ELOAĦ INTERVIEW 26/10/24
MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences
Hi! I’m Elmar, the founder of ELOAĦ. We started back in 1995 as a
singer/songwriter project. Over the years, many talented musicians have joined
us, each bringing their own style. Personally, I’ve been influenced by my classical
piano lessons and singing training. As a teenager, I fell in love with rock and heavy
music, especially bands like Savatage, as well as new age and singer/songwriter
genres like Herman van Veen. But really, each member has their own influences,
which makes our music quite a diverse mix of styles.
MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from
Inspiration for me is unpredictable. Most of the time, when I pick up my guitar, I
either practice songs I already know or just play around and improvise. There are
these special moments when everything just clicks, and suddenly new chords and
lyrics start forming. It’s almost like the music writes itself, and I have to quickly
grab a pen to capture it. Sometimes, this magic happens when the more band
members play together, and we create something spontaneous - just like we did
with the Mondstein Chronicles albums.
MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?
You know, we’re all individuals with different tastes, so we don’t really have a
collective favourite song. Each of us connects to our music in different ways, which
makes picking one song as a favourite a bit tricky.
MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2024
In 2024, we’ve been more focused on recording new albums rather than hitting the
road. But you’ll find many of us performing live with other projects. For instance,
our guitarist Orion Roos tours with Maestro and Metalbats, and our jazz singer Lila
Herderberg frequently plays in Austria. So, even if ELOAĦ as a whole isn’t touring,
you can still catch us in other musical forms. For 2024, we are again busy in the
studio and have no immediate plans to play live – but who knows...
MM: What can we expect from ELOAĦ live
Since ELOAĦ is a project with over ten musicians from different countries, our live
shows are rare and often change depending on who’s available. We love to adapt
and give audiences a fresh experience each time, making every performance
unique and special.
MM: What do you like best and worst abt touring
Funny enough, ELOAĦ doesn’t do traditional tours. All of us have different jobs
and commitments, and we also play in other bands. So, while I enjoy performing,
I’d say the best part of touring for me is connecting with the audience - when that
happens. The downside, of course, would be all the logistics and time away from
other things I love doing.
MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies
Honestly, that’s a tough one! Since we don’t tour as a band, I haven’t really
thought about touring buddies. But if we ever did, I’m sure it would be a fun and
eclectic mix.
MM: What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own)
and why
One of the most memorable concerts for me was a show by Herman van Veen.
The man is a genius, and he always surrounds himself with incredible musicians.
The atmosphere he creates is just magical.
MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far with
Honestly, our biggest accomplishment is that we genuinely love the music we
create. It’s a joy for us, and the fact that others enjoy it too is a wonderful bonus.
We do this because it makes us happy, and if it brings joy to others, that’s the best
feeling.
MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time
Two albums that really stand out for me are "Nederlanders" by Herman van Veen
and "Streets" by Savatage. Both have deeply influenced me, and I’ve carried them
with me throughout my musical journey.
MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to have
people watching you?
Oh, absolutely! I was 17 and played solo in a small pub. I was incredibly nervous,
my hands were shaking, but the audience’s support made all the difference. Even
with my mistakes, they seemed to enjoy it, and that experience was a huge boost
for my confidence.
MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.
I had a mix of posters, from Savatage and Saviour Machine to Iron Maiden,
Manowar, Herman van Veen, and Reinhard Mey. It was quite the eclectic
collection.
MM - Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other
person
That’s a big question, but I’d say the Beatles had a massive influence. They laid
the groundwork for so many rock and metal bands to follow.
MM - What's the most important thing to the band right now?
Right now, we’re focused on two big projects: producing the LP version of our
current album The Book of Pain which was just published digitally and on CD, and
the continuation of the recording and production of our next album, which will
contain gospel, hymns, and some rap for a change.
MM: If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?
We’ve never done covers, as I prefer creating original music. But if I had to
choose, it would be "See the Light" by my late friend and mentor Bernd
Felsberger. It’s a tribute to him and the impact he had on me.
MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band
We strive to make listening to ELOAĦ to be like embarking on a musical journey.
Our music isn’t just meant to be heard once and forgotten; it‘s crafted with layers
and depth, inviting you to explore and uncover new elements with each listen. We
blend different genres - rock, jazz, new age, and singer/songwriter, rap – we try to
embody a special richness in every track. When you listen to one of our songs,
you might first get lost in the melody or the rhythm, but when you come back to it
later, you might start noticing subtle details: maybe a hidden harmony, a guitar riff
that you didn‘t catch before, or the way the lyrics connect emotionally. We aim to
create music that resonates, something that feels both familiar and fresh, so it
grows with you over time. It‘s the kind of music where you can find comfort when
you need it, energy when you seek it, and inspiration when you least expect it.
Since all of it is created as emotional expression, we hope that the listeners can
connect on exactly that level – and that songs that were inspired by pain, like all of
our current album, might help the listeners to transcend their own pain.
MM: Four words to describe ELOAĦ
Experimental, idiosyncratic, rock, alternative.
Final Words for your fans and our readers
First of all, I want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years,
whether you have been with us since the early days in 1995 or just discovered us
recently, your support means everything to us. ELOAĦ has always been about
exploring different musical landscapes to create something that feels both familiar
and new. We strive to make music that isn’t limited by a single genre or style; it’s
about emotion, storytelling, and capturing moments that resonate with both us
and our listeners. If you have become curious about our journey and want to
experience more, I encourage you to explore our albums and tracks on our
website http://eloah.at. We have made our music available for streaming and
purchase there, so you can dive into our world and decide for yourself what
speaks to you. You will also find links to our social media platforms, where you can
stay updated on new releases and more. We appreciate your curiosity and
support, and we hope that our music brings you as much joy and inspiration as it
brings us when we create it. Thank you for being a part of the ELOAĦ experience.
