Interview date: 06.03.2007
Tide singer Kevin Koradin patiently answered our questions on 7.3.2007, before the gig at Orto bar.
RockLine: First off, I’m curious how you picked the name Tide? Do you feel like people mix you up with the band The Tide?
Tide: We picked the name Tide because it just seemed cool to us at the time. That was 7 years ago now. We were looking for a short name that we’d like. And 7 years back, we just went with this one.
Other than when people ask me, I haven’t noticed anyone on the scene actually mixing us up with them.
RockLine: Your music comes really close to the level of the big international alternative rock bands. Is recording the album in the Netherlands the reason for that?
Tide: No. The reason we recorded in the Netherlands was simply that I was living there. If I’d been living here, we’d probably have recorded it here.
RockLine: But do you think it’s even possible to put together an album like that in Slovenia? After all, I think most Slovenes don’t follow the foreign music scene all that much.
Tide: Yeah, you can basically have a studio in Slovenia. It’s more about the people making the album. Meaning, if I bring in a producer from abroad, I could probably make the same product here too.
RockLine: So the producer is key?
Tide: Yeah, it’s more about the producer. Abroad they’re not afraid to push certain boundaries. They know that if it’s rock, it has to get a bit more raw and gritty at times. Here they make sure everything is more radio-friendly, and that sometimes hurts a rock production.
RockLine: You’ve played quite a few Slovenian festivals. You were also invited to the Serbian festival Exit, and on the other hand you’ve played as a support act for Siddharta, who’ve mostly got a younger crowd lately. Is there any difference between our audience and the one in Serbia?
Tide: I can’t really give you a comparison. Whoever’s a fan of this music shows up, and whoever isn’t, doesn’t. In the countries of the former Yugoslavia the experience is kind of similar, maybe they (the Serbs, editor’s note) are a bit more temperamental and get a little more into the show.
As for the audience, we’re aiming at a mainstream crowd. We’ve got a pretty similar audience to Siddharta.
RockLine: In February you got a reissue of your debut Seven Days. Are you happy with the response – did you expect even more?
Tide: Yeah, we’re happy. We proved that we’re not some underground band. Personally I insist that we’re not an underground band. The fact that we’re pushing alpine rock over here doesn’t give me any reason to consider my band underground.
It’s different from album to album, anyway. We might also be in slightly different waters with the next album. We’re a band that likes to try new things.
RockLine: You’ve just kicked off a club tour. Which suits you better: festivals or club stages?
Tide: Depends on the time. Festivals are a great party if you’re playing with bands you know. The sound is more questionable, but it’s fun because you get to party with your buddies. Unless you’re not the first on ( true story).
At a club you can dial in your own sound, your own stage, play the whole repertoire. The vibe is more relaxed. You’ve got time to talk to the crowd.
RockLine: Do you go to gigs and festivals abroad in your free time?
Tide: Actually I used to, until I started playing myself. This year we’ve been so busy that I haven’t had the time. Even when we weren’t playing, I’d rather rest up.
RockLine: What are your plans for this year?
Tide: As many gigs as possible over the next few months. In Slovenia, abroad too, a few festivals, and slowly wrapping up the material for a new CD.
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