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"...Some
of the best music minds have tried to classify our sound and none of
them can agree. If they haven't figured it out, I certainly never
will. "
Helmut Vonlichten (E.S. Posthumus)
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Helmut Vonlichten of the enigmatic
duo, E.S. Posthumus, shares his feelings about the success of their
first release Unearthed, their work for CBS, their latest project
with Luna Sans, Cartographer, and if scoring a film is in their
future! |
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Interview:
PAGE 1 |
PAGE 2 |
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Exclusive Music from
Cartographer, Unearthed |
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All Music Used by Persmission |
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Interview with vocalist LUNA SANS.

Music from
UNEARTHED has been used in movie trailers such as: Spider-Man,
The Two Towers, and The Matrix Reloaded.

E.S.
Posthumus was comissioned by CBS to write their new theme music for
the NFL ON CBS and "Unstoppable" used in the 2008 AFC
Championship game. |
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Interview:
PAGE 1 |
PAGE 2 |
ON THE SUCCESS OF
UNEARTHED
CC: Have you been
surprised by the
overwhelmingly
positive response to
your first release,
UNEARTHED?
Helmut Vonlichten:
Absolutely...
Unearthed was a
personal experiment.
My brother and I had
talked about fusing
electronica, world
beats, ethnic
instruments, choir and
orchestra for years.
We felt that it It was
an original concept,
and therefore, we
didn't have a
pre-existing musical
template to follow or
compare it to. We had
no idea if our
experiment would
appeal to anyone,
ourselves included.
Our first run of CD's
was under 1,000 and we
figured that we would
sell maybe 11 and the
other 989 would end up
as coasters.
Thankfully, we were
wrong.
CC: It's been some 7
years since UNEARTHED
was released (wide)
how have things
changed for you both
since?
Helmut Vonlichten:
I think it's about
validation... as an
artist you really have
to follow your
instincts and stay
true to yourself.
However, like most
artists, we can become
insecure...particularly
if no one is raving
about our artwork. So,
you fight this inner
urge to conform to
what you think people
want to experience.
With any luck, you
don't compromise
yourself and
eventually you find
your audience.
Fan submitted
question: Max
asks, "Out of all the
things you've learned
and experienced while
conceiving of and
creating your music,
and watching it grow
in popularity and
recognition; what is
the single lesson or
event that stands out
the most?"
Helmut Vonlichten:
Document and record
every creative
idea.... then, wait at
least 24 hours before
you listen again and
judge it's merits.
Some of our best work
was created on a whim
and not immediately
recognized as
noteworthy.
CC: How would you
classify your music?
Helmut Vonlichten:
I don't think I can.
Some of the best music
minds have tried to
classify our sound and
none of them can
agree. If they haven't
figured it out, I
certainly never will.
Fan submitted
question: Mike
asks, "Many of your
songs use ethnic
percussion as a
backdrop to the
orchestra, choir, and
electronics. What
musical inspirations
did you have that led
to this unique
medley?"
Helmut Vonlichten:
If you listen to music
from India, Pakistan,
Indonesia and Morocco
you will hear amazing
contrasts between
locale percussive
elements and typical
western
instrumentation. This
juxtaposition is very
entrancing
specifically when
poly-rhythmic motifs
are incorporated into
the arrangements. We
find "beauty in
contrasts" and so the
idea of borrowing this
approach was appealing
to us.
ON THEIR WORK FOR
CBS
CC: How did your music
come be used as the
theme music for the
NFL ON CBS?
Helmut Vonlichten:
CBS actually
approached us and
commissioned a theme (Posthumus
Zone). They wanted to
replace their existing
theme which had been
used for something
like 25 years. It was
a challenge because
the theme had to be
identifiable to a
listener within five
seconds. So, you don't
have a lot of time to
develop a melodic
idea.... you basically
have five notes to
brand the tune..
Somehow, we pulled it
off. My brother and I
are big football fans.
We are
thrilled to have the
theme.
CC: What is the story
behind the single
"Unstoppable"?
Helmut Vonlichten:
Again, another CBS
commission. They
wanted to film an
opening for the 2008
AFC Championship and
use an orchestra as a
metaphor for a
football team. As
individuals, we are
ineffective and
underwhelming. As a
team, with a strong
leader (quarterback
and conductor) and an
effective strategy (a
playbook and a music
score) we become
"Unstoppable".
Continue the
interview (Page 2)
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