Name: BRUECKEN
Members: Florian Alemi, David Barteczko, Thorge Freidel, Bernd Frikke, Jens Niehoff
Interviewee: Jens Niehoff
Nationality: German
Current release: BRUECKEN's new album years that answer is out via Moment of Collapse. 
Local Recommendation: I live in the suburbs of relative small city called Oldenburg. If you would visit me I would probably show you the woods next to the mainroad. That place is special to me and helps me to calm down when I need it.  
Topics I am passionate about but rarely get to talk about: Don’t get me started ... John Carpenter, old screamovinyls, soundtrack music, radio plays from the 60s and 70s, sci-fi, Twin Peaks, … ah yeah not to forget damn good coffee.

If you enjoyed this BRUECKEN interview and would like to stay up to date with the band, their music and upcoming live dates, visit their official homepage. They are also on Instagram, Facebook, and bandcamp.



There can be many different kinds of energy in art – soft, harsh, healing, aggressive, uplifting and many more. Which do you tend to feel drawn to most?

I guess it is a healthy combination of every single adjective you throw in with your question.

For us it all makes sense as long as it sticks to the melody, which marks the red stitch through hopefully all of our songs.

The authentic transportation and combination of those attributes is the challenge, that creates at least a small part of the shared passion within our band.

I have had a hard time explaining that listening to death metal calms me down. When you listen to a song with a particular energy, does it tend to fill you with the same energy – or are there “paradoxical” effects?

This one I only can answer for myself.

I have this with selected bands that play black metal. A blastbeat-driven song is for most people unbearable. I get embraced by songs that follow a certain linearity and uncompromisingness.

The song “Ahrimanic Trance” by Wolves In The Throne Room is an example of that.



In as far as it plays a role for the music you like listening to or making, what role do words and the voice of a vocalist play for the transmission of energy?

This band lost its original vocalist in the early stages of its history. Since then Bruecken continued on an instrumental path.

That, however, is getting dissolved partway with our new album Years That Answer, so we’ll see where this is leading us.

When it comes to experiencing the sensation of “energy” as a creator, how would you describe the physical sensation of experiencing this energy? [Where do you feel it, do you have a visual sensation/representation, is there a sense of release or a build-up of tension etc …]

A more than rewarding point of energy is when we are all together in the rehearsal space and finish a song by playing it for the first time through. That is the magic that creates further energy and commitment.

Another point is opening a box of fresh pressed vinyl and touching and spinning a record for the first time.

Every release is a little musical footprint we leave in this never-ending desert called life.

When it comes to composing / songwriting, are you finding that spontaneity and just a few takes tend to capture energy best? Or does honing a piece bring you closer to that goal?

Again a mix of both I would say.

It is always helpful to have someone bringing a rough idea / structure to the table that we can work on as a collective. Sometimes fragments get created spontaneous by jamming together.

We don’t stick to a specific way and keep things as open as possible.

How much of the energy of your own music, would you say, is already part of the composition, how much of it is the result of the recording process?

While we compose we try to hold a high energy level and work very fastidiously.

Writing that way is making it way easier to play those songs live, cause the risk of an overproduction in the studio is very reduced. People in the audience shouldn’t have the feeling that something is missing.

For Goodbye World Hello Something, what kind of energy were you looking for?

Our main goal was to keep this band alive by taking care of each other and avoiding that the common flame expires.

We managed to reach that goal, which has released new energy to continue as band but foremost as friends.

How do you capture the energy you want in the studio?

It depends on how you produce a recording. We recorded this more or less in separate sections, but managed to reunite for common processes like re-amping or weekly group calls to keep everything and everyone going.

The energy was always there cause we all knew what we wanted.

What role do factors like volume, effects like distortion, amplification, and production in general for in terms of creating the energy you want?

Effects play a certain role for sure. Everyone is aware of his range of sound defined by the pedalboard in front of him. There are combinations that create a special synergy. With Bernd joining Bruecken we have someone adding soundscapes and synths to the arrangements. So yes, effects play a part I would say.

When it comes to amplification we have both worlds in this band. Thorge switched to a Quad Cortex while Dave and I stick to our old Fender amplifications and a healthy amount of foot pedals.

Bernd combines both worlds on his desk. He’s working with old stuff and combines those sounds with plug-ins via digital devices. Flo is still beating the good old analog drumkit.

In terms of energy, what changes when you're performing live on stage, with an audience present, compared to the recording stage?

We enjoy those moments so much, especially since we don’t play that often anymore.

Most of the time people dive into our music and the film sequences we project behind our backline. The mood and atmosphere that is getting created by those factors melts everything and we are one.

Nothing can recreate that feeling and that precious energy.

How does the presence of the audience and your interaction with it change the energy of the music and how would you describe the creative interaction with listeners during a gig?

I guess my last answer fits this one as well.

What kind of feedback have you received from listeners or concert audiences in terms of the experience that your music and/or performances have had on them?

So far reactions have been diverse, but most of ‘em had something in common. People feel caught and/or seen.

The visuals of our live show give food to think about certain things. We are not a happy band, that wants to forget the problems caused by humanity. We address our fears, anxiety, doubts and hopes.

Bruecken is our outlet and we are happy if people can find something within it.

Would you say that you prefer to stay in control to be able to shape the energy or do you surrender to it and allow the music to take over? Who, ultimately has control during a live performance?

We definite try to play our songs as close to the recordings as possible. But we don’t stick to perfection and leave enough space to make sure everyone is feeling comfortable and can enjoy every moment.  

The energy that music is able to generate can be extremely powerful. How, do you think, can artists make use of this energy to bring about change in the world?

I wish I would have an optimistic answer here, but I am afraid the time of drastic changes caused by heart written music has long passed. The bigger part of humanity in this part of the world is way to fed up and lazy to take care of the worlds' needs.

As band we talk about this a lot. The first single of our new album is called “Questions We Raise” and is a summary of questions we have within the band for this situation and the life each of us is living.

Maybe there will be a time music will create change on a global scale again. We are glad if we can make ourselves aware and deliver different thoughts, that lead to empathy and kindness.