From MTV news today comes a new interview with Tokio Hotel. They talk about the changes that lead to Humanoid, how much they needed some time to evolve and their gratitude that the fans like the new record.
Tokio Hotel On Humanoid: ‘The Third Record Is The Hardest One’
‘We are really thankful that the fans like it,’ added frontman Bill Kaulitz of their recently released album.
Tokio Hotel recorded Humanoid in exactly the kinds of places you’d expect a globally successful rock act to record a new album: glossy, flossy destinations like Miami and Los Angeles, to name just two. But they also worked on the album in a tiny studio outside of Hamburg, Germany … because deep down, past the makeup and the massively devoted fanbase, they’re just four small-town kids who have made it impossibly big.
Sometimes people forget that … the guys in Tokio Hotel included. Because, to be honest, it’s often difficult not to.
“We recorded a lot of stuff in a small village where we have a studio. It’s near Hamburg, so it’s a real quiet place. That was really important,” TH frontman Bill Kaulitz said. “I think the third record is the hardest one. Everyone is talking about that, so we are really thankful that the fans like it, and, yeah, I think we went into the studio and wrote and ignored the all pressure and everything. That was really important. And the time was important. That we had time and no deadlines.”
“It was important to have a lot of time, time to hang out,” his brother, guitarist Tom, added. “A week with nothing but to hang out.”
The time was key. Because by their own admission, even Tokio Hotel were getting a bit sick of Tokio Hotel — of the screaming fans and the globe-trotting tours. Sick of playing the same crowd-approved hits. They need to be away from it all, to grow and develop and become a new band. And Humanoid is the end result of that evolution.
“We were on tour for the last record for such a long time and we were really tired of the songs and of our faces and of the name Tokio Hotel. We really wanted to do new things. It was really time for us to go into the studio and write songs and be creative,” Bill said. “I think we had great concerts, and it was really, really cool to see the fans and be onstage, but we really wanted new stuff. I recorded ‘Monsoon’ when I was 13 years old, and last year we were onstage with that song, so it was time for new stuff.”
Hence, Humanoid’s focus on futurism and the expanded use of electronics. It’s an album that showcases, as Bill puts it, “A new sound-world for Tokio Hotel.” Which is why Bill and Tom decided to handle the project every step of the way — a level of involvement that went way beyond the co-producer credit they share in the album’s liner notes.
“You’re involved in everything,” Tom sighs. “In every single step. We were in the studio 365 days in a row.”
But Tokio Hotel’s evolution didn’t come easy: There were disagreements along the way, about the new direction of the band, about the focus of the music. And, as one would expect in a group composed of two brothers, there was a fair share of brawling, too. Though, given that they laughed about those brawls during our interview, we think it’s safe to assume there are no hard feelings. This is the new Tokio Hotel, after all.
“I think you need that. You need fights. And we fought a lot,” Tom smiled. “And sometimes I just punch [Bill] in the face, and I love that. And he loves that. We all love that.”
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“Cuz’ 20 year olds need to fu**”. LOL! That’s not true though Georg is 20+ and has a meaningful relationship. When will Tomi learn. ;)
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I also agree that Bill would make a better and much more handsome vampire than Rob!! In fact, I’ve always thought he looked very much like a sexy vampire in the Don’t Jump video in a subtle way, you know, with his lion’s mane dark hair & that long black coat..dark sexy eyes..woohoo!! He could bite me anytime!! (I also love vampire movies). I’d like to see him play a vampire with a human heart, like Brad Pitt’s Louie character in “Interview With A Vampire”. Oh well, I hope the right script comes his way. Only, I hope that his vampire character wouldn’t have to die. If I have to see my beautiful,gorgeous handsome “vampire Bill” die on the screen, it will kill me.
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I agree! I was thinking the same thing! =D I bet they’ve been practicing their English while they’re at home and when they were on their “one day vacations” as they call them. xD You’re also right about Bill needing a girlfriend like, now. He’s in desperate need of one, real quick here. I hope he doesn’t fall for the very first woman he sees/meets, because she could just be in the relationship to gain or to have something. That would hurt him so much. I hope, when he’s in his search for love, that he’s careful when searching for “Mrs. Right”. =}
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sorry,but bill would make a much better (and handsome!) vampire than robbert (and i really love vampires and that kind of films)
in fact bill would be the best!!!(interview part 6) :) ;)
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totes agree!!!
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He would make the best Vamp ever, but I would die & go to heaven to see him play Anne Rice’s Taltos, Lasher. He fits the description of the lusty creature to a T.
