tempobet yeni adresi
like this interview
22/02/2015 : THE BREATH OF LIFE - We try to present a good mix of new, old, sweet and bouncy songs. 22/02/2015 : THE BREATH OF LIFE - We try to present a good mix of new, old, sweet and bouncy songs. 22/02/2015 : THE BREATH OF LIFE - We try to present a good mix of new, old, sweet and bouncy songs. 22/02/2015 : THE BREATH OF LIFE - We try to present a good mix of new, old, sweet and bouncy songs.

THE BREATH OF LIFE

We try to present a good mix of new, old, sweet and bouncy songs.

22/02/2015, Wim GUILLEMYN
photos: © (2) Marquis(pi)X ; (3) Francois Bauwens


I guess you can say that The Breath Of Life are an instution in the Belgian Goth scene. During decades they were, without any doubt, the sole Belgian band who was able to blend ethereal darkwave (think Cocteau Twins), gothrock (think The Cure) and post-punk (well think of Siouxsie & The Banshees). Or perhaps it is better just to think of The Breath Of Life as they created a very personal sound. Such bands are of course are needed on a festival like Black Easter and again another excuse for Peek-A-Boo to invite them for an interview.

You are around for decades. What has changed, you think?

Isabelle: Ha, ha ,ha , yes, more wrinkles here and there, more white hair (but this is actually great for me), etc.....Lots of things have changed throughout the years. Better and worse things ;-)
Phil: For sure, we all know that a lot of things have changed during the last 30 years. This revolution is mainly in the music market and media, but a lot less in the music itself. What I found very disappointing is the lack of real desire and fighting spirit. I don't say it doesn't exist anymore, but it is rare. Music is more a game for a lot of young guys...Maybe that is what it is, finaly. Let us go for a new round.

What would you like to do with the band if you could have carte blanche?

Isabelle: I would love to play much more live shows all over the world.
Didier Cz: I would buy a private jet, that would be easier to go on tour abroad.

You already have an extensive repertoire from which you can choose to make a setlist. How do you do that?

Isabelle: Well, we do have to make compromises about all the songs everyone in the band wants to play live.There are songs we have to play like «Nasty cloud» & «Noamina», just because the audience wants to hear them. Then we try to have a good mix of new, old, sweet and bouncy songs.

You bassist left recently. How come? And will he be replaced?

Isabelle: Yes, Benoit didn’t have any pleasure anymore when playing live, so he decided to leave the band. Few weeks later we asked Phil, the former Breath Of Life guitarist, if he wanted to come back and we are very happy that he did. So when Phil plays the guitar on the songs he wrote, Didier the second guitarist, plays the bass and vice versa.
Phil: It is sad for Benoît, but he had some health problems and that is why it was unpleasant for him to travel and play live. Now it will be a big challenge for Didier and me, because we have never played the bass on stage before. I don't think I will be the best technical bass player, but I'm not the best guitar player either (laughs). However I give a lot of attention to the atmosphere I put in the songs. And anyway, I realise that I have a lot of pleasure playing the bass.

Can we expect new work from you in 2015?

Phil: After all these changes we will need a little bit of extra time to create new songs, so it is not easy to answer that question now.
Isabelle: A new album is not for this year, but it doesn’t mean we can’t play new songs live sometimes.

What can we expect of The Breath Of Life on Black Easter?

Isabelle: A great mix of old and new songs, full of emotion. But also a very special show because Phil Mauroy, the former TBOL guitarist, is playing with us again, so it is going to be a very special show.

Are there any other bands at the festival that you would like to see?

Isabelle: Yes, the line up of this festival is wonderful. I hope to be able to see all the bands. It is always a great pleasure to see Sieben, Qntal and Rosa Crvx again.
Didier: I really like Rosa Crvx. Still an amazing show … A kind of mystical experience.

Do you have a favourite album or artist? And which contemporary artist/band would you recommend?

Phil: Favourite ? I've been in London in December to see The Cure. Maybe they are my favourite, but it is not easy to answer that question. The last gig I saw was the “The Belgians” show of The Experimental Tropic Blues Band last Saturday, and the last CD's I've bought were The Twilight Sad and Fuck Buttons...
Isabelle: My favourite artists ever remain Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance. Some of my new interesting discoveries are The Twillight Sad and Anna Calvi.
Didier Cz: It depends of the mood I’m in. For the moment, I feel more like listening to “heavy stuff”. A few weeks ago, I’ve been to Antwerp to see Monster Magnet, the legendary American “stoner rock” band. It was really great. I also discovered an Italian band recently: Ash Code, and an English one: Esben And The Witch. Both are very good, I think. But I am also addicted to classics like And Also The Trees, Joy Division or Depeche Mode…

 

Thank you for the interview!

