InRock Vol. 329 Interview [Translation]

"We are inspired by things like movies, our surroundings, everyday life or just waking up each morning."

Tokio Hotel show their concern for Japan. Representing the band are the brothers, Bill & Tom Kaulitz who kindly agreed to give a telephone interview from Los Angeles at short notice.

Q: How have you guys been?
Bill: We've been writing songs in the studio, launching new projects, stuff like that.

Q: Are you writing new songs for the next album?
Tom: It may or may not be for the next album, we're just writing songs at this stage. We still don't have a defined plan for releasing the new album and we don't know when we will release it. We're just being creative, writing music.

Q: What kind of songs are you writing? Are you singing it in English? Or are they being written in German?
Bill: Right now, the songs are more or less written in English. I don't really know why myself. Just that it comes naturally to me. Besides, we're living in LA now so somehow things tend to get done in English. However we're not sure how we are eventually going to compile the album because we definitely will do songs in German. Since nothing has been decided and we're still at the experimental stage, we're just trying out different things while we put a demo of the songs together.

Q: Does your recording company and management not pressure you to complete the album by a certain date, or are they fairly relaxed about it?
Tom: (laughs) They are not relaxed about it. But we're just staying cool and calm.
Bill: Yup, technically we don't have a deadline. I mean, for me, deadlines are like nightmares. In the creative line, you're trying very hard to produce good work but having to deal with a deadline just messes things up and make its even more complicated. What's more important is the freedom to enjoy doing what you love to do. Even if it seems like making an album is about completing the songs and making detailed preparations, its actually something which need sot come from inside of us. That is why right now we want to take it easy so that we can enjoy new challenges*.

*probably referring to the challenge of creating a new album

Q: So, what kind of challenges are you taking on, what sound are you trying to create?
Tom: That's a surprise we're keeping for the release of the next album. In the first place, we are creating something different everyday. We listen to various kinds of music, and are inspired by different things so it really depends on the mood at each point in time. We're doing this everyday and everyday is a new day.
Bill: That's right. That's why we don't have a definitive sound for the next album.

Q: What kind of music inspires you?
Tom: Its not just music actually. For now I really like the older works by Anthony Hamilton.
Bill: We are also inspired by movies and what's happening around us. Everyday life in a place like LA is very refreshing and therefore inspiring. Just being able to wake up each morning is also an inspiration. But I would say movies play a bigger part. We really like movies. We do go to the theatres or we watch one from our 1000+ dvd collection in our home theater.

Q: Any good films so far?
Bill: The Town was good. I also think The Fighter was really good.

Q: About your life in LA, do you think you are somewhat able to live a more normal life? After all you're kind of "unknown" compared to Germany.
Bill: Well, the both of us came to LA because we wanted some privacy in our lives. Up to this point we've not been able to enjoy much privacy, and it's a bit difficult to achieve that in Europe due to certain circumstances. Therefore, we were looking for a place where we can be free to be creative and at the same time enjoy some privacy. Up till now, we've been on tour and haven't had the time for any kind of life outside of Tokio Hotel. In that sense, LA is quite suitable because things are quite different. The *paparazzi don't know where we live so we've been able to enjoy some privacy and take things a bit easier.
Tom: It doesn't mean that we get to play and party every day. Most of the time, we're cooped up in the studio.
Bill: Yes, **we do need to be cautious at all times.

*Japanese word is unclear, so I'm guessing he's referring to paparazzi
**Bill is probably saying this to mean that if they were out and about and careless, their location would be found out. It took me a while to understand

Q: So is there some kind of everyday routine in your life?
Bill: We're really bad when it comes to routines. That's why we do different things everyday. Other than checking our emails, we're currently busy with several of this year's projects. Its still in the planning phase and we havent got the details down yet. There are various things we'd like to do this year. The best part of our job is having the freedom to do what we want. We really hate routines because when we were young we had to go to school everyday like a routine, and we just hated it but we had no choice.

Q: Finally, do you have any words for the people in Japan?
Bill: Of course. We've been checking the news everyday and staying up-to-date on the latest developments in Japan. I think it's not just us but the whole world knows what's going on and that has deeply moved everybody. I think everyone wants to help in one way or another. Especially in this day and age, I think it's important for the world to unite and help each other out. It's really wonderful to actually see the world giving a helping hand to Japan.
Tom: I was really shocked when I first heard about what happened in Japan. After all it is a country that is special to us. And we were so saddened by the news. So we've been looking out for information about whether the people are alright. On our official website we are selling a button set and the proceeds from the sales will be donated to Japan. I also think our fans would like to play a part in helping out.

Q: Is there a song you would like to dedicate to those who are still feeling down?
Bill: Because everybody is different, it's quite hard to find one thing to say to everybody but if I were to choose from our songs, I would choose "By Your Side" and "Zoom Into Me". Both songs give the assurance that you're not alone and it's a message I would like to emphasize. After all, it makes you feel happy if you know that people around the world feel for you.

InRock Vol.329 [Tokyo, Japan] SCANS;

NHK Educational TV [14.12.2010] [Tokyo, Japan] Tokio Hotel; Reina's Blick TRANSLATION;

Translation
Voice-over: That is Reina's favourite band. The group consists of four young East Germans. It's called "Tokio Hotel". Identical twins Bill and Tom were born in the year of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Their dream was [to play] a concert in far away Tokyo. They already released their first CD when they were teenagers. After that they received countless awards in their home country and abroad. Beyond Germany's borders they also became more well-known worldwide.

*Reina speaking Japanese*

Voice-over: Tokio Hotel were the reason for Reina to also get into the show business. Finally the band's dream came true. Will the band also take Japan by storm?

