Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26)

[Mosh]

The 10th Anniversary tour also makes sense since a lot of fans (especially outside of Europe) are getting to see them live for the first time. I've been following them since the beginning but they're only coming to Denver now, so I'm looking forward to a more "career spanning" setlist. After this I assume we're going to hear music from the first two albums less.

[KevShmev]

I honestly have no idea if they have been to St. Louis before, but it's pretty sweet that they are coming here this year now that they finally clicked with me. 

[Ruby Inferno]

Is that a legit thing being discussed within the band?  If so, that would suck to see them become like Spock's, where the albums become less frequent because it is their hobby on the side, rather than their main gig/job.  Hopefully, the tour this year will go well, and you have to think that over half of the band playing on that Shattered Fortress thing could give them more exposure.

I believe they are looking to make Haken a full-time thing in the future. Pretty sure it was said in an interview, although I can't remember which one.

[Nick]

Sorry for the confusion Kev, never meant to imply that Haken plans to become vastly less active, just that they currently can't support themselves on Haken and all have to rely on full time jobs.

Haken is one of the only bands I can think of that I could reasonably watch as a fan legitimately change from part time band to main gig, and I really hope they pull that off.

They've been on the rise in general, are getting a boost from The Shattered Fortress, and are using the 10th anniversary to keep things going. I really hope it all translates to them being able to continue to do it more full time in the future.

[cramx3]

I did not know these guys were not full timers.  I guess it makes sense given the musical field they are in, but they seem to have definitely been on a rise of late so that thought never even crossed my mind.  Having said that, I was thinking it would be cool if they were the opener for a DT tour in the states.  I think DT shows could benefit from an up and coming prog metal band opening and allowing DT to have 2 hour rotating setlists again and Haken would get a lot more exposure from a fan base that would more likely be into them.

[Nick]

I did not know these guys were not full timers.  I guess it makes sense given the musical field they are in, but they seem to have definitely been on a rise of late so that thought never even crossed my mind.  Having said that, I was thinking it would be cool if they were the opener for a DT tour in the states.  I think DT shows could benefit from an up and coming prog metal band opening and allowing DT to have 2 hour rotating setlists again and Haken would get a lot more exposure from a fan base that would more likely be into them.

Just because DT would move to a two hour set I don't think that automatically means they will rotate sets. And I would have to assume that if DT took an opener again Haken would have to be on the list of candidates.

[cramx3]

I did not know these guys were not full timers.  I guess it makes sense given the musical field they are in, but they seem to have definitely been on a rise of late so that thought never even crossed my mind.  Having said that, I was thinking it would be cool if they were the opener for a DT tour in the states.  I think DT shows could benefit from an up and coming prog metal band opening and allowing DT to have 2 hour rotating setlists again and Haken would get a lot more exposure from a fan base that would more likely be into them.

Just because DT would move to a two hour set I don't think that automatically means they will rotate sets. And I would have to assume that if DT took an opener again Haken would have to be on the list of candidates.

Totally, wasn't really trying to tie this into a DT discussion, just thinking they could benefit (and I think DT too) from such a scenario.   I just think there is so much overlap and even more so potential overlap between fan bases that it makes a lot of sense (in my mind).

[KevShmev]

Is that a legit thing being discussed within the band?  If so, that would suck to see them become like Spock's, where the albums become less frequent because it is their hobby on the side, rather than their main gig/job.  Hopefully, the tour this year will go well, and you have to think that over half of the band playing on that Shattered Fortress thing could give them more exposure.

I believe they are looking to make Haken a full-time thing in the future. Pretty sure it was said in an interview, although I can't remember which one.

Gotcha.

Sorry for the confusion Kev, never meant to imply that Haken plans to become vastly less active, just that they currently can't support themselves on Haken and all have to rely on full time jobs.

Haken is one of the only bands I can think of that I could reasonably watch as a fan legitimately change from part time band to main gig, and I really hope they pull that off.

They've been on the rise in general, are getting a boost from The Shattered Fortress, and are using the 10th anniversary to keep things going. I really hope it all translates to them being able to continue to do it more full time in the future.

It's all good.  I was not aware that they were still working full time jobs and doing the band thing on the side, in essence.

[King Postwhore]

Kev, when I had dinner with Haken (Thanks to Nick!)We takes. About their aspirations of making Haken a full time job and what they did for work when not touring and recording.   

Hen was a blast to talk to.

[KevShmev]

Um, what? 

[King Postwhore]

We talked.  Come on man.  I know you speak Kingenese.

[mikeyd23]

Kinda sad that this is the state of the music business nowadays for artists of this style.

[Mosh]

Eh, I don't think Haken's style was ever going to be marketable to a large audience. If anything, the internet has helped them reach an audience that might be unaware of them otherwise.

[King Postwhore]

Live shows is what helps build an audience.   Now they are playing all over the world and that builds their fanbase.

[jakepriest]

Live shows is what helps build an audience.   Now they are playing all over the world and that builds their fanbase.

Definitely, I never would have started listening to Periphery or Leprous if I haven't heard them supporting Devin Townsend in both cases.

[Zydar]

Eh, I don't think Haken's style was ever going to be marketable to a large audience. If anything, the internet has helped them reach an audience that might be unaware of them otherwise.

It was thanks to DTF that I became aware of them, so yeah that is true

[krands85]

Eh, I don't think Haken's style was ever going to be marketable to a large audience. If anything, the internet has helped them reach an audience that might be unaware of them otherwise.