 

www.the-breath-of-life.com

www.blackeaster.be

 

 

Wim GUILLEMYN
22/02/2015




Next interviews

HATCHLING • We bring a mix of fast and loud electropunk versus deep and dark synthpop that perfectly fits my moodswings
GOETHES ERBEN • In a Goethes Erben concert, it is important as a spectator to be emotionally involved
DARK POEM • Unique or being 'first' is not important, that is just an ego trip.
LA MUERTE • No “taking the money and run” feeling....
LISA MORGENSTERN • If I could, I would marry my piano
OSTROGOTH • We’re not dreaming of a million sales if that’s what you mean, but on the other hand it’s quite obvious that we want to reach out to as many people as possible
ASH CODE • Maybe having a greater conscience of death helps people to be more attached to life
PERVERTED BY LANGUAGE • Years ago, someone asked me what I wanted to achieve. I said I wanted to make an album that I would buy. And he said: ‘You’re mad.’
CORVUS CORAX • Two Key phrases for you: bad mood is wasted lifetime! Mankind stop to behave stupid!
GEORGIO 'THE DOVE' VALENTINO • Maybe you could call me lazy , but I just do not like the usual format in which people adhere to rhyme or meter

Other reviews from THE BREATH OF LIFE
THE BREATH OF LIFE • 'No, I never considered quitting making music. Nor to taste good special beers.'
THE BREATH OF LIFE • 'A True Watchmaker work'
THE BREATH OF LIFE • Every show is unique and when you feel the audience having a good time too is just wonderful.
THE BREATH OF LIFE • We don’t make this type of music for business but because it comes from deep in our hearts

Music reviews

04
08
CODE INDIGO
Endgame - The Best Moves
22
07
RED LORRY YELLOW LORRY
Strange Kind Of Paradise
28
06
S.Y.P.H.
Album 4
27
06
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS
Some Dreams
26
06
BRIDES
Sandcastle
24
06
THE LIGHT DREAMS
Málverk

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

NEWS

08
08
35 years of Head/Down with MOEV
01
08
This month, 42 years ago, Nitzer Ebb recorded their first demo Basic Pain Procedure!
30
07
On this day, 46 years ago, British punk rocker Johnny Rotten appeared on BBC TV's 'Juke Box Jury'.
29
07
MARIE ANN HEDONIA Weaves A Cinematic Web Of Destruction In New Music Video
29
07
“Nothing For Nothing” Marks Dark, Triumphant Return of Dirk Da Davo's Neon Electronics
28
07
27 years Obsolete with Fear Factory!

Concert reviews

22
04
GAVIN FRIDAY
Live at 404 / De Vooruit - Ghent - 01/04.2025
28
11
BELGIAN ELECTROWAVE IS NOT DEAD 3
Belgian ElectroWave Is Not Dead 3

GET A COPY OF OUR MAGAZINE
SEND TO YOUR HOME

INTERVIEWS

29
07
EX-VOTO
“Decisions. In a modern time. Transmissions. From the inner mind.“
21
07
RED LORRY YELLOW LORRY
“Oh who gave us this today. Will see tomorrow fade away.“
18
07
THE RED MOON MACABRE
“The Dance Of Death. Calamity Cold. The Dance Of Death. Living In A Dark World.”
17
07
GHOSTING
“And the shadows float ahead.“
14
07
CRYPTOCHROMA
'I have a profound passion for dystopian, post apocalyptic and scientific themes.'

PHOTOS

23
07
DUCTAPE
Amphi Festival Keulen
23
07
BLOODY DEAD AND SEXY
Amphi Festival Keulen
23
07
SKYND
Amphi Festival Keulen
23
07
ROME
Amphi Festival Keulen
23
07
REIN
Amphi Festival Keulen
23
07
DIE KRUPPS
Amphi Festival Keulen
23
07
HELL BOULEVARD
Amphi Festival Keulen

ADVERTISE
IN PEEK-A-BOO

VIDEO CLIPS

08
08
VARSOVIE
Killing Anna
07
08
AUSTRA
Utopia
06
08
ATARI TEENAGE RIOT
Adrenaline
05
08
MICHAEL ZODOROZNY
14th Street Union Square Station
04
08
PORNO KARAOKE
The Bus (Live)
03
08
ELEKTROKOHLE
Introspective
02
08
CONTRE JOUR
Spiral