Interview with Gloria Volt
What brought you to music, and if you hadn't come to music, what would you do today?
My father put me on the right track with the Rolling Stones. If I hadn't come to music, I would be riding motocross now. I'm glad that it didn't come to that, would be incredibly afraid.
What do you like to do when you're not making music and how does that influence your creativity?
I love to drink this hop drink called beer. This influences my creativity a lot, not always for the best.
How long has your band been around?
Gloria Volt has been around for 100 years. so 11 to be exact..
Where are you based and how did that influence your music?
I live in the Hard Rock City Winterthur, in Switzerland, where the name says it all. So I didn't have many options.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does that mean for you?
Actually, it's quite simple. We really wanted to have "Volt" in the name, so we had the idea to just put a name in front of it. Since "Alfons Volt" sounds a little strange, we just took "Gloria".
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
The most memorable show was probably when we appeared in the opening act of Motörhead. Sold out house and already at our concert a huge atmosphere. We had never sold so much merch as we did that night. Motörhead were also very likeable, which gives you as a fan all the more pleasure.
Where do you like to play the most and do you have places where you want to play that you don't have yet?
We like to play at the Musikfestwochen in Winterthur, always a great atmosphere and a lot of people, home game. I think I would like to play "Heitere Open Air" in Zofingen, simply because it's so beautiful there.
If you could play a show with any line-up, who would be on the ticket?
Guns'n'Roses!
What's some advice you'd give to someone who's just starting out in a band and advice you'd give to your younger self?
Stay authentic. To be who you are, to play what you can and always smile .
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?
Drink more. Drink much more.
Which of your songs means the most to you and why?
At the moment, this is probably "Forever Young". Straightforward hard rock with a text with a wink.
Which songs do you like to play the most and which are requested the most?
I prefer to play "Lose Alone", which just goes by itself, has a nice melody and still hits in. The most frequently requested is "Need a Kick". Of course, we always play it.
What is the creative process for the band and what inspires you to write your music?
Drinking together always inspires. Once you've seen a Hallacopters show, there's no going back, you just want to make music .
What kind of messages do you like to convey in your music?
Happy get-together. Just have a good time.
Do you ever have disagreements in your band and how do you get over it?
There are always differences of opinion, but so are compromises. In all the years we have been working together, we have learned to deal with it well. And I would think that our songs have become exactly as they should be. That's why you're in a band, you work together.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have something you'd like to highlight that's coming up?
First our new EP will be released soon and then we'll see. We want to play shows and have fun, nothing should stand in our way.
Fredi Volvo, Gloria Volt