INTERVIEW WITH THE BEAUTY OF GEMINA

HELLO, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC THEN?

Michael Sele: My name is Michael Sele. I’m the singer, guitar player as well as songwriter of tBoG and my companions are Mac Vinzens on drums and David Vetsch on bass. Together we are playing our kind of dark wave or dark rock. Our style is made of contemporary sounds and moods with a mix of borrowings from the sound of the 80ties. Basically we see us as a modern acting rock band.

DO YOU THINK YOUR MUSIC IS GOTH OR NOT?

Michael Sele: There’re definitely many ingredients of our songs that can also be found in Goth music. Principally it is a matter of authenticity and as much individuality as possible. But of course, there beats a romantic dark heart in my chest.

WHAT I LIKE SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR MUSIC IS THAT YOU EXPAND THE SOUND OF THE 80’S (WAVEROCK) TO NOW….

Michael Sele: Thanks for the compliment - I really appreciate it. It’s also my point of view.

I GUESS IN SOME WAY YOU ARE MAKING POST-ROCK. IF YOU SEE THAT BANDS LIKE EDITORS CAN FILL STADIUMS AREN’T THERE TIMES YOU THINK: THAT COULD BE US IF ONLY WE HAD THAT SAME PRESS ATTENTION.

Michael Sele: There are a lot of factors that have to match at the right time and at the right place to become as successful as the Editor for example. Basically it needs a lot of work, damn good songs as well as endurance and last but not least a lucky punch.

I KNOW IT’S A NASTY QUESTION, BUT IF YOU COULD OBTAIN SUCH A CHANGE, WOULD YOU TAKE IT?

Michael Sele: Yes, I definitely would and that’s why we’re working every day on that vision. I also expect this from the other band members and our team. Especially that they develop and work hard on themselves to be ready for the next steps.

SORRY BUT I MUST AS XYMOX ARE MY FAVE BAND, BUT THE REASON WHY I LOVE THE BEAUTY OF GEMINA SO MUCH IS THAT YOU REMIND ME A BIT OF THEM

Michael Sele: Probably the fundamental mood of our songs is quite congruent. I got to know Ronny Moorings in person last year and his great feedback on my work really touched me. We have a lot of respect for each other. I’m looking forward to meet him at some festivals this year.

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTOOD YOU’RE FROM SWITZERLAND.
IN ALL HONESTY I KNOW A LOT ABOUT MUSIC, BUT ABOUT THE SWISS SCENE I KNOW NOTHING

Michael Sele: In our genre of music there aren’t many bands that assert themselves successfully. But if it comes to hard rock or metal, Switzerland has a long tradition of prosperous and international well know bands.
LOOKING AT THE NEW (GREAT) ALBUM I JUST THINK: HOW DESOLATE THAT COVER LOOKS LIKE….
Michael Sele: The cover picture exactly mirrors the atmosphere of the album. I’m very happy with the artwork as a whole. An English photographer who I met by coincidence took the photos of the landscapes. She’s a big fan of our music and the collaboration was very inspiring.

GUESS YOU WON’T DISAGREE BUT YOUR MUSIC SOUNDS RATHER DARK. WHAT DOES SOMEONE ATTRACT IN THE DARK SIDE OF LIFE?

Michael Sele: I think, the dark side has always mesmerized people. Just think of Bram Stokers book “Dracula”, literally unimportant but nevertheless it became worldwide one of the most famous books ever. Also the trilogy “Lord of the Rings” has broken almost any record. What the fascination exactly is has everyone to figure out by his one. But it’s definitely concerned with distinct fantasies and abysses.

YOU MADE 3 ALBUMS IN 4 YEARS SO THAT’S QUITE A LOT. WORKAHOLICS OR JUST TOO MANY TALENT?

Michael Sele: I hope both aspects are true, because the one is quite useless without the other. As a matter of fact there’s nothing better than to withdraw into the recording studio and to work at sounds as well as songs and to be creative. I’m a very disciplined person and in consequence of that, such studio sessions result in a lot of material for new songs.

MANY BANDS SAY : “WE JUST DO OUR OWN THING AND TAKE EVERYTHING ELSE AS A BONUS…”, BUT I DON’T BELIEVE IT THAT OFTEN CUZ AFTER ALL EVERYONE MAKES MUSIC TO BE HEARD, NOT?

Michael Sele: This is accurate for me. My aim is that as many people as possible discover my music, play it from morning to night, memorize the lyrics and come to our concerts in crowds. Nevertheless I can’t and won’t change my kind of writing songs and I don’t want to make any compromises. But it’s wrong to think that I’m composing only for posterity and that I want to demonstrate my independence by selling as little records as possible.

LAST QUESTIONS ARE QUESTIONS I ALWAYS ASK, I CALL IT THE TRADITIONAL ORIGINAL SIN-QUESTIONS… WHAT’S YOUR FAVE RECORD OF ALL TIME AND WHY?

Michael Sele: There are some great masterpieces and I’m lucky to own them and that I was able to discover them. Spontaneously, my answer to your question is “Disintegration” of The Cure. It’s just a perfect album with timeless songs.

WITH WHOM WOULDN’T YOU MIND BEING STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR FOR 8 HOURS AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO THEN?

Michael Sele: With Liv Tyler and be sure, I have some very interesting ideas about how to spend the hours with her.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE BEAUTY OF GEMINA IN THE FUTURE?

Michael Sele: Until today we recorded three albums and especially the songs of the new album have great live potential. That’s why I’m looking forward to play as many live shows as possible. This summer, we are going to play in Poland (Castle Party), Utrecht (Summer Darkness) and on other big festivals. In Switzerland we will play at the Greenfield festival together with Rammstein, The Prodigy, HIM, Procupine Tree and others. I’m sure that’s going to be a great experience. I still have a lot of plans and I know that there are many new adventures waiting for us.

DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING SPECIAL TO OUR READERS?

Michael Sele: One aspiration still is to play in Belgium at the very removed festival in Waregem! Dear readers, please help us to get this chance and make it happen sometime. This has to work out.

THANK YOU!!!!!!