LEBANON HANOVER

Photo: Kristin Cofer

Don’t be fooled by the cognomens Maybelline and Iceglass. Introverted ‘sensitives’ of cold wave duo, Lebanon Hanover, are the least likely of artists to follow mass human trends, or what is considered fashionable. They are as authentic as it gets. And their loyal following - the hungry listeners of real music – is growing, swelling to their misanthropic sounds as they travel across the UK, Europe, and recently, the United States. 

If you listen to their music it is because you appreciate what music used to sound like; “Most people's ears are getting used to the music of the now…it almost seems like they adjust their ears to these polished and fake sounds". Larissa Iceglass, whilst on a plane to Athens (where their record label is based), wrote a few words about modern music, why Lebanon Hanover moved out of Berlin, and why people should learn to disconnect in a digital age.

“(The duo) decided to stand up and disapprove of the high-pitched, overproduced music that peaks in your ears". How does minimal/cold wave cut through more overproduced genres of music?

I'm not entirely sure if it really does cut through since most people's ears are getting used to the music of the now and they completely accept that they have to bear these frequencies. It almost seems like they adjust their ears to these polished and fake sounds. We deny the production of most music of today. Even alternative musicians try to sound clean and perfect. People might only like us at the moment because it's only that small percentage in people that cares about feeling in music. It's probably those who know how music sounded in the past and don't want it to change.

Not long after you and William met, you both decided to quit your jobs and studies in order to devote yourselves wholeheartedly to music. What are the realities of becoming a full-time musician?

We do what we find most beautiful in life. It might be that we act unreasonable but we are perfectly happy, more than ever, and so far we have survived. I have no idea about the future but I guess we'll just go on as long as we're not hanging.

How do you manage to separate Larissa and William from Lebanon Hanover as ‘the band’?

I don't think we draw a strict line between us as private people and musicians. We are full-time artists which means the band and all our other interests are constantly shared and are all happening in the same room, and we are fine with that mix of our identities. When I'm out alone or with an inspiring person I really cherish forgetting our music for a while and getting lost in deep talks.

You've just released EP, Gallowdance, which you presented at The Echo (L.A.) earlier this year. Have you managed to tap into new audiences outside the U.K. and Berlin so far?

Yes, we have visited many beautiful European countries apart from the U.K. and Germany and we are also heading to Mexico. The audience in the U.S. was very supportive and warm. We want to come back for a longer tour this year, so we have also planned to visit Poland, Lithuania and Spain for the first time.

Are you still songwriting and recording from your home on the coast of North-East England? The sea recluse was apparently prompted from living among "too many humans" in Berlin?

This period is over for the moment. When we recorded our last LP in a house on the windy coast of England we felt too trapped and lonely so we needed a change and moved to the Ruhr Area of Germany in December. As introverted sensitives we find it hard to deal with stressful cities and too many people so it was mainly a distraction than a great creative inspiration when we lived in Berlin. We need to be influenced and connected to silence and nature at the same time, which is terribly hard and I think many inhabitants of cities have the same problem. If you are in a city you miss the land and the land is so unimaginative as it never changes; the people are more simple and the artistic inspiration is over after a while.

Photo: Danae Sanchez

How important is it for you to maintain an identity which is not influenced by current or mass trends, such as fashion? You make reference to this in Northern Lights, as an example.

I think not to follow fashion, or to have no need to fit into the masses, is one of the essential steps in finding yourself. A society with open minded and free thinking minds seems like a much more friendly surrounding to live in because I believe only insecure and weak minded people need to fit into a certain kind of scene. We both don't care about belonging to any group as we just listen to what our hearts may desire, however, the majority of humans unfortunately seem to not be ready yet. Society needs rules, structures and ideals to follow in order fill that void in their lonely hearts.

If you were to leave one last statement with the world, it would be….

One important message I would love the world to listen to, especially in our stressful time, is to forget about your digital life; your phones, your social networks and instead meet a friend and have a drink and talk and just spread some love and appreciation for each other. I think Mother Theresa once said that love starts at home but to me the family and children ideal is not very appealing, whereas to care for close friendships and to actually spend time together with the ones you feel most connected to - that can make a change in this world.