Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
CP: Unconventional, energetic, experimental and somehow weird are the words I would use when it’s about to describe the music I produce. Far away from any mainstream, somewhere located in the underground surrounded by many Indie artists, this where I do feel very comfortable.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
CP: I‘m a musician from Germany, currently living in a small town called Herne. I began to play the violin with the age of six. Because of being frustrated and not really satisfied with that kind of instrument I decided to change to the drums and keyboards. I was playing for about 10 years in several groups, bands, formations, theatre groups and stuff like that. With the age of 26 I started to build up my own recording studio and learned to play bass and electric guitars. Later on I was fascinated by wind instruments, especially the bagpipes, which directed me into the folk metal direction. The idea of the project ‚Chanter’s Punch‘ was born…
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
CP: My source of inspiration is nature in general. All visual and audible influences that are supplied by the environment, but also the abstruseness of mankind’s behavior. Musicians who are able to channel their emotions in musical structures are inspiring me as well. Lyrically I like to write about existence of mankind with all its textures (positive and negative), about grief and sorrow, fate, light and darkness, life and death, sometimes about topics which have a focus on political and social aspects.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
CP: I would like to grow up a solid fanbase, people who feel addressed by the music I create. Also I would like to work together with a small independent label.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
CP: We played one day with our Heavy Metal Band in front of approximately 1000 people, most of them have gone nuts while listening to our stuff, that was really awesome.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms
in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
CP: It is indeed very hard to get at least some attention, especially when you create really unusual stuff with a very small target group. I think it is more important than ever to make extensive use of social networks, but also to get in touch with people who know the business in music industry and to pay attention to that what they are advising you. Also to promote your music with visuals (music video, canvas on Spotify and stuff) is also very helpful.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
CP: In the moment it is not a thing that keeps me busy due to the fact that I am the only musician recording and producing for ‚Chanter’s Punch‘. In the future there are plans for building a group and performing live on stage.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
CP: I think times have changed drastically. For my own pleasure I listen still to vinyl records most of the time. The analogue sound gives me goosebumps and you pay much more attention to the artists when listening to a record. But of course I see the advantages of the digital music distribution, it is a very good way to spread your work all around the world and to get attention very quickly. But also the disadvantage is obvious, to get buried in the mass is always a big issue. Also I see a decline in values if you think about the profit maximization of all the streaming sites while paying just a small amount of money to the ones who create all the content – all those incredible talented musicians!
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
CP: “Flatline” by Periphery: Amazing songwriting, breathtaking instrumental performance and just touching and profound lyrics. I really admire this band!
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
CP: Well, it is always easy to complain and to point your finger on things you dislike. It is much more difficult to come up with good ideas or things which could improve different aspects. So it is not really easy for me to answer this question. But I think on big issue still exists and will probably never change: As long as an artist generates a huge amount of sales volume for the majors, the music will be promoted as hell, no matter about the quality. One thing that concerns me is, that there are really so many countless highly talented and super creative artists out there but never get noticed because of the fact that produce music that ‚doesn’t sell well‘ in the opinion of many A & R‘s. That is very sad because they never get the chance to get heard. I would like to see another attitude among the labels towards all independent artists, moving away from the mainstream and pay more attention to the underground.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
CP: Actually I’m currently working on my second “Chanter’s Punch” Album which will be called “tragic carpet ride”.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
CP: On Spotify: Spotify – Chanter’s Punch (there is also a brief bio included and on bandcamp.com: Music | Chanter’s Punch (bandcamp.com)
Chanter’s Punch links:
Band/Artist location – Herne, Germany
– Bandcamp – Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer –
Check our page for Chanter’s Punch
