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ELOAĦ is an Austrian musical project coordinated by Elmar C. Fuchs. Here is an introduction to the project:
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
ELOAĦ was founded by me (Elmar) in 1995, initially as a solo singer-songwriter project. Over time, what began as a modest personal endeavour evolved into a collaborative project involving musicians from various genres and cultural backgrounds. The band’s name, inspired by the term “eloah”, roughly meaning “comes from above”, reflects its spiritual and creative aspirations.
The evolution of this project into a group effort has allowed us to experiment with various styles and sounds, blending elements of rock, jazz, and new age. Each member brings their unique influences and talents, creating a rich and dynamic musical tapestry. Despite being international and diverse, we have managed to maintain a cohesive identity while adapting to new styles and members over the years.
From the original lineup in the ‘90s, only the saxophone player, Dominik Mittergradnegger, remains a member, though the former guitarist, Peter Jaklitsch, occasionally makes guest appearances on current albums. The present lineup, featuring (next to Dominik and myself) Orion Roos on guitars, Peter Douwenga on bass guitar, Johan van der Meer on drums, and Lila Herderberg on vocals, has remained unchanged for nearly 10 years. Recently, Zarja Medved joined the group on viola and violin.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourself?
ELOAĦ’s music is probably best described as experimental art rock, combining elements of rock, jazz, new age, and improvisation into an idiosyncratic and emotional journey. Our approach to music emphasizes authenticity and emotional connection, aiming to resonate deeply with the audience. We strive to make our sound distinct and idiosyncratic, offering a blend of structured compositions and spontaneous creativity. Our work often pushes the boundaries of genre, creating music that can feel both familiar and innovative. Listeners can expect a musical experience that is deeply reflective and personal, drawing on themes of introspection, human connection, and emotional expression
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
We are currently finalizing the LP version of our latest album, The Book of Pain, which has recently been released digitally and on CD. This album delves deeply into themes of emotional suffering, grief, and resilience, offering listeners a cathartic and immersive experience. Alongside this, we are working on a new project inspired by gospel and jazz, which will be an extension of our previous work into new territory. This upcoming album aims to blend traditional spiritual and jazz elements with our signature experimental style, and we hope to thereby provide our fans with something both fresh and surprising. As always, we try to explore new musical landscapes while staying true to our emotionally driven approach.
Regarding a similar audience, which band out there at the minute do you feel you would be best suited to open for?
Our fusion of diverse genres and their focus on emotional depth make us well-suited to open for bands that prioritize innovation and authenticity. While I don’t have any specific band in mind, I guess our style would resonate with audiences who appreciate experimental music that blends rock, jazz, and other influences. We probably could complement acts that value both technical skill and emotional resonance.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
That would be the bands of our members: MAESTRO, the melodic rock band of Orion Roos also featuring Peter Douwenga; Metal Bats (formerly known as Vortex), also featuring Orion Roos, and LiLa y Geckos, the band of Lila Herderberg.
What frustrates you about the music business?
That would probably be the devaluation of music in the digital age. Low streaming and download prices often fail to reflect the immense effort, artistry, and emotional investment behind each piece. This commodification of music undermines its intrinsic value as a form of artistic expression. I advocate for a fairer compensation model that would better honour the creativity and labour involved in producing music. In general, I would like to see music appreciated as more than just a (cheap) product.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
My earliest musical memories are rooted in classical piano lessons and singing as a child. As I grew older, I taught myself to play the guitar, discovering a profound joy in creating my own songs. A pivotal moment came during an improvisational session with my late friend and musical mentor, Jörg Horner, in the early 1990s. The analog recordings from that session would much later become the album The Mondstein Chronicles Part I – Awaken the Gods. This experience revealed to me the transformative power of music as a means of personal expression and connection. It provided a deep sense of fulfillment, reinforcing my desire to pursue music as a lifelong passion. I believe these early experiences laid the foundation for the formation of ELOAĦ and our commitment to musical exploration.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
That was the melodic rock band of our guitarist Orion Roos, MAESTRO (https://www.bandmaestro.com/ ), performing live in Sneek. As always, their performance was powerful, intense, and exciting.
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
While ELOAĦ focuses primarily on universal themes of human experience, such as emotional connection and introspection, we rarely emphasize specific social issues in our work. Our music aims to resonate on a personal level, fostering empathy and understanding through its exploration of complex emotions and universal struggle. A song that is a distinct exception to this rule would be, for example, “Apostles, traitors and messiahs”, which passionately conveys the social issue of environmental and existential neglect. It serves as a poetic appeal from Earth, urging humanity to reflect on its impact, awaken to its responsibilities, and embrace a path of love, accountability, and renewal. This theme resonates deeply with contemporary challenges like environmental destruction and the search for sustainable living.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
My musical tastes include everything from classical composers like Shostakovich to heavy metal bands and singer-songwriters like Herman van Veen or Reinhard Mey – but I guess what would be surprising most people are the albums of Christian Ide Hintze, an Austrian poet, performance artist, and multimedia poet known for his innovative approach to literature and cross-media forms.
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
I admire artists like Herman van Veen for their extraordinary ability to blend technical mastery with profound emotional depth. His music and performances are a testament to how art can transcend boundaries and connect deeply with the human experience. Van Veen’s versatility as a musician, actor, and performer continually inspires me, as he demonstrates how creativity can flourish across multiple disciplines.
Beyond music, I am deeply passionate about science and martial arts. Science fuels my curiosity and shapes how I understand the world. It’s not just about facts and theories; it’s about the awe of discovery and the beauty of patterns that echo through both nature and art. Martial arts, on the other hand, teach me discipline, resilience, and the importance of balance, both physically and mentally. The precision and focus required in martial arts resonate with my approach to music and creativity, where both skill and emotion must harmonize to create something meaningful.
Together, these passions, music, science, and martial arts, form a triad that provides the basis of my life. They remind me of the interconnectedness of all disciplines and how they can collectively fuel not only artistic expression but also personal growth and understanding.
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
Personally, I’ve been so deeply immersed in the production of The Book of Pain and the initial recordings for its successor that I haven’t actively explored any new music this year. When I wasn’t listening to our own work, I was tuning into online lectures on physics – my other passion.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
Fans can connect with us through our website (https://eloah.at), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/eloahmusicsite/), and YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/ElmarCFuchs). These platforms provide updates on new releases, projects, and other band activities. While we prioritize authenticity over constant online activity, we use social media as a tool to share our music and engage with our audience meaningfully.
