E: Christian, your band has written some incredible songs that are steadily gaining you more and more credibility among listeners... do you think that a band's songs are the most defining aspect of who they are?
Christian: Yes and no. Music is our passion... burns through us, electrifies us, consoles us, heals us, enrages us, fucks us, teases us, and is our constant companion. At the core of it, at the end of the day, it is that singular expression that people are left with. It lingers with them and hopefully moves them, effects them, inspires... but to be more than ordinary, to be exceptional, to be unique, you�ve got to be more than the music. You have to have soul and a heart to match. You need drive. You need hunger so deep and so painful that you can't do anything but bust your ass night and day for fear of clawing out your eyes in frustration. People respond to us because the music resonates with them and to some degree moves them, touches them. This means the world to me, to us. Like I say a thousand times a day to each of them... without them, we are nothing. But dig deeper and you'll find more than that. A bond. A commitment. A family. We are together in this. I have bled for it, and you hear it in every word every melody, every note. And we share that. So yes and no.
E: Would you say that you appreciate your own music the way that a fan does?
Christian: There is no difference between me and the fans. We are people who love this music. If I didn't love what I sang with every ounce of my soul I wouldn't be able to sing it like I do. So in short, I guess yes.
E: Is there anything about the band that you've decided to handle differently than you may have seen other bands do?
Christian: Everything. Every f*cking thing. *Laughs* I hate the word "no," and I defy convention. For incredible results, you need a plan that is drastically different from the norm. From the beginning our goals were clear: since day one we have been relentless in seeing that become reality. We�re not there yet, maybe never will be. But we strive nonetheless, even if it means we won't sleep for another four years. We have no choice: we do this because we must.
E: Do you think that it's your talent as musicians that makes your music as good as it is?
Christian: No. I think it�s our soul, our heart, the fire behind the melody. There are a million more talented in basements and bedrooms around the world. They cultivate their skill, but it�s our heart, volcanic, terrible in depth and severity that draws the line between us, and everyone else.
E: Is it your belief that most bands feel similarly about themselves as you do?
Christian: I don't know. It's my belief that NJ is a family, and that we have the good fortune of producing some of the hottest music out there today. We�re all crazy fucks, who knows what we're thinking.
E: Is music your only passion?
Christian: Nah. I love making things. Using my hands. I'm an artist, photographer and a graphic designer as well. I did all the artwork and design work for the band. I love making things! Painting, drawing, anything. I strive to make my body the consummate instrument of my soul. And I�m insane so I need a lot of outlets when I run out of whiskey...
E: So do you think you could be happy if it weren't for music?
Christian: No.
E: Straightforward enough. Will the band always be striving for a higher goal?
Christian: Always.
E: But are you happy with where you are right now?
Christian: Yes and no. I'm never happy, or content let�s say. That hunger I talked about consumes me. It pushes me everyday; eats away at me when I am lazy. I have to do everything I can or die knowing we could have really had something. You ask great questions, man
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E: Hey, thanks a lot. That's enough for sure. Thanks for doing it, dude
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Christian: Anytime. |
