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 Interview
with Kalle Wallner of Blind Ego
JT: Do you have any tours or concerts lined up at the moment?
KW: We had a small tour through Europe in May. In September we
played some gigs in UK. At the moment there is a break for Blind Ego
due to the recordings of the forthcoming RPWL album.
JT: Many festivals are
popping up these days. Do you see yourself at one of them in the
near future?
KW: Yes, RoSfest is coming up next. I’m really looking forward to go
back there. We played the 1st RoSfest with RPWL and
enjoyed it a lot!
JT: Let's talk about the new album, Mirror… The topics seem to
revolve around obsession, sadness, and despair. Why is that, and
whose story are you trying to tell?
KW: The last years were very formative ones for me. I had lots of
trouble, and lots of up and downs. So it came very naturally that
the lyrics of my songs have a biographic background. Not in every
detail, but the basic ideas are something that definitely happened
in my life. I tried to describe these emotions. So you could say I
tried to wash my soul by writing these songs. I looked into my
personal mirror. That’s why I chose this song as a title track,
because this song is like a summary for all the other songs.
JT: Also, how did you come up with the name of your band, Blind Ego?
KW: RPWL was, is and will be my No.1 band. So I did this side
project just for my “ego”. But it’s quite different to write alone
or together with a band because you don’t have to make any
compromises. But certainly you miss other influences and so a solo
project has many advantages and disadvantages. This is what “blind”
means.
JT: What's your take on Pink Floyd and Dave Gilmour? Were they among
your heroes?
KW: I had no special heroes and idols but there are many great
musicians and especially David Gilmour is one of them. I like his
melodies and his “tone” on the guitar. There are few guitarists who
are able to impress you with such a charisma on their instruments.
But I like many others guitarists and musicians, too.
JT: In general, tell me about any "significant" influences that we
haven't already covered.
KW: Lots of Metal stuff. I grew up in the eighties with Metallica,
Iron Maiden, and all of those Heavy Metal-bands. And I still like
the rock sound in any kind. My favorite bands at this moment are Foo
Fighters, Rage Against the Machine and Tool. But I also like
Radiohead, Muse or Incubus, for example.
JT: To change gears, let's discuss your songwriting… Do you write
the lyrics or the melodies first? It’s hard for me to make an
educated guess as your songs are extremely melodic. Alternatively,
the lyrics always seem to tell a story that’s near and dear to its
writer. My best guess would require me to flip a coin.
KW: This was the biggest difference to RPWL. With RPWL, I’m used to
just come up with an idea, a lick or a riff and we’d complete the
songs together with the band. For my own songs, I basically started
with some riffs or chords too, but the second step was doing the
hook line and some lyrics. After that, I’ve been arranging the whole
songs.
JT: Can you explain your songwriting process in further detail? Like
who writes what, where might you get assistance, and is the
trial-and-error done strictly on paper, in your head, with a piano,
or with the guitar?
KW: I’m working as an arranger too, so I’m used to working with the
computer to finish demo versions of the songs with all instruments,
guide vocals and programmed drums. And I used these demo tracks as a
basis for the productions of “Mirror” as well.
JT: Any idea what else we can expect from the studio, either with
solo work, Blind Ego, or RPWL?KW: First of all we’re happy that we
got such a fabulous feedback to our special and limited RPWL-album
“9” which was released in September and which is only available in
our online shop. The next step will be the forthcoming RPWL album.
We already began with the recording. All songs are finally composed,
so I think we will release at the end of February. A Europe tour
will follow in April, and some festivals might come as well. RoSfest
in the USA is already confirmed for RPWL and Blind Ego. After that,
I will produce the forthcoming Blind Ego album. I already wrote a
couple of songs for it, and I’m looking forward to it!
JT: Any plans in the works for live albums or DVDs?
KW: I guess it’s too early for a live album. But generally I like
live albums and live DVD’s. So I hope I may realize one of them in
the future. Maybe after the second studio album.
JT: Are you in any other projects these days aside from what's been
mentioned?
KW: I’m working as a session and live guitarist for others projects
too. And with our company Farmlands, we have two studios: our own
label and our own booking agency as well. So I’m busy all the time.
I’m working as a producer and an arranger as well with the band
Hidden Timbre. They also released their debut album on our label Red
Farm Records.
JT: Had you ever considered playing a different instrument or
pursuing a different career?
KW: Other instruments? I learned violin at school, but I was not
very motivated. The guitar is more than enough for one man’s life.
JT: Going back to the beginning, how did you get involved in music?
KW: I was in a kind of musical kindergarten at the age of 5, started
guitar lesson at 8, and violin at 11. But no one of my family was a
musician. It always was a wish of my own. As a kid, I always
listened to any styles of music. But the more I liked the guitar,
the more I got into this Rock thing.
JT: When did you decide you wanted to become a guitarist and join a
band?
KW: I started playing in my first band at the age of 11, when I got
my first electric guitar. Then I played lots of local bands until I
recorded my first CD with Violet District in 1992. It was always my
dream to become a musician, but at this time I decided to do it. I
also studied guitar for a couple of years and did many different
projects and bands.
 JT:
I wanted to touch upon the others who contributed to the album… How
do you know these musicians and how did each one of them get
involved in the project? I recall that you have all played at
RoSfest in various bands. Is that the link or have you known each
other further back?
