The Story of Writing
Interview with the author
of the StarBast biography
Nicolas Dubois (ND): We’ve finally met here, in the Austrian mountains, at the edge of the world, where time seems to flow differently. We’re sitting in your cozy chalet, not far from Bad Gastein, where you’ve retreated with your shaggy friend. By the way, what’s his name?
Holger Schmidt (HS): Guy. Caesar! Caesar, the emperor of all bobtails in the world!
ND: That’s a wonderful name! Sorry, I’m a bit nervous… I’ve never really conducted an interview with a writer before. But let’s start, if you don’t mind. Since our first meeting in 2017, many things have changed, but we’ve always shared a love for music, especially for the story of your favorite band The StarBast. In recent years, you’ve been living in relative seclusion, yet your chronicles of the band have become an important part of cultural heritage. How did this come about? What led you to become, let’s say, the chronicler of this enigmatic band? We’re preparing a website dedicated to The StarBast, and anticipating questions from fans of both the band and your books, we’d like to clarify a few things…
HS (smiling, stroking his dog): Don’t worry, it’s fine. It’s just an interview — you can always edit it later. It all started with simple curiosity. I was a young rock journalist, and no one, including me, thought that StarBast would become such a significant phenomenon. For me, at the time, it was just a job — following the band, writing articles. But their philosophy and their music captivated me, and I realized that no one could tell their story the way I could.
ND: Judging by what you’ve written in your books, the band always meant more to you than just a musical group. What unique qualities did you find in them?
HS (gazing at the distant snow-capped peaks): You’re right. Absolutely right. The StarBast was never just a band. Their music reflected a struggle for freedom — from the system, from the world, from their own limitations. Each of the members had their own internal mission; they were like philosophers in the world of music, even though much of this remained offstage. Bastian, Koeb, Eri, Hermann — each had their own fate, and their music absorbed all this mixture of dreams, losses, and aspirations. For me, it was important to show that they weren’t just musicians but seekers, fighters for something much greater.
Despite their star status, each member chose what might seem like an ordinary path. Schwarz, for example, became a teacher, Hermann co-owned a restaurant, and Klaus went into war journalism. But in reality, they were fully formed individuals who didn’t limit themselves to music alone. Their freedom and maturity make them role models. Who else should today’s youth look up to? And their music mirrors who they are — free, profound, requiring deep immersion.
You once asked me why I always called them a cult band. I am convinced that the term 'cult' fully applies to The StarBast. They didn’t just play music; they created philosophy. Which brings us to the question of commercialism.
ND (interrupts with a smile): You talk about them as if they were old friends. Did that friendship survive even after the band broke up?
HS: Yes, exactly. We’re still on good terms. Hermann, for example, helped me with the archives. If it weren’t for his diaries, my books might have remained just an idea. He was the one who preserved every event, every emotion that happened to the band. It’s his records that form the basis of my work. And Klaus, even after becoming a war correspondent, remained a bright and courageous person. I know his work as a photographer helped him get through many moments that would have broken others.
To be honest, you’ve also had a significant influence on me. If you think about it, you were the one who pushed me toward turning the band’s biography into illustrated books. It was your suggestion to combine music and visual imagery that gave me a powerful creative impulse. I remember you talking about your childhood memories — those old tapes of The StarBast that you and your friends painstakingly deciphered. That inspired me to take my work to the next level.
ND: Each of your books, as I see it, focuses on different periods in the band’s history. How do you decide which moments are the most important for a new volume?
HS: It depends on what the archives and the members' records reveal. For example, "The Eye of Bosch" and" Bastian’s Wanderings" were closely tied to Bastian’s philosophy and creative quests. "AUM" was more about Hermann’s perspective on the band, his attempts to find meaning in everything they did — although that book is also very much about Koeb. With each new volume, I felt like I was discovering something new, not only about the band but also about myself. Initially, I had a plan — to write a book about each band member. But plans, you know…
ND (laughs): And how do you find the time for all this creativity, living here in the mountains?
HS (with a smile): My dog and walks in these mountains help keep my mind clear. And the sound of the wind. The crystal-clear air, free of civilization’s scents! This place has become a refuge for me, just as music was for The StarBast.
ND (leaning back in his chair): This place is breathtaking, especially when you look at those peaks. Do you think the environment truly has as much influence on a person as people say? Did this place affect your creative process?
HS (thoughtfully looking out the window): I believe the place does have a significant influence on how you write and what you think about. The mountains here are like a metaphor for time. On the one hand, they are eternal, like the story I’m telling. On the other hand, they remind you of the fleeting nature of life, like the fates of the band members. Every day, looking at these peaks, you focus on what really matters — the stories that must not be forgotten. Yes, this place has become an integral part of my work, as if nature itself is helping me hold onto their memory. Trust me, the pathos in my words is not false. Live here for a while, and you’ll understand.
