The members are Wolfgang Frisch, Markus Kienzl, Michael Holzgruber, Wolfgang Schlögl, Emmanuel "Mani" Obeya and Timo Novotny - for other information click here.
On this interview, there's a reflection about Superluminal, the band and also some questions about the future and some trivia.
FYMS: Hello. How are you?
Sofa Surfers: great. the first live shows have been very good and we are looking forward to play a lot of shows.
Sofa Surfers: great. the first live shows have been very good and we are looking forward to play a lot of shows.
FYMS: First of all, why your name Sofa Surfers? It gets quite intriguing not to ask.
Sofa Surfers: well, old question, two answers:
1. we had a big sofa in our first studio, that took a very important part in writing the music of our first album.
2. a sofa surfer is a crusty guy that tricked his friends into letting him stay on their coach and empties the fridge for an unlimited time.
FYMS: Your new album ‘Superluminal’ was just released. Congratulations it’s a brilliant album! How did you came up with the idea for its name?
Sofa Surfers: Mani, our singer came up with it in one of his lyrics. It is a good description of the album´s main theme. It is also a reference oft the increased speed of our world. For example it only takes a nano seconds to trade billions of currency money and crash a national economy.
FYMS: Your album really sounds like a reflection of the world as it is today. Which is the message you want to pass through?
Sofa Surfers: one theme that goes through the whole album is that fast technological developments have a big impact on our social behaviour. But our human sensors need to adapt to those changes in our lives. Since we are no robots we have to come up with a human strategy to compensate this feeling of disorientation.
FYMS: Your presentation single ‘Word In A Matchbox’ is an explosive mix of electronic and rock music, a really great song. Why did you choice it to be your first single of Superluminal?
Sofa Surfers: we liked the idea of an uptempo track with an unusual structure. There is no real chorus, but the melody and the rhythm are pushing forward. A good way to introduce a new album.
Sofa Surfers: we liked the idea of an uptempo track with an unusual structure. There is no real chorus, but the melody and the rhythm are pushing forward. A good way to introduce a new album.
FYMS: You’ve just released your record and a new single ‘In Vain’. What’s the story for ‘In Vain’?
Sofa Surfers: „In Vain“ is the first track we recorded with our new singer Jonny Sass, who had just entered the collective in May! It was a surprise for us, but it just happened and over time we have learned to go with the flow. He is working very well with our Mani Obeya and we now have the privilage to have 2 great singers in the group. In Vain is one of the strongest tracks on Superluminal.
FYMS: We know your process for Superluminal was quite different from your previous records. Do you want to tell us about it?
Sofa Surfers: We always try out different ways of production. In case of Superluminal we gathered in a small studio with daylight rehearsal room for ten days. We extra took an electronic drumkit with us, so we could rehearse for over ten hours every day. We wrote 10 sketches there, which became the backbone oft he album. It was important to leave our everyday lives behind.
FYMS: Your previous records were really near the alternative rock but on Superluminal it’s clear the mix of very different genres – like a strong rock guitar, with electronic beats behind and the soft voice of Mani Obeya or the additional Jonny Sass. How do you feel about this change?
Sofa Surfers: Change is a vital part in our band history. Maybe it´s the „postmodern“ aspect of our work, but we don't feel we belong in a certain scene. This is sometimes very had, because people need to stick things in boxes, but most of the time it feels freeing, that we can do what we like. Regarding the instruments we use, we don't make real differences between electronic and live gear. We had produced electronic based tracks, but we always have incorporated live instruments.
Sofa Surfers: Change is a vital part in our band history. Maybe it´s the „postmodern“ aspect of our work, but we don't feel we belong in a certain scene. This is sometimes very had, because people need to stick things in boxes, but most of the time it feels freeing, that we can do what we like. Regarding the instruments we use, we don't make real differences between electronic and live gear. We had produced electronic based tracks, but we always have incorporated live instruments.
FYMS: Timo Novotny is responsible for your visual concepts for a while now. How was the path to develop and achieve Superluminal’s style?
Sofa Surfers: Timo was very busy finishing his own documentary called „Trains of Thoughts“, so we have seen his video conceptions just days before the actual premiere of the album. It is a great combination of originally filmed parts and text animation. Although he likes to work with architectural structures, this time he also used a lot of nature themes in his very personal way.
FYMS: Your live performances are followed by strong visual performances and a huge stage presence. Is it important for you to have a big scenario on stage?
Sofa Surfers: It is not about a big scenario „per se“, but we are a big crew with 7 people on stage and we like the idea of having some sort of lab on stage. But on some festival settings we might give a mega show impression!
FYMS: Which are your expectations for Superluminal?
Sofa Surfers: To perform for as many people as possible.
FYMS: How would you describe Sofa Surfers?
Sofa Surfers: an audiovisual dub rock soul collective
FYMS: We are from Portugal. What do you know about this country?
Sofa Surfers: We have played some of our favourite shows in Portugal. Some of my closest friends live in Lisboa. I try to stay some days in your country every year. I love the food, the wine, the sweets, the music, the sea and the people´s humor;
FYMS: As a band, is there anything you still dream to achieve?
Sofa Surfers: We want to sustain another 15 years and do what we think we can do best.
FYMS: How is your relationship with your fans? Is there any funny story you would like to share with us?
Sofa Surfers: Our fans know that we are just normal persons, so the greatest experiences we have with followers is,when we just spend a great night together like pals.
FYMS: Which are the plans for the future?
Sofa Surfers: playing as many shows as possible in as many countries as possible and working on new music, new movie scores and theatre plays;
FYMS: Complete these sentences...
a) One Day...
Sofa Surfers: ... we will be old guys, but still making strange music.
b) The best thing people can say about me...
Sofa Surfers: ... is that we are old but we still play strange(in a good way) music
c) And the worst...
Sofa Surfers: ... that we are strange (in a bad way) and play old music
Sofa Surfers: ... that we are strange (in a bad way) and play old music
d) In ten years...
Sofa Surfers: … we will be old guys, but still making strange (in a good way) music.
Sofa Surfers: … we will be old guys, but still making strange (in a good way) music.
FYMS: Is there anything you would like to tell to FYMS readers?
Sofa Surfers: Even strange, old guys can play great music!!
[Special thanks to Sofa Surfers for their kindness and time and to Raquel Lains for everything]
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