Happy, Happier, FREEDOM CALL – Interview with Guitarist Lars Rettkowitz

Zur deutschen Version geht es hier.

Every concert also includes an interview. I always stick to this motto whenever possible. Especially when I have the chance to ask good friends a few questions. So it’s logical that Lars had no other choice. Admittedly, he didn’t run away fast enough either… It’s his own fault really! But the interview is really worth reading. Have a look!

Huge thanks to lightinmirror.de for the awesome pictures!

Shieldmaiden’s Voice: What makes FREEDOM CALL unique?

Lars: The fact that we’re outrageous and that we do it in a big way. That we make “ Happy Metal” and are not so evil. That’s actually it!

SV: What do you think are the constants in your music?

Lars: We just make Happy Metal, that’s what we do and we don’t allow ourselves to be swayed. We also don’t let anyone talk us out of it. With our funny music we divide the sea, so to speak, and this colorful bouquet of flowers is what defines us. 

SV: How is this reflected in the current album Silver Romance?

Lars: It really boils down to the fact that we use elements that others would throw up their hands at because they would never do it. We, on the other hand, are the ones who do it! And we do it on purpose! Our aim is to make people throw their hands up in disbelief and wonder why we’re doing it. [he laughs] On the one hand, we like what we do and on the other, we want to have exactly this point of friction. You need that too. If you get lost in the crowd because you’re doing what everyone else is doing, then that’s garbage. It’s important for us to set ourselves apart a bit and pull two or three people along with us. If things go well, maybe even four!

SV: What makes Silver Romance particularly worth listening to?

Lars: Because I produced it! What kind of question is that? [we laugh] With the last albums we always intended to go back to our roots, because for me it just has such a unique vibe and sound when I listen to it. Of course, it’s a bit difficult to find it again because it always has to do with the people who play there and who wrote the songs. But we always have the intention to stay true to ourselves and I don’t really know if we can do that, you always have to look a bit at what everyone else is doing. But overall it’s a great album and that makes it worth listening to. 

SV: In the USA you have sometimes been called the “Happiest Metal Band in the World”. Is such a title more of an honor or a burden or both?

Lars: I’m not even sure where the whole “ Happy Metal” thing came from. Someone said it, we thought it was cool because it defined us quite well. As a band, you have to find your own place, your own niche in the scene and when people ask: “What kind of Metal do you do?”, it’s a difficult question for us to answer. “Happy Metal” actually sums it up quite well, because we think it suits us well and brings people fun and joy.

SV: Silver Romance is more or less a celebration of your “silver” anniversary. What do you think has changed the most in the scene during this time?

Lars: When we’re on tour and doing our thing, I don’t notice any big changes now. When we do our job, we go on stage, experience the audience, we party together with the fans and have a good time before we repeat it at the next venue. I’ve been doing that with the guys for 20 years. I started when I was 1 year old. We all know how the business as such has changed: it starts with the fact that records don’t sell as well anymore because nobody has a CD player anymore. We’re suffering a bit more, especially because of the internet. People think that music is free, that music is free and I think it’s a dramatic development that this mindset has taken hold of people. Our music involves an incredible amount of work and an incredible amount of creativity and a lot of practice in the form of touring, experience and learning the instrument. Everyone tends to forget that. For me, it’s a dramatic development, not just in the Metal scene, and it’s THE topic, even if it’s already a hackneyed one. But it has changed a lot for us. Just like the last four years.

SV: The last few years, as you mentioned briefly yourself, have also been characterized by the fact that many fans have supported their bands by not returning tickets or buying merch. What do you think is the biggest reward you can get from the fans?

Lars: The biggest reward is actually their loyalty. There’s nothing better than when fans support us for years and always enjoy coming to our concerts. 

SV: On the subject of “loyalty”: How has Silver Romance been received by your fans so far?

Lars: The feedback has been positive so far. Of course, there are certain press outlets and magazines that find it really funny to make fun of us because we’re so happy. I always find it interesting how much their own prejudices are incorporated into a review and how completely ripping opinions are written down. Some reviewers didn’t realize that we’re not part of the classic metal scene, where you go out and shout everything down, but rather jump with people and make fun of them. Our aim is for people to have a good time and that we don’t just bash metal in their ears. We take the people along with the whole music and show and that’s really the point, that we want to have a party. All in all, the feedback I’ve received has been very positive.

SV: There aren’t that many dates left from the current tour. What are you looking forward to when you get back home?

Lars: Sounds strange, but I’m looking forward to starting again soon! The current tour is only the German part, there are a lot of dates that haven’t been announced yet. The festivals are coming up in the summer, but you can tell that some promoters haven’t survived the corona period because pre-sales have plummeted. I’ll also be working in the studio, so I’m not really looking forward to being at home, everything is always going on. Once the festival season is over, we’ll be on tour in Europe straight away. We’re booked through to December and Asia and North and South America are on the agenda for next year. I’m really looking forward to that!

SV: You’re still quite young now, but what advice would you like to give your younger self?

Lars: Mhm… actually nothing… “Do it again” is the best way to put it! I don’t miss anything. I wanted to do this, I wanted to travel, I wanted to play. My very first goal was to be on a CD and now I’m on at least 10. I’ve managed to play almost everywhere in the world. I’ve experienced an incredible number of things and I would actually do it all again in exactly the same way.

SV: As a final word perhaps: What is something you’ve always wanted to say but never had the chance to?

Lars: Stay away from alcohol and drugs!

With this admonition, we close this chapter and look to the future with optimism: summer is just around the corner and with it a few cool festivals. Until then, I’m slowly but surely torturing myself towards my state exams and am looking forward to what I’m organizing for you in the meantime. So stay tuned and be sure to check out my Instagram, where I’ll be taking you behind the scenes at Rockharz this year!