Molllust Opera Metal from Leipzig Germany
Interview conducted April 25, 2021
By Dan Locke
What is your upbringing?
Janika Groß: I grew up in the countryside until I moved to Leipzig after I finished school.
How did you discover music?
I guess through the first lullabies and Christmas songs my parents sang with me. There are already recordings from me singing as a two-year-old J
How did you start to write music?
It came quite naturally. My first little songs I wrote in elementary school. I basically soaked in every piece of information I could get. When I founded molllust, I started to work more seriously on my skills and I still learn something with every composition I write!
How did your band form?
I had a musical vision and searched for musicians who believed in it and had the right skills to contribute. So, I asked around and put announces on local boards for musicians.
How did you get your bands name?
Frank and I had a brainstorming and we tried to find something that was fitting to the music and expressed the passion for the music at the same time. At some point, the name came to my mind (moll means minor tonality, lust means passion) and we stuck to it.
Describe your music.
Imagine a metal band stumbled into a classical concert and the musicians decide to play the second half of the concert together!
What was your first performance as a band like?
It was very noisy, as the sound tecs put the monitors on a very high volume and we were all super nervous!
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I joined the GEMA, operating mainly in Germany. It also has cooperation’s with organizations from other countries.
What makes a good songwriter?
A good feeling for melodies and rhythm, a clear understanding of music theory, instrumentation and interpretation possibilities of the different instruments and a creative musical vision.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I can’t recall it, to be honest. I have a big collection of hand written little songs and ideas that I created as a kid and teen. It wasn’t recorded. My first melodies I created on a glockenspiel wit very basic understanding of music and the notation was very rough, as I couldn’t read and write scores fluently at that time. I think I was about 7-8 years old.
What is the process of writing your music?
An explosion of creativity you try to control and to sort into notes. My mind is often quicker with new ideas than I am able to write them down.
How was it to play at Wacken Open Air?
Awesome and kind of surreal! You always dream about it and then it suddenly is real.
You have shared the stage with the likes of Visions of Atlantics, Imperial Age, Xandria and MetalWings. Did any of the bands give you any words of wisdoms about the music world?
Sure, I sometimes talk with other musicians about promotion, live equipment, organization stuff… when the situation fits, it is always good to exchange knowledge.
How was it to work with Julian Jönck on creating new music?
He is a great help! He has a lot of knowledge about sample libraries and could provide me with a lot of tips and tricks how to use samples best in order to achieve the sound of a real orchestra. In addition, he has a critical ear and helps me to improve my work.
Tell me about the creation of “Mother Universe”?
It is a long journey! First were the compositions. Then we met to rehearse and improve them – in small sections like strings only, guitars only, metal section only and with everyone. After we felt the songs were ready, we did a preproduction recording and send it to our producer Joost. As a result, he gave us feedback, I adjusted the compositions and we recorded some updates. Then we started the studio process – first drums, then guitars and bass, then harp. Currently, I am programming orchestras and as soon as the Corona situation allows it, we will record strings and vocals.
How long many songs are on it?
11 full songs, plus an intro- and an outro-song and interludes between all songs. All in all, almost 80 minutes of music.
It is a theme album. Can you tell me the story behind the album?
Yes, it is a journey through our solar system. Each planet, sun and moon have a song. Theme wise, they are mainly linked to the gods after whom they were named. I took a nowadays perspective and combined the problems of our time to the tasks the ancient gods had.
How long before it is release?
It depends on the Corona situation. We currently plan the release in late autumn.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
Taking as much sleep as possible on tour, drinking a lot of tea and few alcohols, doing a bit of gymnastics time by time.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
It is great that music is easily accessible for everyone, but it lacks a solution that the artists don’t starve- the payment is too low.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I don’t think it makes a difference. People that didn’t care about scores didn’t know it before hashtag-times as well.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Digital – as long as you take high quality files. I love that the digitalization makes my music accessible everywhere around the planet.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Evenfall. It motivates me to go on. I sing that my musical dream is always with me and that there are people out there that dream together with me. It helps to go on when times are hard when you know: The music will never leave you and you are not alone.
