Original Interview with Peter Spilles of Imatem and Project Pitchfork

    Sep 16, 2008
    BBE Interview with Peter Spilles of Imatem and Project Pitchfork

    Current mood:blissful

    Sept. 16th, 2008

    Beautifully Bound Entertainment would like to thank Peter Spilles of IMATEM and Project Pitchfork for taking the time to answer some questions for us.

    BBE: I have read and heard that Imatem is your side project of Project Pitchfork, when did you come up with this project and what does Imatem represent that is different from Project Pitchfork?

    Peter Spilles: The thought of creating a musical project such as IMATEM had been floating in my head for quite a long time and took a concrete form last year (2007), with the release of the debut album "Home".
    I found the idea of different singing voices fusing together with my musical compositions very appealing and new, as in Project Pitchfork and -partly- in Santa Hates You (my third project) I sing on my own music.
    I absolutely love electronic music in all of its facets and nuances so I decided to bring to life two new projects in order to be able to direct my creativity into different channels, and experiment with those aspects of electronic music that I would have to neglect if I expressed my musical self "only" within the PPF's frame.
    On one hand there is the Synth Pop aspect, if you will, which is carried with harmonious and deep melodies throughout the whole IMATEM oeuvre.
    And then there's the "hard and loud" stylistic aspect, a more rhythm-oriented musical landscape
    which I am currently exploring with Santa Hates You.
    Fulfilling the needs of these two musical alter-egos of mine, has the great side effect of generating a sort of creative "free space", providing me with clarity about where I really want Project Pitchfork's musical future to be, without trying to make it sound like something else.
    In other words: my two side projects allow Project Pitchfork to go back being Project Pitchfork, and to stay Project Pitchfork.

    BBE: Can you explain what Imatem is?

    PS: I gave life to this project to create and celebrate a unity among the different musicians and vocalists of the international dark scene. IMATEM is born of my love for electronic music, the thrill of forging something new and my spirit of camaraderie towards fellow artists.
    As for the name of the project, IMATEM is a fusion of the two german words "Im" and "Atem", which -in a poetic way- could be translated with: "to stand (or live) within the breath of life."

    BBE: Who would you say you liked touring with most?

    PS: It's really difficult -if not impossible- to pick a name over another, as when we choose a support act we always make sure we tour with really great bands, whose members are not only incredible musicians, but also truly nice and kind people. I have particularly good remembrances of the tours with Rammstein, Covenant and Zeromancer, just to name a few.

    BBE: How long have you been in the music industry and is Project Pitchfork your first gig?

    PS:The exact year is hard to tell, but we (PPF) released our first album in the year 1991.
    The idea of founding a two man band came to me already in 1989, but I was creating music
    and selling tapes since 1986.
    I had already a little reputation as a musician when I met Dirk at a concert and I asked him
    to join me. That was the birth of Project Pitchfork as you know it. ;).
    I've never seen myself as a part of an industry. Of course creativity is used to give many people a job and a little income, ...but it just doesn't feel like an industry. It's more like a big party.


    BBE: Which album would you say was/is your most favorable that you have created?

    PS: That really depends. With the years, I've learned that it is characteristic of each and every release of ours, to have the potential of being perceived as the best album we have ever done by some, and as the worst by others. Talking with fans, I've found out that they tend to develop a sort of emotional attachment to their first PPF album. Although they also like the other releases, that first PPF album will always remain their favorite. So it happens that for some "Dhyani" and all of our early stuff is unbeatable, while others go crazy for our latest releases, such as "Kaskade" and "Wonderland/One Million Faces".
    Doubtlessly, "Alpha Omega" and "Daimonion" are two albums of ours which received and keep on receiving the unconditioned favor of the public. This is great, as our upcoming album will definitely transport some of their characteristic spirit and atmospheres, but in a darker, more powerful and brand new way.
    I'm pretty confident that this new, upcoming album will be the most favorable I have created. :)

    BBE: What influences you as a artist to produce the music you do?

    PS: I have a inner source, triggered by nature, love and life in general.

    BBE: Considering all that you have done and aside from Imatem do you see yourself doing this for the rest of your days?

    PS: Oh hell yes! I will keep on doing this until I drop dead. It's not like I have a choice: music is the air I breathe, it's what keeps me going. On top of that, I am "chronically inspired" and a cure has not been found yet. ;)

    BBE: What type of equipment do you use and do you have any favorites?

    PS: I use a Mac.
    Cubase is the program I use as a sequencer and for the audio recording.
    Also, I own a good selection of hardware synthesizers, samplers and plug-in tools.

    BBE: Do you have family support in what you do?

    PS: Back when I started, my parents (and even some so-called friends) kept on telling me to do "something serious and responsible" with my life. They didn't see the job of a musician as a "real" job and they were worried about my future. Luckily, I've never been the kind of guy who cares too much about what other people think so I took my own decision and went my own way.
    By living my dream, I proved my parents wrong in a very practical way, and now they are very proud of me and fully support me.

    BBE: What would you tell someone who was interested in getting into the music industry or into the field you are in?

    PS: I would tell them: "Don't do it if you're in just for the fame, the sex and the money, 'cause it's very likely you won't get any of that. The money will probably be very little, sometimes you will struggle to pay the rent. The fame you will get will only last 15 minutes and will bring you more problems than advantages. And let's face it: you can have sex also without being a musician.In that case you can even be pretty sure that the person you're sleeping with is doing it because she/he likes you, not because they like you being in a band.
    If you want to become a musician, do it for the music! The music and nothing else! Do it because that's your nature, because it's your destiny and it's the only right way to live for you.
    Actually, if you have to decide if you wanna be a musician, it's already wrong.You have to be one, and to know you are. Then, and only then, I would tell you: Go for it! And I'm sure you're gonna make it".

    BBE: What was/is it like working with Ronan Harris?

    PS: Ronan is one of Europe's best-known electronic musicians and VNV nation
    is worldwide renowned and acclaimed. Despite all this, he remained a honest,
    refreshingly natural, down to earth guy.
    He's very pleasant and professional to work with and his voice is unique and unforgettable.
    As soon as I was ready with the instrumental version of "Haven", I couldn't help but thinking that Ronan's voice would fit perfectly to it. So I asked him to sing on the track, and he said yes. :)
    I am very grateful that he agreed to this collaboration even with his full schedule.

    BBE: Have the two of you collaborated on anything in the past?

    PS: No, this was our first collaboration.

    BBE: Has Imatem fared well with the fans?

    PS: So far, I really can't complain: the response is thoroughly positive, which makes me and my colleagues feel very happy and grateful.

    BBE: I see you are on the Asleep by Dawn compilation cd, how do you feel about that with Imatem as opposed to Project Pitchfork?

    PS: Well, I feel great about it. When Asleep by Dawn asked the track "Holy TV" ( from IMATEM's last year's album "Home") for their compilation cd, I was very pleased and agreed straight away.
    My projects are not "competing" with each other, so I can fully enjoy their individual successes. As a composer, it's a wonderful feeling to see that, no matter what name stands on the cover of an album, your music is loved and well received by the public.