- Hi Akoma. First of all, please tell the readers a little about your self… where you’re from and how you got your name
Akoma.
Morten: We're a Symphonic Metal band from Silkeborg, Denmark…Tanya and myself started the band back in 2004.... Tanya came up with the name, Akoma. It's a symbol of patience and tolerance...
- You have just released a new promo-CD called “Lost Forest”. Where did you record “Lost Forest” and did you produce
and mix it yourself?
Morten: We recorded and produced it ourselves at a small studio in our hometown, Silkeborg.... But this time we didn't mix it, we had Jacob Hansen to fix that and he did an amazing job.
- How would you describe Akoma’s music, and the new promo-CD, to any of our readers who may not have heard of Akoma before?
Tanya: Symphonic, spiritual, sad :) with good guitar riffs and a bass that follows and heavy drums. Symphonic Metal… he he, it's kind of difficult to describe.
Morten: I would describe it as a journey through feelings.. A patch we all have been through and relate to in a weird kind a way....
- Who has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have a great cover?
Tanya: The cover has to be interesting. It has to attract people who don’t know us. It has to show what our music is about. There has to be no question that it is Symphonic/gothic metal.
Morten: The artwork on the cover is made by Paul Allender (Cradle of Filth) and he let us use it, which we think is very cool. It stands very good to the Forest....
- “Lost Forest” sounds tight and there’s a great atmosphere on it. Where do you rehearse and how intense is your rehearsal schedule?
Tanya: We rehearse at a place called Lydpotten in Silkeborg, Denmark. Hmm well when we rehearse we play in approx. 4 hours and play the set 1 or 2 times depending on which day it is… he he.
Because we have booked time Wednesday and Sunday and not all of us are fresh to play a Sunday… But we try anyway. We are most of the time focused when we rehearse but I have that opinion that if you can't have fun in the rehearsal you can't have fun anywhere. But of course up to a concert we are 100% focused with rehearsing.
- Who is the main songwriter in Akoma?
Tanya: Mostly I come up with small pieces of music with the piano. Then I give it to Morten and he takes it home and makes something out of it. Then he takes it to the rehearsal and the other guys helps make it complete. Then I take a copy of the song home and write the lyrics and the melody.
Morten: I often take a lot of ideas from the rehearsal and then work it all together... But most of time Tanya gives me guidelines and then I know what to do....
- What are your influences and which CDs are in your player at the moment?
Tanya: Epica. I get a lot of inspiration from that band. I'm a big fan of Simone. Within Temptation is also a band I've learned a lot from listing to.
Morten: I don't always know where it comes from, some place deep inside, he he… The Play list right now would be: Leaves' Eyes: Legend Land and Lovelorn, Cradle of Filth's: Nymphetemine...and in a few days it will be listening to the new album from Within Temptation I think....
- What tasks presently lie ahead for Akoma?
Morten: We have a couple of gigs and are hoping to fill out the calendar soon... Otherwise we are in the rehearsal making some new songs...
- Let’s speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners?
Tanya: I would love to play with Cradle of filth, Epica, Kamelot or Within Temptation but that's just my opinion. :)
Morten: Epica / Leaves' Eyes / Within Temptation / Cradle would be fun… he he.
- What are you doing besides Akoma, job wise as well as hobbies?
Tanya: I work at a pet store and try to hold my weight down with aerobic so I can keep on fitting my dresses :)
Morten: My hobbies are AKOMA.. I often use all my time on it.... Making samples and new songs in almost all of my spare time..
- Well, that’s it! Thanks a lot for the interview. Anything you’d like to add to our head banging readers?
Tanya: Rock on. And thanks for the support… he he…
Morten: Yeah thanks for your support and are hoping to see you out in the venues!!!!
