Q&A with Claudio Marino and Martin Persner of Tid
Hello all and welcome to Mayhem's Q&A with Claudio Marino (Vocalist/ Songwriter) and Martin Persner (Guitarist/Songwriter) of Tid. This is another first for Mayhem Music Network! This is the first Q&A where questions were submitted by both Mayhem staff and fans of the artist. We would like to thank all those fans of Tid (you know who you are) who provided great questions for the guys. Great job everybody!!! And thanks again to Claudio and Martin for taking timeout of their busy schedules to answer these questions. Questions are in bold with answers provided by the guys in italics. Enjoy!
1. Tid has a strong fan presence, not only in Sweden, but the US and other countries. Many of the fans would like to know if the band will tour in support of the new album and previous works. If so, where and when does the band plan on touring?
There are talks of shorter tours on smaller selected venues. Nothing set yet but hopefully in early to mid 2017. Probably in reverse order to how Leonard Cohen [toured]. *a reference to singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen’s touring in that he, “…took Manhattan before Berlin.”
2. The band has already released 2 other EPs. The fans have expressed interest in learning the lyrics and their meaning. Are you planning on releasing those previous EPs on vinyl or CD, and will lyrics with translations be included? Will you be releasing any additional lyric videos for this album or previous works? Yes, we are planning to re-release the two previous albums in several formats, physical as well as digital. The translation we leave to the fans. About lyric videos – maybe so. We couldn’t very well disclose our working plans, could we? :)
3. What are Tid’s influences and inspirations for:writing music; for artwork; and creating videos?
Lots and lots of things. Music of various kinds and age, paintings, cultures, history, fantasies of the future and lots and lots of movies and documentaries. Film and music can be said to be the main influences. It would be unfair to point at any specific music or movie as we take so much in and try to squeeze it in to the world that we decided that Tid is going to depict.
4. There are many references in the band’s videos and artwork to Egyptian culture, anime, manga, mysticism and science fiction (Sci-Fi). Can you explain why this interesting mix is part of your art, music and videos?
Tid is a balance between history and future. Ancient times and what is to come. Visually that could have been represented by knights in shining armor and Star Treks in tight overalls – we simply prefer it this way. For us, an interesting thought has always been that maybe these ancient cultures understood or knew something that was lost as they perished. As much as humanity is striving to understand life and time – maybe we have already at times long gone.
5. Can you explain to us the meaning behind the concept for the Aurora Surrealis video? It blends between Sci-Fi and mystical genres.
The two aspects of Claudio represent the old and the new. Humanity and our travel in time between the two are represented by the wandering woman. As she progresses on her journey, we can see the Tid logo develop over time.
6. Tid has a unique sound. Does the band plan on continuing in a more electronic direction with its sound?
Yes. Synthesizers can create sounds that “normal” instruments cannot. We invite these sounds. It is safe to say we will most probably always use guitars, bass and drums and vocals along with electronic stuff though. But we actually don’t know. It would be awfully boring if we did. We will see where our imagination takes us.
7. There was a difference with the vocals on Fix idé. On the previous EPs, the vocals were similar in part, but quite often death metal screams. Claudio, your vocals/growls were strong, but with a subtle tone. It sounds amazing! Also, I noticed some of the other guys singing, specifically in Demimond and Nadir. Would that be all four of you guys singing, or outside parties brought in to provide additional vocals?
Some of us sang on this album because the songs demanded it and our imagination told us that it would sound good and serve the music good. We also brought in our friend Fia from a band called “The Great Discord” to help us depict the Goddess of Stupidity in “Dumhetens Gudinna.” Using other people’s voices is interesting and gives the songs depth and a sense of definition of the band. People hear and sense it is strange and odd and new, and that means that we have succeeded in taking the songs beyond what people expect and thus we have also opened their imagination a little bit. And it sounds good simply. That’s our priority. We, like most bands have rules and directions of what our band should sound like. It is a living plan that develops. Thankfully.
8. Can you take us through the production of this album? Did you have clear concept or path in mind when work began on the album? If so, what was that concept or path? Was there a shift in “duties” within the band as far as who played what instrument or provided additional vocals? Did you utilize any different instruments or production effects?
We had an exact idea of what it should sound and feel like. Down to the last note. When choosing Niels Nielsen as a producer and engineer, we did so because he had shown he understood what we wanted to do. A well planned recording, down to the last sample.
Yes, of course we used strange instruments and tried all kinds of things when it came to put the finishing touch to the album. And yes, to answer it clearly – it is Martin and Simon singing on Demimond.
9. Does the band have plans to release any videos where we see the whole band playing? Something maybe similar to Världen Stannar Med Mig?
No, not as of today.
10. What are the goals or plans for Tid in the future?
Continue to write music, create artwork and do shorter tours.
Specific questions for Claudio
1. Can you tell us about your musical background? Were you always a vocalist or do you play other instruments? Did you have private vocal training or learn through a school/college music program? What inspired you to become a vocalist and musician?
I'm from a metal and hardcore background, grew up on Guns n' Roses. Apart from vocals I've only contributed with audio samples and such live. The only school I had for my vocals is the hard rehearse twice a week for about five years. Later on I started experimenting in the studio.
2. I am a singer as well, how did you develop your tone? Do you find the “death screams/growls” difficult physically on your vocal chords? How do you protect your vocal chords and your voice?
Not if you do it right. Real screaming should stem from the stomach not the throat. As for growlier results, I don't think actual screaming is the way to do it.
3. How did you first get into graphic design?
Well it all started when my first band (with Simon) needed a cover for our first demo tape. That was around 1996 and it was made in Windows Paint. From there on there was a lot of trial and error and late nights.
4. How do you juggle multiple creatively intense careers (music, writing, performing and graphic design)?
It's the way I live. I'm simply used to valuing my time.
5. What kind of music is on your iPod (or other MP3 device) right now?
Wardruna, Die Antwoord, Suicide Commando, Pg Lost and Cult of Fire.
Specific Questions for Martin
1. Can you also tell us a little about your musical background (how long you have been playing guitar, were you privately taught, learned by ear or have education through school/college music program)? Is your primary focus guitar, or do you play other instruments in addition? Personally what inspired you to want to play guitar or become a musician?
I have no musical education whatsoever. I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old. My dad is a music teacher, but he never pushed anything at all on me and never taught me to read or write sheet music or anything like that. It's all by trial and error and learning by doing. I wanted to be a musician since forever. There was never talk of anything else at all. Strangely it’s not dad that inspired me most to listen to music – it was my mum. And no, she is not a music teacher.
2. With both you and Simon providing the guitar work for the album, how do you guys divide up the work? Do you play lead on some songs, while Simon takes lead on others?
We have no real leads in Tid. It’s all about distributing parts between each other that make sense live. And we have different areas that we are good at. So naturally he does what he does best and I do what I do best.
3. What equipment (guitars, amps, etc.) did you use for this album?
Oh, lots of different things. For all clean guitars we used VOX AC 30, and as for the distorted sounds we used Orange and lots of other amps and experimented til we found a good overall sound. We used a wide range of guitars – Gibson’s, Fender’s, old shit guitars to get a specific sound for some songs, acoustic guitars – just lots of things.
4. What kind of music is on your iPod (or other MP3 device) right now?
It’s constantly the same songs – I add to my list little by little everyday so it’s a long, long list of various songs that I like and probably listen too much to. But as for new albums in their whole: “Skeleton Tree” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds “Magnatron” - a various artist album with retro-wave synth music “Give my Love to London” by Marianne Faithful.