EKTOMORF
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 6th January 2010.
Hungarian band Ektomorf's latest album "Redemption" came out at the end 0f 2010. Combining the sounds of Sepultura, Slayer and a lot more besides, we came away impressed and scared in equal measures. The blood leaking from our ears suggested we ought t find out more, so we roped guitarist Zoltan "Zoli"Farkas into answering a bunch of questions...
Hi Zoli, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Zoli: Hi man, you’re welcome! Thanks for the interview. I’m good; hope you are too.
When did you originally start playing guitar and singing?
Zoli: That would be back in 1991 or 1992. I started to play with an acoustic guitar which my Dad had got from his friend, and I watched the Metallica video called “Cliff ‘Em All” which was a big inspiration. I decided to play music right there. One year later, my father bought me an electric, which was actually really cheap and looked like a copy of a Fender Telecaster, but I think the whole thing started right there.
Do you come from a musical family background then?
Zoli: My father did some drumming, but nobody in my family was a real musician, no. So no, we are not really a musical family, ha! ha!
What was the inspiration behind Ektomorf originally forming, and what’s the background of the various present-day members?
Zoli: The inspiration for me was, like for many other bands probably, first seeing a band play on stage. For me that was on that “Cliff ‘Em All” video, where the young guys from Metallica were playing…. I was not interested in motorcycles, cars, football and all that stuff, like other boys of my age were. I was interested in guitars and I wanted to be up there. I started to play with a few friends, and we so much wanted to be up on stage!!
As to today’s Ektomorf…There have been a lot of line up changes over the years. One just happened a month ago, but it’s just really how it is. You know man, I have been doing this for 16 years and I’m the only member that has been in the band for all of that time. I just love what I do and I believe in it. Member’s come and go; Ektomorf is me!
Yes, you are the only founder member left. Has the life of Ektomorf felt like a turbulent one?
Zoli: Well, as I said: It has been maybe, but I believe in what I do 100 percent. And if someone does not believe in that the same, than there is no place for him in the band. Life is a fucking hard, open road and I just take advantage of it. It’s not harder than for any other band though…. Maybe it is turbulent, but that’s the way it is.
What bands have influenced the styles of the band’s members? Do you all have similar tastes?
Zoli: Right now, in this current line-up, we all have different musical influences. But of course there are many, many bands that we all like. For example; Metallica, Slayer or Sepultura... But writing wise, that all comes down to me, so it’s more about what’s in here. At the moment I like some other, none-heavy stuff as well; Foo Fighters, Johnny Cash, Lenny Kravitz, Alice in Chains, Static-X, Nirvana. Totally different stuff.
Have you always known what sort of sound Ektomorf would have, or has it developed a lot over the years?
Zoli: I always had it in my mind, I think. I knew how Ektomorf should sound pretty much from day one. But, with the years it has developed a lot, of course, because you experience so much – the different records and the touring. Now, that we have “Redemption” ready, it’s what I really love. This is really Ektomorf for me!
When did you start work on latest album “Redemption”, and how easily did it all come together?
Zoli: Well, I started work on this about 11 months ago. I had to move back from Germany to Hungary, back to my parent’s house in my hometown, and everything went so, so fast. I was at home; I just played my guitars and the inspiration came through almost every day. It went really easily funnily enough. Unfortunately, as you can probably tell, this album is not about positive stuff. But this album also helps me to heal from the depression and pain that I went through. Music is like therapy for me. It’s the best therapy possible, in fact!
How does it compare in terms of sound and quality to your earlier work? Say, the last album, which was a brutal release too!!
Zoli: It’s really a lot better again. I think you can barely compare them actually now…. On “Redemption” everything really came out the best way possible. I started to sing with a clean voice, which I’d never done before and I really enjoy it!
Of course every record is different and has its own feel. But this one really tops all the others!
I think I know the answer to this one, but; How do you go about writing songs? Do you write as an individual or do you use the band? Talk us through the construction of a typical track...
Zoli: I write everything alone, as you guessed correctly. A typical track is born like this; (and if conditions are perfect): I have many a day when I get inspired, and at that point, it’s all about playing guitar. I have my laptop with ‘Protools’ and some cool drum programs in it, and in about 10 to 15 minutes a song can be done and dusted. On a day like that, which is really good, I also tend to try and sing some words to get the feeling for the vocals as well…But then, I’ve often just left an idea without the vocals and got into that space at another time, when conditions are right, so either way works!
Where do you look for your writing ideas? There are a lot of very personal lyrics on Redemption. Is it a good feeling to vent those emotions?
Zoli: I’ve always written about what I go through in life and this is no different. As I said, this album is not a positive one lyrically; there were some very bad experiences that inspired me; but as I also said, in order for me to lose this frustration and this depression, I try to write a song. That’s why they are so heavy and so dark. They are never about something good. It’s really good to release all this personal negativity with the music. I would say it’s essential for me actually!
Do you do anything special or unusual in the studio to get your sound?
Zoli: Actually, no, but this time it was all down to where parts of the album were done. This time, all the drum tracks were recorded in an empty swimming pool, and we used the natural drum sound; no triggers or anything. It was a little weird, but everything just comes really naturally in that environment. We tune our guitars to A. This time we used Gibson guitars only (we just got a new endorsement deal with them), with TC electronic overdrive pedals and Mezaboogie amps; we always use those. The sound turned out killer!
What are your favourite tracks on the new one?
Zoli: Right now “Last Fight” (the first video clip) and “Sea Of My Misery”. I love “Last Fight” because it has the strength and raw power that defines Ektomorf, but the song has more detail, on a simple level too – its just kick-ass. “Sea Of My Misery” is the newest thing on the whole album and is the first time that I’ve sung clean. I just love this song. I can’t wait to play it live.
Do you enjoy the whole studio/creative experience, or do you prefer getting up on the live stage?
Zoli: I know I said earlier that it was seeing a band on stage that originally inspired me, but I actually love both. I love the studio because, when the songs get really into shape and become ‘alive’ it’s an amazing feeling. And I love to play live because of the energy and the power; just getting loose and really giving your all!! I just fucking love that. I love the whole touring thing too, I really like to be out there soaking up the atmosphere with the fans.
What is an Ektomorf live show actually like? What should fans expect from one of your performances?
Zoli: An Ektomorf show is full of energy and power, just like the albums suggest. There’s always a lot of jumping around and there are massive moshpits. But it’s always fun too because the fans are in a good mood and so are we.
I’m not sure that I would ever go into the first row of an Ektomorf show myself but, now with “Sea Of My Misery” and the clean singing, I think we’ve brought a totally new element to the Ektomorf show. The fans can sing along and I play my acoustic guitar, so maybe we get a bit of a different audience this time. It’s really cool!
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Zoli: Hmmmm, maybe? Many people have asked me in these few weeks of interviews, just why “Sea Of My Misery” is so different and I love the challenge …it’s a really new experience and I’m very proud of it.
Finally, what are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Zoli: I’m going home right after this…. (I’m in the office of my record company at the moment). And then, I’m gonna play guitar and watch a movie….; afterwards I’ll probably go to sleep.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Zoli: Jon… Thank you so much for the interview. I hope to see you and the readers on a show very soon. And maybe, we can do the next interview on the phone. I’d really like to chat to you some more and answer more of your great questions!
Thanks for your time!
Zoli: My pleasure!!
Thanks again to Zoli for his time. You can check out the Rock Realms review of Ektomorf's latest album "Redemption" by clicking here.
Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): Ektomorf | MySpace | Facebook