KW: It’s different. I met John Jowitt the very first time at the
RoSfest. We had a good time there. John is a very good bass player
and a great guy! Playing a festival in Germany in 2005, I told him
about my plans of starting a side project and asked him if he liked
to play the bass. John gave me the link to Paul Wrightson. I
listened to the Arena album, The Visitor, for the very first time
and imagined Paul would be the perfect singer for some songs. I met
John Mitchell at a festival too. And I knew that he loved the RPWL-song
“Roses”, so I thought my chances would be good to make him join
Blind Ego. I never listened to Kino or other projects of John, but
as I heard a song of The Urbane; I was enthusiastic of his voice and
was sure that he would be the right singer for the rest of the
songs. The drummer is a guy from Munich. I’ve known Tommy Eberhardt
for many years. Definitively one of the best German drummers!
JT: Speaking of RoSfest, how did you land that gig as headliner for
it inaugural year?
KW: George wrote an email and asked us. {He laughs.} Seriously, I
don’t know exactly, but I remember being very happy when our booking
agency came up with that news. And I know that Kenny told us that he
ordered some RPWL-live-cds via internet to get an impression of how
RPWL sounds live. The funny thing is that we hadn’t released an
official live-CD at all.
JT: That is funny… Back to the album, I’m curious about the artwork
and upside-down font. Who was responsible for this graphical design?
Also, what's the meaning and the motivation behind the artwork? I
see a face trying to free itself from some sort of orange, elastic
barrier.
KW: Stefan Wittmann is a very good friend of mine who already
designed the RPWL artwork as well. He came up with the idea of
making a picture of my face behind this latex sheet. An amazing
picture, and it fits perfect to the idea of Blind Ego. You can see
how I’m trying to free myself.
JT: On another less serious note, can you tell me about a Spinal Tap
moment that you may have experienced in your career? This would be
some practical joke, mishap, or just something out of the ordinary
that occurred in concert, on the road, or in the studio.
KW: I remember a very big German festival that we played with RPWL
in 2001 called “Burg Herzbergfestival”. Around 20000 people were on
this festival area. At least at that time, it had the flavor of a
hippie-festival. We were scheduled at 11pm, but they were so late
that we started at 4 am next morning! We started performing in
darkness and finished our last song “Farewell” at sunrise. Instead
of a crowd of 20,000, there were just 300 in the audience. But I’m
sure all of us, band and fans, won’t forget that concert!
JT: That’s too bad. I’m sure a lot of them would have wanted to stay
and that it wasn’t anything against the band. Maybe you’ve already
answered the question, but what's the worst part about being a
musician?
KW: Lost all my girlfriends and my wife.
JT: Okay, that sounds much worse. I better change the subject quick.
On a lighter note – no pun intended - what’s the best fan
interaction you’ve had?
KW: Flying from Spain to Munich for a single RPWL concert. Flying
from Switzerland to London for a single Blind Ego concert. Flying
from England to Munich for the Blind Ego release party. Flying from
London to Mexico for RPWL’s perfomance at Baja Progfest. {He
chuckles to himself.}
JT: I'd like to find out about your current musical tastes… What's
the last CD that you purchased?KW: Foo Fighters' Echoes, Silence,
Patience & Grace.
JT: Along the same lines, what's the last concert that you attended
as a fan?
KW: Incubus, 2007 in Munich.
JT: I'd like to find out some of your favorites… What is your
favorite album of all-time?
KW: That’s difficult to settle on.
JT: Is there any CD or tape for that matter that you've worn out?
KW: Radiohead, OK Computer.
JT: Who is your all-time favorite band?
KW: Metallica
JT: Let's talk about some favorites that aren't necessarily related
to music… What is your favorite movie?
KW: 2001: A Space Odyssey.
JT: What is your favorite TV show?
KW: Dr. House
JT: Do you have a favorite book?
KW: Anything of Franz Kafka.
JT: Are you a sports fan and if so, who is your favorite teams?
Football [by this, he means soccer], FC Bayern München.
JT: I like to ask this question, because it helps me to identify
with the artist, but do you have any pets?
KW: No.
 JT:
Before we wrap up, is there anything you'd like to say to your fans
at this time?
KW: I remember that when we played the first time at RoSfest, I was
really surprised about the warm welcome and the very friendly
people, like a big family. It was such a pleasure to play there.
Many of them wrote emails and we are still in contact. So I’m
looking forward to meeting many of them again! I’m very proud having
the invitation to come back - not only with RPWL - but with my own
project, Blind Ego, as well.
JT: Well, I haven’t got my hands on Mirror yet, but I’m aching to
play it. I’m sure it’ll be awesome when I get around to it. You can
count on me to provide a review. As for RPWL and your performance at
RoSfest, I am thoroughly impressed by what you have done with that
band. Your contributions have really been a hallmark to the genre of
Progressive Rock. Keep it up, and I’ll keep my eyes out for future
works.
JT: That’s all I have for you at this time. Enjoy the rest of your
day.
KW: Thank you very much.
JT: Bye.
KW: Bye bye.
Blind Ego official website -
http://www.blind-ego.com
MySpace URL
http://www.myspace.com/blindego |
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