Days Of Sorrow interview: ‘We mainly use the equipment and sounds we used in the 80s’
Days Of Sorrow
With the German band Days Of Sorrow, we dive back into the magic of the 1980s. Days Of Sorrow was already active during that decade before disappearing a few years later. Yet some bands never truly vanish; they continue to linger in the collective memory of the fans, waiting for the right moment to come back to life. Apparently, the musical spark had never completely faded within the band itself either, because now they are back. Founded in Germany in 1981 by William Lennox and André Schreiber, Days Of Sorrow gained recognition through their melancholic, synth-driven songs, immortalized on releases such as “Remembering The Days” (1984) and “Wild World” (1986).
More than three decades later, Days Of Sorrow returned with renewed energy and a clear artistic vision. Since their reunion in 2018, Days Of Sorrow has proven to be far more than a nostalgic revival. With the album “Soulmate Sister”, the EP “No Fear”, and numerous live performances, the group has steadily built a compelling second chapter in its career. This year, that chapter was further strengthened with the release of “Raptures” available via Mots Music.
“Raptures” is a brilliant opus in which Synth-Pop, enriched with subtle EBM elements, unfolds across ten outstanding tracks. Personally, I consider it one of the finest releases I have heard in recent years within the broad spectrum of Electro-Pop. I had the pleasure of speaking with William Lennox about Days Of Sorrow’s past, present, and the creative journey that led to this remarkable new album. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)
Days Of Sorrow interview
Q: The origins of Days Of Sorrow date back to the very beginning of the 1980s, but the project came to an abrupt halt nearly 40 years ago, only to be revived a few years ago. How do you look back on the young musicians you were back then and on what you achieved at the time? And how did the reset or restart with the current lineup come about?
William: Back then we were hungry for the music we loved and given the opportunities with affordable synths and drum machines we enjoyed experimenting all aspects. The result was a reflection of our state of mind, feeling and the environment we lived in, with Dortmund being a very industrial area back then. We didn´t particular look on any achievement rather than the excitement and new experiences of getting the chance to produce music, making a record and playing live.
After all this time Andrè (bass and keys) and myself met again. Talking about music and the time in the 80´s, we soon found out that we were still in love with this kind of music and atmosphere it represents. But we didn´t just wanted to replicate this but take it further, meaning writing new songs, making new records. We took Frank (keys) on board, an old friend and producer from that time and recorded “Soulmate Sister”.
Unfortunately, André had to quit out for personal reasons and we then asked Kati and Jojo to join us with their talent, resulting in the EP “No Fear” and the album “Raptures”.
Q: I can hardly imagine that Days Of Sorrow completely stopped making music for almost 40 years. What happened in the meantime, and how did you experience the evolution of Electronic music, both in terms of production and the way people listen to it? To what extent has all of this influenced your current collaboration and composition process?
William: Well, I didn´t leave the music business. After Days Of Sorrow I played in several bands and genres living in London and then partnering a music production company in Berlin. Sure, counting back from those days Electronic music has been taking over the dance floors more and more and its variety of styles and combinations has become countless. From my point of view it has become a lot easier to produce today then it has been in the 80´s.
No more studio bookings, just a DAW should do the trick today, still it´s a good thing to still know the tricks from the old days. In terms of live shows I think it has become very minimal, not musically but band wise. You see a lot of artists as a two piece on stage which is a lot easier for travel and production costs… just ask the promoters. As we still mainly perform as a four piece it has become harder to plan dates and tours.
Coming back to the composition process, yes there is a different approach. There is no longer a process of hooking up with ideas in a rehearsal room, we do songwriting in our own little studio and take it from there. The one thing that hasn´t changed is that we mainly use the equipment and sounds we used in the 80´s.
Q: Since the Days Of Sorrow rebirth, “Raptures” is already your second album. How do you look back on the previous album, “Soulmate Sister”, and the transition or evolution toward “Raptures”? What were the main ideas, inspirations, or triggers that ultimately brought “Raptures” to life?
William: “Soulmate Sister” was a good starting point for us to get going again and see what we could do as a three piece. From then on it was ideas coming from all angles getting them into our music. “Raptures” is a continuation of this whole process. It´s still the same mindset as in the early days but with a perspective of a different age, obviously both with ours and the ever-evolving world.
Q: “Raptures” remains an album with strong 1980s connotations. Was this a conscious artistic choice, or is that 80s DNA simply part of who you are? And, more importantly, what kind of Days Of Sorrow album did you ultimately want to create?
William: It is absolutely both, its ‘Who We Are’! We wanted to strike a balance between simplicity and modern production without sounding too overwhelming. Keeping in mind that we still use the sounds of the old equipment it was the natural way to go.
Q: I actually haven’t found much detailed information about “Raptures”. Is this Days Of Sorrow album especially personal or intimate, or is there a deeper layer hidden within the lyrics and the title itself? Also, how did the relationship between music and lyrics develop? Did the music inspire the lyrics, or did the lyrics shape the music?
William: “Raptures” is our feeling of excitement, an explosion of emotions when it comes to the music. The songs express somewhat the emotions and views on ourselves and the worldly environment, state of times, just like in the 80´s. Only this time in a more mature way including the experience of all these years, you can´t deny that you have aged. We have changed, so has the world, but our overall perspective is more or less the same.
In production and writing I like to play with rhythms, sounds and melodies. Most of the times a lyric and theme idea then comes along with it.
Q: What were the key phases in the creation of this new Days Of Sorrow album, and what were the biggest challenges or obstacles you had to overcome along the way? And how did you work together as a band to bring everything to fruition?
William: As a matter of fact, it’s a very simple process. Two things though are very essential, time and state of mind. If you can bring those together then you are on your way to get creative and the basics laid down. In these times we are happy that I have a small studio to work in.
Distance is not that big of a problem, as for instance I can send the basics over to each and everyone for input. In the end we just have to fit the ideas together. I also like to be in a studio with all of the band, but that is not really an option, logistics, expenses for studio time, etc. are not something that goes well with an underground band.
Q: In the meantime, Days Of Sorrow has also returned to performing live. How have those experiences been so far, and how do you approach translating the studio production and atmosphere of the songs to the stage?
William: I´m sure that everyone loves playing live… and, so do we. We´ve been doing this for four years now since our revival and its absolutely great. Making new and meeting old friends while playing your heart out, yes that´s a big, big reason for making music after all. It’s natural that on a recording part of the energy remains in the can, live is where you can release and perform of what the song and your personality is all about, and again this is really ‘Who we Are’, the first single of the album “Raptures”!
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
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