Hello, I'm Elmar, an Austrian currently living in the Netherlands. Similarly, our band consists of musicians from both Austria and the Netherlands. Dutch members include Orion on electric guitar, Peter on bass guitar, and Johan on drums, while Lila on vocals and Dominik on saxophone and violin come from Austria.
Dominik holds a special place among my closest friends, being the lone surviving founding member of our band. Our musical journey commenced back in 1994 in Graz. When I made the move to the Netherlands in 2008, I initially harboured concerns that this relocation might spell the end of the band, or at the very least, a prolonged hiatus. I was unfamiliar with musicians in my new surroundings. However, fate intervened, and a series of remarkable coincidences swiftly connected me with my new bandmates. During this period, our "original band" had just released "Ode to Brother Horn" and I eagerly shared these CDs with my new colleagues at work and fellow members of my kendo dojo in Groningen. The response was exceptionally positive. One day, a former kendoka, no longer active in kendo, inquired whether I was in search of a talented guitarist, mentioning someone who would appreciate our music. This marked the introduction to Orion.
Simultaneously, at my workplace, one of my superiors asked if I was seeking a skilled drummer, as he happened to know one. This introduction led me to Johan van der Meer. Orion later introduced me to Peter, and Lila, the spouse of my spiritual teacher, also expressed interest in collaborating. In a way, the band almost formed itself, and it has proven to be the most extraordinary musical ensemble I've had the privilege to be a part of.
What kind of music do you make or would like to make in the future?
The album we launched last year comprises a collection of love songs, falling into the pop/rock genre. Before that, we introduced a trilogy of albums rooted in jazz improvisation. Currently, our focus is on crafting a hard rock/heavy album. Concurrently, I'm in the early stages of preparing an album featuring gospels and religious hymns, as well as another one infused with synthesizer/techno elements.
What do you enjoy the most about the process of making music together?
The natural synergy that emerges when we play. My colleagues in the band have very different musical backgrounds. Still, they all enjoy playing our music, and they all bring their own, idiosyncratic, individual styles and ideas to the songs, which are greatly enriched by these elements, as if additional musical dimensions are added. That and the feeling that everybody enjoys what they are doing is what gives me the greatest pleasure in making music together.
What are some of your favourite themes to explore through your music?
Love is certainly on top – in all its forms, from romantic love to the general theme of love, love as an all-powerful force of this universe, and more. Next to that, do like spirituality and religious themes, and sometimes funny stuff (like, e.g. Jabberwocky) or crazy ideas (e.g. Möbius, The Glint, Feast of Mind).
Who are some artists that you love or who you'd say has had a huge influence on your work?
In similar situations in the past when faced with this question, I typically began by citing classic hard rock and heavy metal bands like Savatage or Iron Maiden (which is undoubtedly true). However, a few weeks ago at the MSXGOTO40 meeting in Amsterdam, I made a fascinating discovery. During the event, Yuji Takenouchi (aka TECHNOuchi), the composer of the music for some of my favourite MSX computer games from my teenage years (SD Snatcher, Metal Gear 2, Space Manbow), performed a show. Although ELOAĦ does not incorporate many techno elements (if any), I am now certain that his music has been a significant influence on me, alongside my heroes from the rock and metal world, favourite chansonniers Herman van Veen and Reinhard Mey, and my classical education.
Where can someone looking for your music, find it?
Our songs are available on all major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube) – you can easily access them from our homepage http://eloah.at
What's your favourite part about touring/ doing live performances?
What I enjoy most when playing live is the connection with the audience – the attention, the atmosphere, the exchange of emotion between the band and the listeners. Of course, I also relish the thrill and excitement that come with being on stage.
What kind of message would you like to give your fans, through your music?
Through sharing our songs with the fans, we open a gateway to shared experiences and emotions. The majority of our songs are inspired by events that stir profound emotions within us, which we subsequently convey through our music. I find comfort in challenging situations when I come across a song that captures a similar sentiment, reassuring me that I'm not the only one facing such emotions. It's a reminder that I'm not alone and an encouragement to persevere, like telling me: hey, you can do it! I genuinely hope that our songs can offer a similar sense of solace and support to our fans.
Where do you guys see yourselves in the future, or what are your future plans for the band?
We are presently immersed in the process of recording guitars for our upcoming album, which will feature a heavier rock sound with faster riffs and delve into darker themes. In addition to this project, I am in the midst of preparations for an album infused with gospel influences and another one incorporating techno/synthesizer elements, specifically focusing on upcoming drum recordings. Furthermore, discussions are underway regarding the potential realization of a live show with our current lineup. There's a whirlwind of activity happening right now, so be sure to stay tuned for more updates!
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