This time during "Electronic Set" tour "De/Vision" visited St. Petersburg as usually. Right there our conversation took place just after the fabulous anniversary show.

Inspire of the sad dark lyrics, the author, Thomas, turned out to be a very positive person and though it was late the interview appeared to be pretty long.

First I would like to thank for this performance, it was really great and thank you for your really great innovative album "Noob".
This year "De/Vision" has had the 20th anniversary, so, please, accept my congratulations!

Yeah, we are old (laughing).

Oh, no! It's great to be on the stage for such a long period.
But your new album is called "Noob". Why? You are not "noobs" in music, particularly in synthpop at all.

Yeah, it's true. We chose that title because for the very first time in our career we accepted somebody who doesn't belong to the band to write songs for us. For the very first time our producers, with which we've worked together for a very long time already, also contributed their very own songs to our music. In the past Steffen and me or when we were 3 persons in the band or 4 persons in the band, only the band members wrote the songs. But for the very first time on "Noob" our producers also wrote songs, that we put on the album. It was a very new way for us, a new way of working. In some kind we felt like noobs.

Did songwriting deal with composing or with lyrics either?

Also the lyrics. When our producer, for example, he writes a melody, a song, and of course it's quite understandable for me that he also has his own words in his mind. We shared the songwriting and the lyrics.

You've chosen a bit electroclash and by implication ironic "Flavour Of The Week" as a promo single, why this track?

Why this track?.. Because everybody liked it.

Yeah, it was seen on the concert, that public really likes this track.

The guys from the record company they liked it, they loved this song from the very beginning. The way we work is, we record the songs, than everybody listens to it, everybody who is involved, the record company guys. Then you choose which could be the next single, the first single. And everybody liked this song from the very beginning, it simply stuck in their minds. We liked it too.

"Noob" is a very beautiful and sad, even melancholic album.

Like all De/Vision's albums... (laughs)

Did you have some kind of the conception, the main idea for this release? How do you feel about this album?

We have a rough conception before we start working. In this case for example, in the case of "NOOB" we decided to go back to the roots, to bring back the 80's feeling. I've talked to many people and everybody told me: "Hey, this is really going back to the 80's". The melodies, it's very easy to understand. I think we reached our goal in accomplishing what we had planned in the beginning.

Do you have any favorites at "Noob"?

I like all the tracks very much. Especially songs like "The Far Side Of The Moon" or "See What I See". We've never played that song live.

"See What I See"?

Yeah, but I think it's one of my absolute favorites on this album.

On "Noob" it is again possible to hear a new experiment with melody, rhythm, sound, especially pad sounds. How do you manage to make innovative things on each of your albums?

I really don't know (smiles). Because when you write a song or lyrics or anything you never think how can I make it innovative. You just write the songs, the melodies. It's interesting sometimes to see what comes out, but it's not really a plan behind it. Like I told you it's a rough plan. You never know what comes out in the end.

In "Obsolete", at the end of the track you used, maybe the first time, some kind of whispering vocal. Was it Steffen's?

Not, it was mine (laughs).

Like in "Summer Sun"? Have you decided to repeat your debut?

Yes. I'm not a big singer, I always feel not comfortable, when I have to sing. This is something I may always do. I tried.

What does the song "Obsolete" lyrically deal with? Is the meaning of "obsolete" close to "old-fashioned"?

That's a very good question. To be honest I have my very own opinion about this song. But I haven't written the lyrics. It was one of the songs from our producers. I have my very own idea about the lyrics and everything. But I did not talk to the author: "What was your intention when you wrote this lyrics?" And I think all the listeners should make up their own minds and think about what it could be.

May the track "The Enemy Inside" be a kind of "My Own Worst Enemy" development? There are two songs about that you are your enemy and should fight with yourself from time to time. Are these songs connected in this case?

No, it's not really a connection, maybe it is, but it was not planned. It's a new song, it's a new idea behind the lyrics, at least for me. But to be honest it's a connection between all the De/Vision's songs. There is some kind of a development. Right now I don't believe in the same things I did 20 years ago. Each album you write is another step towards enlightenment.

Thomas, you said that you like very much "The Far Side Of The Moon". It's a very beautiful metaphor. Does it have any additional meaning in the song?

It was a long time ago. After a while you forget what you wanted to say. Let me go through the lyrics in my head for a second... For me it's a song about loneliness... "A flower cannot bloom on the far side of the moon". I have met many people in my life. A flower needs light to bloom, where there is no light, there is no blooming. For me it's very hard to understand. There are so many people who live without light, they always seem to dwell in the darkness. I'm a very happy person. This is something I cannot really deal with. Although I have to admit, there are times in everybody's life when you feel sad and lonely. No matter what you do, you have to find happiness in yourself. I know a lot of people, they are only happy when they have somebody else. Like a flower they bloom as long as there is someone to rely on. My opinion is you have to find the way to happiness without somebody else. If you always rely on someone else, you will never find true happiness. And this is what is this song for me about. Find the light inside yourself.

