1. Wehmut was launched in 2021. Why did you decide to create this new project? Why did you choose the name Wehmut, and what does it refer to?
I chose the name right after i recorded “Catharsis”, i wanted to find a term that resonated with me and the music i do and the term “Wehmut” seemed to fit perfectly. I’d say “Wehmut” is a term to describe the emotional pain felt from remembering things that were once percieved as joyful, but with time, have become sad and painful.
2. Are there any problems with the other project also called Wehmut in Germany? How do you manage to work with Boötes Void and Wehmut?
I was a little bit worried, because right after the first album got uploaded to BMPs youtube channel, i noticed that there is another project called “Wehmut”, that is not only also in Germany, but also from the same federal state as me :D. I think when “II: Winter” came out, he made a facebook post saying something like “haha, nice, there’s another wehmut now, not me btw but check it out”, so i think there aren’t any problems.
I’d say that right now, doing Wehmut and Boötes Void simultanously works out pretty well, i’m always learning and developing as a musician and a person, which makes handling both easier with time.
3. You've just released your fifth album, "IV: Sommer," continuing your trend of releasing almost an album per year. How did you approach the songwriting process for this fifth album? How do you think your sound has evolved compared to "III: Frühling," released last year? What brands of instruments did you use in the process?
The songwriting process for wehmut has always been driven by intuition and emotion, rather than intention or artistic ambition. So i never approach it in way like “what do i wanna do now?”. I try to write the songs as instictively as possible, so when i’m emotionally driven by something or when i am inspired by something that emotionally resonated with me, i start recording ideas as i feel them. I then decide which ideas to keep or not, based on how well i feel they communicate the emotions that went into “writing” them. I guess i wanted a bit more of a wall of sound effect on this one compared to the last one, but that really wasn’t a directly made decision, kinda just happened :D. Since “II: Winter”, i’m using a Harley Benton “Telecaster” for rhythm and a Squier Jazzmaster for lead guitars, since “III: Frühling” i record guitars using my pedals instead of plugins, which is a lot more fun to me, and i think it has only helped my creative process in general.
4. The new album maintains that melancholic, almost depressive tone, while dejection and anger also play a prominent role, successfully conveying a sense of anguish and pain through a depressive and almost all-consuming atmosphere. How would you describe the sound of the new album to someone who hasn't heard it yet? What inspired you to compose it?
I’d describe it as a warm wall of sound, but that’s just me. I just really wanted to use my pedalboard for recording the next album, because i love my reverb pedals so much, so i guess the joy of playing inspired the sound of the album in a way.
5. In a way, your lyrics have always had a soothing effect on you, as expressing your problems and experiences in them serves as a form of self-acceptance. How do you approach writing lyrics? What specific themes do you explore in the new album?
Honestly, that’s quite hard for me to awnser, not because it’s too personal or something, but because i don’t put too much thought into how i’m writing lyrics. Oftentimes when i’m on the bus or the train i reflect on whatever needs reflection in the moment. Sometimes i catch myself thinking something i want to remember for myself, i try to put in into words and sentences, which then often become lyrics. Sometimes i try to make them rhyme, sometimes it works better if i just speak freely. Now, in IV: Sommer specifically, i speak about the pain of unfulfillable expectation, comforting oneself after decades of endured abuse, healing through friendship, healing through love and affection, letting go of old sorrows and acknowledging that it’s okay to feel insecure every now and then.
6. A project as personal as Wehmut doesn't lend itself to many external collaborations or different perspectives. Is that why you handle the mastering, mixing, and recording yourself, or haven't you found the right person to take care of it yet?
Yes, the project being very personal definetly plays a part in this. But it’s also the joy i feel when i record, write, mix or master music, so in a sense it’s for fun.
7. Since Wehmut's history is closely intertwined with that of Naturmacht Productions, how did this partnership come about, allowing you to work on the release and re-release of their latest works?
After i released II: Winter digitally, Naturmacht wrote me per email, saying that the album sounded great, asked if i would like to consider joinig the label and said that my music would be a ggood fit. Since then i can only say how grateful i am for this collaboration, and that i couldn’t be happier right now 😊
8. The title of your latest album refers to summer. Why did you choose the photograph that illustrates the album, and what does it represent for you?
I made that when i was on a walk and i saw how nicely the ivy was lit by the sun. Grand landscapes are always nice, but i felt like this little scenery was so beautiful and layered, that i felt like it’s a perfect fit. It’s supposed to show the beauty nature can hold even in these small scales. Thematically for the album, it represents how even the tiniest positive aspects of your life can give you the energy to survive and eventually make it to a better place mentally.
9. How does Wehmut's themes and style fit into the dynamics of the other band you belong to, in this case, Boötes Void? Have you ever considered bringing Wehmut to the stage?
It doesn’t really fit for me at all to be honest, that’s why they’re two seperate projects/bands. I have played a few shows live with wehmut before, then considered to leave it as a studio project only, only to realize that this decision was driven by insecurity and not determination. So that’s why i want Werhmut to be a Band, to bring the music to the stage and to contribute something to the landscape of live music.
10. How would you describe the current black metal scene in Germany? What bands similar to Wehmut would you recommend?
To be completely honest, i don’t know exactly. I haven’t felt comfortable in this scene for quite a while now and with black metal heads being “well duh, that’s the point” i stopped caring about it. I do love the music still, even though i don’t listen to it as much as i used to. I can only recommend listening to whatever you like 😊
11. How did you get started in music? What were the first concerts you attended? What were the first albums you bought? What event in your life pushed you to want to be a musician?
My first band was a Death n Roll band, similar to Six Feet Under or Debauchery from Germany, which was just an excuse to hang out together, do some fun stuff and party haha. But at some point, i felt how this music thing is rewally fulfilling to me, so i wanted to pursue it a bit more sertiously. Around that time, i discovered Deafheaven’s “Sunbather” and Mgła’s “Exercisdes in Futility”, which inspired me to do “black metal”. After discovering Alcest, i was inspired to make emotionally honest music in my own way. Todaqy i want to detach myself from these musical inspirations as good as possible, but i guess to some degree it’s inevitable to avoid musical influence when creating music.
12. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What are the most recent albums you've bought?
In my opinion, the overall best Black Metal project out there is Paysage d’Hiver and “Im Wald” is his magnum opus. To me, no other artist captures the essence of black metal this well. “Schnee” and “Das Tor” are also among my favourites. I Haven’t bought a record in a LONG time, so i guess i have to go visit the record store again, thank you for reminding me :D
13. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Wehmut fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
You’re welcome 😊 Also thanks to everybody who’s readingg and listening, after this series of Albums i want Wehmut to become a Band where i join creative forces with my good friend and second guitarist Ali, who actually wrote “Gedankenwanderung” and “ Alles wird enden, auch der Schmerz”. We will play live every now and then, for now let’s just see where the journey takes us :D.
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