ND: It’s hard to believe you left your career as a journalist to chronicle a band that’s no longer in the spotlight. Were there moments when you wondered if it was worth it?
HS (smiling): Oh, there were moments, no doubt. When I first started writing, all my old articles and photos related to The StarBast were seized and classified by a corporation I used to work for. I won’t name names, but that was a serious blow. I really thought everything was lost. But then Hermann appeared with his diaries, and it was like a sign — I had to keep going. From that moment, I understood that their story needed to be told, no matter how difficult it would be.
ND (leaning forward, intrigued): And what about the other band members? You’ve had many interactions with them. You mentioned seeing Bastian after his disappearance. Is that true, or just a literary embellishment?
HS (laughing): Yes, it’s true. I ran into him completely by chance at a train station in Italy. I had almost given up hope of finding any of them, and there he was — standing in front of me with his trademark smile and a bottle of whiskey in hand. We traveled together for nearly a day, and he told me about his adventures. That conversation became the basis for one of my books in the Bastian’s Wanderings series. Sometimes, I feel like The StarBast never really disappeared. They just continued to exist in another dimension — in memories and stories, in their unique musical cosmos.
ND: So that’s where the idea for that amazing section of the book came from. You mentioned Bastian had his own odyssey. Did he tell you anything especially fascinating?
HS (nodding): Of course! He talked about how he wandered after the band broke up. According to him, he lived in India, made films in Bollywood, and traveled the world, searching for himself. His life became almost legendary — he turned into a rock-and-roll Ulysses. Between you and me, he is Ulysses, the 20th-century Odysseus. He was searching for the answer to the ultimate question: what is freedom, and can you achieve it without losing yourself? These quests became the theme of my book.
ND (smiling): That reminds me of one of The StarBast’s old songs.
HS: Exactly. The StarBast were always searching for new forms of expression. They experimented not only with music but also with philosophy, trying to understand what it means to be free. And while their music was underappreciated in its time, now it seems more relevant than ever. That’s one of the main ideas behind my books — to remind people that there’s music out there that demands reflection and discovery.
ND (pausing, softly): Now I understand better why you didn’t give up on this work despite the challenges. You’re not just telling a band’s biography — it’s an attempt to understand who we are and where we are headed.
HS (smiling): Yes, you’re right, Nicolas. That’s exactly why I continue writing. Every time I open an old record or remember one of our conversations with Bastian, Koeb, or Hermann, I feel like I must keep going. This is a story that continues, even if StarBast hasn’t been on stage for a long time.
ND (raising his cup): To continuing the story, my friend!
ND (placing the cup down, after a brief pause): Holger, I can’t help but ask one more question that has been on my mind for a while. You’ve always been surrounded by people — The StarBast wasn’t just a band, but a whole world where you lived, worked, and created. Why did you choose to live in solitude? What made you leave it all behind and settle here, in the mountains?
HS (glancing at his dog, then at the mountains outside the window, taking a deep breath): I understand what you’re getting at, Nicolas. Here’s my answer. I think it was a gradual decision. When you work on something as personal as the story of StarBast, you start to feel the weight of time and events. I lived through their lives for so many years — their rises, falls, struggles, and losses — that at some point, I realized I needed space to make sense of myself.
ND (gently): You needed silence to process it all?
HS (nodding): Yes, and that silence was necessary for me to keep writing. Seclusion gave me the chance to hear my own story, not just theirs. These mountains, this air — they help me see everything from a different perspective. Here, I can finally slow down and live each moment mindfully. It’s what I was missing when I was a journalist, chasing stories and conducting interviews.
ND: Do you feel at peace here?
HS: Yes, here I can continue my work, but without the rush and noise of the outside world. Ironically, it’s in this quiet that I’ve heard more about The StarBast and myself than in all those years we spent on tour.
ND (after a pause, carefully): Holger, there’s another question that has been troubling me for a while. You’ve dedicated so many years to chronicling The StarBast, but why do you think interest in their music has almost completely faded? And as you know, it was our mutual decision, with the help of my musician friends, to revive the band’s music archives and reimagine them for the present day. Do you think it’s possible for a new generation to rediscover the band?
HS (frowning slightly, thoughtfully stroking his chin): There are many reasons why The StarBast has nearly disappeared from the music scene. For one, they were always somewhat "out of this world." Their music didn’t fit standard formats, and by the 1980s, when they reached their peak, the commercial side of rock music had become dominant. The StarBast’s music required thoughtful listening and deep immersion — something the mass audience wasn’t always prepared to give. That doesn’t mean the band wasn’t great; it’s just that their time and style didn’t align with the trends.
