Interview with 'Destinova'

Firstly, introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about the band and how you came to be?

Hi, we are Destinova. An Alternative / Grunge Band from Leverkusen, Germany. I am Tim, the singer and guitar player. Also on the board is Thomas, the bass player and Stevo, second vocals and guitar player. We currently have Robert on the Drums, but it is not sure how long he will stay in the band, because he just helped us out, after our former drummer (Alessandro) left the band. We started the band in 2007 with a different name and no clue how to play any instrument, so it took a while until we actually could play something. At first we covered some Red Hot Chili Peppers songs, but soon began to write our own songs, but as I said, they are not to relevant to talk about.

What were you all up too prior to the band, was this always the chosen path or did you have other dreams and aspirations?

Prior to the band we all went to school as we have only been 16 or 15 years old. I learned to be a surgeons assistant and Thomas studied electrical engineering until his bachelor. Stevo just finished his abitur. At that time while we were all been preparing for a career we chose the musical path. So we just finished our apprenticeships or university degrees, so that we could only focus on music afterwards.

Tell us about your latest Album and why our readers should check it out.

Our latest Album 'Nameless Goat' is the first of our LPs that I am really proud of. It has a really hard rocking vibe to it, as well as some soft mellow passages. There are many 90's Rock elements on this album but doesn't only focus on that retro feeling, as it also has some modern screaming vocals and strange riffs and melodies like in the song 'Wake Up'. Also it doesn't lose power anytime. As soon as one song finishes the next one crashes in. You definitely won't regret checking it out.

Who would you say is the bands main song writer or is it a group effort and where do you draw your inspiration lyrically and musically from?

Everyone does some parts in songwriting. Stevo and Thomas both wrote about 50 percent of the instrumental parts of the song, while I wrote the lyrics and vocal melodies, except in the song 'Dog'. The inspiration comes from different bands we love to listen to. You can hear many J-Rock elements in some of the songs, as well as Alice In Chains vibes and bit of Queens Of The Stone Age beats. When it comes to lyrics I normally just start writing some words down, that I think would fit to the music. After having one or two lines written I give a meaning to the lyrics and continue writing, while fitting to the content. Sometimes it is personal stuff, but you can interpret the songs yourself.

As a band what do you believe is your greatest achievement to date and why?

Touring through Great Britain definitely is. It was the first big tour with many concerts that actually went pretty good. And we all planned it by ourselves, because we want to stay independent and try it this way. It was so cool, that we will go on tour through Great Britain again next month.

Have you ever come face to face with someone within the music scene who has left you awestruck and why.

No not really. We had some inconsistencies with other bands or label people, but it wasn't really that bad.

What do you enjoy most about touring?

Playing at new places in front of a whole new crowd and seeing their faces and reactions, when they dig our music. It is the greatest feeling ever.

If we were to head out to one of your live shows what can ourselves and others expect? We transport a lot of energy on stage. We are not a band who just stands still and plays their instruments, we move a lot. We kinda get lost into our own music and bash our rocking vibes into the crowd. If the people are into it, they can definitely dance or pogo around and headbang. In addition to that we are not to serious and joke around on stage a little.

If you had one artist/band that you could go on tour with tomorrow who would it be and why?

Oh, that is hard to say. I guess anyone of us would say something different. I'd chose Alice In Chains, even though Layne died. It is because they are my favourite band and they would give us the opportunity to play in front a big audience. I also really would like to meet them sometimes. I can't really tell for the others, though. You can spend an hour with a musical icon living or dead, who would you pick, why and what would you speak about?

It would be Layne Staley. He is my number one vocal inspiration. I guess we would talk about singing and writing songs, but also about very emotional stuff and how does it affect our personal behaviours and where it leads us.

And finally and most importantly is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?

If it gets aired on Christmas, definitely yes!

Check out their video for 'Wake Up' recorded live.

Website - www.destinova.de/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/destinovaofficial/