“Between The Lines” artist CBENOTTE has already made a name for himself with his unique and diverse sound. Born and raised in the former Czechoslovakia, the now US based keyboard player pulls his inspiration from a wealth of influence. Since joining his first band aged 16, CBENOTTE has been involved with a wide range of genres, from metal to post-punk to darkwave. CBENOTTE’s self-dubbed musical style ‘Underground Keyboard’ has allowed him a new creative freedom and has gained him lots of online attention.
Following the release of his debut Between The Lines EP, Idols 2 Rivals sat down with CBENOTTE to talk about music, his debut EP, and much more:
What inspired you to start music?
It came kind of naturally. I know that on my dad’s side of the family, people including him have played various musical instruments and one of my older cousins had recordings of British bands like Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Queen, etc. back in the mid 70’s, so I got the opportunity to listen to good tunes at an early age. Both of these circumstances for sure influenced me to buy my first guitar and try to do something with it later when I was about 15 or 16.
If you weren’t doing music what other career do you see yourself doing?
As a boy growing up in Czechoslovakia I played hockey, and back then my desire was to play in the NHL for my favorite team, New York Islanders. I didn’t like those summer camps though, so I quit doing it. Yeah, I definitely wanted to be an athlete.
What do fans of yours have to look forward to in the near future, are there any surprises to come?
I am planning to collaborate on a new single with a European singer whom I worked with in the past. It’ll be a memorable song about sexual adventures.
When you’re working, what inspires you, or what do you draw inspiration from?
It’s hard to say. I have never thought about it. When I was a teenager it was bands like SLAYER, MANOWAR, MEGADETH, CELTIC FROST, etc. And I wanted to be in a band too. Now it’s more like the everyday struggle to survive, or maybe some hot chicks. I just like playing my keys, and when an idea that pops up is good, I write it down. That’s my biggest inspiration. To catch a good riff.
Is there any advice you would like to give your younger self for coming into the music industry or something to help the songwriting/producing process?
I would be more careful, maybe. There are a lot of scoundrels out there…Otherwise I wouldn’t change a thing. When you make a mistake, or bad decision, it’s actually helpful for the future. You know…’What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’.
What’s the meaning of your new single?
It’s called “Between the Lines” and it’s about how people communicate with each other in the society. There’s only a thin line between the truth and lies. Musically it’s what I’ve been doing recently, which is kinda neo-classical style combined with music production stuff.
Where did you shoot the video for this song?
I got in touch with director, NIHILISTINZEN, who had done a few photoshoots for me in the past. I like his style. Kinda ‘dirty’, urban. It involved 2 days of shooting. The first one mostly at a studio with singer-lyricist Lenore, and the other one in an industrial part of Downtown L.A with Megan Rippey, a Baltimore girl, who embellishes the video with her dance. The video doesn’t have that lame ‘Hollywood’ character, when you say ‘a video was filmed in L.A’, and it’s undoubtedly worth watching.
Are you looking to stay independent?
Another thing I haven’t much thought about. And then, what I would get by getting signed nowadays? That’s the question. I do this ‘Underground Keyboard’ thing pretty much at my own pace right now. I like it that way, and that’s what matters to me the most.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Like I said already…I’ve been putting together themes for the new track, and also have to do something with my drum machine, because ‘I ain’t no farken online artist’, or producer, how people from media call me now, but a live performer, in the first place. And that’s what gives me a kick. Playing live for people.
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