Epinikion is a Belgium-based band who have recently released their new album “Inquisition”. Band’s co-founder and keyboards player Renate de Boer, told us about her band’s new album, their music, as well as her perspective on many issues. Here’s our interview with Renate de Boer!
Hello, Renate. It’s really wonderful to talk with you. How are you doing today?
I am fine, thank you. How are you?
I’m great, thank you! You released a new album “Inquisition” last April. How are you feeling about the way people reacted to your debut album?
We are quite overwhelmed by the great reactions we received, it’s an honour to get so much appreciation for our work.
That’s great. How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard Epinikion’s music before?
Dark and gothic, storytelling cinematic and bombastic.
If you were to pick one song from “Inquisition” to be played on every radio and every station all over the world, which song would you pick and why?
It depends on the context: every song has a theme and a special vibe. I would ask the person that invited me what the listeners would like to hear.
In order to get to know you better and from a different point of view, how about playing some imagination game? I will set a scenario in an alternate universe with new rules and see how you’d react to the different situations. Ready?
Exciting!
In a universe where you are made the queen of a country, what would be the first law you’d make?
Love, respect and unity are the highest values we should take seriously.
In a universe where humans can choose either to be able to teleport from one place to another or travel back and forth in time, which superpower would you pick?
Since I am very curious about how people lived in several ages, I think I might choose to travel back and forward in time. It would be an unimaginable source of inspiration to write music, I guess.
Great idea! In a universe where you’re the statue of liberty, what object would you be holding instead of a torch?
Something that has a universal meaning, like the V-sign. Meaning peace, of course.
In a universe where money does not exist, but instead, people pay for things by making other people laugh, how rich would you be considered?
I think I would be a very rich person! Not only as a person but also as a psychologist my goal is to make people happy and healthy, so it would work for me!
In a universe where the senses of taste and hearing are mixed up together, what food would you imagine Epinikion’s music would taste like?
Imagine a big long wooden table in a tavern in the middle of the wood. There you can eat whatever you want, fresh and honest food. Epinikion will serve you a plate with whatever you want of a variety of exotic food, you can make your choice and have a delicious meal with a variety of taste experiences.
That’s quite the mental image! In a universe where making magic is real, what would your favourite spell do?
I would enchant people with a spell that gives them insight in their own behaviour and taking responsibility for it, which could open the door to a better world for everyone.
Thank you for playing, Renate! I hope you enjoyed this!
There are many things you need to do when you release an album other than the music itself, especially when you’re an independent artist. What were your favourite and least favourite parts of the process of releasing “Inquisition”?
I think it’s the same for all musicians: the struggle for getting enough means to create a good product. That’s hard. The favourite part for me is writing songs, I really love it.
Have you ever faced any kind of sexism in your professional or personal life? How would you deal with sexist behaviour and what advice would you give young people around the world who face any kind of discrimination?
I have been a topsportcoach for many years and hardly had any problems with all the men I coached. It might have to do with my attitude: I wasn’t into it at all that my athletes were men, women or gender neutral. I am always very focused on my tasks and goals and not on how people judge me. It’s their behaviour, I am not responsible for it.
Brilliant mindset. Thank you for giving us this interview, Renate. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you very much for this interview and I wish you a lot of success with all the things you do!
