Hi Felix, thank you for doing this interview with us, how are you doing?
I am doing great. I just finished my 2 weeks vacation in Austria and looking forward to a fantastic time at this year’s Summer Darkness Festival.
What was the first song or experience that you heard that spurred your interest in creating music?
I have been listening to music almost forever and it is really difficult to say, which song started the spirit to create it myself. It is rather related to the point when I fooled around with the first computer software that could actually safe the ideas I came up with. And that was way back in 1995.
What is driving you in life? What is the thrill you chase in life?
My family and friends are my everlasting source of energy and haven I can rest from the crazy world out there. I am a virgo so I am more or less the restless personality. I am looking to make the best out of this short time that is granted to me on this planet and the pursuit of happiness plays a key role in all of my activities.
You started making music 16 years ago, has the feel in creating music and performing changed for you and in what way?
Of course, with the experience I gathered throughout the years I am now quicker in the realization of my musical ideas. But the feeling has not changed. It is always the same kind of emotion that arises out of my own creation when I listen to it afterwards. It tells me either “Yes, this is something special” or “What the fuck. This sounds really lame.”
How has your music changed since its initial inception?
It has grown and evolved in terms of the evolution of the technical means. That means it sounds more professional. In the same time I have abandoned certain influneces that I tried to integrate in the past, i.e. hip hop lyrics.
In 16 years a lot has changed in the technical possibilities, lots of new music is more based and created thanks to all new technical possibilities, how do you manage to keep a soul in your music and still use all of todays possibilities?
I guess that’s my secret, but it is very hard to describe since it is a natural phenomenon. My musical roots lay in the years 1980-1994; to my understanding, this is an era where music was dominated by its soulfoul meaning. I guess I manage to maintain this spirit in my works today while combining it with the latest technical possibilities.
In 2001 you joined Diorama, how would you describe your relation with Torben, what is it that makes the both of you create such great music and basically made a big name out of Diorama?
We have been knowing each other from back in our childhood days and the personal relationship is the foundation of a common understanding what we want to achieve in our musical ambitions. In addition, we have started to produce music seriously together at the same time in the same place, long time before the name Diorama was created. It took nearly 10 years of consistent collaboration with this band to develop this name and we are very proud of our achievement.
Diorama is a band that can touch the heart of people, I think that is one of the reasons why there’s a group of fans following the band. What is it in Diorama that makes this happen and what have you contributed to it?
Today more than in the past, people are looking for songs with a soulfoul meaning, both, in lyrics and in music. This is related to the fact that music has become something transparent, unmistified and a convenient product as a result of the global society and internet generation. I believe our songs linger in peoples’ minds, because they reflect moments and personal experiences and give hope to persist. We have gathered our followers over a long time and are very happy that more and more people have joined us on our way. We contribute our souls into our music and this is where we all meet.
You also combined forces with Vasi Vallis in Frozen Plasma. What was it that made you agree on combining forces?
It was a win-win-situation when we decided to launch the band. For me, the reason was to spend more time in the music business and to have an additional output for my musical ideas with the focus on electropop style. Of course, to act as a front singer was a challenge that I wanted to try.
In Frozen Plasma you are the frontman, was it hard to switch the keyboards and backing vocals and be upfront on stage? What was the hardest in this for you and did you have to learn some tricks in order to be a good frontman?
Of course, the pressure as a frontman is much higher than a keyboarder, because during the concert the eyes and ears of the spectators are focused mostly on the frontman. So during the first shows the nervous level was very high. To be honest, I didn’t read the book “How to be a good frontman” :) I believe that you only succeed on stage with your true personality and character. The major success factor is to have fun on stage and show this to the crowd. I move around a lot on stage, but this is just the way the music makes me feel.
If two bands aren’t enough you also released a solo album. What was the reason for you to do this and is it a more personal album than your music with Frozen Plasma and Diorama?
I produce a lot of music and have gathered a lot of songs that neither fit for Diorama, nor for Frozen Plasma. With the encouraging feedback from bandmates and friends I decided to release an album for Felix Marc with the songs that had the most meaning to me at the time. Of course, this implies that the album is very personal and if I find the time, I want to continue to release my own album. Actually, I am currently working on the second release.
How do you create your music, do you always work the same way or does it deviate? What comes first music or lyrics?
Usually, music comes first and the most inspiring moments deliver the lyrics shortly after that to make it a complete piece of art. Sometimes I only capture small ideas, like fragments of lyrics or a set of interesting sounding chords that later are worked out into a new song.
On your website you say poetry and art are a source of inspiration as well, in what way have they enriched your life?
I have studied the English language during my high school years and a big part of it were American short stories from Salinger, Golding or Poe. Later I spent some time in Ireland where I started to love Yeats and his poetry. With my father being an English teacher I had also access to all this literature at home. The stories on various tapes were the source for samples such as the famous intro from the song HLA.
What are personal influences in your music that the general public may not be aware of?
Oh nothing spectactular. Just life, love, lust, women, alcohol, traveling, job, jerks, nature, art, literature and MUSIC.
How much have you sacrificed in expense to your being and as an artist?
I have sacrificed a lot of time in the studio. I could have used this time to be a better boyfriend, a better student, a famous soccer player or maybe a successful stock broker. Who knows? But who gives a shit, too?! I would do everything again if I had the chance. Success demands sacrifice.
How did you keep your musical integrity throughout the years?
I had the right consultants and the right woman beside me to give me the necessary freedom.
What is your advice to a future artist?
Make no compromises and stay authentic. Enjoy what you do and be patient – success will come sooner or later.
Any last words for our readers?
Thanks for reading until here. Life is porn.
Photo’s by Silke Jochum
www.felixmarc.de