Interview with Conny Ochs
Interviewed by Mike Robertson
Drone Sweet Drone: First off, thanks a lot for taking time out of what I know is a busy schedule! (as of this writing Conny has played a sold out show at Objekt 5 as well as a show with Friedmann on the 22nd)
Conny: No problem man, I'm all in.
DSD: So February 2019 looks like the release date for the new album. I've seen the teaser clip, I like what I've seen. More of the same? What are we to expect?
C: Yeah the album is going to drop on Feb. 12 in the EU. I guess that will be the same date also for our distributors in the U.S. You will hear more instruments on the songs and more playing around with arrangements and sounds, compared to the other albums I did... That's basically because Thommy (Krawallow) my friend and producer gave me all the freedom to use all his gear and allowed me to move into the studio for the process of recording. So there I had a playground to experiment with songs I brought with me. Still, I feel it's dark in a familiar way, and melancholic, since that is not what i can not shake from my heart... my dreams. This album even more so, maybe because it talks about dark times in our lives, facing fear, depression, addictions... I had not been thinking of that when I wrote the songs, but in the end it's the shape it got. it's called DOOM FOLK for that, meaning the darkness it circles around, but still hanging on to the intention of songwriting and folk culture to unite people , share experiences, thoughts, secrets, to keep the flame burning, to be strong together.
DSD: Tell me about Ananda Mida. I saw some photos of you playing a show with them, and even caught a clip on youtube. Rumors of an album? (that I believe were started by you, HA!)
C: I made an album with them as a guest singer, that will come out January on Go Down Records in Italy. It was great to get together with a full band, I missed that a lot. They asked me to contribute something to the new songs, and I ended up singing on all the songs in the end. The guys are great! All psychedelic Italians. I wrote all the texts while I had a high fever and couldn't leave the bed for several days, while I read Crowley and Gurdjieff. they are basically talking about the travels of a lost soul, lost between the abouve and below, dazed and confused, but curious like a child. there is a slight touch of Satanism there... I guess it has always intrigued me... It's about remaining open to the wonders of the world. those in the light ,and those in the dark. We'll play a short tour supporting the album in January in Italy, maybe some festivals in summer too.
DSD: Also, tell me about SLEGO. First off ,where does the name come from, it just sounds cool.
C: SLEGO is another project I have with my friend Filippo in Italy. he's playing various heavy guitars and I'm playing drums and we both have the intention of singing. Kind of a Punk/Noise/ Beach Boys thing. SLEGO has been a famous underground club in Italy, and also means... something like... to untie yourself, in a very psychedelic manner. it's a lot of fun and will be quite heavy. We'll make an EP in January and distribute it ourselves, ...then see where it goes.
DSD: I promise I wont' harp on you too much for not touring the US (people should know I've been bugging you about that for years!!) but when we last spoke, you said you've still yet to tour with WINO for ''FREEDOM CONSPIRACY", so if you are reading this, and you are a backer, is it safe to say the opportunity exists?
C: Wino and me have been in touch through the last few years, and I will probably meet him in late spring in Europe. Since we never toured for FC, that is something on the top of our lists. once set up, we will play a tour also in the US.
DSD: The last guest/cameo appearance I've heard you do was the TYTUS vocal. Shuold we be keeping our eyes open (and ears) for any guest appearances in the near future?
C: As it is for now, I'm quite busy with the new album and the other two projects, but you never know..... I played bass on a song for a Finnish theater play.... but I am still waiting for the recordings.
DSD: You still work on a great many things with Hannes Scheffler, is it safe to say he's your life-long co-conspirator/partner in crime?
C: Hannes is part of the trio I will play with next year, and always was and still is a source for inspiration, and a point of reference for me. His way of producing is unique, and so full of joy really. I was always happy when we would catch up and play together, and I had always in mind to bring him to the trio I planned to set up after 'Future Fables." Luckily next year there's gonna be quite a few shows on the ''Doom Folk'' tour when we will play together again.
DSD: On the subject of art, you've also mentioned to me recently that you plan to continue the "Dead Heroes" series. I believe you said Prince was on the short-list, as well as Mr. Cohen if i'm not mistaken...
C: Yes, Prince is my next project fro the series that I'm working on now, after that the list is, unfortunately long, Cohen for sure, but also Chris Cornell who has been a hero of mine. There are so many inspiring souls to pay tribute to and remember together.
DSD: Have you any new album covers in the making or planning stages?
C: OH yeah, I just finished the cover for Sicker Man, and I am working on some logos for various underground scene projects right now. I did some illustrations for the Japanese poet and intellectual Yukio Mishima who sacrificed himself by Sepukku (a form of Japanese suicide by disembowelment). A very interesting story ... it was published in the German magazine "Drunter und Druber" that is dedicated to all aspects of death in culture, everyday life and experience of people. It's very inspiring. I feel it's important to confront death in a more open, manner. And this is the first publication I know that does this.
DSD: I think that's all for now. Unless you've some parting words?
C: I wanna thank you for your time and dedication. And I think it's amazing how inspiration can establish over time and space.... it's like an ever growing garden, taken care of by all of us in turns. Sometimes crossing paths. A strangest beautiful thing.
Recommendation of today: Prince, piano and a microphone
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