THE INTERBEING

MySpace
E-mail interview with vocalist Dara Toibin of Danish band The Interbeing, August'09
Active Rock: I'm very much impressed by your debut ep "Perceptual Confusion". The quality of the music, excellent songwriting, great hooks, how come you're still independent?
Dara: Thanks a lot. To be honest we haven't properly initiated any serious communication with labels yet. We have been in contact with some labels but our focus has been on writing the new material, and preparing the debut album. But the next step is a serious search to view our possibilities. Regarding contracts it is also a really unfortunate period. Beneficial contracts are hard to come by, and you're lucky if you get a sweet deal.
Active Rock: What in your opinion separates you from bands like In Flames, Soilwork and Raunchy?
Dara: We are inspired by many bands including the bands you mentioned but we differ with our more extensive use of Electronica including beats, and with our use of polyrhythms. Lyrically I also focus on dystopian and conceptual themes which strengthen our deviation.
Active Rock: You sound very professional, that's rare for debut ep of a young band that was formed 3 years ago. Is that a matter of your musical background, hard work or maybe all the credit should go to top producer Jacob Hansen?
Dara: I would say it is combination. 3 of us in the band have been playing in former bands together since 2002, so most of the members knew each other musically, and since this line-up was complete we've been working intensively. But Jacob Hansen should also be credited for creating a production which really expresses our sound. He is awesome at what he does.
Active Rock: I would like you to comment all the three songs from ep. "Rhesus Artificial" sounds like an anthem.
Dara: I found the inspiration for 'Rhesus Artificial' in the dystopian novel "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. The title reflects the Western World's growing tendency to form mechanicalized societies. The song also elucidates the range of our inspirations with heavy riffs, use of Electronica, polyrhythms, and appealing melodies.
Active Rock: "Face Deletion" is very catchy.
Dara: 'Face Deletion' was actually the first song we wrote, and it helped us to specify our sound and our direction within the genre. Lyrically I was inspired by the music itself which I associated with surreal and dreamlike images. The concept is very much based on facing inner demons and discovering concealed strength.
Active Rock: I love the opening riff of "Fields of Grey".
Dara: 'Fields of Grey' was actually a bit more complicated compared to the other tracks on the release. We initially wrote it with a much heavier tempo, and much of the song was written by the other members. The lyrics are based on a future sense of desolation and solitude.
Active Rock: Every track on your ep shows a different face of The Interbeing.
Dara: Thanks. We also feel the release reveals several aspects, and it will be even more elaborate on the album.
Active Rock: I'm sure you already plan releasing your debut cd and have some new material. The big question is WHEN will you serve to the world your new tunes, HOW LONG we have to wait?
Dara: We've been working hard on the tracks for the debut album the last couple of months, and we've almost completed the material. So we're counting on entering the studio latest during the fall and optimistically the album will be released in the beginning of 2010. We're really psyched about it, so hopefully you don't have to wait too long.
Active Rock: How's the Danish metal scene looks like nowadays? Do you think it's easier to become successful in Denmark or way better to hit the market in Germany and Sweden?
Dara: That depends on your definition of success, haha.. The Danish Metal scene is definitely flourishing and there's a lot of international focus on Danish Metal bands but the Danish market is minuscule, so an international breakthrough is necessary to actually gain success. For instance by hitting the German market.
Active Rock: What is the most flattering sentence you've heard about your band?
Dara: We've received some great reviews so far, and we really appreciate it when critics compare the level of our demo with official releases. Some critics also claim that we sound like a band that has just released its fourth of fifth album, and we accept that as a huge compliment.
Active Rock: What feelings are inspiration to your lyrics?
Dara: As mentioned earlier I am very much inspired by dystopian and visionary texts, visuals and sounds. Anything within music, books, artwork and also movies. I favor artful expressions that on some level elevate the receiver's perception .
Active Rock: I've found on your MySpace profile that you like all kind of music. Please, name some artists that fans of The Interbeing wouldn't expect you to listen to?
Dara: Everyone in the band has a wide taste in music, and for my part besides Metal music I listen to a lot of laid back projects. For instance Massive Attack, Lulu Rouge, Jose Gonzalez, Mike Sheridan, Tweaker and so on.
Active Rock: One of your favorite movies is "Irreversible". I didn't dare to watch it but I've heard it's really brutal and depressing.
Dara: Yeah , it's a great movie. It's not only extremely brutal it also has a profound plot. It deals with an irreversible act while the story is told in reverse. It's kind of ironic and cynical.
Active Rock: You're also a fan of Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons". They're also very controversial, especially for Christians.
Dara: They're not my favorite books but I do enjoy the scientific theories and the skeptical attitude towards religion.
Active Rock: What do you know about Poland, do you know any Polish bands?
Dara: Yeah, I know some bands such as Behemoth and Vader but that's about it. But we would love to play live with some Polish bands and for some Polish audiences.
Active Rock: Last comment please for your fans in Poland.
Dara: Yeah, thanks a lot for the support. We really appreciate it. Can't wait for the album to be released, and hopefully we'll drop by Poland in the future. Cheers.


Q - Sebastian Grabowski
sebastian@activerock.pl