Adrian Hates answers Alexandra "Mad Al" Abanina questions.

- What are your plans re the next Diary of Dreams album? Any novelties to be introduced?

"Well, the new album "One of 18 Angels" has been released in february this year and so far we have spend all our concentration on promoting this CD. The next album is not really in our minds yet, we are right now planning a maxi-cd for autumn."

- In one of Diary of Dreams songs you used a sample from Queensryche's "Operation : Mindcrime" album. Do you listen to progressive music like Queensryche or Dream Theater?

"No, not really, a friend gave me a sample tape he put together, but he didn't remember where that sample came from, still I used it. I love the sample, the athmo is great! I am not really familiar with that band at all, I really only like old Slayer, some Metallica and Paradise Lost from the rougher guitar edge, it is not my main interest."

- What does your side project Adrian Hates sound like (alas, we are not likely to find it here!)?

"Well, I do not know yet, it is far not done. I have three side-projects I am working on, neither one is done! Maybe I should concentrate on one :-)"

- Do you plan to go on playing in Diorama? Is it a long-term project or just an experiment?

"To be precise, I never was a member of that band. Torben is a great friend and I will help wherever my help is needed or wanted, but his first album for instance was simply produced by me and adorned with some guest appearances by myself, but the songs are his, he composed and created the music. I would say I gave it the final touch and the glance, that's it! He will release his second album in november 2000, so far I did not put my fingers on his work, but who knows............all I can say, what i heard was overwhelming!"

- What music did you listen to when a child? And now?

"I listened to mostly classical music due to my parents, as soon as I had my own pocket money I spent it all on typical 80ies synth bands, I always loved electronic sound sources, but on the other hand never lost my great love to classical instrumentation's either. Kraftwerk, Howard Jones, Front 242, OMD, Depeche Mode to name a few. But also the typical old Goth-School did not leave me without paying attention to that development! I am a great friend of many different styles and still keep it that way. From Paradise Lost (old and new) to Kate Bush, from Massive Attack to Front 242 and all my other old favs, but of course my greatest love is preoccupied by my own label bands, because I only sign what my heart beats for."

- Before the fall of Berlin wall, what part of Germany did you live in? Did the fall of the wall influence you somehow?

"I lived west, I am happy I did and I think it is sad to keep so many people as blinded prisoners. Of course the fact that the wall came down changed the life for every German citizen. I play live in the eastern part of Germany quite often, I enjoy the audience a lot, I love the old cities, the old buildings and even though our economy could be better at the moment, I am sure it was the right thing to finally be reunited."

- What is your favorite German city/town? What masterpieces of architecture and historical buildings does it have?

"My favorite city here is my home city, the place where I was born, Duesseldorf. A very nice, clean and friendly city. I love the mixture of the architecture and even the modern buildings are able to get my respectful attention. I love the contradiction between the old masterpieces and the new abstract buildings. We have a lot of highly respected buildings here, towers, gates and a few skyscrapers even. I don't know which one to claim as the masterpiece, come, visit, see and judge yourself. "

- What have you heard about Russian culture in general? What Russian music have you heard?

"To be honest, my knowledge on that is not the greatest. I am hungry to get to know more, always eager to learn, but the reason probably is that I have not been to Russia yet. When I go on tour or on vacation in a foreign country I always sit down and study the history of the country, the culture, the habits, the population and the present state. Russia seems to be an amazing country and I hope to get the opportunity to visit soon, because of course we know political facts and changes, we hear about the history and culture of the country, but don't get me wrong if I say this, it is the people that interest me, not the image of a country not the reputation it has, it's the people on the street, the culture of the humans that live in the country that interest me. Background knowledge is important, but not essential when it comes to humans meet. I am sure you live in a beautiful and highly interesting country."

- What do you think about modern art (painting, architecture, etc.) Do you support the idea of decadence in culture?

"I am personally more into classical art. A lot of the modern art has more of a personal vision, rather than skills. Art is for me an ability to create, of course that can be anything, but my taste is a bit limited when it comes to art, I guess. I am tolerant though, I respect every artist. Modern architecture, esp with chrome, metal, industrial and raw looking easily gets my attention though. Glass wood and metal are fantastic material to combine, inside and outside of a building. Please keep in mind though that I am more than busy working with music, I suppose I am not the right person to have discussions about art with, my knowledge is limited. "

- What do you think about Internet?

"Regarding the fact that I spent between 10 and 14 hours a day in the net I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand I really enjoy it, I love the new possibilities and the new ways of promoting and advertising my label products and my own music. I love the fact that I can have direct contact with so many friends of my work all over the world, that I can exchange feelings, thoughts and opinions with them and that I have managed to find a lot of new business partners that lead us to well working and successful collaborations, but on the other hand I noticed that the importance of a computer has gained so much attention and nessesarity that you are not able to work without it. Also, the computer with the internet seems to replace direct communication and letters which is sad. The direct human communication is the highest good humans have, we must watch out that we do not forget that. "

- You are also welcome to tell us whatever you find suitable:

"I hope to be able to visit Russia soon and I wish we could play live for you, to join in one building and celebrate the alternative music. May my dreams come true. Thank you for the supporters we have in Russia, from the depth of my heart I thank you!"

Alexandra "Mad Al" Abanina