Interview- Unheilig

Der Graf is Unheilig, and he hails from the exquisite country of Germany. His album, “Puppenspiel”, is riveting and lushly beautiful---his voice and his stage presence is stunningly haunting. What an amazing artist Unheilig is. And Unheilig is such a kind soul too, a person with a lot of heartfelt emotions and creativity outside of his music.

Take a closer look at this artist through his interview, and find out for yourselves, what makes him such a fine artist and passionate person. A lovely interview indeed this has been---thank YOU Graf! (:

Grave Concerns: Enchanting dark greetings Graf, this is such a fabulous honor to have you here at the grave---thank you SO much for wanting an interview with us---I'm so super-excited to have you as one of my interviewees! I hope you'll have a fun time with me.

Grave Concerns: On your MySpace blog, dated on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 there was some very discerning news about your health---and about your vocal cords being damaged, so serious, that there was a time thought that you'd never sing again. Rest was crucial. That news was very sad to read. so heartbreaking. I’m so sorry you and those with whomare close to you had to go through that. Then on Sunday, May 4th, 2008 hope turned into a prayers answered---doctors informed you of being in the clear! And you were also given the green light to perform at the WGT On Sunday, May 11th, 208. How did the show turn out? The emotions flying inside you from that ordeal---I can only imagine. How are feeling now?

Graf:
Yes, it was a bad time for me. I thought that I maybe lost my voice. My future as a singer was in danger. The WGT was actually my ordeal. But everything went well. I was so happy and during my illness I learned a lot. I stopped smoking and I pay more attention to my health. Grave Concerns: And we’re happy to know you are well now…very much sir.

Grave Concerns: I've been checking out your MySpaceTV Videos. Sir, your video---your song "An Deiner Seite" is simply amazing. It is so elegant, so gorgeous. It gave me goose bumps. You are truly a beautiful man, a beautiful artist. Your live performance of "Kleine Puppe", at Livemitschnitt aus Magdeburg vom on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 sounded smashing---I LOVE it! I'm so sorry that I don't know what you're saying. But I love your voice, passion, energy and your style. You sir, captivate me. What then, are the kinds of things that race through your head before heading onto the stage?

Graf:
Thank you very much. You flatter me. First of all, I always look forward to being on stage. I really long
for the reaction of the fans. But the stage-fright is always on my mind. I have to conquer my fear every time.
Grave Concerns: You are VERY welcome---it’s my pleasure. That’s really amazing Graf, in regard to your stage fright---you just seem so free on stage---you’re an extremely strong person then…I applaud you for your courage. And your fans are very happy that you’re able to do what you do so magnificently.

Grave Concerns: What do you think of your song "Spiegelbild" being the fan chosen song on your special limited EP to be released on Saturday, July 19th, 2008?

Graf:
Spiegelbild is one of my favorites too. It is a very autobiographical song. I thought the songs "Spiegelbild" and "An deiner Seite" would be the favorite songs of the fans and so it was. The EP SPIEGELBILD includes 7 Songs. I produced three complete new songs for the EP. I hope the fans are happy with that.
Grave Concerns: I’m sure they will be. (:

Grave Concerns: What comes first in your creative process of song making? Do you hear the melodies or feel the lyrics? Or do you go back and forth?

Graf:
I always have melodies in my mind. Sometimes I write down a few words or a theme. Sometimes I write a song in five minutes and sometimes there is only music and I need a long time to find the right words. It is always different and there is unfortunately no rule.

Grave Concerns: How do you differentiate a real good song, from a classic? In other words, what really makes a song stand out and last? And with your music, which song or songs do you feel have met that challenge, have come close to it, or are you currently just enjoying the creative bliss?

Graf:
I really don't know. If there was a formula I would like to be the cook. Sometimes I be on stage and perform a song which is not as strong as other songs in my eyes. But the audience is thrilled. And that's the reason to make music. You can't plan anything.
Grave Concerns: Very well said.

Grave Concerns: What do think makes your music stand out among other artists in your field?

