Gaffa Magazine October 2009

MARTIN HALL
Playing in Flensburg, Aarhus, and Copenhagen in October and November

Interviewer: How did rehearsals go?
MH: I suffer from claustrophobia, so for now we're only playing fractions. Last week, for example, I rehearsed with pianist Henriette Groth on Thursday, and violinist Karolina Koivisto on Friday. I play with each of the seven band members separately. Rather odd, actually, not very holistic, I know.

I: What can we expect of the concerts?
MH: Something more than the "This is it" series. Moments of great beauty, I assume. At least a couple of surprises from the back catalogue. Time will tell if it'll be an all-out orgy of tearful bliss and coal black soul absorption. The challenge of a Martin Hall concert is, you know, that it's getting to the point where nothing less will do, neither for the audience nor for me. We're fanatic, the lot of us.

I: What do you do the moment before you go on stage?
MH: I've got no idea. I guess I pass the time with the others trying to bust open the door of the toilet, where I'm sitting, hiding, catatonically terrified and with glazed eyes. It's not easy to be in a band with Martin Hall.

I: What's on your provision list?
MH: For the first concert in Germany, we'll be joined by The Danish Absinth Society, so that should guarantee the atmosphere for the night. What I usually put on the list normally doesn't turn up anyway - which is perhaps understandable in the light of my wishes. But thankfully there's no border control anymore.

I: What do you listen to on the tour bus?
MH: Usually nothing, except I'll be sure to bring the latest Ernesto Tomasini album, just in case. The drag falsetto of London can work wonders on a four hour bus drive.

http://gaffa.dk/artikel/34792

English translation by Maja Louise Vesterdorf Lange