July 26, 2011

Interview "We are ready for CHANGE" - TOPP [Norway]

We are ready for CHANGE

10 years ago they only played for 5 people and did everything themselves. Now, Tokio Hotel holds concerts for over half a million people and about 700 million yearly.

“Love means everything. It’s life,” says Bill Kaulitz. Despite the fact that the Tokio Hotel frontman has an army of young fans, he claims that he hasn’t had a girlfriend in a long time. "Love isn’t limited to just relationships and girls. Love is all around us. For me, it’s real love when I meet fans, to be touring with the guys, and to be standing on a stage in front of an eager audience", says Bill.

Yet, there are some celebrity girls that steal his attention. “If I wanted to date a celebrity, the Olsen twins are right up there, says Bill. (Translators Note: Then they talk a bit about his perfect black makeup and extreme hair. I didn’t want to translate this, since you know what he looks like. ;D)

WE’RE GOING TO CHANGE MUSIC

TOPP is meeting the band in their hotelroom. They’ve held the meeting an secret because a flock of young girls are waiting outside their hotel, and when the superstars appear, they cry tears of joy. “They’ve helped me through a very difficult time,” says a teary-eyed girl. When we mention the fans that have gathered outside, the band is flattered. – We’re so glad for our fans, and we couldn’t put a price on them. (Translator’s Note: This expression doesn’t translate well. They are litterally saying: “We put a big price on their engagement in us.”).

In December, the band released their “Best of” album, and they’re already underway with recording their new album which will be ready for November 2011 (Translator’s Note: don’t know how true this is…).

The band will be working with different producers in Berlin and Los Angeles and the process will take about half a year. When asked if they will be inspired by artists they look up to, they shake their heads.

“We listen to almost only our own music when we’re on tour and when we go into the studio,” says Bill. He is a huge fan of music from the 80s. – "I am a fan of Depeche Mode and David Bowie, but I listen mostly to Tokio Hotel before playing in the studio".

Although they are inspired by themselves, they said that, this time they want to change their sound. – "We’ve always liked to be surprising, and to not appear as a predicatable band", says Bill. Bill says he is always changing, “My hair, for example. All four of us like to experiment with our own styles, just like our music in the comming year.”

“I must convice Georg and Gustav to change their style, but they don’t want to be ‘nerds’ and just do what’s comfortable for them. I’ve asked them if they want to colour their hair or wear colourful T-shirts, but no. It just doesn’t work for them. Tom is more accepting towards change than Georg or Gustav. I have six to eight months before I’m going to decide whether to cut my hair or not. We’ll see. I welcome all changes.” 

HATE THE BOOTS

Lead singer Bill has a style that separates him from the crowd, no doubt. The 21-year old also has strong opinions about current girl’s fashion trends. “Rubberboots are the ugliest things I have ever seen. You look like you’re dressing for work!”
But the Kaulitz brothers also have a guilty pleasure – classic chick flicks (girly romance movies). “It’s hard to believe, but I really like ‘The Notebook,’” admits Tom. Bill has a soft sort for “Meet Joe Black” where Brad Pitt plays the lead role.

That they’re now sitting here, being asked all sorts of different questions by the press all over the world, was inconceivable for the band when they formed in 2001. But it didn’t take a long time for them to become known, soon they were excused from school to focus 100% on their music.

“Of course, it was fantastic to skip school, but other things were more difficult to give up,” says Bill. “I remember my 16th birthday, I wanted to party, but we had to do interviews instead. It was a long process before we became disciplined to focus. I know some things have passed me by, but I would never give up what I have today.”

“There are some days were I wish I could just go out in the streets or drive around in my car without being noticed, but what would I even do? Bill Kaulitz with an office job? I would collapse! Yeah, I’ll just do what I like to do best, stand on the stage and entertain. I get nervous when I see an award show on TV that Tokio Hotel doesn’t have. I want to be on top. That is my inner strength. That’s what holds me together.”

