VNV NATION INTERVIEW by Malice F for ELECTROWELT.COM
Interview for Electrowelt.com with the band’s leader, composer, producer, Ronan Harris.
The “VNV” in the band’s name stands for “Victory Not Vengeance” that also serves as the group’s motto: “One should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret.” That says a lot about Ronan Harris as a creator, producer and singer and his vision.
Hello Ronan! Thank you for finding the time in your busy schedule to reply to some of our questions. It’s always a pleasure to discuss various things with you and learn more about the band’s new plans and your perspective of the scene in general.
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Recently you have released your 10th studio album, “Noire”, that reached No 4 at the German Billboard charts. Could you please share with us a bit about your creative journey and inspiration that lead to it? And out of curiosity, could I ask why Noire with an –e at the end?
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The video for “When is the Future” was shot in Tokyo and is something special with a strong impact in its’ creative simplicity. Did you choose Tokyo as a city representing the future? Tell us a bit about your experience and vision about this video?
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George and I (Electrowelt.com team) have been attending all the big festivals and gatherings of the EBM industrial scene in Europe for at least 15 years and your performance is always highly anticipated and the talk of each gathering among fans. Whether we talk about a more intimate show or a venue with 25.000 fans, the energy and atmosphere when you perform is indescribable. No one can grasp the situation and unique energy, unless they experience it live. How does this make you feel? Does it make you nervous at all, that you have to win your audience each and every time and be better than the previous time they attended your concert?
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In mid-December 2018 you concluded your North American tour leg in various cities and you are currently European tour, what is your feedback regarding your new “Noire” album and the concert energy in general? Would you say that the American audience is more difficult compared to the European?
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In the formative years of VNV Nation of the 90’s, your audience was mainly composed of ebm, industrial fans. You are considered the creator of future pop, I can remember how innovative your sound and songs were considered in the scene. However, in the last decade or so your audience is so diverse and from totally different backgrounds, I can also testify to that based on my own personal experience with fans of yours. Did it come as a surprise to you, that although your sound evolved, your core fan base supported you and in addition to that you gained many new fans from different backgrounds?
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You have been performing for decades as a headliner at the biggest music festivals and you live in Germany. You have witnessed many changes regarding this particular genre, what is your perspective of the synthpop, EBM music that is created today, and of the scene in general? Are you happy and optimistic with the way things have progressed in this particular music scene?
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Could you please tell us a bit about the electronic band project “Bruderschaft” and the beautiful charity song “Forever”? it was a big success, very emotional track, how was your experience and collaboration with the rest of the artists?
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Do you have a creative dream you would like to achieve some time in the future, a certain collaboration with an artist or a project that you have in mind?
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My favorite ever Greek VNV Nation performance was in 2003 at Seelenschmerz festival, 1.200 fans, a packed venue is to say an understatement, everyone was so excited and anticipated your appearance on stage, the energy was pounding! I literally cannot describe what happened, when the first tunes from “Beloved” were heard… that is a much beloved track here in Greece!
How do you see from your point of view the Greek audience (you have a loyal fan base here in Greece) evolving and reacting to your work and live performances throughout the years?
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Last but not least, any special message to your Greek fans? How was your experience from your live performance on the 23rd of February at Fuzz club in Athens?
Thank you Ronan! It was, as usual, a blast! Everyone had a great and memorable time.