An Interview with ANTIAGE (Part 1 of 2)

In our two-part interview, we talk with ANTIAGE about their latest single, “Zenith of Decay,” and music as a fountain of youth.

Orkus: Let’s start at the beginning. How (and when) did ANTIAGE get started?
ANTIAGE: The three of us founding members—Finton, Veto, and Kaa—had already been musically active in various ways for many years. By the end of 2019, however, we were all at a similar point: Either we didn’t have an active band project at the time, or we were no longer really satisfied with what we were doing. The idea of making music together someday had been floating around for quite some time. In December 2019, we simply got together and saw what would happen. What started as a casual experiment quickly turned into genuine enthusiasm. Even after our first few sessions together, we had the feeling that something was taking shape here—something different from anything we’d done before.

O: What’s the story behind the name? Is there a message behind it?
ANTIAGE: In a way, yes. On the one hand, ANTIAGE represents the role that music plays for us. For us, music is a fountain of youth, regardless of our actual age. It keeps us curious, creative, and active. On the other hand, the name also suits us well because we were musically shaped by very different decades. Each of us brings different influences, references, and perspectives to the table. Perhaps it’s precisely this mix that’s an important part of what makes ANTIAGE what it is. In that sense, the name definitely makes a small statement.

O: A lot has happened since your debut album, *Aphrodisiac Odyssey*—especially after you won the newcomer contest at M’era Luna—and you’ve already impressed audiences with your music at various festivals. How would you briefly sum up the last three years? What were some of the most memorable highlights?
ANTIAGE: So much has actually happened over the past three years that it still feels a bit surreal at times. The biggest highlights were, without a doubt, the shows on the big festival stages. First and foremost, of course, was our performance on the Main Stage at the M’era Luna Festival. Another milestone was our first show abroad at the Summerside Festival in Switzerland. You don’t forget moments like that in a hurry. When you suddenly see your own band name on a festival poster alongside artists like Billy Idol or Ville Valo, it still feels a little unreal. Overall, we’re very grateful for the many experiences we’ve been able to gain in this relatively short time. When we look back on the last three years, we see above all that perseverance, independence, and a lot of hard work can pay off in the end.

O: Standing still has never been an option for ANTIAGE. While your first album leaned more toward synth-pop, your latest single, “Zenith of Decay,” takes a musical turn toward synth-rock with a touch of avant-garde. How did that “happen”?
ANTIAGE: For us, one doesn’t rule out the other. While our debut album did feature some very synth-pop-heavy songs, it also included distinctly guitar-oriented tracks that aren’t all that far removed musically from “Zenith of Decay.” In that sense, this development isn’t a break for us, but rather a logical continuation of what has been part of ANTIAGE from the very beginning. There are certainly several reasons why “Zenith of Decay” sounds a bit more organic and immediate. One important factor is the addition of our drummer, Jodian Danage, who brought new energy to the project. At the same time, we worked with a producer in the studio this time around, which gave the songs a different dynamic and depth. Fundamentally, though, we’ve never felt the need to commit to a specific style. If a song resonates with us, it can be synth-pop, rock, avant-garde, or something in between. This openness was already present on our first album and will continue to shape our future releases.

O: How can we even begin to imagine how “Zenith of Decay” came to be?
ANTIAGE: The initial spark for an ANTIAGE song can take many different forms. In the case of “Zenith of Decay,” it was the idea of writing a song with a driving beat à la DAF—without actually intending to write a DAF song. That was the starting point. From there, though, a lot of things develop very organically for us. Often, you start a song with a specific vision in mind and end up in a completely different place. When the bassline was added, the song slowly began to develop its own identity. Suddenly, it became clear that this wasn’t going to be just a musical exercise, but something in its own right. That’s exactly what we love about songwriting. You set an initial impulse, and at some point, the song takes the reins itself. “Zenith of Decay” is a pretty good example of that.

O: How did you come to choose this theme—the height of decay?
ANTIAGE: The theme actually emerged quite early on in the writing process. The song’s driving nature quickly conjured up the image of a person constantly searching for the next thrill—more intensity, more excess, more excitement. Not necessarily because they want to achieve something specific, but because standing still is no longer an option. We were fascinated by the idea that one might eventually reach a point where the escalation itself becomes an end in itself. You may have known for a long time that you’re heading toward an abyss, but you keep going anyway. It was precisely this thought that gave rise to the title “Zenith of Decay.” The peak is reached, but at the same time, decay begins or is completed. We like such contradictions. On the one hand, the title seems almost triumphant; on the other, it describes something that actually has nothing celebratory about it. The song moves precisely within this tension.

Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg

Lineup:
Kaa Soleil – vocals, lyrics
Finton Connedy – guitar, piano, backing vocals
VetoLestard – keyboard, backing vocals
Jodian Danage – drums

We’ll continue our interview soon.

Watch the video for “Zenith of Decay”: