Schultz

Good day to you Philippe. Congratulations on unveiling a successful new sound and signing with Glory & Honour. How are you doing since changing your style?
- "Hello! Thanks for your congratulations and for agreeing to conduct this interview. I'm fine, thank you. Actually, I'm working hard to promote this new album and trying to find lot of gigs for next year. I always have success but need more venues - I aim to play everywhere and to meet people. I have only done a few concerts this year because I want to take my time recording this new album and prepare a new live video - on stage I work with a female art performer called VDREY.) , as well as lots of surprises. After playing a lot of gigs over 4 years, I have taken a break this year; it was a good thing for me and my music."

I still recall the frenzy when you released 'Psykiatrik Area' - a limited CD which has been on a lot of 'album of the year' lists for 2008. Now that you are becoming more well known, is there a chance you will re-release this album?
- "To be honest, before I took a break and made the new changes, I hadn't really realized my sound was so appreciated all over the world. This revelation opens my eyes and gives me new breath. In response to you , I haven't discussed with anybody the possibilty of a re-release of this album, or any of the others. I have some unreleased material from this period and if people ask for it then why not? Maybe it will be a good thing to make a reissue of the past catalogue. If my label will be interested why not, I'm open to this. If people want it ask Glory and Honour , send a request, maybe they will authorise this. I had released 'War N' Sex' (my last harsh noise album) and due to the fact that SMK (Soviet Media Kontrol),- my past label, closed their doors just after the release, this album was not promoted enough and only some units have been released."

Where does the name Schultz come from? I've always found it contrasting to the harsh noise sound you became famous for.
- "In fact when I decided to make this project, people asked me this often. I had limited time to find a name and chose Schultz. It was the name of a character on a film that was on the T.V at the time. A Lot of people think I m German due to this name, it's funny, and it helps me sometimes when I play in this country."

Your old releases formed a small but dedicated fanbase, sadly not everyone was as receptive and you received the occasional bad review. How much of this was behind the change?
- "I know what you mean - I can understand people not liking the new album. Personally I am not always a fan when an artist I like changes his / her sound. I think it is the same for everybody. I can accept bad reviews, everybody can think what they want but I don't accept malicious and unfounded reviews from people who never do anything with their life. I have decided to make this change because I just want to see another perspective; discover another sound."

Let's talk about 'Schultz' - the album. I detect hints of TBM, Futurepop and Hard Industrial. Where do you plan to take your next release, and will you be staying with Glory & Honour?
- "Yes this album contains all the things I like. Like I have said to you before, I have decided to make a break with this album and to do what I've wanted for a long time now. On my past albums, people just wanted a classic SCHULTZ album with classic Schultz sounds. This time I have made tracks that I've thought of with no restrictions - If I want to make TBM tracks, I do so. Futurepop tracks? Same thought process. But you can find Hard Industrial too with the track "Sometimes I love making noize". When I proposed the first tracks to Glory and Honour they liked them and asked me to make an album. I don't know if this album is just a breakthrough or a definitive new sound. Maybe it is an error for me to have changed? only the future will tell... I can't say today if my next release will be in the same vein or not. After, for staying on Glory and Honour it is the same idea... If they want me again and continue to work like this with me it will be a great pleasure for me, only they can decide, maybe they will fire me after this album. I hope not but I don't know. But it is a little early to think about it, actually I need to promote this album and try to convice people it is a good album, different but good."

How did your deal with the team at Glory & Honour come about? Did they contact you or did you find them? The label is signing a surprising number of promising acts this Autumn; as such, I wonder just exactly how they're doing it.
- "I will only talk for me because I don't know how it was for other acts. When I decided to work on the new album, and due to the fact I was without a label or promo agency, I had to restart all over again. I was in contact with several labels at this time. One was a shitty label who promised a lot of things but was only interested in his own music project and nothing else, another one was good but with very little money and I wasn't sure that there was the possibility to promote my new album. I had seen (on Facebook) an agency and sent them a mail, explaining my situation. "I have lost my label, want to release a new album, but haven't got the money for promotion." Immediately they said to me that they will be interested and can help me. They also said to me that there was scope to open a label and a booking agency. When I learned this, I made it clear that I was happy to jump on board if they wanted me to. They accepted and I was the first project, I think, to sign on Glory and Honour. It was a long search for a label that was also a promo agency and label agency and I m very happy to work with them, - I hope they share this sentiment. And I hope it will be so for a long long time..."

Finally, end this interview in your own words.
- "Thanks for this interview, thanks for your support. If you don't know my music please visit my page www.reverbnation.com/electroschultz and form your own ideas about my music. If you want to support me, check www.gloryandhonour.co to buy album. To finish I always search for gigs everywhere... So if you want to book me don't hesitate to send a message to the EBM Music Agency at renata@gloryandhonour.co or directly at electroschultz@gmail.com."