Hi! Tell me about your band and what kind of previous experience do you have as musicians?

Phil: I have lots of previous experience. After doodling around with some smaller bands and cutting some demos, I founded Ophis in 2001 and recorded five full-lengths, four EPs, a compilation and toured Europe five times. Even though we have different levels of experience, no one in this band is a noob.

Why did you pick your band name? How did you form? Why did you decide to play the genre or genres you do?

Simon: We picked our name, becau Martin: I wish it would be possible. But not in this world and at this time.

What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Marcos: The idea of everyone sharing so that everyone can hear everything for free is an utopian idea. Although there are artists giving their music for free, in the end they are making it as a promotion for their next work, so they can reach a greater range of people or even sell it better. I think that fair prices for the music, merchandise and concert tickets throughout the music scene would be a better solution.

Martin: One should never forget that artists have expenses. The rehearsal room, instruments, power, that’s just the beginning. Creating music costs money, so unless one has a very well-paying job and no other obligations like family or similar it is the dream of every artist that their hobby would pay for itself.

Who are your musical influences? Have you ever think your band could be so famous as your favorites?

Marcos: My musical influences are wildly spread. They go from classical to electronic music. The question about fame is a difficult one. Even though it’s almost impossible to reach the fame level of some influences I see the question about fame more like a challenge to keep on making music. Martin: I don’t care much about fame, I have everything I could ever wish for.

Do you have a formal music education? Do you think it’s a Kind of important thing?

Marcos: I don’t think that a formal musical education is necessary for anyone to play in a band. You should only like to play your instrument and enjoy playing it together with your friends. The rest comes with time and practice.

Phil: I had a formal music education. It helps me here and there by making some things in the writing process faster, but it does not make me write better songs. You need the inspiration and the drive. If you do not have that, all musical education is completely useless.

How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?

Marcos: We all have different tasks in our daily lives. Apart from that we enjoy making music together and try to arrange our free time to rehearsal and compose. A good schedule is everything.

How do you handle mistakes during a performance? Or you can assure there are no any mistakes during your gigs? Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?

Marcos: Making mistakes during a live performance can happen. Even though we always try to avoid making mistakes, sometimes the situation on stage leads to some mistakes. More important for the live performance is the consistency of the whole band.

Phil: Every band makes some mistakes on stage, even the super-professionals such as Iron Maiden. If a musician ever tells you he never does, he is lying. Period! The important thing is: what kind of mistakes do you make, and can you cover it up? Over time, you learn to avoid the bad mistakes and accept the not so bad ones. I can only speak for myself, but I am not nervous before a performance. I have played over 200 shows in my life, and I accept the fact that mistakes happen, and I know what to do when they happen, so they do not scare me. Being afraid of mistakes on stage increase the chance for them to happen.

What’s next? Thank you!

Marcos: We have just released our first EP. Currently we are composing and preparing ourselves for our first full CD.