It is the new year which only means one thing, it is time to celebrate acts that you should be keeping an eye on this year! Today we speak to the band Eloah about what they have in store for this year!

Hello tell us all about your band?

Hello everyone, I’m Elmar from the band ELOAĦ. In the early ’90s, I initiated this band as a singer/songwriter project with the goal of producing an audio CD, a significant challenge given the limitations of computers and home studios at the time. In 1994, we recorded our first demo. Since then, my unwavering vision has focused on self-improvement as a musician, composer and producer, continuing collaboration with many fantastic musicians, and enjoying music as an artistic form of emotional expression. The band’s lineup includes Lila Herderberg on vocals; Orion Roos on electric guitars; Peter Douwenga on bass guitars; Johan van der Meer on drums and percussion; Dominik Mittergradnegger on saxophone and violin; and myself on vocals, acoustic guitars, piano, keyboards, and flutes;

How was 2023 for your band – what were the highlights?

The most significant highlight was certainly the release of our latest album “Proud to Love You.”, a collection of soft-rock songs and love ballads. Later on, I count the recording sessions for our upcoming album also among my personal highlights – always such a delight to work with professional musicians who enjoy their work and can deliver such a variety of musical expertise. 

What was the top 3 highlights for you?

Now, that would be the release of “Proud to Love You.”, the recording sessions for the next album, and also the many hours of inspiration I had which allowed me to start conceptualizing the album(s) after that (I put an “s” there because we how already have 22 songs ready for rehearsals and production AFTER the next album, and that is too much for one release if you take into account that there are even more songs in the pipeline…)

What was the key lesson you learnt from last year?

A very difficult question, since I am constantly learning new things in a all aspects of my life. For me personally perhaps the most important lesson was that my personal points of view can change, and even more, should change depending on my experience and understanding of certain situations. As music-related example, I am astonished about some of the songs I found acceptable to be released as demo 20 years ago, because I would never release them today – but I also don’t judge my younger self for having a different point of view – it is alright, and even necessary to change and grow.

How did you get into music?

I have been into music as long as I can remember. I started having classical piano lessons during my early childhood, taught myself acoustic guitar later on, and took singing lessons during my teenage years and in my early twenties. I started composing on the piano as a child, and wrote my first song on the guitar as a teenager. Thus, music has always been there as an important part of my life.

What are your plans for the band in 2024?

In 2024, we have a number of important projects. First of all, we are going to finish the production of the album “The Book of Pain”, a hard-rock/metal type album that we have been working on for the past two years now. In addition, we will start recording sessions for two additional albums, with very different styles – one will contain gospel-like hymns, the other will be a bit science inspired (one song will be called “muon shower”, for example). And finally, we will discuss a possible live set and might thus also be on stage which would be a first for the current line-up. 

What other bands and musicians are you looking forward to seeing perform this year?

Most of all, I look forward to seeing MAESTRO again, the band of our guitar player Orion Roos where also our bass guitarist Peter Douwenga plays, next to METALBATS (the band formerly known as Vortex), another band featuring Orion, or Lila Y Geckos, the band of our singer Lila Herderberg.

What styles do you hope to see more of in music this year?

To be honest, I am so much focused on our own music, on rehearsing, playing, composing, recording and producing, that I have little time to listen to other bands, thus I have no general expectations in terms of styles or releases.

What band is your ones to watch in 2024 and why?

Well, three bands come to mind if you ask me that: MAESTRO, Dutch melodic metal band, METALBATS (the band formerly known as Vortex), a Dutch heavy metal band, and Lila Y Gekos, an Austrian folklore band. Why did I choose these three? You know, these are the bands my fellow musicians play with, and I feel very blessed to work with them. Because I really admire them, they are by far my favourites to listen to, especially when performing with their own projects.

Do you have any new years resolutions? If so what are they?

No, I don’t do new year’s resolutions. I believe in daily improvement and sustainable progress through training, rehearsing, playing and making decisions when necessary, small steps to slowly but certainly approach very high goals, rather than making a list with demands on myself on an (somewhat) arbitrary date.

Are you on social media? If so how can people find out more about you?

Yes, please check us out at https://facebook.com/eloahmusicsite and on http://eloah.at 

Three words why people should come and see you this year?

Love, music, fun.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

The movie or television show you are looking forward to seeing this year?

Now, I personally look forward to the final season of Star Trek Discovery (this is probably not be true for all our band members, though).

Your favourite book?

At this moment, it is “The Big 5 for Live” by John P. Strelecky (again, only speaking for myself here).

If you could paint anything what would you paint? 

Oh, I do paint the things I like – I have worked as an visual artist in the past; at the moment, though, I don’t have any exhibitions, neither online nor physical. However, if you take a good look at our homepage (http://eloah.at ), you will find some of my artwork incorporated there.

What is the most delightful word you can think of?

Grace.

Favourite album?

Difficult – perhaps “Streets – A Rock Opera” by Savatage.

Where would you love to go on holiday this year?

Actually, if you could spend more time in my studio, that would be the best holiday I can imagine at this moment. You know, creativity is something beyond my conscious control, and at the moment, I could spend (many more) hours working on new songs (just this Saturday a new song suddenly materialized while I was working on another song), mixing, cover design… you name it!

What is your favourite quote from a television show?

“Buried deep within you, beneath all the years of pain and anger, there is something that has never been nurtured: the potential to make yourself a better man. And that is what it is to be human. To make yourself more than you are. Oh, yes — I know you. There was a time you looked at the stars and dreamed of what might be.” (Jean Luc Picard)

Who is your favourite film character and why?

Jean-Luc Picard, because the character he displays is the closest to a utopian but nevertheless somewhat realistic future in terms of somebody human working to better himself and believing in a positive, optimistic future for humankind.