Interview- Todesbonden

Hi Laurie Ann, Jason and Patrick! This is quite a beautiful release you 3! As a fan of Autumn Tears I was really interested to hear Todesbonden.

Jules- How did the idea for this band come about?

Laurie- Todesbonden was an idea that I had for a long time now. I wanted to have a band that touched on all the influences that moved me the most.. fantasy, worldmusic, renaissance, medieval, metal.. the things that I found extremely beautiful. I decided to find other people that either could produce the sound that I wanted for the band, or had the same influences as myself. I found Jason who has similiar tastes as myself and he has helped track the guitars and drumbeats that I ask for, and is a great collaborator of ideas and opinions. Then I found Patrick whos classical and emotional violin playing really moved me, so he was a natural addition to Todesbonden.

J- I really like that. It sounds very in the moment. Which is authentic.

J- was it a natural progression from your previous collabortions?

Laurie-well it definiately was natural for me because I created it.

J- Laurie...your vocals are beautiful...how do you keep your voice so rich and lush at the same time?

Laurie- Thank you. I would like to attribute that to not practicing at all. (smile) To be very honest, I just sing what feels right for the moment, from the heart, if it sounds good to you, then that is wonderful.

- I really like that. It sounds very in the moment. Which is authentic.

J- Patrick and Jason...how is it working together you 3? What are your inspirations for writing this music? Do you see it as a story or individual pieces?

Patrick-You know, I have yet to play live with anybody else in the band! Laurie gave me parts of songs in progress, and I just made up some violin stuff, and recorded it at Laurie's house. I think the music is really moving, so my parts came quite naturally. Laurie and Jason were really supportive through my efforts to play in tune, and then to try to re-create the good takes after the computer crashes. (Disclaimer by Laurie- "Patrick is a great violinist, it is in our interest to be supportive :)")

J- very much like you are all in harmony. And voila...a great piece of work.

Jason- I enjoyed it quite a bit. Laurie actually did 99% of the writing here, but I was given creative liberties for the guitar solos. For soloing, I usually gain my influence from the piece I'm soloing on for a consistent feel, but overall my playing style is very classically influenced. I mainly view each song individually, each having its own unique

J- ahh thanks...this is the awesome classical/ethereal element I enjoy from this CD.

J- Who are each of your influences?

Jason- Iron Maiden, Yngwie Malmsteen, Morbid Angel, Dodheimsgard, Dream Theater, Iced Earth, Samael, Candlemass, Adagio; also Bach, Mussorgsky, Paganini, Tartini, and Shostakovich.

Laurie- The Bulgarian Womens Choir, Lila Downs, Dead can Dance, doom-metal (Shape of Despair, Saturnus), Dowland, Celtic Music, The wicker Man Soundtrack, Folk Music, many things...

Patrick-Vivaldi, Bach, Nigel Kennedy, Itzhak Perlman, Keith Jarrett, Wayne Hussey, Genesis P-Orridge, John Kerry

J- WOW! There's alot there. Lots of old skool influences that contibuted and it runs the gamit.

J- will you tour and future plans for Todesbonden.

Laurie- I am hoping to get a working live band going so that we can start playing this material infront of an audience. The only issue has been time constraints.

J- I bet as you have also other projects you prolific woman that you are involved in.

J- speaking of which...Laurie- You ARE quite the prolific musician and singer...what other projects are you working on right now?

J- WOW! There's alot there. Lots of old skool influences that contibuted and it runs the gamit.

Laurie- I am working on Autumn Tears, Ephemeral Sun, Ol Sonuf, Anomalous Feather, Nest and a few others I do a song here and there on their albums..

J- wow. That's alot. I am excited to hear there will also be more from Autumn Tears

J- What do you all like to do in your free time?

Laurie- well that is a good question because free time is a bit lacking. I like to travel, do graphic design,photography, visit my land in the mountains, eat good food, watch good movies. But number one activity during my free time has been writing and working on music.

Jason- I mainly like playing and writing music for enjoyment. I am trying to get as much done with recording as possible at the moment, so lately that is where my attention has been. Aside from that, I like working with Photoshop and working on my websites.

Patrick- volunteer math and computer tutoring for elementary school kids in DC, working on material for The Groaning, English Lit, frequenting goth/industrial clubs in DC, and occasional goth rock DJ.

J- very cool. Interesting stuff from all of you.

J- This cd to me is ethereal, gothic, industrial at times, and ethnic...would you agree?, disagree?

Laurie- well the music is so close to myself that it hard for me to categorize, but I would say that I could see where you would draw those comparisons. I would dare to throw in the metal description as well :)

J- Thank you very much for partaking in this interview and please let us know at GC when the lp comes out...I know I am anxiously waiting for it's arrival.

Laurie- yes ofcourse! thank you for doing the inteview with us!

https://www.todesbonden.com