We finally get an interview with Migé. Here's the translation:

FP: The new CD is a 'normal' hit-filled HIM record again. Is that a new way after the mixed reviews to Venus Doom?

Mige: Not really. We’ve never cared about what people expect from us and HIM has always been an up and down between harder and softer records. Venus Doom was kind of our midlife crisis. The record reflects our situation back then, we’ve been pretty depressive in our private lives and we didn’t want to squeez this into 3-and-a-half-minute songs. Okay, this was commercial suicide but this is just how we are (laughs). But now our lives are good again – and so is the new record. We put the artistic aspect a bit into the background and let it sound a bit lighter.

FP: Nevertheless love on this record is a very painful affair again. Why?

Mige: When love is working out there is no reason to talk about it. You just feel the need to it when you’re having trouble. Then you need dialogues, friends, poetry. And the best dialogue is always music.

FP: But HIM is thematically fixed to this topic like hardly another band. Don’t you need alternative topics, don’t you fear that this might grow old?

Mige: So what? Okay then we repeat ourselves (laughs). It’s true though, but in a certain way those problems have been the same since the beginning of mankind. But they’re always new as well, the combination of fear and pain and uncertainty is always different. I think we’ll always have enough to write about. I think topics like politics are problematic since you can only comprehend them rationally and intellectually. They are not about emotions – but we want to make music with emotions.

FP: HIM is seen as a trendsetter-band, many fans imitate your singer VV. However you can get the impression that through your clothes you try to run away from this role and try to ground it. I recall this really ugly fur-vest you wore on stage in 2001. What part does styling play in your life?

Mige: This is rather a funny game for us which we refuse to play any longer. You won’t believe how many bands get their clothes from styling-advisors. This has never been our cup of tee, we just wear what we want. If the fans still like and imitate it, then it’s cool (laughs). But actually this is over. We just wear what suits our person.

FP: Are there any annoying hits you’d like to cancel out of your setlists?

Mige: Not really because hearing and playing are two different things. As a matter of fact there has been a time where I absolutely couldn’t stand hearing “Join Me” anymore. But on stage it was still okay. Especially since I think that people paid for it and want to hear their favorite songs. So we just play them. First and foremost the audience should have fun!

Original interview can be found here: