How much time did you spend on the composition of "Dragonchaser"? Are you a solid unit when composing?

I started writing the material in may 2000 and recorded it between September/November 2000. I wrote nearly all of the material by myself because I'm really into a song as a whole thing when I'm writing it. I'm a multiinstrumentalist, so I have a pretty defined idea of the music and the lyrics. I think sometimes it's really hard for the others to keep up with me 'cause I'm a real workaholic. I can bite my teeth's into one song 'til it's done.

Are you satisfied with the final results?

It's hard for me to say, because I've probably heard the tracks a million times, but I'm starting to have a bit distance to the songs and I think the whole thing turned out pretty cool.

In what way do you think this album it's different than the previous releases?

Every album pictures a different part of my life and I'm always trying as hard as I can. I really try to put my heart and soul in every song. Otherwise it wouldn't make sense to me because it's great thing to express yourself.

Which are the main themes on At Vance lyrics? Are there favorite themes when composing lyrics?

The overall message is to survive and solve all your problems and to reach your goals. Each song has a story on it's own, but the basic scenerie is during the middle ages because I think the people to conquer a lot of problems pretty straight. I mean the problems they had where more basic. Nowadays people tend to overdue things. They should really come down to the basic things in life.

How did the title "Dragonchaser" come about?

Basically it's about the "Rheingold Saga". This was a story I have been told many times when I was a kid. The place where Siegfried ( the Dragonchaser ) was murdered by Hagen von Tronje is very near from the place where I live and I've been there a couple of times. So I felt inspired to write a song 'bout this.

Please, tell us about the cover concept.

I had the idea with the cards and Ulli had the idea with the guy on the cover who’s handing the cards to the Dragonchaser. Each card is part of his destiny. So it’s kind of a story that can be continued. The whole thing turned into a kind of concept album. See what happens next. I think it’s cool to have a story behind the songs. It supports them in a way.

You already released the compilation "Early Works" in Japan... now it will be available worldwide, right? Can you tell us something about this album?

The material on this compilation is taken from the Albums "Centers" and "Fortuneteller" which was the project I’ve had before At Vance. It was just me and Olli and the music was more progressive orientated. But I think you don’t reach that much people with that type of music even though it’s cool to play for us musicians. I mean what is the sense of playing live if you have a bunch of musicians after the show who tell their friends: "It’s real complex music and these guys can play!" I’d rather give the whole audience a good time and sing along with the songs, that’s what it’s about. I have lots of difficulties and challenging parts with all the classical interpretationes we do. For example the Chopin tune, which was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever played in my life.

How has been the experience with your website?

The response is great, even though not everybody is signing our guestbook. But most of the people are signing in from: Spain, Japan, France & Germany.

Since then do you play guitar? What are some of your biggest influences?

I’m playing since I was 10. My biggest influence is probably Ritchie Blackmore (I’ve traded my 1st Skateboard against the "Made in Japan" Album). Then I have to name, of course Yngwie Malmsteen and Ulli Jon Roth who later became a good friend of mine and who helped me a lot in findin my way. He’s a fantastic guy. There’s one more guy I’d like to mention who’s also a good friend and this is Shawn Lane. He’s an incredible musician and definetily the fastest guitarist alive (check out ShawnLane.com and you’ll see what I’m talkin about). Another big influence on my playing are many classical composers such as Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Brahms, Grieg because my parents are listening a lot to classical music.

Is there some newcomer guitarist you can spotlight?

Timo Tolkki and Luca Turilli are pretty cool in my opinion.

Did you play for other bands before At Vance?

I’ve played with Zed Yago which later became Velvet Viper. After that I was working on Instrumental music what I still do. I’ve just released an album together with Don Airey from Whitesnake and Rainbow in Japan which is called: Olaf Lenk’s F.O.O.D./ Fun stuff.

What are your plans for the near future?

I guess we’ll try to make it big with At Vance and play as much as we can.

Finally, are there shows programmed over Europe? Will you also do any summer festivals?

We’re booked for some festivals in Germany, maybe we’re gonna play at Wacken (hopefully). And we’re looking foreward to support a Tour, but it all depends on the new label.

Do you have any additional comments? Add something if you like...

First of all we have to thank you for your support. I can tell that you got a true "heart of steel" and it’s a great honor to be featured on your page. Thanx a lot Marina and stay atvanced... ... ... Yours Olaf.

Awwwww, thank you!!!!!! :)

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