Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself?
Thank you very much for having me!
My name is Michael, stage name Eisensteyn! I derived my artist name from both a cave in my hometown and one of the main characters of Johan Strauss’ Operetta “The Bat”.
I come from Vienna, Austria, which is considered the home of Classical Music, so a name that relates to this origin was obvious to me.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
Listening to my father’s and brother’s music collection ignited the dream of playing in a band.
After joining a band at age 11 and experiencing my first recording sessions and shows and meeting some of my heroes I realized that this was the life that I wanted to live.
Tell us about your new music? And what’s the story behind it?
My new single is ‘Linden Zephyrs’; Back in high school in choir classes we were singing an Opera by Alexander Borodin, Prince Igor.
There was a melody in the introduction which I haven’t been able to get out of my head since then, and I always knew I wanted to do something with it but it took me quite a few years before I had the technical abilities to make my vision a reality.
A soft choir sings the original melody but I wanted to put it in an epic context with huge drums and brass instruments and resolve it in a dubstep drop to give it the size I had in mind for it.
What makes your music unique? And how would you describe it?
As a genre I would say orchestral and melodic dubstep. As a teenager I started performing at theatrical events with different artists, performers and dancers so slow motion music for epic shows came naturally. But with a love for Electronic Dance Music and catchy hooks I’m combining both my interests from the event and concert world in my music. And since I come from a live music background I record some of the drums myself.
Do you play any instruments? And why do you love it?
I started playing the drums around 21 years ago and I love it because you get out of it what you put into it.
If you let raw energy take over, you get the same energy back from the drums.
And drums, after our voice, is the oldest instrument known to mankind, so it’s in our very nature to connect to rhythm and rhythmical patterns.
How is your creative process when recording music? And what makes a good recording session?
I did all different kinds of recording/producing sessions; super expensive studios with top equipment and producers to a pair of headphones in a van at 2am in the middle of nowhere.
A good recording session is when the work doesn’t feel like work, when you just let the flow take over and the music writes itself, the instruments play themselves and every knob seems to be in the right spot. And of course you don’t get distracted by social media or phone calls and your mind is one with the creative process.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
When it comes to dubstep I recently fell in love with RIOT, I would love to work with them at some point. Of course acts like Excision, Zomboy, Panda Eyes and Virtual Riot.
Influences outside of that particular genre are too many to count; since I was lucky to travel to a lot of exotic places in my time as a hired touring musician I experienced many different cultures and I try to pick out a bit from everywhere.
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
As Eisensteyn I am currently working on a project/deal which would fulfill one of the visions I had in mind for this project – but I can’t talk about it yet.
As a touring musician it was when I was playing on a late night tv show that I loved watching as a kid and doing a tour in a country that truly fascinates me.
Or actually the whole fact that I was able to travel the world playing music.
How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?
To be honest, I don’t – I’m an all in guy! So I’m either away for a couple of months for work (public service) and/or touring or I’m at home – that’s when I try to do all the other obligations like working on my house; family gatherings, babysitting my nephews, visiting Grandma.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Don’t think in stereotypes or genres – if you have something in mind, go for it; no matter how long it takes or how many people may want to bring you down.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
Don’t accept things as set in stone! Go for what you want and be loud!
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or tours?
I am currently figuring out collaborations with partners for live-events. As soon as there are updates they will appear on my homepage Eisensteyn.com
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