With the Pfizer, Moderna and other vaccines being release. How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)
It definitely has an effect, as a lot of persons from the industry had to find other jobs to survive these times and not everyone will come back. In addition, clubs and festival will run out of money and will have to close. And I guess some old artists won’t restart after these times – so it will cause a generation shift to a certain extent.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
But it won’t kill live music – too many people are too passionate about it that they would give up. In addition, new online formats get established. That might be a chance to connect music lovers globally – e.g., a fan from abroad might never be able to visit a concert from a smaller European band, but online it is suddenly possible.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I am working on the new album all the time. Programming orchestras, planning videos and release strategy, haggling with possible partners…
In addition, I have a side job in home office to make ends meet and I take some care of myself, mentally and physically. In addition, I spend some time with my boyfriend and keep contact via phone or virtually with friends and family. So, I make the best out of it and I am busy all the time!
During the lockdown what food motivates you?
Chocolate, mixed fruits and delicious meals with a lot of vegetables – no difference to normal times.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I don’t have more time than before the lockdown, so I had no additional time for new hobbies. I have a hard time to even find enough time to rehearse my voice, piano and harp skills.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I actually didn’t think about that yet. I guess it will be less attractive, as music is very important for many.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Post updates or send newsletters, let them hear ideas of new songs, do streaming shows… there are many possibilities. I also see the danger of overdoing it so you get on people’s nerves.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Sadly, it still is a thing. I wouldn’t advise anyone to buy playlist slots, as it is e.g., against the rules of Spotify. For Opening Slots (live), one should think really deeply if the money is well spent – too often you help the bigger band to get their bills paid but don’t get the promotion and visibility that was intended. In most cases, you get better promotion through clever social media advertising for the same money, I think. Sadly, building a band means also investing money and time, but one shouldn’t waste it.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Let’s talk again in 2050. I think at the moment it is way too complicated to achieve that. I would also find it kind of sad that the audience can’t interact. But perhaps it’s also possible to make that digitally possible one day, who knows…
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to
I talked with some German club and festival owners and they are really struggling. Too often help isn’t really fitting, too complicated to get or it simply takes eternities until they are paid while the costs of the owners don’t stop. I am very worried how many will be left afterwards. I already know some venues and festivals that won’t be able to recover and closed. Perhaps it helps to keep some, but definitely not all.
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I had some support from German programs for musicians and as I studied TV journalism, I use my university degree for survival jobs. Before the pandemic, I did haunted tours in my hometown when there was a concert pause and I teacher piano and singing to make ends meet. As both isn’t really possible at the moment, I currently work part time for university. If I felt the need to completely change my career I would go either in the film industry, journalism or event management/public relations for cultural enterprises like theaters, depending on which chances would be there at that time.
What is your happy place?
It’s in the arms of my boyfriend, doesn’t matter where we are.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
Can’t imagine it at the moment, but let’s see what life brings.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s Co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
I think Spotify tries to ensure that other companies don’t make a business with selling playlist positions and stuff like that. I don’t think it will hurt artists that stick to the rules of the company.
Regarding the numbers: It is no news that there’s a lot of music out there and that it is a challenge to get people’s attention. I think one should focus on the personal musical vision, create something unique and invest some time in a fitting advertising strategy, perhaps with the help of some partners in the industry that have experience in this field. That’s better than getting overwhelmed by the numbers.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I don’t think TikTok is such a big thing in our target audience –can’t imagine that most of 40-year-old metal heads and classical music lovers hang out on TikTok. I would focus more on reaching those on the platforms they use more.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days and Shifts from Spring to November 11-14 in Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set for October 7-10 in Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
We never played in the US, but we would love to, of course. At the moment, a lot depends on how responsible the events are planned and if there’s the capacity to host it safely for both guests and artists. I love to play shows, but I don’t want to endanger my fellow musicians, the crew or fans. Therefore, I prefer everyone to be safe than to play at any cost. I couldn’t forgive me if I was responsible for long time damage at a person’s health or even a death.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I wish everyone to stay healthy and to keep a good mood despite everything that happens right now. Let’s all try to make the best out of the situation, help each other and treat us with respect. Although sometimes a situation may seem unsolvable, often there’s hope and a way out if we just keep trying. So don’t give up!
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