Unheilig, the NDH band formed in 1999, and consisting of the lyrical and musical talents of founder, Der Graf, has been not only one of my favourite bands of the last decade, but has captured the hearts and imaginations of countless fans from around the world with its haunting and personal music.

After 6 full length albums and 3 live albums, Der Graf is hard at work on the newest album of Unheilig. Despite being extremely busy, he took the time to sit down with Radio Nietzsche and answer many questions that fans from around the world had sent in.

The result was a great interview, and one I hope you enjoy. * (Some questions were answered in one reply so those questions are together) -Radio Nietzsche 5/09

Der Graf: Music has always ruled my life. Sometimes I had the wish to write my own songs. I was at the age of 12 and got my first instrument. It was an organ. So everything started. First I was afraid to sing for others. I did not have any formal training for my voice. Grant Stevens teached me a little bit. I think I have my own way to sing, because I had no formal training. I learned to play the organ for two years. Than I wanted to play my own songs. Singing came a few years later. I was really shy.

Radio Nietzsche: Were you involved in any musical projects or bands before Unheilig?

Der Graf: No, Unheilig is my baby. I never was unfaithful. I wrote a few songs for other artists but this was a few years ago.

Radio Nietzsche: How exactly did Unheilig come together?

Der Graf: In 1999 the foundation for UNHEILIG was laid by me. The single “Sage Ja” was released as the first single and shot straight into the German DAC charts and became a club smash. Since than I developed the Unheilig-sound to a multi-facetted mix of traditional Electro and Rock in combination with my voice.

Radio Nietzsche: Why did you choose the name Unheilig for the band?  Did it hold a special meaning or message to you?

Der Graf: The name Unheilig means to be free of all. You don’t think in a special way which somebody wants to do. You are free to say and to do what you want without hurting an other person.

Radio Nietzsche: And what about "Der Graf".  Is Graf simply a stage performance, a character?  Or is he you?  Or perhaps somewhere in between?

Der Graf: Der Graf is not only a piece of me. I am Der Graf. It is only another part of my person Der Graf when I am on stage.

Radio Nietzsche: And what about the appearance: the contacts, the look.  Is that just "Der Graf", or is that a part of you as well, and where did the idea for this look come from?

Der Graf: That’s me but also only a piece of me. I think the black suit is not deviating from the songs. The suit is part of my style but I also wear jeans and t-shirts. The idea is simple: I want to feel myself comfortable on stage.

First I weared contacts and I tried to hide behind them. Now I think that I am safe enough to perform without the contacts.

Radio Nietzsche: What do you think the name "Unheilig" says to the fans?  What message does it project about the music and about yourself?

Der Graf: I answered this above. To be free. Unheilig is not for people with stereotyped thinking.

Radio Nietzsche: Have you ever suffered from 'stage fright' or been nervous during a show?  I was asked this by many fans who knew I would be doing the interview, and it was one of the most popular questions.  You mentioned it in "Lampenfieber", but explain to us how this effects you, and about its mention in the song.

Der Graf: I always die. I tried to explain the feeling in the song Lampenfieber. I am afraid but I need the stage fright to be good on stage. Everything I do comes from my heart. Nothing is only part of the show. I have an eccentric part, this part belongs to me and it comes out of me, while I am performing my songs.

Radio Nietzsche: You have Henning and Licky for live support.  How did you meet them, and when did they each become involved in Unheilig?

Der Graf: It is not spectacular. My Management knew both. I needed support for the live shows and so they came to Unheilig.  Henning produced my last album PUPPENSPIEL. We all work together and that works very well.

Radio Nietzsche: On Unhelig's first album, "Phosphor", there were quite a few songs in English, but this was the only album on which English songs appeared.  What made you decide to do these songs in English and why did you not continue to do so for future albums?

Der Graf: Phosphor was my first album and I wrote the songs with Grant Stevens. But English is not my first language and after Grant made his own music I decided to make only songs in German because I can’t explain my feelings in another language as good as I can do it in German.