Interview “Kanon And Tokio Hotel” [Japan]

Kanon (*member of a so popular japanese band called An Cafe) was selected by the SHOXX magazine for a special interview to the European rock band Tokio Hotel. Below is the transcript of our conversation. Oh, there are many exchanges of views on the artists of East and West, and in An Cafe. I hope you enjoy reading, please take a look!

Ah, Japanese fans have already heard the strong voice of the German fans.

Kanon: Tokio Hotel are interested in listening to Japanese bands?
Bill: Yes, we are very interested. Don’t know much, but we heard that there are plenty of bands that are fantastic and enthusiastic, as heard on this CD (talking about Kanon’s CD).
Kanon: Thank you. I’ve been several times in Europe…
Bill: Have you been to Germany?
Kanon: I’ve been there, yes.
Bill: Which city?
Kanon: In Cologne and Berlin.
Bill: All right!
Kanon: The flights between Germany and Japan are very long, right?
Bill: Tom and I have moved to Los Angeles now. Compared with Germany, Japan is closer to the United States. About 11 hours of flight, but is still long. Gustav and Georg came from Germany.
Kanon: The Germans are tall in stature…
Bill: Oh, there are many with the height of Gustav (laughs).
Kanon: The Germans also speak with high voice. Programs I saw and the voices of the presenters were very high. Here, however barely hear what the other says.
Bill: As the Germans are high, it is natural to think that they also have a great voice. But I like the screams of fans.
Kanon: Me too!  You haven’t opened any presentation in Japan, right?
Bill: Yes, but we have a presentation open to anyone. Japan is very different from Germany, but coming to Japan has always been our dream. I can’t believe I’m in Japan, but in general has always been our dream. I am very happy for tomorrow, which will be our presentation here in Japan.
Kanon: The Japanese fans are a little “too shy”…
Bill: I think so. They are very nice, but a little shy, yes.
Kanon: It’s typical.
Bill: I understand, I understand.
Kanon: Akasaka Blitz is a very nice, especially on the inside can see the difference, I love it.
Bill: We’ve seen the pictures and the place looks very beautiful. Before coming to Japan, we introduced in Mexico in a room with 18.000 people. This room can be a bit small, but at least the atmosphere is more intimate. I think it will be like a fresh air for us.
Kanon: 18.000, wow! At the press conference, the atmosphere was fantastic. You already ate pizza in Japan, right? The pizza in Japan is very different from pizza in Italy, Japan has a unique flavor.
Bill: I didn’t understand much about the menu of pizzas that were in the hotel, however, despite that make it a different way, is very tasty. For lovers of pasta and pizza is always a pleasure to experience.
Kanon: I noticed that you’re a vegetarian.
Tom: Bill and I are vegetarians, so do not eat meat.
Bill: I have heard much of Japanese food, including many delicious vegetarian dishes.
Kanon: Japanese cuisine/food is very different from the West. It takes a lot of meat and a variety of fish. Kaiseki, for you vegetarians: eat like Buddhist monks. In general, because their clergy don’t eat meat, right ?
Bill: That’s great ! We’d love to know where we could eat.
Kanon: I also noticed your makeup…
Bill: I became interested in makeup when I was 12. I also went to school with makeup.
Kanon: What made you interested in makeup?
Bill: I became interested because of Halloween. I dressed as a vampire. I liked the look of a vampire and David Bowie, so I fell in love with makeup since the beginning. I was inspired by a particular person, is a mixture of elements that I like. I created my current appearance.
Kanon: Oh, so the other band members will not follow it?
Tom: No.
Gustav: No way.
Georg: I don’t think so (laughs).
Bill: Although our band is very close, we all have a great personality, each has its own style, and shouldn’t change that, and not everyone would like to see to make-up the whole band. I do this because as a child, I liked to wear makeup and choose how to combine the makeup with the clothes. We have no stylist, always have the last word on our new look.
Kanon: Ah, I see. Do you put makeup on your own?
Bill: When I was in school I did, now I have a professional makeup artist that help me, I could do it alone, but I’m a little lazy.
Kanon: Ok.
Bill: We also have a question: Where does the name of your band “An Cafe” come ?
Kanon: Is the name of a racehorse.
Bill: The horse must be very strong. Horse racing is very popular in Japan.
Kanon: Yes, members of my band and I love horses, so we chose the name of a racehorse.
Bill: The name is really cute.
Kanon: In Japan there is a special place you want to go?
Bill: Well, is there somewhere I can go?
Kanon: Akihabara and Harajuku.
Bill: We went to Harajuku.
Tom: How many people !
Bill: You look around and see people everywhere.
Kanon: No coffee.
Tom: What’s in Akihabara ?
Kanon: This is the Akihabara electronics district, the latest technology releases. Before it was known as the “street power” sell everything.
Bill: That sounds very interesting.
Kanon: The power of the world in a better way.
Bill: Really? Then I have to take a look !
Kanon: It would be very interesting.
Tom: Aside from ” An Cafe” – is there another Japanese band ?
Kanon: Oh, the Japanese ?
Tom: If I were asked, “Tell me what is the best German band” could not answer: “Tokio Hotel”! (Laughter)
Kanon: Exactly! No other band that I recommend.
Bill: Well, then we must listen.
Kanon: After listening to our songs, tell us what you think.
All: Yes !
Kanon: Although there is no need to say it now, don’t forget to come back to Japan !
Bill: We’ll be back for sure.
Tom: Even if we have to go soon…
Bill: …we have to listen to the CD.
Kanon: Thank you.


