I first thought it was a bad joke when I've read that you had suddenly left JADED HEART. Can you tell us how it did happen and your main reasons for such a radical decision?

When did you start thinking of leaving the band, and when did you take the decision to do it?
I never thought of! This is, or better was, my baby. I founded JADED HEART. I wrote almost all the songs, I produced, I mean I did everything for this band…I would have not left the band!

The statement has been announced very discreetly in the biography section of your own web site. Why did you chose not to make a more clear communiqué ?
I didn´t really want to. I don´t wanna make a huge story out of this, even it´s sad and a bit pathetic, how it ended.. After 14 years I would have wished, that we parted as friends…

The news specifies that the band will try to carry on. I don’t think this could be Jaded Heart no more, as JH is Michael Bormann in my opinion. Why did you decide not to simply disband JH (this is not a suggestion !) ?
Thank you for that compliment :-). You know, I thought about it, but I came to the conclusion, that´s it´s not worth the effort. I´ll go my way anyways! I don´t like fighting for things! This is not my style. If they really think, they can b JADED HEART without my music and without my vocals, okay then. What can I say. Other bands tried that before… Maybe they will succeed, who knows. All the best for that. ;-)

I know you’re currently working on a new solo album. Is it the way you wanna work now ?
I always wanted to, as I always wanted to have Jaded Heart. My solo has nothing to do with the Jaded-style, that´s why it´s called solo. I write so many songs and still could record 5 albums with the current material… Music is my life and for me it is very simple to write songs, as it comes natural to me. I also like to work together with other musicians. Music is just great.

Your first solo release was pretty soft compared to your work in JH. Doing something different is the principal interest when you're doing a solo album if you are involved in a band, but now that you are not part of JH anymore, have you decided to change something in the orientation of your solo work ? What can we expect on that second solo album ?
You can expect everything :-). It´s so good, when you can do, whatever you want. No limits. So, I can´t tell you how it sounds like. I just gathered my best ideas together. I have to take 15 out of around 80…. So, stay tuned..

Will it be released through Z Records as the first one was?
No. After the problems, moneywise, etc…. I don´t see a release there. I have the best people working for me, BREAK OUT PROMOTION, and we´ll see where I can land.

Any release date already scheduled ?
No, not yet.

You have always been involved in many side projects. Does your decision to leave JH change something now ? Is it the start of a new way of making music for you ?
I guess, it is a new start for me. I always felt responsible for Jaded and it always played the first role. Now I´m free to do, whatever I want. To b honest, I focus more into the work as a producer, which is a great thing to do.

I know the new CHARADE album is about to come out. Can you tell us more about how this old project has been re-started?
Well, we never planed to. Guess 2years after the first release Angel and me spoke on the fone. We decided to repeat that. He sent me the songideas, but then it layed around for almost another 2 years in my flat, before I finally wrote and worked on them. After that it took again almost 2 years until it will be released now in Oktober ;-).

Do you know if there are plans to reissue the first CHARADE album which is pretty rare now?
It´s gonna b a digipack. Both records together. Good ,hm?! ;-)

Do you have any other project?
Well, there´s some projects coming up. First it will b a greek band, REDRUM. I´m gonna sing their record in January 2005… Right after that I´d like to produce the next RAIN-album. And there´s definitely coming an album, which was planed for JADED HEART. The songs are done (written). But I don´t know, how I will name that baby yet..

Finally, some people from Rockmeeting had moved from France to see you in Austria last July (to be totally honest, we were about two people..). How is your arm now?
It is back to normal again…. Jesus, I had the worst 6 weeks of my life. I couldn´t do nothing. I even had to be washed…..
Unfortunately I have to take a second surgery….. The titan, that they drilled thru my entire upper arm, has to be removed again after 1 or 2 years. Shit…..

I know this is not very important (retrospectively, it has its importance, as this was the last opportunity for a fan to see JH on stage), but how did you break your arm ?
Man, that´s so stupid. I slipped backwards and I fell so bad, that it broke in two peaces. Very very bad….. I wasn´t even wasted, or so…..

As a conclusion, what would you like to say to your fans, who are certainly a bit knocked out by your brutal decision to leave JH?
Don´t you worry! There´s another album coming up. The Jadedmusic is not gonna die. As I said before, I don´t know yet to name it. I promise to keep you updated!

Thanks a lot, Michael. I’m one of those "knocked out fans", and to tell the truth, I’m very disappointed, but I needed some more precisions, and I thank you for having accepted to answer my questions. Good luck.
Thank you. You´re welcome. Whenever you need some infos, updates, don´t hesitate to ask me.

More information about JADED HEART

© Rockmeeting.com - October 2004