01	am Anfang...						01:10
	02	Ganz oder gar nicht						03:10
	03	Kalter Glanz						03:52
	04	In meiner Erinnerung						03:23
	05	Mein Todestag						04:09
	06	Kopfkino						03:54
	07	Das Schonste Lied der Welt						04:21
	08	Mit mir allen						04:30
	09	Gewissen						04:24
	10	Oh, Fortuna						03:27
	11	So Ein Wind						03:31
	12	Auf der Suche						04:41
	13	Kopfkino (dkay.com - remix)						04:57
	14	Reih Dich ein						03:44
	15	Kopfkino (radiogram-remix)						03:52

Irond - Vieklang Musikproduktion


Interview: Letzte Instanz


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I had the pleasure of speaking with Robin (Lead Singer) of Letzte Instanz on Nov. 28th in Marburg, Germany before their concert at KFZ. I had a recording set up to help transcribe the interview, but I did not hit the record button. So, I lost the whole interview and had to write really quickly what I could remember. Luckily, we conducted the interview in English and everything was understandable. So, this is basically the same as the interview, but the text in most places is not Robin's own words. Please forgive me. There is still a lot of information. - Joe 29.11.03


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DML: A person who has never heard your music comes up to you and asks about it. How would you describe your music to them?
(Wie wьrdet Ihr jemanden Eure Musik beschreiben, der sie noch nie gehцrt hat?)
Robin: I have been asked this many times. I can only describe it as rock. It is too difficult to describe our music. It is a mix of a lot of styles. Rock, Classical, a little Rap, Folk-Music. It is very difficult.

DML: Could you tell us a little about how Letzte Instanz came into existence?
(Kцnnt Ihr uns ein wenig ьber die Anfдnger von Letzte Instanz erzдhlen?)

Robin: It started in 1996. It came from another band called "Resistance". I was not a member of the band at the beginning. I am here since 5 or 5_ years. We've had members change since then too. That is the short history.

DML: How did you come up with the name Letzte Instanz?
(Wie kommt Ihr auf den Namen Letzte Instanz?)

Robin: It was taken from a newspaper, like many other bands do. They were looking in the paper and saw many options, but Letzte Instanz just stood out more than the other choices. You know what Letzte Instanz means? Last instance. It was the best choice at the moment. Since I am not in the band at that time, this is only what I have heard from the older members.

DML: What artists, if any, have influenced your music?
(Welche Musiker haben Euch beeinflusst?)

Robin: A lot. Every bands have a lot of influences. We heard a lot of music when we were younger. Music like Depeche Mode and other music like this. We also heard music like Bach. Then later came the Heavy Metal sound. These things I think have influenced us.

DML: Who writes the music? Who writes the text?
(Wer schreibt die Musik? Und die Texte?)

Robin: It comes from a computer or papers to the rehersal room where we mess with the guitars and other instruments. We then listen to what sounds good and us that. The text is put in later. I write the text.

DML: Why have you decided to write your text in German when most bands now-a-days write there text in English?
(Warum habt Ihr euch fьr deutsche Texte entschieden?)

Robin: I think because it is my language. And, I like to be able to understand music when I listen to it. I think this is the same with most people. Although most music here is in English, I think the people like to understand once in a while. It is also better for me. I can put my feelings forward better than with English.

DML: How has Letzte Instanz changed since the beginning 7 years ago?
(Welche verenderrungen gab es bei Euch seit Eure Grьndung vor 7 Jahren?)

Robin: A lot, We've got new members since the beginning. We have a new drummer and a new bass player since recently. So, a lot has changed.

DML: Where do you see Letzte Instanz 5 years from now? 10 years from now?
(Wo seht Ihr Letzte Instanz in 5 Jahren? Oder 10 Jahren?)

Robin: That is a hard one. I can't really say because a lot can change in 5 years. I think that it depends on what is happening in the world in 5 years. This effects all music. I don't even want to try thinking 10 years from now.

DML: Are there any plans for a music video of any of the songs from the new album, "Gцtter auf Abruf"?
(Plant Ihr ein Video von einen der Songs auf dem Album "Gцtter auf Abruf" zu machen?)

Robin: We have played over 300 concerts now, so I think we will make a live video using these. Not so like a movie, but more live.

DML: Do any of you have a side project? If so, what are they called and what is your role?
(Habt jemand von Euch noch andere Projekte? Wenn ja, dann erzдhlt uns davon.)

Robin: Yes, most of us do. Our drummer has another band and I do some of my own stuff. I try to make my own CD. I also like to do theatre. So there is that too.

DML: Before Letzte Instanz, were any of you in other bands?
(In welchen Bands habt Ihr vor Letzte Instanz gespielt?)

Robin: Yes, all come from other bands. Except for our bass player. He is the new guy. I have been, since I started music, in about 7 bands now. That's a lot.

DML: I've noticed that a lot of Pop & Rap groups are doing very well here in Germany. What is your opinion on the current music scene here?
(In der kurze Zeit, der ich hier bin feil mir auf das ist hier viele erfolgreiche Pop & Rap Gruppe gibt. Wie bewerdet Ihr die deutsche Musik Szene?)