Interview with Bill & Tom Kaulitz - Nylon.jp - 27.01.2011

Bill: Tokyo is a place that we have really dreamed of coming to see. Now that we have been able to come, I'm really happy.  

*They said that they just thought a Japanese sounding name would be cool, thus Tokio Hotel. In 2001 in a city in Eastern Germany, 12-year-old brothers Bill and Tom Kaulitz formed the band. As soon as they debuted in 2005 they became very popular in Europe. Now they have won numerous awards and people go crazy for them all over the world. Now they are in Tokyo and check into the place that their band name originated from. They have become successful in Japan, and so they are releasing an album in Japan.

Tom: The album is comprised of songs from our other albums. (After that he's pretty much saying it's like the "Scream" English album, it's so that people that are first hearing about them can easily get to know the music.)

Bill: Because the album artwork also has Japanese characteristics, hopefully people that know our stuff can (also) enjoy the content. 

*You can of course also hear the bands growth, and many different sounds (styles probably) in the album. Although metal and techno are popular beats in Germany, Tokio Hotel is a unique fascinating "groove".

Bill: We aren't restricted by common sense, we always search for a new "groove". So of course that's why the songs feel like they have different moods. 

Tom: I don't know how the band will change next, however that's the charm of this band. Therefore in the future perhaps we will make songs that don't have metal and techno in them. It seems that the band has the freedom to do that (change their sound). - Tom

*The reason the freedom of the band is respected, they all have different visual "atmospheres". (It's just saying they all have different styles and that they respect that -I think-). Even among them, Bill has a sexy, mysterious appearance that is impressive. In fact in the past he was a model in a fashion show. By the way today he is wearing fake fur and pants by Dior (I think).

Bill: The fur is fake because I'm a vegetarian. Regarding fashion I wear only what I want to. But my fashion is also a musical expression. I try to watch out for style that seems like it will give motivation to everybody. 

July 25, 2011

Interview with Bill Kaulitz - "I would really like to fall in love again." [2007]

Bravo: How long exacly have you been single?
Bill
Since about 2.5 years I'm alone.

Bravo: That means, you were 14 years old, when you had your last girlfriend?
Bill:
Exactly. I was together with that girl for 1.5 years. I was really in love with her.