Radio Nietzsche: Frohes Fest was one of those albums that fans either loved or hate (I love it btw, and listen every holidays!). Why did you decide to do an album consisting entirely of covers of holiday songs?

Der Graf: I think a lot of people missed an album like that. I decided to make the album and a lot of people said, that Unheilig can not do that because it would damage the position. I wanted to make the album and I think it was a good decision.

Radio Nietzsche: Unheilig became quite popular after the Zelluliod album, tell us about about the album, and the concept behind it.  It was meant to be an autobiography of sorts about your life, was it not?  Explain the concept behind the album to us, and do you often write of personal experience or simply write to tell a story?

Der Graf: Zelluloid tells about life. I always write about personal experience. I never tell only a story. I write about the things that touch me. The Unheilig music developed a lot in the last years. If my songs have a positive or a negative meaning depends on the mood I was in when I wrote the songs.

Radio Nietzsche: You had a fan contest to pick the favourite song from Zelluloid for a special single, and the fans chose "Freiheit".  How important is the opinion of the fans to you, and does it at all influence your songs or on stage performance?

Speaking of fans, you are very in touch with your fans.  You often set up autograph stands and spend hours after shows meeting them all.  Why is it so important for you to be so personal with those who listen to your music?

Der Graf: The fans are  simply the best. When my voice was damaged I received so many mails and letters from them and that really helped me to go through that hard time. They do so much for me and I try to give a little bit back in my shows. I try to be with the fans before and after the shows. I talk to them and they tell me their stories and influence my music through that.

I would be nothing without the Unheilig fans.

Radio Nietzsche: As personal as you are with your fans, you keep your private life out of the spotlight.  Have the fans respected the decision to keep your private life private, or have some tried to pry or force their way in?

Der Graf: I am not important. The fans should enjoy the show, listen to my words and the music. I don’t like to tell about my name or age or how I live. That is private and I tell them so much through my music. Most of my fans respect this. Some not. I hope that I can live my life unknown in the future. This is a precondition for me to make music.

Radio Nietzsche: Last year you had a bad case of laryngitis and had to cancel many shows.  How hard was it for you to stay away from music, and stay away from the fans?

Did you feel you were letting them down in a way, even though it was not your fault?

How frustrating for you was it when you had a relapse and could not talk again for near a month?

Der Graf: I always tried to think positive. I could not imagine that my voice will be away. I wanted to sing. That was my only thought and I did everything for my voice. I stopped smoking I did not talk to my family and friends. I was really glad that I could use the www. The fans helped me through this hard time. It was a bad experience for me to cancel some shows but I knew that I would play in these cities, when I am consistent again.

This time was hard for me but I learned a lot. I am no machine. I have to be careful with my voice and my life.

Radio Nietzsche: Let's talk about Dracula's Ball and the issue with the visas.  What exactly happened happened?

Do you think the situation could have been handled better, and who was responsible?

Der Graf: I don’t want to incriminate someone.  We drove to Frankfurt for the interviews, and we gave them our passports for the visas. We got the ok from USA a few days later but the consulate in Frankfurt accepted not the email that we received. We got back our passports too late.

Radio Nietzsche: There was a letter writing campaign, where members of the German music community all wrote to the consolate, what was the purpouse of that, and did it help?

Der Graf: I do not know anything about this campaign. But I feel honoured.

Radio Nietzsche: How disappointing is it to have missed the chance to play in America for the first time?

Der Graf: It is really disappointing for me. But we will get another chance.

Radio Nietzsche: The visas are good for one year, so are you planning to come back to America or perhaps even Canada?

Der Graf: Yes, the visas are good. We try to come this year.

Radio Nietzsche: Any last words for your fans here in North America?

Der Graf: Unfortunately my English is not very good and I hope you understand my answers. I wish all the best for you.

More at:

• Official
• Unheilig on MySpace