The Go Find: Q&A

<a href="Interviews/Interviews/The_Go_Find%3A_Q%26A/"><img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/thegofindqa.jpg" alt=" " /></a> Following the release of The Go Find's second album, <i>Stars on the Wall</i> (<a href="Reviews/Album_Reviews/The_Go_Find_%3A_Stars_On_the_Wall/">QRO Review</a>), we had a chance to chat with...

 The Go Find : Q&A Following the release of The Go Find’s second album, Stars on the Wall (QRO review), we had a chance to chat with frontman and creative lead, Dieter Sermeus.   This time around, he had to make a lot of adjustments to accomodate new members of his band and his family while releasing a dazzling array of synthpop.  In the interview, he shares a lot of insight into how the record was made, and his interesting take on what’s different this time around.  Here’s what he had to say:

QRO: What was the decision making process in deciding to incorporate a band this album?

Dieter Sermeus: Well, after working on Miami, I had to find a band to play the music live. These guys became good friends and it really was fun playing with them. Anyway, I first started working on the new album on my own again but it really didn’t work. I missed people around me so I thought “hey why not get the guys involved” ’cause we get along and have the same kinda music taste. We started rehearsing at my home in Antwerp and it went pretty good. You know it’s a great feeling to work on a song and everybody is in to it. If you work alone you can only share it with your computer.

QRO: Do you feel a band takes away from how personal Miami was or are you able to get across your ideas more fully with others input?

DS: Miami was something I just had to do. I was playing in a band from age 15 and it was time to do something on my own.

But I don’t have the impression Stars on the Wall is less personal because the guys were involved. On the contrary, it gave me more time to concentrate on the general feeling of the album without worrying about every little sound.

QRO: Please explain the songwriting process for Stars on the Wall.

DS: Most of the time I had a basic song or sound loop and we started from there. It’s like a very naked song and then everybody throws in the arrangements. We of course discuss them but since we are pretty much on the same level it all went pretty easy. I mean a lot easier than the period I worked on Stars on the Wall on my own.

QRO: How has your life changed between Miami and Stars on the Wall and how does that affect your songwriting?

DS: Well, the biggest change is that I became a father. I have a lovely little daughter Nina and she is hanging around the house. It makes life a bit more complex but I like that. It’s not always easy to manage everything but with little help from my girlfriend it all runs pretty smooth. I don’t think it really influenced my songwriting directly. I guess I’m a different person now then 3 years ago and that influenced the songwriting. It’s hard to analyze that – if listeners feel there is a difference then that’s ok with me. I guess once the record is out people are free to interpret the songs the way they like it.

QRO: Will you tour more fully with Stars on the Wall – (e.g. the U.S. or anywhere you missed in Miami)?

DS: We would like to go everywhere, but it’s not simple. A small band like us doesn’t get big fees. But we try and we are always looking for opportunities to go abroad. We’re going to Iceland really soon. We are pretty excited about that. And we will do Europe. We hope to tour the U.S. but I guess it all depends on how well the record will be received.

But at the moment you still need the classic way of working on an album: releasing it on cd or vinyl, distributing it, trying to get press – the combination of doing it the classic way and using what’s on the internet makes it very exciting.

QRO: What do you think of the internet networking sites like MySpace?  Do you feel like it helps you get your music out to a broader audience and do you enjoy talking to your fans?

DS: It helps and it’s nice but you still need to make good songs though. I mean we put some effort in our weblog and MySpace by making little movies and stuff and we get good return on that and it’s nice to talk to the people who buy your record. I guess there were never so many free opportunities to spread your music so that’s definitely good. But at the moment you still need the classic way of working on an album: releasing it on cd or vinyl, distributing it, trying to get press – the combination of doing it the classic way and using what’s on the internet makes it very exciting.

QRO: What is your favorite track on Stars on the Wall or if not favorite which one do you feel best describes what emotions or ideas you are trying to get across?

DS: “25 Years” must be my favorite track. We worked hard on the track and I like Joris and his nice Rhodes melody. It’s about me getting older, moving out my little suburban village into the city, and exploring the world. Some people close to me really understood what I was trying to tell and told me they have the same kinda mood when they drive back home to their parents’ house. It’s not about complicated feelings just – you know – about the good old memories without saying it was better then.

QRO: Where did you record Stars on the Wall?

DS: In a studio near my house in Antwerp. I needed to stay close to home so I could help my girlfriend raising the baby. The studio was packed with old vintage synths: moogs, oberons, Korg, you name it, they had it. We had a lot of fun playing those!

QRO: How long did it take to record it?

DS: Let’s see – I guess about two months but spread over half a year.

QRO: Do you have any funny stories you would want to share about recording or writing Stars on the Wall?

DS: The funny thing is that I often ran out of the studio to make dinner for my girlfriend and the baby. That was surreal at times but also very refreshing when I got back in the studio.

QRO: What will you be up to in the next six months?

DS: Hopefully playing a lot of countries and working on new songs.

QRO: If you could give a message to your Western fans please do here.

DS: Lets all shake hands with the Eastern fans!

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