Bravo: Why do you have separated?
Bill:
I don`t know anymore. We drifted apart. But I have never separated from my girlfriends in quarrel. We always had contact and stayed friends.

Bravo: How many girlfriends did you have?
Bill:
Five! I was the first time in love with a girl, when I was in the 4th class.
She was older. I always had long relationships.

Bravo: How do you feel, when you are in love?
Bill:
That is the best that can happen, if you have really big emotions for another human being. Then i`m totally confused and cannot concentrate on anything else.

Bravo: And would you like to fall in love today?
Bill:
Yes! I would really like to fall in love again. This feeling is really super-nice -
and it would be terrific when I could have this feeling again.
But I`m totally not unhappy at all. I had so much luck in the last years, and it has also advantages being single. You can talk with people free, you don`t have to justify – and there exists no jealousy.

Bravo: Have you necked (kissed) in the last two years?
Bill:
No! Just friendlike kisses – for welcome. But nothing with passion.

Bravo: But you`re so often at aftershow-parties and events- there should be something possible….
Bill:
Yes, sure. But I`m not an up-picker (Aufreißer? don`t know the English word). I don`t have even short flirts. Of course, that would be possible. But that is more Tom`s part (laughs). That`s nothing for me.

Bravo: Don`t you feel then anytimes lonely?
Bill:
Yes, there are such moments. We are often on journey – and sometimes alone in the evening.
That`s part of our life. In such situations it would be nice having a girl at my side. Sure, I have Tom, Georg, Gustav – and my family. But nevertheless I feel sometimes lonely.

Bravo: And what do you do against that?
Bill:
Sleeping! (grins) That helps always.

Bravo: But that is very sad, or not?
Bill:
Hmm – I call in such moments often with my friends. They are always there for me.
And it helps me much writing down how I feel – like I did for example with our new song “Hilf mir fliegen”. I wrote this song also in such a situation.

Bravo: You are really showered with love-confessions of your fans. Could you imagine to have a fan as girl-friend?
Bill:
That would be really very cool. It`s super to have somebody, who likes my work and my music – and, who likes, what I do.

Bravo: But how do you want to find under so many girls the one, you could fall in love?
Bill:
That`s difficult – but not impossible. There are many situations, when I meet fans. Then it`s possible, that I fall in love with one.

Bravo: Did you ever met a fan and thought: she`s hot?
Bill:
Yes, there were some girls, and I thought, they look really cute.
But mostly it doesn`t happen, that we get to know us more closely. I always need a lot of time, before I open my heart for somebody.

Bravo: How do you want to change that?
Bill:
Not at all. Besides, we clicked the moment we met. I really believe strongly in love at first sight!

Bravo: How would you react in such a situation?
Bill:
Then I would think at once: I have to get to know her absolutely. But I have no idea, how far I would go. I would be totally confussed for sure and would not know, where to go.

Bravo: And what is with groupies?
Bill:
I have always nice talks with them. But I`m not a guy for one night……

Bravo: What has to happen, that you would decide for a one-night-stand however?
Bill:
Just when I think, that it is love at the first sight, and in the next morning I would find out that she`s stupid and bitchy, then we would stop with that one night. But I don`t plan things like that. I really don`t like one-night-stands.

Bravo: Is the love of your fans a compensation for a relationship?
Bill:
That can be. What the fans give us, is at any rate very, very nice. It`s really a good feeling, that they exist. To think about them, helps me often a lot.

Bravo: Music or love? What is more important?
Bill:
I live my dream with the music. When I would have fallen in love, then I would see that maybe in another light. But at the moment Tokio Hotel is at the first place at any rate.

Bravo: Would you reveal to your fans being in love with a girl?
Bill:
Yes! I couldn`t keep that to me for sure. Then I would spend a lot of time with her – and everybody would see that. A hide-and-seek wouldn`t be fair for the fans and for her…