Long Distance Calling: Live business is so important for the rock band

Long Distance Calling release new music on Friday. In an interview, Janosch Rathmer tells how they are doing in the Corona crisis.

Long Distance Calling are back two years after their last album "Boundless". On their new long player, they ask themselves the question "How Do We Want To Live?" (Eng. "How do we want to live?"), which is not easy to answer for the band either. This year the instrumental rock band also received a great honor: In the "Composition Metal" category, the musicians Janosch Rathmer, Florian Funtmann, Jan Hoffmann and David Jordan were nominated for the German Music Author Prize 2020.

How the band is doing in the Corona crisis, why it is important for the musicians to raise their voices against racism and homophobia and whether they want to work with a singer as an instrumental rock band in the long term, drummer Janosch Rathmer has in Interview with the news agency spot on news.

What is your answer to the question "How Do We Want To Live?"

Janosch Rathmer: It's not that easy for us to answer either. At the moment, of course, one often thinks that the current situation does not correspond to the ideal. Many people feel restricted in their freedom and we as musicians are not allowed to do our work. But on the other hand, we also have the opportunity to use the crisis to tweak a few things. This is urgently necessary, particularly in the area of ​​the climate debate. The unfulfilled hunger for growth is also something that has led to considerable problems in many parts and will continue to do so. In addition, we would like to live in a world where everyone, regardless of their origin, skin color, gender or sexuality, has the same opportunities!

Long distance calling has been around for almost a decade and a half. Do you also spend a lot of time together privately?

Rathmer: Currently, of course, only at a distance and when it is absolutely necessary. My colleague Jan and I have been accompanying the promo phase of the new record more or less from morning to evening in the past four months. We feel like we're on the phone five times a day and have also started a joint podcast ("Laughing in the circular saw"). But otherwise you spend a lot of time together when you play in a professional band. It is sometimes good to have some distance in phases.

Music without words or vocals is still very rare for your genre. Why do you stick to it?

Rathmer: Because it makes us unique in a way. We integrated vocals on two records and even though I like a lot of songs with vocals, we didn't feel comfortable with them. Our live shows live from conveying certain feelings and moods with the music. We lost something with singing.

Could you imagine bringing a singer on board for a longer period of time?

Rathmer: We currently think that we still have a lot to discover and "tell" in the instrumental area. We always experiment with singing and maybe there will be a collaboration in the future. But the next goal would be a soundtrack.

They campaign against racism, xenophobia and homophobia. Why is it so important to you to speak out as a musician?

Rathmer: For us it is a matter of course and also absolutely human. The fact that we still have to discuss such issues in 2020 and especially in the current situation makes me very sad. We believe that it is a duty to use our reach to position ourselves clearly. Not necessarily in music. I don't expect music to always be political. But especially in times of social media, every artist has the opportunity to draw attention to grievances outside of their music. We cannot allow the people who want to split our society to always have the loudest voice!

Do you take to the streets and demos too?

Rathmer: Not at the moment, but it is generally a good means to demonstrate peacefully and to take to the streets for a good cause!

What would it mean to you if you won the German Music Author Award 2020?

Rathmer: First of all, I don't think so. (laughs) I know who is nominated next to us. But of course it would be an honor for us. The nomination came as a surprise. Most of our music takes place away from the mainstream. Regardless of our nomination, I think it's great that GEMA also offers a forum for acts that tend to come from the independent area.

How did you use your free time in the Corona crisis?

Rathmer: As I said, in front of the desk. The whole promotional phase for the new album has started with the lockdown and continues until now. We really worked seven days a week and at least six to eight hours a day. The new record is very important to us. Unfortunately it is very uncertain whether we can also play the tour to the record in September as planned. Nowadays, as a band, you hardly make any money from selling records. The live business is vital for us to survive.

Do fans have to be prepared for corona-related restrictions during the tour?

Rathmer: To be honest, I can't answer that. We keep our fingers crossed that the concerts take place. I also think that you have to be prepared for a few special features. But it would simply be important that we can start again slowly and in compliance with security measures. It represents the livelihood of a great many people and the rest of us certainly don't want to imagine life without culture or concerts!

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