Graf:
I think that people love Unheilig because of the honesty. A lot of the fans can find themselves in the lyrics and music. I perform and sing what I feel, there are emotions inside and the fans can feel that.
Grave Concerns: That’s a wonderfully warm answer.

Grave Concerns: Which songs are you most proud of on "Puppenspiel", and why?

Graf:
You can't ask me this question! A mother loves all of their children. Maybe "An deiner Seite" is my favorite because I wrote it for a mortally ill friend.
Grave Concerns: (;
My heart goes out to you Graf, and your friend’s family…I’m so sorry.

Grave Concerns: OK, I've GOT TO tell you how INCREDIBLY sexy you are in the promotional photos on your MySpace photo page. Your eyes all vamped out--- that come hither look. Also, I have to mention how super-cool---movie cool the rest of the promotional photos are. Phenomenal photos, in general, by Annie Bertram. So, how did you team up with her? She's such an awesome talent! Do you have any creative say in regard to how you'd like the photos to look? Tell us about some of your favorite photos?

Graf:
Thank you. I don't really like myself in photos. Annie Bertram is really a talent. We met us a long time ago on the WGT.
I have the creative say because I know that the pictures have to fit with the music. We always make a lot of photos in different locations. I choose the best photos together with my management. I think the best photos are on the spur of the moment.
Grave Concerns: You’re welcome…and I understand about not likening yourself in pictures, but those pictures mentioned are stunning. Sounds like a good system for picture taking---keep them coming!

Grave Concerns: Please share some of your favorite places in Germany you frequent?

Graf:
Leipzig (WGT) is always great. Hamburg is a very pleasing town. My birthplace Aachen is the city I love the most. I have a lot of memories there and it is always a feeling of coming home. But I think that Germany is a nice land with a lot of special places. We have high mountains and the sea. We also have silence and party.
Grave Concerns: Sounds beautiful---I love the mountains and the sea; and peacefulness, along with having a good party makes life so rewarding.

Grave Concerns: If you were able to put on a concert for charity, which one/s would you be supporting, and which artists would you like to headline?

Graf:
I always fight against racism. I would like to headline with David Bowie.
Grave Concerns: You support a good cause---so nice to know that. And Bowie and you would be such an amazing team.

Grave Concerns: Being a member of MySpace, how has it helped, or hindered your musical endeavors? And which countries do you feel have embraced your music the most?

Graf:
The www is a good platform for artists to make their music public. MySpace is one of those stages. I think nowadays the Internet is more important than TV and other media. Russia and the United States have embraced us, but also many other countries.

Grave Concerns: You're in the process of designing your own night club. What’s it called, where is it located, and how does it look on the inside?

Graf:
My own nightclub would be outside under the stars. It would be a place where you can chill and listen to every kind of music. Comfortable seats and no neighbors, bothered by the music. And it would never rain there.

Grave Concerns: Do you think evil is born or raised? How about the goodness in people? Can people change for the better, and for the worse?

Graf:
I think it is raised. I hope that people can change and nearly everybody earns a second chance.
Grave Concerns: I hope people can change too---nicely said.

Grave Concerns: If you were to plant a tree to symbolize something special in your life, where would that tree be planted, and what kind is it?

Graf:
This tree is standing in my garden and it is an apple tree.
Grave Concerns: I love apple trees. They are a special kind of tree, full of character, and wonderment.

Grave Concerns: If you could have a movie director direct your next video, who would it be and why? And which song would it be?

Graf:
It would be Stanley Kubrick, but he is unfortunately dead. It would be a song on my next album.
Grave Concerns: He was a brilliant director.

Grave Concerns: What movie character's name do you think is cool? And if you were to be cast in a movie, what cool name would you go by?

Graf:
I love Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks and so many more. I think I couldn't decide this.
Grave Concerns: Awesome picks! And I LOVE Johnny. (:

Grave Concerns: When is your birthday?

Graf:
In February.
Grave Concerns: Mine is June 16th.

Grave Concerns: As a musician, how does the music in movies affect you? And if you were asked to compose a song for a soundtrack, which genera would that be in? Now let me take that question even further---actually backward; if you were to go back to the past, with your current music in hand, and were asked that same question, would any of your songs stand out as a good fit? If so, which song and movie would it have been?

