What is music to you, figuratively speaking? What is it created for? Furthermore, and most importantly, why do you take part in yet another musical formation, this time named TRIANGLE?

- I’ll start with the last question; we don’t really take part in another formation. We merely changed our name from "Square The Circle" to "Triangle". Same band, different name. To make things a little more complicated we named our album "Square The Circle" and came up with the band name TRIANGLE. We make music mainly for the fun of making music. We really enjoy playing together.

Something’s prompting me that “Square The Circle” has a certain kind of concept behind it… Furthermore, what is the way to square the circle?

- The name "Square The Circle" comes from the English saying: trying to square the circle, which means to try to do something impossible. And, like everybody, we don’t really know how to square a circle. "Square The Circle" is not really a concept album. There is not really a story or one obvious concept in it. We tried to see the album as one complete thing and not as a collection of separate songs. Most songs have a similar theme and we added some sound-scapes to complete the album.

Could you please give us a further elucidation of “The bigger the extremities, the farther opposites are apart” assertion?

- I can tell you what it means for me, which doesn’t mean it can’t be interpreted otherwise. In my opinion life is based on opposites (life and death, good and bad, etc.) without them there wound’t be anything at all.  Life is more interesting as these opposites are more apparent, more explicit. The next sentence in the lyrics completes the thought: “The bigger the extremities, the farther opposites are apart; this all will make the centre shine so much brighter”.

I’ve read through the lyrics of yours, and needless to day, I found most of them to be highly exciting and thought-provoking, however it’s “The Saddest Show” I’d like to discuss separately. I believe, this tune is devoted to those who can’t see the difference between real life and one made to be believed in; the ones simultaneously feasting upon others’ sorrow… What incited you to compose such a verse? Furthermore, what would you like to tell those I mentioned above…?

- "The Saddest Show" is about the exploitation of private life by the media, mostly television. Sometimes television programs magnify these personal emotions so much that they become grotesk and unreal. Some succesfull American talkshows like: Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones and Gerald to name a few are the most obvious exaples for this. But even some news-programs, which should have a more objective perspective emphasise on the personal emotions of the people involved.

How has releasing the music on this album helped you personally?

- It has helped us mainly because we had such a great time. The recording and producing of the album was, at least for me, one of the highlights of that year.

What will you entitle your next release, and when will it be available?

- We have been writing new music since the release of this album. We are working on the next album in a very relaxed way, so we don’t know when it will be finished. We have plans to start recording at the end of next year, but that depends on so much other things that we can’t say anything about that for sure. The album has no title as of yet.

You undoubtedly possess a stunning voice… Let me wonder if you have ever had any kind of vocal training?

- I had some vocal training 6 or 7 years ago. The most important thing I learned from this training is that you don’t have to have a great voice or a great technique to be a good singer. The most important thing is that you have fun in what you do. People react more to the intention and feeling of the music than to the technical abilities of the musicians.

When not completely focused upon recording and promoting your music, what do you do to support yourself?

- All four of us have “normal” jobs during the week. I work in a small design studio, Roland works in an insurance company, Jan Willem works for an internet provider and Paul works in a Hospital.

Please, describe each of the four elements by using human emotions. I mean, what kind of either feelings or sensations does earth, water, fire and wind arouse inside of you…

- How is this for an assosiative emotional response?

Stand Fast
Against the storm
until at last
were awakened by the taste
of salt and wind
light and rain
a cold reality
becomes in vein
morning
The whispers
of the evergreen
share secrets of the heart
give thanks to stormy weather
and the poets words of art
Though forgotten and
Self –ridden
his chance to see the hidden
 
(Anonymous)

If you were trapped onto a deserted island with a person unknown to you and food only for one to survive, how would you proceed?

- This is a very though provoking question, but it doesn’t really have much to do with us as a band, does it? (stating anything like "it doesn't really have much to do with us as a band" definitely is a cute way to escape answering a certain question - ED)

Do you know anything regarding Russia? What is your attitude to the country of mine as well as it’s people? Any Russian bands you’ve heard lately?

- To be quite honest I don’t know any Russian bands.

What more would you like to share with our readers?

- Well, basically we hope that people enjoy our album.

TRIANGLE contact -
Email: r.stoep@whs.nl