The Obelisk Questionnaire: Norman Siegel of Haven
Posted in Questionnaire on December 10th, 2021 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Norman Siegel of Haven
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
Speaking just for me personally, I see what I do with HAVEN as pure self- expression – whether it’s through the music itself, including the lyrics, or through the way I move on stage when we play live. Also, our imagery we put out there… the videos, the artwork… these things are of course created in a collective effort, but they portray a part of my being that I find to be essential. I “have to” do it – so to speak.
The whole process of coming to this point would be too much to write down, but I believe in impulses everyone receives, which lead you to another impulse and so forth. So with all my influences, people I have met throughout my life, experiences I made – be they painful or joyful – they all led me to the others in the band and to do what we do now. Of course, that also includes our style of music and everything else.
Describe your first musical memory.
That probably would be me experiencing my father playing the drums with his band back then. I was only a few years old and therefore the memory is pretty vague, but I think that’s probably it.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
That’s really hard to say. Watching favorite bands of mine live, I had many moments where I was in an emotional state of mind and where – through the live-experience, the music and the moment – I felt something I can’t really put into words. Had these moments with Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Rós, Godspeed You Black Emperor, and Amenra.
…But definitely also performing with HAVEN and being in a similar state myself on stage, there are moments that come close to the experiences mentioned – slightly different maybe, but as intense. Also, there is a great feeling of accomplishment when you create a piece of music that you are proud of.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
That’s actually a tough one to answer. Maybe, I lack the self-awareness in that regard, if I am honest, but I don’t know if any of my beliefs are that firmly held in a way that I am truly tested if I experience something that challenges them. I can usually somewhat understand almost any kind of behavior by others – or at least acknowledge the reasons and causes that can explain it, even if I don’t like it or agree with it. Everything has some sort of validity, because it simply “is”. Everything and everyone has its / his or her story. There is sense or no sense behind all of it. … Yeah, but that’s an interesting question I will have to think about some more. Right now, I cannot recall a moment where I felt tested in that way.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Bliss and contentment, I hope. Also, of course, manifestation of thought and emotion.
How do you define success?
There are many aspects to this. For me, it is probably something in the realms of fulfilling certain goals you set for yourself. Those can be small ones or bigger ones, and they can be materialistic, artistic, or just about being a certain type of person and treating others around you in a certain way – and, I guess, also going about all of this with honesty and self-reflection. If I can be content with my being – that’s success. That also includes being okay with not being okay, with failing, and with feeling lost sometimes. To see things like that and experience them, use them for something inspirational maybe – that can be success, too.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Speaking from a personal belief that everything we experience leads us to a place where we should be, I cannot say I would wish to unsee anything really. I think that, as cruel as things can be in this world – which usually involves mankind or things we can’t really grasp with our way of perception and understanding of what we define as “life” – I think everything must exist. The mere fact that something is happening shows you that there is a reason for it. And that might not be a sophisticated or moral reason. Maybe it is just purely “things are, and then they are not”.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Hm. Also not easy to answer. Music that brings out the maximum of my potential I guess. We still have a lot of room to grow. And if part of that creation is to reach more people and to leave something behind, something that also creates something in them – that would be great.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
For the people that do it, it could be self-expression – as I mentioned earlier. Or trying to feel connected to something bigger than themselves. For the people experiencing it, it can be a remedy, pure entertainment or a “HAVEN” where they can find some sort of comfort, something thought-provoking or inspiration – or just fun.
I guess, since you can define many earthly things as art, a lot of things could fulfill that role.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
To share love. Experience autumn. Hopefully see snow in winter and take walks, with music I love in my ears. To get in touch with people and art again more, after this time of withdrawal. Also, personally, I hope I’ll find time to get more into performance art and contemporary dance. I love expressing myself through motion. That is something I want to take part in and explore more.
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