ND (inquiring): But nowadays, more people seem to be turning to experimental music, to philosophy and deep meaning. Could the new generation find something for themselves in The StarBast?
HS (nodding): Absolutely. And the fact that you and your friends decided to bring The StarBast’s archives back to life is a fascinating development. I’ve heard your recordings, and I think they could be a starting point for rediscovering the band. You haven’t just recreated the old compositions; you’ve reimagined them, adding a new sound that resonates with our time. There’s a powerful energy in that — a fusion of the past and present, especially in today’s chaotic world. The StarBast always spoke about freedom and rebellion against the system, and in today’s context, that theme resonates once again.
ND: So, to clarify, you believe this "revival effect" is possible?
HS (with a slight smile): I think it’s already begun. We live in an era of remixes, reinterpretations, and returns to the roots. If musicians can breathe new life into The StarBast’s legacy, it could be like a spark — people will start seeking out the originals, learning about the band’s history. Their music could find a new audience, one that’s ready to understand the deeper meanings they embedded in their work. After all, their music is "timeless." This could be another chapter in their odyssey, but in a modern context.
ND (eyes gleaming): Have you ever thought about turning your books into a film? Imagine the impact their story could have on screen, with The StarBast’s music as the soundtrack. It could make people rediscover the band’s forgotten melodies.
HS (smiling, shaking his head): That’s an interesting idea, Nicolas. And you’re not the first to suggest it. To be honest, I’ve thought about it myself — a film, maybe a series… Funny, you’re pushing me into new projects again, just like you did with the illustrated books. Remember, it was your idea to merge music and visual imagery, engaging as many senses as possible. We worked with artists to create illustrations for my books — it was an unusual but very productive process. I collaborated with many talented artists who were thrilled to work with The StarBast as a subject. Each illustration was an attempt to convey, through visual language, the energy that was present in their music and their lives.
ND (curious): How do you feel about the result?
HS (enthusiastically): It was an incredible experience! We used graphic metaphors, abstract imagery, to visualize the music and philosophy of StarBast. One of the key projects was based on the album "The Eye of Bosch" — we tried to convey the complexity and multi-layered nature of the composition through scenes inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch. Some of the images were almost surreal, much like their music, which always pushed the boundaries of conventional reality. The illustrations added an emotional layer that words alone couldn’t always capture. It was like building a bridge between the text and the sound.
ND: So maybe the next step is film?
HS (thoughtfully, but with a spark in his eye): It would be a logical step. Visualizing the band’s story on screen could be an excellent way to bring their music back into the modern context. Especially since their philosophy and ideas are deep enough to resonate with a new generation. Imagine a film about StarBast, where each chapter of their lives is accompanied by their original compositions, and your remixes serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
ND: That could be a real cultural event!
HS (smiling): These days, I’m careful with my statements, but it’s entirely possible. It wouldn’t just be a continuation of the band’s story but also of my own life as their chronicler, someone who wants to ensure they aren’t forgotten.
ND (smiling, leaning back in his chair): Well, on that wonderful note, I think we can conclude our official conversation. Now that we’ve discussed the possibility of a film and visual storytelling, the story of The StarBast feels even more tangible. Who knows? This project might just become your next step, and the world could start talking about The StarBast once again.
HS (gazing at the mountains): Time will tell, Nicolas. Sometimes life throws us surprises we never expect. But if this happens, it would be wonderful to hear their music once again, making people reflect on the past and what still lies ahead. Like each of us, The StarBast has its own path forward.
ND (rising and shaking Holger’s hand): Thank you for the conversation, Holger. Good luck in your creative endeavors. We’ll be waiting for the next chapter in this extraordinary story.
HS (smiling warmly, shrugging slightly): Thank you, Nicolas. Maybe this isn’t the end, but just a new chapter.
Holger Schmidt (HS): Guy. Caesar! Caesar, the emperor of all bobtails in the world!
ND: That’s a wonderful name! Sorry, I’m a bit nervous… I’ve never really conducted an interview with a writer before. But let’s start, if you don’t mind. Since our first meeting in 2017, many things have changed, but we’ve always shared a love for music, especially for the story of your favorite band The StarBast. In recent years, you’ve been living in relative seclusion, yet your chronicles of the band have become an important part of cultural heritage. How did this come about? What led you to become, let’s say, the chronicler of this enigmatic band? We’re preparing a website dedicated to The StarBast, and anticipating questions from fans of both the band and your books, we’d like to clarify a few things…
HS (smiling, stroking his dog): Don’t worry, it’s fine. It’s just an interview — you can always edit it later. It all started with simple curiosity. I was a young rock journalist, and no one, including me, thought that StarBast would become such a significant phenomenon. For me, at the time, it was just a job — following the band, writing articles. But their philosophy and their music captivated me, and I realized that no one could tell their story the way I could.