It was thanks to DTF that I became aware of them, so yeah that is true

Same here. And as Jake mentioned Leprous - I probably would never have listened to them if they didn't do a tour with Haken a few years back.

[mikeyd23]

Eh, I don't think Haken's style was ever going to be marketable to a large audience. If anything, the internet has helped them reach an audience that might be unaware of them otherwise.

I don't disagree at all. I just think it's sad that in spite of the internet and a heightened amount of touring they aren't even at the point where the band can be their full-time job yet. It's depressing to think about the fact that, unless the music industry changes significantly, DT will be the last prog-metal band to really "make it" to the degree in which they did.

[Nachtmerrie]

Agree, it makes me kind of sad that this kinds of bands can't get a proper income out of their music while al those lousy R&B and hiphop artist are making millions out of their nonsense.

[jakepriest]

Agree, it makes me kind of sad that this kinds of bands can't get a proper income out of their music while al those lousy R&B and hiphop artist are making millions out of their nonsense.

So because you don't like a style of music it's automatically nonsense?
kay.

[jammindude]

Agree, it makes me kind of sad that this kinds of bands can't get a proper income out of their music while al those lousy R&B and hiphop artist are making millions out of their nonsense.

So because you don't like a style of music it's automatically nonsense?
kay.

He didn't say ALL R&B and hip hop....he said LOUSY R&B and hip hop.    Are you saying lousy R&B and hip hop don't exist?   

[KevShmev]

Agree, it makes me kind of sad that this kinds of bands can't get a proper income out of their music while al those lousy R&B and hiphop artist are making millions out of their nonsense.

So because you don't like a style of music it's automatically nonsense?
kay.

He didn't say that.

[jakepriest]

Well usually when people talk about a music style they tend to categorize it as a whole, so that's the way I took it. 

[cramx3]

I think Mark from Epica said in an interview recently that you don't play this music to make money.  It's a sad reality because us, fans, love it and would love for our bands to be able to live off it (comfortably).

Getting out to a concert is the best way to support a band.  Hope Haken gets lots of love on their second trek around the US.

I've been catching Delain concerts for awhile now and watched them go from opener at small show to opener at bigger show to headlining small show.  If you keep touring, the fan base will grow, but you need to be able to tour consistently (Delain just announced another NA tour) and if you can't keep the band consistent because you can't survive then you can't keep touring either.  I got to think this second go around is big for Haken.

[goo-goo]

I think Mark from Epica said in an interview recently that you don't play this music to make money.  It's a sad reality because us, fans, love it and would love for our bands to be able to live off it (comfortably).

Getting out to a concert is the best way to support a band.  Hope Haken gets lots of love on their second trek around the US.

I've been catching Delain concerts for awhile now and watched them go from opener at small show to opener at bigger show to headlining small show.  If you keep touring, the fan base will grow, but you need to be able to tour consistently (Delain just announced another NA tour) and if you can't keep the band consistent because you can't survive then you can't keep touring either.  I got to think this second go around is big for Haken.

It's not only attending concerts but the fans buying merch is crucial for a band to survive financially when touring. The tshirts and hoodies have a higher profit margin than a concert ticket or even the fee they get when they play live. I once bought a Fates Warning contract on Ebay...$500 bucks is what they charged the promoter to play...and this was when they were touring with Parallels or Inside Out I believe, which was when the band was more commercially successful.

[KevShmev]

That is all true. but sadly I never buy merchandise at concerts. I bought plenty of concert t's my first few years as a concert goer, but I literally have not bought one since seeing Pink Floyd in 1994.   I was, however, thisclose to buying one at the Devin Townsend show last month, but the only shirts he had that I liked were all too small, otherwise I would have bought my first one in 23 years.

[Nachtmerrie]

Agree, it makes me kind of sad that this kinds of bands can't get a proper income out of their music while al those lousy R&B and hiphop artist are making millions out of their nonsense.

So because you don't like a style of music it's automatically nonsense?
kay.

Never too late for a reaction

First of all, I'm nog a big fan of that style of music and I think it gets too much attention on commercial radio.
Calling it nonsense might be a bridge too far but it's just an opinion.

I'm just a bit frustrated by the lack of attention and airtime for extremely talented bands like Haken (it's their topic..). Sure, it ain't for the masses but I feel commercial radio has a duty to ''educate' people musically.

DT for example will never be mainstream (and I'm happy with that) but they have a bunch songs (like Our New World) that are perfectly fitted for mainstream public.

[KevShmev]

Eh, like anything else, commercial radio is a business, which means they need to make money, and they aren't going to do that by trying to educate the masses with a bunch of unknown artists that aren't going to appeal to them anyway.  This is why if you turn on your local classic rock FM station, you'll hear Black Dog, Hotel California and You Shook Me All Night Long all played 11 times a day.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

What's your favorite Haken song?

Me:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I7niXACtPE

[Mladen]

Probably Aquarium. Or Celestial elixir.

[Ruby Inferno]

Haken are so talented, and they're all lovely people. I do hope it won't be too long before they can make a living solely off the band. I can only imagine how busy they must be, balancing full time jobs with writing, recording, and touring.

My favourite Haken song is probably Crystallised.

[jammindude]

A few weeks ago, I would have said Crystallized.   But recently, I've been getting more and more into Bound By Gravity.   Now I think that's taken over the #1 spot with a bullet.

[NoseofNicko]

My favorite is Somebody.

[johnnysuperfan]

Visions is great, love all their albums, Cockroach King Rules !!!!! 

[jakepriest]

Usually I would say Pareidolia, but it has to be Bound By Gravity right now.