Robin: I don't think it is good. Everything is being made for commercial. To be famous you must play what they tell you. This isn't good because you cannot play what you want to.

DML: Personally, what bands/groups/singers do you listen to?
(Was hцrt Ihr selbst fьr Bands?)

Robin: That changes every year. Right now I listen mostly to experimental electronic music. The types I listen to are not hard and loud, just bands messing around to see what can be done.

DML: What are your hobbies and favorite past-times besides making music?
(Was macht Ihr wenn Ihr keine Musik macht?)

Robin: Not much. Music is the best hobby. I do like to read. Its very good to read. I also like to walk around. I really like nature and trees. When the sun is out and I am inside, I go out and walk. It is refreshing and nice to walk in the sun and nature.

DML: Are there any possibilities for releases in America?
(Gibt es eine Mцglichkeit von Verцffentlichungen in den USA?)

Robin: That is very hard because we sing in German. I don't know though because Rammstein has done this and I think some other bands. I cannot remember the names. It is hard because most Americans, except you and your viewers, want to understand the text and so many do not speak German. But it is possible. I don't know when, but it is possible.

DML: When will the US tour start??
(Wann startet Eure US Tour?)

Robin: Haha. Give us some money and we will go. I think it will be very expenisve. You see we have 3 vans outside? I think for America we would need more. It is a big country and vans would be not so comfortable. But, if you want, we will come.



VNA's review of:

LETZTE INSTANZ

Letzte Instanz blew me away in seconds visually and aurally. The music was spectacular and the lead vocalist, Robin had one of the most beautiful voices. Letzte Instanz is a highly sophisticated act, with very fun, young, energetic artists.

Their matching outfits were made of a silky, fuscha-pink fabric. Every aspect they used in their music, worked together.

Their "Intro" has such a beautiful beginning a ballerina could dance to it, until suddenly a big bang in the song changes the mood into great festival music. The seven members bring an assortment of contributions and instruments to the band. Letzte Instanz are Robin Sohn lead vocals, Muttis Stolz violinist, Benni Cellini cello player, Tin Whistle guitarist and vocalist, Markus G-Punk drums, Holly D. vocals, acoustic guitar, schalmei, and sampler. The Letzte Instanz bassist is Rasta F., and on the CD, "Das Spiel...sich im Kreise Dreht" it is Kaspar.

Letzte Instanz played more varied instruments than most bands. With Letzte Instanz everything was refined. This music was not at all experimental. This music was very exceptional and carefully planned out and hard to beat. All of the Letzte Instanz members were very cool to look at. The cello player, Benni had awesome fuscha colored hair. Muttis Stolz on violin was very entertaining, it was hard to take my eyes off of him. Some of the songs were really danceable.

The song, "Das ist Tag" has more of a rap beginning, it is very beat oriented, almost having a heavy metal feel. There is a very chaotic mix of new sounding instruments with modern and folk influenced German vocals. I fell in love with the band. Robin was made up to look like an evil clown, but to me looked like a cute bunny. Robin sang so strong. The whole band was so talented. These were seven impressive, professional musicians working together. Robin's make-up and hair were a little different than the picture we saw of the band on the "Das Speil" CD cover. "Opus #1" has a sweet introduction. It has a swaying slow start that leads into a very fast building violin accompanying beats that make me feel like spinning around. What a dedicated, addicting, highly respected band. I want to listen to them all the time and learn more about them. I am interested in hearing their, "Brachialromantik" CD. The song "Satyr" is like an anthem with a unique chanting chorus.

We watched attentively and everything we saw and heard was so impressive. The band was romantic, metal influenced, always professional and played with extreme accuracy. We searched for the CD and were relieved when we finally held it in our possession.

The CD is so incredibly great. The songs are all so beautiful. The woman who sings guest vocals on the CD is Anne Rosinski.


I would like to translate the German lyrics to English and try to understand the true meaning of Letzte Instanz's songs.



http://www.letzte-instanz.de/






Travis' comments:

Letzte Instanz were up next. Another band I had zero previous aural contact with and the only impression I had was from a quick glimpse of their album cover in a CD store in Berlin the day before. From that cover photo (a bunch of dudes with crazy face paint and dyed hair in front of a cool chaos-type symbol structure but with seven points instead of eight) I was expecting anything from Death Metal to Folk Music:.

In actuality, they were a small bit of both and a lot more. The band consisted of seven guys, the usual band bits of a couple of guitars and drums but then they also had an electric fiddle player and cellist. It was these two dynamic elements plus the lead singer's presence and personality (coupled with talented use of the aforementioned conventional instruments) that won me over within half a song. The fiddle player was a mad-man, leaping and jigging all over the stage while plucking and drawing some fantastic parts. The other string player would have been just as mobile if not needing to sit down while playing his cyber-cello (he made up for his inability to move his body with his head alone).

The lead singer, despite resembling an alien in war-paint at times, had an immediate charisma and an excellent voice. The crowd responded emphatically to every song and the set was done all too soon. I left the pit area very upbeat and immediately wanted to purchase their CD. This band is a true festival band with it's ensemble of instruments and fast-paced energetic songs.

The entire set you fight the urge to do a jig, not just an industrial stomp or metal-style head or arm "bang", but a full on jig, kicking up your heels and flailing your arms about.