Hi TOM RADAR of Radarfield and Dylan Phoenix, thank you for the interview!
We are happy for having us and thank you for the invitation.
Hi TOM RADAR, please give me a short introduction:
I am a group member of the music band RADARFIELD (vocals, guitar). The band name RADARFIELD comes from the vision of exploring the visible and invisible world (RADAR) and of conveying information from the tangible, intangible and fantastic acoustically and/or visually in the songs/videos (FIELD). RADARFIELD (Voc/Git, Bass, Synth, Drums) was founded in 2010 in Berlin, transitioned to a drum machine and a electronic bass in 2011. We (Tom and Marcus) are offering a unique blend of Darkwave, Electronica, Synthpop and New Wave. RADARFIELD has published a number of songs on Bandcamp, Spotify etc, like „Vampire Diary“, „Hypnotized“ and Metropolitan Area“ and more than 10 videos on YouTube. Some songs were played on local radio stations but also around the world (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Peru, Italy, France, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, …). RADARFIELD`s songs are also on a number of CD compilations, e.g. Sonic Seducer, Orkus!, Dark Spy Magazine, EBM Nation Vol. 4 and 7 and on EBM International Day 24.2 of DSBP Records. „The Man With White Wings“ is the first side project of TOM RADAR (lyrics, vocals and guitar) and DYLAN PHOENIX (music, choir).
About DYLAN PHOENIX (aka Kabal Apokalyse):
DYLAN PHOENIX (aka Kabal Apokalyse, Vocalist/Composer/Producer), and project leader of Funeral Records Autoproduction from Pietrasanta/Italy. TOXIC INDUSTRY is the other project of DYLAN PHOENIX which was born in 2008. DYLAN PHOENIX published several songs and albums on Bandcamp and Spotify, e.g. „A Different View“, „Like Shadows In The Rain“ or the „Endless Night“
When did the first projects started?
DYLAN: In 2022, Funeral Records Autoproduction published the compilation „E.B.M. Nation Vol. 4“ (13 tracks) on bandcamp with RADARFIELD on first place with the song „VAMPIRE DIARY“.
TOM: In December 2022, DYLAN aka Kabal Apokalyse asked RADARFIELD, if we would like to make a song together with TOXIC INDUSTRY with german lyrics. His vision was that the lyrics are about the topic „Schmerzen“ („Pain“ in English, see single cover). We were pleased for asking and we liked the idea of having a new project. He sent us the first version of the song and asked us if we were happy with the music. The track was really good and within 1-2 hours the lyrics were written. DYLAN optimized the music of the song. In the end, RADARFIELD added some special synthesizer effects and the song was finished. On the 9th January 2023, the track was published on bandcamp and in other digital music stores. This song became RADARFIELD´s first song which is sung in german.
Please tell me more about your new joint project „The Man With White Wings“
TOM: In Spring 2024, I wrote the music and the first lyrics to „The Man With White Wings“. I send a guitar version and the lyrics to Marcus (Keys, RADARFIELD). Unfortunately, the lyrics did not fit very well to the music, he composed. Luckily, I have a stock of lyrics/songs in my drawer and I tried the lyrics of „MEMORY IMPAIRMENTS“. They fit quite good to the music and a new song was born.
Over the year 2024, I optimized the lyrics of „The Man With White Wings“ for better singing. I still wanted to make a dark song with the chords I wrote. Then, I heard the dark song „Like Shadows in the Rain“ of DYLAN PHOENIX and so I asked DYLAN PHOENIX at the end of 2024, if he would like to make another joint-project with RADARFIELD. I sent the improved guitar version to DYLAN PHOENIX and he agreed to join this project. I was very pleased to have DYLAN PHOENIX, as a great composer of dark music, on bord. In the end, „The Man With White Wings“ is a little bit different from the music of RADARFIELD. Therefore, this song was published under the brand „TOM RADAR“ and „DYLAN PHOENIX“.
Background: “The Man with the White Wings” is a modern allegory. I used an allegory to convey complex meanings through symbolic figures, actions, images or more abstract concepts such as „beauty”, „independence“, „vulnerability“, „decay” or “death”. The man in the song is a synonym for planet Earth and the creatures that live on it. Both have suffered a lot in recent years and time has left its mark. In the end, the god of death, Thatanos, takes the man into his kingdom and the man surrenders to his fate.
Note: On March 6th, “THE MAN WITH WHITE WINGS” was chosen as “Video Of The Day” on the “WHITELIGHT-WHITEHEAT” website. A review of the song/video was also written.
https://www.whitelight-whiteheat.com/wl-wh-video-of-the-day-tom-radar-dylan-phoenix-the-man-with-white-wings-official-music-video
How different is the song writing process when you collaborate with someone? The chemistry changes I'd assume?
TOM: I guess, it was not easy for DYLAN to transfer my guitar playing on his synthesizers. I send him some tracks of other bands like DEAD CAN DANCE to give him an idea in which direction the song should go. At the beginning, I was not sure, if we can combine the guitar and the synthesizers. In the end, the guitar (solo) is only at the front of the song, but it makes the song more interesting and more complex right from the beginning. This song that had a lot of back and forth with ideas, and we went through multiple composing sessions to get it right. In the end, the song has a cool, dark style, and a deep gothic feel with a lot of emotions.
DYLAN: Starting from the first ideas, I did a lot of tests in search for the best sound. Every time I made changes, I sent the material directly to TOM. At the same time, I was also busy working on several projects with other artists, putting in the effort, and not caring what I wanted. We had a kind of spiritual connection to the music. We have a lot in common between me and TOM. I'm also a very versatile person when it comes to genres. Working remotely hasn't been difficult for me. So, it doesn't change whether I'm working directly with a music artist or miles away. Everyone brings a part of themselves, and I always try to highlight the qualities of both in the melody. I find it stimulating and I am happy to learn something new every time.
What are the best parts in collaborating with other artists? You can learn from the other artist a new way of looking or doing things?
TOM: The best part of the collaboration is the final song itself. I think, we could combine the best ideas of both of us. Usually, I am using a vocal performer effect device (delay, reverb) gives me a better feeling while I am singing. Dylan convinced me to sing the song without digital effects, which was a new experience to me. In contrast, I played the guitar without effects but DYLAN added a cool effect on the guitar.
DYLAN: I enjoy collaborating with different artists; they teach me, and I give them a part of myself. It is a wonderful experience to repeat it over and over again, always trying to improve myself for best results. Always staying locked in the same status doesn't teach me things. There's always something to learn also at every age. By collaborating with other music artists, you learn to understand more and to progress in composing. I don't want to limit myself, but I love to improve my knowledge, and that helps me a lot.
What is the next project?
TOM: RADARFIELD is currently working on two new songs. The song „Death & Beauty“ is full of poetry and like „The Man with White Wings“ a modern allegory. In contrast to RADARFIELD´s other songs, this song belongs to the music genre gothic rock. The song and the video willl be published in April 2025. The other song will be pure dark wave and has a futuristic theme.
DYLAN: I'm working on my new album "A Different View," of which I only have four demo tracks left in the studio version, and I'm about to enter the "International Contest Awards 2025," which will take place on April 15th in Los Angeles.
Check TOM RADAR out!
https://tomradar.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/tom.radar.1
https://www.n1m.com/tomradar
