that be and why?
Jan: I
would choose “Closest Friends Conspire”. This song contains the groove we were
looking for.
If you had to describe your music to a complete musical ignorant – what would
you tell him?
Jan:
I used the term “symphonic rock en roll”, that’s what we are aiming for! Our
guitar player Jens likes to describe it as: “catchy, in your face, female
fronted rock/metal with a twist”. That’s fine by me as well!
How important is the lyrically side of Autumn – and what has inspired you on the
album?
Jan:
The lyrics have always been
important. Our former bass player used to write most of the lyrics. He got his
inspiration from old literature about legends and mythical stories. He than
interpreted this to a lyric, sometimes with some daily life experiences
incorporated in the theme’s. For this album most lyrics are written by Jens and
Mats, the guitar players, and they use their own thought and experiences to
write the lyrics. So the lyrics have become a bit more personal.
Tell us a bit about the album artwork.
Jan:
We found the original picture in
an old newspaper and were immediately excited about it. The picture shows
despair, but in the same time hopes. I think that every person sees something
different in this picture. That’s the strength of it. We got the rights of the
picture; our artwork artist changed it a little so that it fitted in the concept
of the booklet. We wanted to keep it sober but stylish. I think we reached that
goal.
How did you get the name Autumn, and is there a story behind it?
Jan: The
founder of the band and our former bass player, Meindert, came up with the name.
It symbolizes the contrast between beauty and decay. This contrast can be found
throughout every aspect of life. The name has kind of a gloomy feel (in the
positive manner of speaking) that can also be found in our music.
Besides this, our tour manager
believes that it is the best season of the year. I do not completely agree with
that, he he, but besides the cold and the rain, natures’ scenery is often great!
What do you consider to be the biggest accomplishment for you and Autumn?
Jan:
That we have grown from a band
with a dream to a band living the dream. It took us more than 10 years so far,
he he and we are still growing, but I think we already accomplished things we
could only dream about 10 years ago.
Do you have any touring plans for 2007, maybe on the European Festival scene?
Jan:
Besides the Benelux, we are
planning a tour through Germany, we are still working on this, but hopefully it
will be feasible. If we also visit Denmark, that I don’t know, but it would be
great. So we keep our fingers crossed.
What are the strengths and where can Autumn improve?
Jan:
I think our strength is that we
are not limited to a specific style. We have proven this on our last two albums.
We want to make the music we all like and in order to reach that goal you have
to cross some boundaries sometimes. We showed that we can do this without losing
our own identity. We can still improve in our songwriting, and this is something
we like to work on as well, so the next album could be again a surprise.
Name an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your life … and
why?
Jan:
Music-wise this would be the album:
´'The Real
Thing' of Faith no More. That was the first time I heard a band that was able to
mix different influences and styles, but still kept their own identity. They
showed this extensively on their later albums. Big influence for me.
Which five albums would you bring on your iPod to a deserted island?
Jan:
1. Faith no More - Midlife Crisis
2. Anathema – A Fine Day to Exit
3. The End – The Never Ever Aftermath
4. Opeth – Blackwater Park
5. The Wounded – Hollow World
Which album(s) have put a big smile on you face and has made you bang your head
in past year?
Jan: Currently
I am listening a lot to an album of Katatonia, called “The Great Cold Distance”.
Technically great, but still very emotional. Great Album! I actually don’t know
if it is released in the past year...
I thank you very much for participating in this interview and sharing this
information and your thoughts with us - these last lines are entirely for you.
Any final words you would like to round off with?
Jan:
Thanks for your interest in the
band. I hope we will visit Denmark sometimes with the band. Till then; I hope
your readers check the album, I think it is worth a listen!
Take care,
Nienke de Jong & Jan Grijpstra
Interviewed by Kenn. | 
