Calle: To the people who don’t know ENIC, can you give a short history of the band? Hans-Henrik Mejløe (HH): ENIC was formed back in 2006 by Christian, Brian, Lars and I. We have known each other for many years, playing in different constellations. In ENIC we wanted to make music which combined different music genres and with great melodies.
Calle: What does ENIC stand for and why did you choose the name for the band?
Lars Peters (LP): There is no deeper meaning to the word, and after several suggestions from all sides, we came to the conclusion that there is no name that is so great that it makes a band better, but a band can be so great that it makes the name better! We decided then the next suggestion will be the one - and Hans-Henrik came up with ENIC. At first ENIC EMPIRE, but we dropped EMPIRE, so ENIC it was….In a few years everybody will be saying: “What a great name for a great band…”
Calle: How would you describe your music to people who haven’t heard ENIC yet?
HH: ENIC plays power rock where the melody is in focus. We always try to expand the songs with different dimensions like special outro’s. So when you are listening to the songs for the first time, you don’t know where the song ends.
Calle: Who are your biggest influences?
LP: We are 6 people in the band and we do have similar taste in music, but again we all individually have different influences and I am sure that you can hear it in our music here and there. It ranges from U2 to Whitesnake, from Sting to Metallica, from Muse to Dream Theater and many many more. Some have mentioned a similarity to Evanescense or Within Temptation but we just want to be and sound like - ENIC
Calle: You released your debut album “Vacuum Spaces” earlier this year. How have the response been so far, both from the fans and critics?
HH: Very good. The fans have received the album fantastic. We have received lot of feedback from Danish fans, but also from Holland and even from Thailand. We have also received good feedback from critics. For example we got 5 out of 6 sculls from Calles Rock Corner and the magazine “Musikeren” gave us very nice words regarding the album.
Calle: How was the writing and recording process of the album?
HH: Most of the material is written by me. So the normal process is that I will bring the new songs into rehearsal, where very important input from the rest of the band is being added. The process is effective and secure that we are fast in creating new songs. Our recording process is very concentrated. All main instruments are recorded live together and after that we add extra features from keyboards and guitars. Our debut album was recorded and mixed within 20 days, which is quite fast. LP: In earlier bands I was in, we made the songs together in rehearsal and it was a long and many times annoying process. It always ended out with songs put together by a lot of short pieces, riffs and breaks that can sometimes be ok, but in the end the best songs (in my opinion) are the ones that are complete and…. Well, a perfect work of art from start till finish. You get that with the way we are doing it. HH is the Motor and the master of writing songs with great melodic vocal and Christian and I are experts in putting in “the last spice” that is lying on top of it all and gives the last fulfillment to the song.
Calle: What song or songs on the new album do you like the most?
LP: If I say they are all great you will find it a cliché, right? Well they are! My favourite songs will be “Strength”, “Vacuum Spaces” and “Guiding Light”.
HH: Well ….. it’s difficult to choose between your children ……..
Calle: What can people expect when they go see ENIC live?
LP: They can expect to see a band with power and energy and our new singer Lene has put even more spirit, humor and through that +motivation into the band. I also believe that ENIC is one of the most well played bands on the Danish scene and notice – no use of sampling or other technical help – ENIC just push the button, turn up the volume and play!
HH: We are very aware of being able to perform the songs live on the same high level as on the album, with a lot of power and energy.
Calle: What’s the most fun/crazy experience you have had during a show or tour?
LP: I remember a Festival gig where ENIC was totally put in a wrong place with bands like Moon Jam and Zididada (all pop bands) and the audience was expecting we were a cover band that played old Danish popular music and when we turned the volume to 11 and hit the first chord on the guitar they all ran out of the tent and we just looked at each other and thought “what the h… just happened?!!!
Calle: With a female singer and your style of music, I guess you often get compared to bands like Evanescence and Within Temptation. Do you agree and what’s your opinion on that?
HH: Not really. Both bands are great. I think it’s natural when people compare us, but I think that we are different, but still I believe that the fans of Evanescence and WT will love our music.
Calle: What bands have you played with/opened for and what bands would you like to play with?
LP: The guys in ENIC has been playing for many years in different constellations and earlier Hans-Henrik, Christian and Brian had a band called “Amazon” and they opened for Pearl Jam actually once. I was in the audience and it was probably one of the best concerts I have been to – ever! Not only the Pearl Jam part but also Amazon – they did a really good job and the venue was packed and the audience cheered through Amazons gig. Two months ago ENIC won the competition “Local Heroes” and the price was an opening act for “The Storm” but it turned out that The Storm cancelled the gig…..So we were a bit disappointed! I would like to open for Within Temptation and why not on the whole European tour?!
Calle: Apart from Denmark, where do you have a big fan base?
HH: Right now we are in beginning of our mission to spread the ENIC music around the world. But we’re getting good feedback from countries like Holland, Sweden and Germany. So that’s great considering our album nearly just released.