When it comes to songwriting, what appears first: music or lyrics?

Music. Always music first... I was asked very often "Don't you write lyrics and then the music to it?" No, it's impossible for me. I need a melody, when I have the music, this music gives you a certain feeling inside. Sometimes a happy, sometimes a sad feeling. Most of the time in De/Vision's songs it's a sad feeling. I need a melody, it gives me an inspiration. This is what I need to write lyrics. I can't just sit and write a poem.

So, music is a source of your inspiration. What else influences on the process of composing, songwriting: films, stories in life?

Everything. Sometimes it's a movie. For example. Do you remember the song "Green-Eyed Monster"? It was a b-side.

Oh, yeah! I remember.

I wrote this lyrics after I watched "Natural Born Killers".

A movie by Oliver Stone?

Yeah. Do you know what the green-eyed monster is? It's jealousy. If you watched the movie. Jealousy is also a very important part of this movie. There is just one scene where Juliette Lewis is at some gas station, she's playing with the guy who is working there. She's very upset because her boyfriend wanted to fuck somebody else, I don't remember it exactly. But it doesn't matter.
Some times a movie is the influence. Most of the time your own feelings, your own experience about life, the upside-downs of life. But sometimes it's just a fucking movie, or a book, or whatever.

Your creativeness, I mean the fascinating fact that you release new album almost each year, is caused by your inner motion, or this inspiration, or something else?

It's quite funny because very often people ask us or me: "Hey, you release an album every one and a half years. How can you do this? It's a very short period". My answer is, I don't think it's too much to write twelve songs, if you take an album, there about twelve songs, in one and a half years. Sorry. How much time do you need to write a song? Two years? This is also a very important fact that we are living from this. We are not "Depeche Mode". They can afford to release an album every five years. They can easily afford this. Probably for four years they sit at the beach and have a good time, and let the sun shine on their faces. And then they go to the studio and write a few songs. We can't afford this. We have to release music in a certain period of time.

But it's great for your fans and listeners!

Yeah. But also I don't think it's too much to write twelve songs in one and a half years. We are musicians. Everybody else who goes working every day, they do this every day. They have to work every day to get their income. So, I don't think it's too much for an artist to write these twelve songs, it's ok.

Is such creative activity connected in any way with the fact you feel satisfaction in your relations with "Drakkar"?

To be honest I don't think about "Drakkar" or anybody else when we write songs. It doesn't matter. That's what we like to do. This is what we have chosen - to be musicians. I don't want to sit at home for two years and do nothing at all. Every human being needs to do something, some kind of activity. Your activity as a musician is to write songs. I don't want to sit at home and enjoy myself and watch TV all the time. We like to write songs. It's our fucking job. We are not getting bored of it.

And it's really great, I think! Your fans and listeners have an opportunity to listen to a new release every year.
Do you keep an eye on european synthpop, electropop scene? What is your view on it? Is it on the rise or vice versa on the decline?

I really don't know. One year everybody tells you that synthpop music is on the rise, the next year it's going down. I'm not sure, I really don't know. To be honest, I don't care about that. All you can do is write your songs, your music. You can't think all the time will it be out of date the next year, or will it be in, modern again. That's not what you are thinking about. There was always an audience for this kind of music. Since synthpop exists, since the very first days of synthpop. There was a crowd for this and it's still a crowd for that. There are still many people who like it, who want to listen to it. And I think it would be like this in the future. I don't think it would be out of time.

Thomas, in 2004 you were a keyboard player at the live show of "In Strict Confidence"...

I was?

Yes, you were, you were in Moscow with "In Strict Confidence".

Oh, yeah, right! (laughs)

(laughing too, but still trying to ask my question) Does this collaboration have any continuation?

It was just for a single show. I did the same for "And One" many years ago on a festival in Sweden. I played as a keyboarder. It was just one-time event. I really like "In Strict Confidence" and I like Dennis very much, he's a very nice guy. But this is not the thing you can rely on. You do it because at that time they needed a keyboarder. There is no big deal behind it.

The show, that was tonight, it's a part of "Electronic Set". And it's dedicated to your anniversary, to your birthday.

Since we started working with a drummer and a guitar player there have always been some fans who hated it. They hated that fact.

Yeah, I heard something like this. That you sound live not like your fans got used to hear you on CD's.

But on the other hand there were also people who said: "No, this is much better than before". I think most of the people they wanted us to be strictly electronic. That's why we decided to do it.

And how many else shows are you planning during this "Electronic Set Tour"?

We've already had many shows. We did US, Southern and Northern America tour this year in February. This when it all started. No-no, it's not true. It started when we were on tour with "Mesh" in England. And we will do this for the rest of the year and maybe even longer.

Just one question about "Mesh" and maybe other musicians. So, we may see Steffen on Mesh's Live DVD "The World's A Big Place" like he is up there in dressing room with guys from "Mesh".

Really? Was it he?

Yes, it was he. I've noticed it once while watching the DVD.
You had some concerts together, like a mini-alliance tour. Are in good relationships, are you friends with "Mesh", maybe with any other synthpop bands?

We know "Mesh", for example, since 1998, since that day they supported us on "Monosex" tour. Of course over the years you have met all the bands, all of them. It doesn't matter who it is, "Melotron" or "Project Pitchfork". You respect each other, try to be friendly and nice to each other.

Let's talk about more general things, which public likes the most :)
What was the last CD that you bought?

It's a very long time ago since I bought my last CD. I buy DVD's all the time. I think the last CD I bought was "Red Hot Chili Peppers".

You spend so much time making music, touring with live shows. Do you have time for any other activities except music?

I hate to say this but I'm doing karate for 20 years. I have my own karate school in Berlin, I have my students. I work with them 3 times a week, when I'm not on tour.

And when you are on tour what happens then?

I do this together with a friend. And when I'm not in Berlin, he is practicing with the students.

So is it also a big part of your life?

It's a very big part of my life. Besides music and my free time, most of the time I'm involved in practising my karate. It doesn't matter if I practise physically and mentally. By reading books, about philosophy and everything like that.

Is it mostly Eastern philosophy?

Yes, Zen Buddhism and things like that.

Are your tattoos connected with your karate activity in any way?

Yeah, I was always interested in Asian culture, philosophy. And that's why I have so many dragons. I love dragons. A dragon is a symbol of strength, of power of fortune and wealth.

Do you spend a lot of time in the Internet?

No.

And what about "My Space"?

No, Steffen is doing all the "My Space" stuff. I don't know why, but I even hate writing e-mails. I don't like that. I check my e-mail maybe once a month. So every time I look into my e-mail, whenever I come there. It's almost bursting. And I think: "Oh, my God, I hate this". And I most of the stuff. I'm not a fan of this Internet culture. These chat rooms and everything. I rather go out and meet people. This is much more interesting to me than sitting in front of the computer, writing e-mails and writing statements in the forum.

Your music, as you even told, is very sad and even dark. But, Thomas, you are very positive, calm, and even pacified. What is your secret?

I don't know I've been always like this. I'm always looking forward. That's what Buddhism has taught me. Don't look back, live right here, right now. But when it comes to music it's much more interesting to write about the dark sides of life. When you're happy, you don't think too much. Because when you are happy you just enjoy life. When you're not happy, when you are in a dark mood, all kinds of things go through your mind. And you think why you are feeling so bad. So to me it's much more interesting to write about this kind of stuff than about happy sides. Sometimes I have to write about happy times.

Even have?

Yes, sometimes I have to. But I think the most interesting songs are about dark sides.

What are your plans according to the nearest future? May your fans expect the release of a new album, a new single, a live DVD or any compilation?

Of course a new album next year. I don't know exactly when, but we have a plan to release an album next year. But don't ask me which kind of musical style it will be. I really don't know.

No, I just wanted to ask if you have any material for your new album.

Not yet. Not a single song. We have been lazy (laughs).

No, you've been touring a lot (smile).

Yes, doing live shows. So far we didn't have time to write new songs, we have some ideas. But we have to wait and see what comes out.

What about the remix contest that is held now will the works of the winners be included in any compilations, like "The Best Of", "Zehn"?

At least the winner remix will be released I don't know where or when, but it will be released. This is a nice idea. It's great for the fans to become a part of the band in a way. We have to wait and see. I hope there will be some nice remixes.

In closing, Thomas, please, say some words to your belarusian fans including me.

Hey, thank you for supporting us all these years and for listening to "De/Vision". I hope all the fans will be satisfied with what we will release in the future (laughs). And hopefully we'll meet one day...

In Minsk?

In Minsk, for example. Yeah.

Thank you so much for the interview and for being so patient :)

Yes, Thomas's patience is enviable, cause it's almost 2 AM. Inspire of an intensive day and forthcoming early waking up I feel rather positive. Maybe I adopted Thomas's positive during the conversation.

Anyway at that moment I did want the meeting between "De/Vision" and belarusian fans to take place.