Gazpacho: It's inspiring to see people moved by our music and spreading out to far corners of Europe. When we see teary eyes or trance-like dancing to our music, we know we have reached out to the our audience in the way we intended.
E&M: Going to concerts in different countries I often find the crowd very different. In some cities they dance, in some they jump, in others they stand around awkwardly. Is that an experience you've made on your tours as well?
Gazpacho: We have toured every country in Europe as a support act or main act and can see differences between audiences. The French are the loudest and most passionate, while the Swiss have a tendency to be more introverted about showing their feelings throughout a concert. That doesn't mean that we enjoy France more, it just means that cultures as different. It of course helps the atmosphere of a gig when you have an audience that lets go. You don't feel as much a showcase, but more as if you're joining the gig and participating in an event yourself.
E&M: You have been very successful with your music thus far, critics even compare you to Sigur Ros or Radiohead. Do those comparisons ever make you feel uneasy?
Gazpacho: Not at all. We actually discovered Sigur Ros through these kind of comparisons. We still like to feel as if we have a sound that is our own, but it's good if you need a descriptor when people ask "what does the band sound like?" Preferable and more apt than a comparison to e.g. Britney Spears…!
E&M: Reading through reviews and listening to your music, it seems almost impossible to fit you into a genre. Did you create a new category or is it all about mixing and experimenting with different styles?
Gazpacho: We approach music with an open mind. Nothing is forbidden and we always let the song steer the direction of our style… It all comes down to mood and what we're trying to put the listener through. Call it what you like really, I guess in the majority of cases we've been placed in the progressive rock scene, although many listeners would disagree with you on that. I guess we call it 'art rock'.
E&M: A violinist in a rock band is not something you encounter every day. Are unusual instruments important for your music?
Gazpacho: Very important. We feel however that the violin is a integral instrument for our music, we tend to have very moody and melodic pieces, and what better instrument for that than the violin? We've also had tin whistles, banjos, accordions, mandriola, didgeridoo, mandolins, cellos, bagpipes, uilleann pipes, and Arab instruments just to mention a few..
E&M: You're not signed on to a major record label, and have used the internet for the distribution of your music. But the music industry is fighting online p2p sharing of music. In your experience, is the internet a threat to artists?
Gazpacho: We're signed to Kscope which I believe is the correct match for our kind of music. This company also believes there still is a crowd that is interested in buying CD's (as long as they are packaged well into e.g. digibooks etc). Our music has imagery and art that accompanies the music which is best experienced through holding the booklet in your hands. As for the internet being a threat to artists, I would argue that it provides the ultimate opportunity for lesser known artists to spread their music easily and fast. However, if you're established and find that income generated previously is suddenly taken away from you through p2p, it naturally causes frustrations. Personally, I think artists should just get smarter and find alternative ways to get their income, either through merchandise or touring (something p2p can't really do) and use their "free" music as promotion to get people to come to gigs.
E&M: And finally, what does Europe mean to you?
Gazpacho: It's a beautiful place with diverse people and cultures. We're bigger on the continent then in our own backyard, so thank God for Europe!
For more on Gazpacho check out their website at http://www.gazpachoworld.com/.