Tokio Hotel *clinking glasses over meal*: To "Tokio Hotel" in a Tokyo hotel. *jokingly pretending to be drinking something posh* Hmmm.
Bill: Delicious.
Gustav and Tom: Splendid wine.

Voice-over: Here's somebody already waiting to meet them.

Reina: I'm standing in front of a hotel in Tokyo to meet "Tokio Hotel". So come along!

Voice-over: The eagerly awaited meeting with Tokio Hotel is happening.

Bill: Hi. Hello. Hi.
Reina: Hello. Hello.
Bill: Nice to meet you. Bill.
Reina: I know German. I know German.
Bill: Oh. Hi.
Tom: Tom.
Reina: Hello. Good morning.
Bill: Good morning.
Reina: Erm, I've lived in Vienna [Austria] for four years [until] three years ago.
Bill: Ah.
Reina: Exactly. That's why I know you and I was really a big fan of yours.
Tom: Very good. Thank you.
Bill: Oh, thank you very much.
Voice-over: Reina, it's okay to touch!
Reina: So, you're called "Tokio Hotel" and I've heard that you've always wanted to play in Tokyo.
Bill: Oh, it's quite unusual to be speaking German again.
Georg: Yes.
Bill: Erm, actually it was a bit like we set ourselves a goal with it as well. That's why we chose Tokyo as a city because we thought "Ok, that's really far enough. That's out of reach." Above all it also sounds good somehow. Like, the sound [of it] was also important to us.
Reina: And after all you're one of the most successful bands. Well, of the German bands from the past 20 years.
Bill: It was really a total fluke that it ended up being so successful. We've definitely got the advantage that we really are a band that formed totally naturally. Meaning, we really got to meet each other on our own and we're also just really good friends. I think that's just one of the things that one, erm... that definitely connects us to each other and it's also what makes it a bit special.

*"Durch den Monsun" live at Tokyo showcase*

Voice-over: Their average age is 22 years. Reina prepared something to get to know the young stars better.

Reina *presenting pink box*: That's got, like, pieces of paper inside and there's a keyword written on each one.
Bill: Okay. *getting first piece of paper out of box, reading it out* "holiday"
Reina: What are you doing? What would you do if you had a week's holiday starting tomorrow?
Bill: I'd immediately book a plane ticket to the Maldives.
Tom: Yes. When we're on holiday then it's always about relaxing and [doing] nothing... not making any efforts so to speak. And that's why we were lying around the Maldives and actually didn't do anything, except maybe jet skiing every now and then.
Georg *picking next piece of paper*: The next one? "pet"
Reina: I've heard all of you have got pets.
Tokio Hotel: Yes.
Reina: Namely… dogs?
Bill: Dogs. And many at that. Tom and I have got four.
Reina: Four?!
Bill: Tom and I have got four dogs, yes. That was always such a coincidence. We basically wanted to save them from the animal shelter and wanted to somehow protect them a bit and actually find a new place for them.
*Georg laughing*
Bill: And the thing that's always happening is that you no longer give them away once they've been with you and so it's four [dogs] by now. However, I could also imagine [to have] more dogs.
Reina: I see.
*up next: "die Deutschen" – "the Germans"*
Bill: For example, Tom and I are always very punctual. I hate waiting and I'm very impatient. Well, like... I think, it's... That's also a little something that Germans are said to be. That they're always very, very punctual.
Reina: What's so good about German?
Bill: Of course it's our mother tongue. So one's got a special bond to it. Needless to say, right? And erm, that's why being able to speak German the way we are with you now naturally just makes us happy from time to time when we're so far away [from home]. That really is something special then.
Tom: Quite good, yes.
Voice-over: Super, Reina!

Voice-over: The band members attract a great deal of attention in the music industry and fashion world.

Reina: And today I've got […] for you.
Voice-over: Which one of Tokyo's trends does the popular model Reina recommend?
Bill: Are they real?
Reina: No, they're not real.
Bill: Ow, that's good!
Reina: They aren't real.
Georg: [That's] for the car, right? To, erm... [attach] to the mirror.
Reina *laughing*: No, that's not for the car.
Bill *snatching the black one out of Georg's grasp*: I want the black one!
Reina: [It's] not for cars. Erm, that's like… you put it here for example.
Voice-over: She's giving the band foxtail tags that are popular with high school girls.
*talking underneath voice-over*
(Bill: […] these things totally […] but that's not real?
Reina: The fur isn't real. Of course [not].
Bill: Oh, that's good.)
Tom *looking at foxtail*: But you're sure [it's not]?
Bill: And as an earring, Georg. *holding it up to Georg's ear*
*Georg teasing Gustav*
Gustav *telling him off*: Georch! Get away… get that away.
Bill: Many thanks.
Reina: You're very welcome.

Voice-over: In the end the band members revealed their motto in life.
*Bill writing*
Tom: Yes. Whoo.
Bill *holding up what he wrote down*: Is it readable?
Reina *reading it out*: "Live every second". Yes, [it's readable].

Tom: […] and often have to remind myself that I really… that one really has to do it because… Meaning, very often it's just a case of working so much that one, erm... yes, [that one] no longer thinks about enjoying and living every second.
Bill: So sometimes one has to remind oneself: "We're in Tokyo right now!", right?
Reina: Yes, exactly.
Bill *turning around, looking out of window*: One has to look outside the window from time to time and to then realise once again: "Wow!"

Voice-over: Today a dream came true in Tokyo. [It was] memorable from the first second on.
Translation by THUKST  

New photos of Tom and Bill Kaulitz Peta Photoshoot;

Skating Rink; [Tokyo, Japan] [11.02.2011] Tokio Hotel 3 new pics;

InRock Vol.328 [Tokyo, Japan] New SCAN;