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Yes, he would be perfect for that role. I also think he should be on an episode of True Blood on HBO, now that would be great!!!!
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I would love to see Bill on True Blood! I second that for sure.
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Bill would make a hotter ANYTHING than robert pattinson. :)
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haha! i love it when Bill asks Tom for English words and expressions ! turns out: Tom knows best! :P
just kidding they are all great
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This may be off topic but just can’t help myself. Tokio Hotel will be coming to Belgium on 25 February 2010 for their European Tour. Ticket reservation will start Monday, 26 October via http://www.proximusgoformusic.be
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Thanks so much for posting this. It’s so hard finding an English interview with them with no subtitles. It’s nice to know what they said & not what someone THINKS they said. Great interview !!
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Okay, I know this is totally off topic, but…
TH IS FINALLY COMING TO DENMARK!!!! OMG, I’M SOOOO HAPPY!
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awww, i loved how bill would say something in german a couple times, and tom would help him figure out how to say it in english. so cute!
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Their English has gotten way better, and I like the new questions that are being asked, instead of the same old questions.
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yes =]
finally…
fans need to ask them new questions then old ones =]
Bill so HOT!!!!
TH are so FUNNNY!!!!!!! =]
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hehe I luv that at the end Bill refers to himself in 3rd person
“I think Robert Pattinson is a better actor than Bill” sooo cute! <3
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i always love how bill says willage instead of village !!
its the cutest thing everr !
makes him sound more german :DD
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haha i knoe its so cute how they cant pronounce v`s and r`s right lol WEALLY WEALLY cute lol an ja all of bills how do you say`s and what is`s someonee didnt practice their english
LMAO ..and we all love that lol
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yeahh… i still remember when he said what a beautiful wedour nice nice nice…that literally killed me… and now they’re like improving and getting really good at their english and well their being cute at the same time and thats just so cool <33
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I thought it was so cute the Bill kept on asking how to say things in English – i don’t remember him doing it that often before :DD
i hope Tim Kash interviews them again! he asked good, deeper questions instead of the usual shallow ones :)
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yes he should =]
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I love this interview. So much better than the typical “so where did you get the band’s name” interview. And Tom’s English has gotten so much better!
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Interesting to hear them talk in English. Does it seem that Gustov has a bit of a British accent, or was my hearing off? I loved the interviewer, he was so good and asked wonderful questions!
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yeah, i think it sounds like that because in Europe when people learn English they learn British English.
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best intervieeeeewwwww it made my day – tim is a really good relaxed interviewer who asked different questions to the usual ‘why are you named tokio hotel’ but he still left us satisfied with all the answers !
really really good :)
tom was looking mighty fine <3
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I was smiling the entire time!! A certain pair of twins have been working on their English…and it shows ;)
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Haha i liked all the “was ist….” funny from bill
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I was cracking up during the interviews.
I love these guys xD
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I thougth it was so cute how Tom started patting Bill on the leg when he (bill) was talking about love. =]
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I think our boys are hiding something from us :x Of course I’m most likely wrong and end up embarrassing myself like today in science class. Don’t wanna talk about that…
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What do you think they are hiding form us..Just wondering…
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I agree tokiopunk! But talk like that is forbidden here! :O shush shush!
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aw that was so sweet and unexpected. oh twins :’)
Did you also notice Georg rubbing his shoulder? haha I couldn’t tell if they were being sarcastic or not but it was still sweet of them to be so supportive. <3
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omg you guys!! i teared up when Bill was talking about why he doesn’t have one night stands and wants to spend the little time he can with his one true love :’) I can’t say i love him, simply because i dont KNOW him, but i swear, this alone would be enough to change that lol
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Awesome! A 6 part interview, wow, their english is great and I LOVE MTV for it, too. THANKS MTV!
I thought the naked fans on Georg’s hotel bed in Spain was hilarious. And Bill and his Olsen twins, lol. A little more talk on the G’s part would have been nice though! C’mon guys speak up! ha ha
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“dirty session”
ahaha:] Gustav rocks.
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“I think you need that. You need fights. And we fought a lot,” Tom smiled. “And sometimes I just punch [Bill] in the face, and I love that. And he loves that. We all love that.”
TOM and his comments…………..thats why i love him (well thats one reason why i love him) and im glad they are happy with their work!!!! keep it up guys!!!!
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I would love to know who didn’t like it. Who thought it was the wrong direction. And how they were convinced to go with it. I used to think that Bill was demanding, but I’ve seen glimpses of Tom being the ideas person. Then does Gustav and Georg behind the scenes give their opinion. Fascinating.