Lifeskool Blog: Songwriter Spotlight: Die Romantik

Die Romantik's music is dark and evocative, melding dark classical with tortured, sensitive rock. The trio, composed of Olivier Bernard, Eric Hagemann and Dominic Matar, met in high school in Paris back in the late 90's and officially formed their group in 2005 in New York. That perhaps explains why their music possesses a more refined sound than much of the quick, trendy music spouting forth from the New York music scene at the moment.

Their debut album, Narcissist's Waltz, is the kind of album you'd listen to while reeling down the highway crying because your lover has just dumped you for your best friend -- dramatic and emotional with an elegant vengeance.

All three contribute to the songwriting and work closely together on the arrangements. I recently caught up with Eric, Olivier and Dominic about their new album and current inspirations...

Favorite place to write music:
Eric: I enjoy writing in the bathroom due to the acoustics. It also gives me a sense of privacy and keeps my cats off my lap.
Olivier: I usually write in my bedroom, but I prefer the bathroom (for the acoustics) or the park because it's quiet and inspiring.
Dominic: Col. Mustard, in my bedroom, with a glass of wine (out of solidarity with Eric and Olivier, I write with my pants down as if I was in the bathroom). I need to be alone to write, lots of quiet and to have lots of time ahead of me. I like to just keep playing piano and record on a little tape player, then go back, listen and improve on the ideas that came out.

Latest inspiration:
Eric: I've been very inspired by Led Zeppelin recently. I feel like they just don't make them like that anymore. They have such complete mastery of their instruments, on top of being extremely creative and versatile. And as a drummer, John Bonham is my #1 inspiration.
Olivier: Trying to survive in New York City has been a main part of my inspiration. Living in this city has forced me to be more creative and dream a little more.
Dominic: I've been having a bit of a Kate Bush episode recently. I hadn't been thinking of music as that kind of dramatic art in a long time.

What's the most personal song on your new album?
Eric: "A Tale of Terror and Vengeance" is my most personal one, because it's the only song I wrote on the album that's about an actual concrete situation. I really was very upset when I wrote it, and it was about one of my closest friends. It was actually a big misunderstanding though, and we're still really good friends. We laughed about it.
Olivier: Probably "Another Round". Listen to it, and you'll know why.
Dominic: Probably "Narcissist's Waltz". I feel very close to it both musically and thematically.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Eric: I had never really asked myself the question, but probably Jenny Lewis. I've seen Rilo Kiley a few times and really appreciate her musical and personal style. Or maybe someone like Lavender Diamond.
Olivier: I don't know. Maybe Nick Cave. I've never seen him live, but I get the feeling he's a killer live. Maybe Sonic Youth, too. That would be more of instrumental duet though because their control over sound is awesome.
Dominic: A duet with Francoise Hardy would make me very happy. I was going to say Neil Diamond but that would be cheeky.

If you could write a song for any season, which season would it be and why?
Eric: Late fall matches my emotional tenor the closest, so that would be it for me.
Olivier: I would definitely have to go with the fall season. There's so much to write about whether it's about the leaves changing colors or the smell of burning wood coming out chimneys.
Dominic: At this particular moment, I would write for Spring. A little rebirth, freshness, optimism and color would do me good. Vivaldi beat us all to it anyway.

** Visit their official website.

** Listen to Die Romantik's music on MySpace.

** Check out a live Die Romantik clip on YouTube from their CD release party below: