EMQ’s with Tales of Mike
EMQ’s with Tales of Mike
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with German Epic Doom project, Tales of Mike. Huge thanks to project founder/ Guitarist/ Vocalist, Michael Heß, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us something about the history of the band?
My name is Michael Heß. I do all the musical elements in Tales of Mike except for the guitar solos and vocals. I’ve got great support from the brilliant guitarist Henrik Schaller and the phenomenal vocals of Gonzalo Civita.
My project was born out of the motivation to make a tribute song for my brother. This became the Landscape of Sorrow-EP, which I completed together with Gonzalo Civita (HeleH, Tribal) and Henrik Schaller.
How did you come up with your band name?
Since all the songs seemed different from each other during the demo phase, at the end of 2022, I decided to name the band Tales of Mike, because every song tells its own story. That was the perfect name for me. I have been in contact and friends with musicians all over the world for years. And for them, I’m just Mike. That’s why it’s called Tales of Mike.
Which country/region are you from and what is the metal/rock scene like there?
I actually grew up in Leverkusen/Germany for most of my youth and adult life. There was a metal scene there at the time, in which my brother was active with his bands Ametropie and Inui. I moved to the countryside years ago to have some peace and quiet. There is no scene here and probably only a handful of people who listen to metal.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
The current release is the Landscape of Sorrow-EP, which was even released as a limited CD by Fetzner Death Records & Schattenpfade Support Circle. If you’re still looking for one, you’ll have to hurry. There are only two CDs left on my Bandcamp page and Fetzner Death Records only has a few left either. I’m glad that other people liked the EP so much.
Who have been your greatest influences?
I’ve been listening to musical influences since 1983. I’ve been listening to metal since then and have actually experienced all phases. My brother influenced me a lot with his guitar playing. Aggressive, melodic and still a bit catchy. All of that is what influenced me for Tales of Mike.
What first got you into music?
I have also been playing the electric guitar for over 20 years and due to a sad event in my circle of friends, I became active and started recording for the first time at the end of 2022.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I think it would be the doom metal band HeleH. Their first album is great and I could imagine that because the two HeleH members Gonzalo Civita and Matias Takaya are also connected with Tales of Mike. Gonzalo is the singer and Matias is the producer of
Tales of Mike. We know each other very well when it comes to music and I could imagine that that would work out fairly well.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Since Tales of Mike is primarily just a studio project, this question doesn’t really concern me. If I had to choose one, I would call it Keep it True. Because I’ve always felt like I belonged to the underground and bands from my youth often play there.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I haven’t received any personal gifts yet. But what I think is great is that someone made a fan video for RIP (Landscape of Sorrow). I was really touched and realized that our music touches other people too.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for supporting our music so much and helping to carry sorrow across the landscape with this tribute EP. We made my brother a “memory for eternity”. This was my goal.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Warrel Dane because he was an extraordinary person and singer. I would love to talk to him. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to talk to him on the Power of Metal tour in 2010.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I have met a lot of great people. That’s the positive side. And the support of all underground sites or magazines for reviews and interviews was just wonderful and encouraging . Thank you for that, and that’s what I call underground.
I wouldn’t say that I hate anything. Then I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the beautiful things about music.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I haven’t been in the industry long enough for that. Ask me again in a few years.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Nevermore – “Dreaming Neon Black”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I buy everything, if a band hasn’t released physical I’ll gladly take the download to support the band.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Since I don’t play live, only my wife and daughter can answer that, hahaha!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Music has always been the most important thing in my life, right after my family. If I didn’t produce music anymore, then I’d just listen to it just like I have for the last 41 years.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
To personally thank everyone for the great collaboration on the EP, I would like to invite everyone who was involved in the EP. Let’s see if that can be realized one day.
What’s next for the band?
We’re currently working on the first Tales of Mike album. The first single “Human Masquerade” is out on October 4th. Get ready!
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
I’ll leave you the link tree here. Everything important can be found there. Thank you very much. Tales of Mike | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
Wow, good question. I’ve been to London a few times and I think I’ve had bap there. I love British breakfast!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Yes, first of all I would like to thank you for your support! I enjoyed answering the questions. And thank you to all the interested readers who read the interview to the end. Keep your eyes and ears open. The “Human Masquerade” is coming with full force!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
