FAMP on Indie music and Lamborghinis.
First of all, I’d be best saying sorry for taking so long to publish this interview – time wasn’t exactly on my side lately. Which is basically why this interview took me 3 months to transcribe and translate. It was also my first interview in German ever which was a bit of a premier as well. Anyway, I had the pleasure to talk to three members of Austrian band FAMP (Philipp, Martin & Andreas) and chatted about their musical influences, the Austrian music scene and also about being labelled an Indie band.
Apart from that you can find out what not and what to expect from their upcoming gig at B72 this Sunday, where they will be playing along with Electric Theatre and Mary Lost Her Pathos as well as Adam Ficek in the DJ booth.
Which one song from FAMP should people listen to get the full flavour of what you’re about?
Guess, Full Time Lover would be the one then.
…and why?
…because it’s solid, short and sexy. We’re kind of bored of it by now but the people still seem to be enjoying it. A friend recently told me that the song is still played on FM4 – after 2years’ time. Not often but once a fortnight or so. But it’s still pretty cool.
When can we expect your next musical output?
At the beginning of this year (editor’s note: they are about to shoot their video in a few weeks’ time). But we still have to sort out some administrative stuff as without management or booking it’s going to be a plain torture.
What influences would you say was present in your music?
Two different kinds, really. Partially similar music and then completely controversial music. Martin likes his Indie pop, Andi listens to Gangsta rap, like Bushido, Flo listens to Metal and Techno…
Each of our songs contains some kind of melancholy – with lots of metaphors and nobody understands them really. Music has definitely definitely priority over the lyrics.
What process do you go through when you write your music?
(M) Philipp has an idea which he takes along to the rehearsal and it’s usually without any text at that point. And then everyone kind of puts their oar in.
(P) It depends really, at times I have a complete idea in my head and other times one of the others has an idea which ends up kind of carrying the whole song. All in all the song writing is pretty harmonic, usually Andi and I are writing the lyrics but it really is very democratic.
(A) We also write together since Phil is using way too many metaphors and obviously that would be bad. I mean, it’s good because obviously those metaphors sound good but if nobody gets them, that sucks a bit. Therefore we need to balance it out a little.
Do you write your songs on an autobiographical basis or do you take inspiration from other things?
Essentially they are autobiographical, they are mostly about desperate love, sorrow, break ups – stuff that every one went through at one or the other point of his or her life. But also about happiness or despair, when you face an irreconcilable problem – simply to let out the anger or energy, it is really down to the song though.
Are you seeking fame or fortune or something altogether different?
Two or three years ago we had that idea that Andi is going to buy four identical Lamborghinis – only to show off. If the petrol’s gone – the next one is in the line. It really isn’t feasible but who knows…
Well, I don’t think we’re gonna be mega rich but shooting for the moon hasn’t harmed anyone so far! If we would reach the status of 3 Feet Smaller in Austria – that would be something we’d be proud about. They’re not exactly able to make their living out of it but everyone knows them here. Simply reving up a bit – that would be cool.
How do you think of Austria as your launch pad – is it a good place for aspiring bands?
Well, we’re not really sure. But in Germany, for example, it is even harder to establish yourself than in Austria, because there is a lot more competition and the same applies for England. Simply play, play, play – that’s it basically. It’s again all down to the contacts you were able to build.
Is it still okay to be labeled an Indie band?
Well, somehow it kind of hurts but then on the other hand two years ago it was topnotch – you only needed four chords, drums for a wicked tune, you got a hard-on listening to.
I wouldn’t exactly approve someone calling us an Indie rock band – it’s just, we don’t really wanna be pigeon-holed, if you did you’d probably file us there though.
Do you have a ritual before you enter the stage?
Unfortunately we have none. We have a rule that at a max we drink two beers before a gig because we’ve learnt our lessons from lying on stage, singing horribly and tearing out cables. Luckily the audience was as drunk as us – so nobody noticed. But that is what you have to avoid when you want to come across as a professional band.
What can people except watching you live? And where will that be?
Not just plain entertainment, we want to make the people dance and obviously lots of good music.
Adam Ficek DJ Set + FAMP, Electric Theatre & Mary Lost Her Pathos @ B72
photos by Marlene Liebhart
