Enigma Online Chat (Transcript)

Virgin Germany December 13 1996

Below is an edited transcript of an online chat Michael Cretu had from Hamburg, Germany. It was his first online chat, and supposedly his only interview for the year.


Online Host

With the release of Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!, the ground breaking musical project known as Enigma now becomes a trilogy. While possessing a distinctive identity all its own, Enigma3 echoes many of the stylistic touchstones and atmospherics of the two previous albums from Michael Cretu, the creative force behind Enigma's global success, and our guest tonight live from Hamburg, Germany.

Welcome Michael Cretu!

Michael Cretu

Hello from Hamburg!

Question

Will you be giving any live performances in the future. If so, where? (pleeeese say Seattle)

Michael Cretu

No.

Question

You perform numerous roles with Enigma - as composer, producer, arranger, performer. Can you describe the way you work?

Michael Cretu

95% of Enigma is a one man band. It will take too long to explain the entire working process.

Question

Which is your favorite track off the new album?

Michael Cretu

Morphing Thru Time is my favorite track.

Question

There has been much speculation that this might be the last album to bear the mantel Enigma, that the project is a trilogy and this marks the end of the endeavor. Is this true?

Michael Cretu

No thats only a rumor.

Question

In recent years, other musicians have borrowed extensively from the Enigma sound - particularly in film scores. How do you feel about this?

Michael Cretu

It's a compliment because if I didnt make a small invention nobody will copy it.

Question

Why is your nickname MC Curly? (sic)

Michael Cretu

It's not a nickname. MC are my initials and I have curly hair.

Question

Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi tranlslates to the king is dead, long live the king. Could you elaborate on this?

Michael Cretu

Le Roi Est Mort Vive Le Roi for me is a symbol of life. It had nothing to do with the historical sense of the phrase.

Question

Enigma3 proved to me that there are still new ideas and new concepts that transcends all other powers. I would like to know the reasons you began the Enigma project in the beginning.

Michael Cretu

I always dreamed about doing a kind of humanized instrumental music, and it was impossible to buy .. so i did it on my own.

Question

When you compose your music, do you have a particular audience or scene in mind?

Michael Cretu

No. From song to song, the initial spark is completely different.

Question

What does the Morse code message at the beginning of Le Roi Est Mort mean? I tried to decode it, but couldn't.

Michael Cretu

I tried it also, but I couldn't. Its coming from space.

Question

As a person, you have always remained deliberately obscure. Do you think this part of the Enigma attraction?

Michael Cretu

I don't know ... ask the buyers.

Question

What kind of music are you listening to on your car stereo at the moment?

Michael Cretu

Radio programs like everybody else.

Question

Is there going to be a "Special Edition" of this album like there was for the first two?

Michael Cretu

It's possible during the next year.

Question

What do you think of today's mainstream music, such as Alanis Morissette, No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins, that sort?

Michael Cretu

Nothing new. Everything was already done 20 years ago.

Question

What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork?

Michael Cretu

There was no special inspiration but when I saw the illustration I immediately liked it and I knew that's the cover for Enigma3.

Question

If the new album, was "the child of the first two," as you've said in print, where do you go next?

Michael Cretu

Even if I knew it, I wouldnt tell it.

Question

What is the hardest part about making Enigma's music?

Michael Cretu

After having the idea of what I would like to do, to be able to dive into the atmosphere of the song I am working on.

Question

Where do you find the music that you sample? Do you travel around the world?

Michael Cretu

I'm always looking for traces of old and forgotten cultures and I'm listening to hundreds of records and tapes. And yes partially I travel.

Question

If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you wish for?

Michael Cretu

I am happy how I am.

Question

What made you choose to put your own vocals on this album?

Michael Cretu

For the first time I really enjoyed singing.

Question

Is it true you live in Ibiza? What made you chose this island?

Michael Cretu

It is true. And I chose it because it's very peaceful and the environment and the atmosphere are very helpful for my brain.

Question

What was the first musical instrument you learned to play?

Michael Cretu

Piano...I was 5 1/2 years old.

Question

Is it true you are Romanian? If so, how did the changes in the late Eighties affect you?

Michael Cretu

It is true that I am Romanian but I left the country in '75.

Question

What kind of computer do you use to make your music?

Michael Cretu

Several. For the sequencer - logic audio for Apple and the Audio Frame which works with a PC.

Question

Which come first, the words or the music?

Michael Cretu

There is no rule. It depends on the song.

Question

Do you enjoy listening to Dead Can Dance?

Michael Cretu

Who is that?

Question

Do you go clubbing when you are on the island of Ibiza? We heard it was a big place for allnight raves.

Michael Cretu

My last visit in a club was 4 years ago. But I agree its a great place for all night raves!

Question

[Question is missing, but is seemingly about who's idea the record company's web site was]

Michael Cretu

It was idea of some very clever people in the record company. But I'm glad that we did it because I think its one of the best web sites around.

Question

Will there be a new Sandra album coming soon?

Michael Cretu

Not in the near future.

Question

Why does it take so long between albums? How long will we have to wait for the next installment?

Michael Cretu

It takes a long time to find a new STRANGE way for a new album. For the next one I think it will between 2 and 4 years.

Question

When you are working, what kind of hours do you do per day?

Michael Cretu

I start about 5pm until about 8 or 9 o'clock am.

Question

Have any contemporary artists inspired you musically?

Michael Cretu

No not really.

Question

Are you a fan of the internet?

Michael Cretu

I don't know yet, I've only been connected for a month.

Question

Do you believe in fate or the afterlife?

Michael Cretu

Yes.

Question

Many of the songs you've written have very heavy religious overtones to them. This makes me wonder if you believe in God. If you do, and you had one question to ask him/her/it, what would it be?

Michael Cretu

I believe that there is somebody up in the sky but I don't think that his name is God or that he looks as we commonly believe.

Question

Do like like Sci Fi? What would you say to an alien to prove that there is intelligent life on earth?

Michael Cretu

I like science fiction but I doubt that I could speak the language of the alien.

Question

Thanks for coming!!! Why did you decide to do this chat when you don't give traditional interviews?

Michael Cretu

I love modern technology. That's the reason why.

Question

I've just seen your video for Beyond the Invisible , why the ice skating. Do you like to skate?

Michael Cretu

I can't skate but when I listened to the finished song, I envisioned ice skaters and women singing from trees.

Question

What will you be doing on New Year's Eve 1999?

Michael Cretu

I will stay at home and go to bed early.

Question

What would be the best Christmas present you could receive?

Michael Cretu

Guaranteed health for all my family.

Online Host

Thank you Michael Cretu for taking part in the conference!

Transcription reproduced from Virgin Germany for private and research purposes only.