Calle: Do you have any plans on a tour in Denmark or Europe in the near future?
HH: Absolutely!!! We are in the planning process to tour Denmark in 2012 and working on getting outside the border of Denmark next year also.
Calle: Do you think it’s hard to get people to listen to your music these days when MTV and the mainstream radio stations almost never play rock and metal music?
HH: It takes a lot of hard work to get people to listen, but on the other hand, today we can use a lot of new media to get out to people. LP: It is hard when you are not main stream. It makes it harder to get out to people with your music.
Calle: You have released a music video for the song “Vacuum Spaces (with your old singer). Do you think places like YouTube can get you more fans?
LP: There is no doubt about that the internet is helping unknown bands to get out with their music – and out to the whole world, but the problem can be that so many are doing it, so you will be a “drop in the ocean”. The promotion part is extremely important these days. Today it is not enough to be a good songwriter and play well – You have to sound different from main stream and you have to promote your band either with cleverness and hard work or with a lot of money!
Calle: How would you describe each member of the band in only three words?
Hans-Henrik Mejløe: The Motor, The songwriter, Perfectionist Christian Mejløe: Creative, The party animal, The good ear Brian Skovgaard: Deep, The Thinker, steady Lars Ulrik: Loveable, easy, Happy Lene Petersen: Enthusiastic, wild, sexy Lars Peters: The Sceptic, The Edge, down-to-earth
Calle: Where do you see ENIC in 10 years?
HH: In 10 years ENIC has released 6 albums and have been touring the world several times, and have had fun all the way. LP: Maybe I should renew my Passport then…?
Calle: What’s the best advice you can give to other up-coming bands?
HH: If you believe that you have a great product, then keep on pushing. There is always more you can do to be noticed. But it is very hard work.
LP: Don’t sit around and wait to be discovered – Make sure you discover “them” and then push it in their faces. You have to promote yourself and keep on doing it – and that is the hard part. Making music is the easiest part.
And now some questions outside ENIC’s music:
Calle: What got you into music in the first place?
LP: I was a member of this club for youngsters in Ballerup (our home town) when I was around 15 and we had a music room where you could play on different instruments. I tried out a Les Paul through an amplifier and a distortion pedal and when I hit the strings I immediately knew - this I got to have! I was already aware that if you could play guitar all the girls would be interested in you as well…
HH: I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old and got my first electric guitar when I was 12 and started my first band Deetail.
Calle: How do you see the Danish rock/metal scene right now?
HH: Right now I think it is quite good. From my point of view many Danish band are successful around the world and it is not always that we hear about it. And that is fantastic because successful Danish bands can help bands like ENIC in the future.
Calle: What was the first CD/LP you ever purchased?
LP: The first LP was “Pophits 19XX” with Boomtown rats, Blondie, Paul Young and many more….. The second one was KISS/Dynasti !!!!
HH: Kiss – The Elder and after that Iron Maiden – The number of the beast.
Calle: What is the latest CD you bought?
LP: Rasmus Walther/Rasmus Walther.
HH: Dream Theater – a dramatic turn of events
Calle: What’s your top 5 CD’s of all time?
LP: Pearl Jam/Ten – U2/Achtung Baby – Pink Floyd/The Wall – AC/DC/Back in Black – Depeche Mode/The Singles 86-98 (Collection).
HH: Kiss/Alive II, Dream Theater/Image and words, Whitesnake/1987, Metallica/Master of Puppets, Dire Straits/Brothers in arms
Calle: Who’s the concert you have ever been to as a concertgoer?
LP: The best concert was U2 in Forum / Copenhagen in 2001. With 10.000 people it was the most intimate U2 concert I have ever been to, and The Edge was playing like a god!
HH: I have been to a lot of great concerts, Whitesnake in Vega in 2007, several Dream Theater concerts in different venues.
Calle: What do you do when you’re not playing music?
HH: We are taking care of our normal jobs, family and friends
Calle: Name one song you wish you had written and why?
LP: Ha ha….”Last Christmas”….The money would just keep on coming….
HH: Dire Straits, Brothers in arms – this is the most emotional and great written tune and lyrics.
Calle: Can you name one thing that you think only Danish people do? LP: We have a baaaad habit in Denmark not to give credit and appreciations to people that are gifted in some way. Instead of looking up to them and appreciate them we ask “Who are you to think you are better than me” all full of envy…..
Calle: Do you have any last words for the fans?
LP: Our fans are the most important factor to our success and freedom to continue writing great music so please support us all the way and I will promise we will work hard and give it all back to you. Come and see our shows and buy the album and support us on the internet!
HH: And we already have material for our next album. Our plan is to finish the song writing in the spring 2012 and after that go into the studio to record. We expect to release the album in November 2012. So until that time, enjoy our current album Vacuum Spaces and look forward to a new one I 2012. We are looking forward to see a lot of people on our DK-tour in 2012.
Calle
Calle