Graf:
Music in movies affected me always. I listened to the music since I was a little child. A good film is nothing without music. I would like to make a soundtrack for a film like "What Dreams May Come".
Grave Concerns: That was such a moving film, on so many levels. I’m sure you would create something beautiful if you made a soundtrack to a movie like “What Dreams May Come”.

Grave Concerns: What is something about the human race that really gets you down, makes you wonder how could that person do that, act that way, say that?

Graf:
I don't like intolerance. I can't understand people who hurt others.
Grave Concerns: I’m right behind you on that.

Grave Concerns: What then, on the other hand, does the human race do to make you feel simply proud and amazed by?

Graf:
Unselfishness of any form.
Grave Concerns: And that is such a gift.

Grave Concerns: You've been asked to create a new word defining your style of music. What is that word?

Graf:
I don't like to pigeonholing music.

Grave Concerns: If you were able to change one scene in a horror movie from the past or present, which one would it be and why?

Graf:
I would never change the scenes because of my respect to the producer. I wouldn't like it if anybody would change my songs.

Grave Concerns: Have you ever given up your seat on a bus or train?

Graf:
Sure. You can make the world better with little things.

Grave Concerns: You just opened your fortune cookie---what does it read?

Graf:
Make the world better with little things.
Grave Concerns: I agree, I do think we can. (:

Grave Concerns: Since nature is very precious to me, I tend to be drawn more toward the Earth element. Although each one has its own special attributes, together they are priceless. Which element do you see yourself more drawn toward?

Graf:
I think my element is the water. It's like coming home.

Grave Concerns: What are a few of your favorite local radio stations?

Graf:
I only listen to the radio when I drive my car and the station changes. I do like Radio Goethe.

Grave Concerns: What is sexy in your eyes?
Graf:
Self-confidence and brightness from inside.
Grave Concerns: That’s such a fabulous answer.

Grave Concerns: If you could live without one of the following for one-year, without any kinds of side effects, consequences, worries---how ever you like to look at it as, which would you choose and
why?
1. Sleeping.
2. Food.
3. Air.

Graf:
I would choose sleeping. It would be wonderful to have so much time to make my new album, to make a tour, to see my family...

Grave Concerns: Do you have any regrets?

Graf:
Yes, sure. But I learned a lot of my mistakes. I only be the person that I am because of my mistakes.

Grave Concerns: If your were to write a short story or a novel based on one of your songs, which one would it be? And if it was to be adapted to the silver screen, who would be your leading actor and actress?

Graf:
I think I would choose "An deiner Seite" I would act myself. The other part would be my friend. It would be a contemplative movie with tears and laughs. But the movie would have a message: "I thank you for being on my side."

Grave Concerns: Other than musical influences, who else in the artistic world inspires you?

Graf:
The old painters and great writers like Goethe.

Grave Concerns: Favorite color, number and symbol?

Graf: Green, 4, smile.

Grave Concerns: You've just completed a puzzle, how many pieces does it have, and what is the picture of?

Graf:
Endless pieces and it would never be complete.

Grave Concerns: Do you believe in ESP and ghosts or "other" unexplainable occurrences?

Graf:
Yes I do...boo!
Grave Concerns: (;

Grave Concerns: What's in your CD player right now?

Graf:
Herbert Gronemeyer. The album "Mensch"

Grave Concerns: What would you like to say to your fans right now?

Graf:
Enjoy the time. I send my best to you.

Grave Concerns: Anything else you care to share with us about yourself and your stunningly hot music?

Graf:
Listen to my music.  :)

Grave Concerns: Graf, we here at Grave Concerns, wish you a great deal of success with your album "Puppenspiel", and hope you'll continue to thrive in all that you hope to accomplish. You are an incredible artist---I'm so happy to know of your music. Please keep in touch!
Cheers!

Thank you very much,
Yours Graf

For more information on Unheilig check out https://www.nilaihah.com, https://www.myspace.com/unheilig and
https://www.unheilig.com/