ND: Judging by what you’ve written in your books, the band always meant more to you than just a musical group. What unique qualities did you find in them?
HS (gazing at the distant snow-capped peaks): You’re right. Absolutely right. The StarBast was never just a band. Their music reflected a struggle for freedom — from the system, from the world, from their own limitations. Each of the members had their own internal mission; they were like philosophers in the world of music, even though much of this remained offstage. Bastian, Koeb, Eri, Hermann — each had their own fate, and their music absorbed all this mixture of dreams, losses, and aspirations. For me, it was important to show that they weren’t just musicians but seekers, fighters for something much greater.
Despite their star status, each member chose what might seem like an ordinary path. Schwarz, for example, became a teacher, Hermann co-owned a restaurant, and Klaus went into war journalism. But in reality, they were fully formed individuals who didn’t limit themselves to music alone. Their freedom and maturity make them role models. Who else should today’s youth look up to? And their music mirrors who they are — free, profound, requiring deep immersion.
You once asked me why I always called them a cult band. I am convinced that the term 'cult' fully applies to The StarBast. They didn’t just play music; they created philosophy. Which brings us to the question of commercialism.
ND (interrupts with a smile): You talk about them as if they were old friends. Did that friendship survive even after the band broke up?
HS: Yes, exactly. We’re still on good terms. Hermann, for example, helped me with the archives. If it weren’t for his diaries, my books might have remained just an idea. He was the one who preserved every event, every emotion that happened to the band. It’s his records that form the basis of my work. And Klaus, even after becoming a war correspondent, remained a bright and courageous person. I know his work as a photographer helped him get through many moments that would have broken others.
To be honest, you’ve also had a significant influence on me. If you think about it, you were the one who pushed me toward turning the band’s biography into illustrated books. It was your suggestion to combine music and visual imagery that gave me a powerful creative impulse. I remember you talking about your childhood memories — those old tapes of The StarBast that you and your friends painstakingly deciphered. That inspired me to take my work to the next level.
ND: Each of your books, as I see it, focuses on different periods in the band’s history. How do you decide which moments are the most important for a new volume?
HS: It depends on what the archives and the members' records reveal. For example, "The Eye of Bosch" and" Bastian’s Wanderings" were closely tied to Bastian’s philosophy and creative quests. "AUM" was more about Hermann’s perspective on the band, his attempts to find meaning in everything they did — although that book is also very much about Koeb. With each new volume, I felt like I was discovering something new, not only about the band but also about myself. Initially, I had a plan — to write a book about each band member. But plans, you know…
ND (laughs): And how do you find the time for all this creativity, living here in the mountains?
HS (with a smile): My dog and walks in these mountains help keep my mind clear. And the sound of the wind. The crystal-clear air, free of civilization’s scents! This place has become a refuge for me, just as music was for The StarBast.
ND (leaning back in his chair): This place is breathtaking, especially when you look at those peaks. Do you think the environment truly has as much influence on a person as people say? Did this place affect your creative process?
HS (thoughtfully looking out the window): I believe the place does have a significant influence on how you write and what you think about. The mountains here are like a metaphor for time. On the one hand, they are eternal, like the story I’m telling. On the other hand, they remind you of the fleeting nature of life, like the fates of the band members. Every day, looking at these peaks, you focus on what really matters — the stories that must not be forgotten. Yes, this place has become an integral part of my work, as if nature itself is helping me hold onto their memory. Trust me, the pathos in my words is not false. Live here for a while, and you’ll understand.
ND: It’s hard to believe you left your career as a journalist to chronicle a band that’s no longer in the spotlight. Were there moments when you wondered if it was worth it?
HS (smiling): Oh, there were moments, no doubt. When I first started writing, all my old articles and photos related to The StarBast were seized and classified by a corporation I used to work for. I won’t name names, but that was a serious blow. I really thought everything was lost. But then Hermann appeared with his diaries, and it was like a sign — I had to keep going. From that moment, I understood that their story needed to be told, no matter how difficult it would be.
ND (leaning forward, intrigued): And what about the other band members? You’ve had many interactions with them. You mentioned seeing Bastian after his disappearance. Is that true, or just a literary embellishment?
HS (laughing): Yes, it’s true. I ran into him completely by chance at a train station in Italy. I had almost given up hope of finding any of them, and there he was — standing in front of me with his trademark smile and a bottle of whiskey in hand. We traveled together for nearly a day, and he told me about his adventures. That conversation became the basis for one of my books in the Bastian’s Wanderings series. Sometimes, I feel like The StarBast never really disappeared. They just continued to exist in another dimension — in memories and stories, in their unique musical cosmos.
ND: So that’s where the idea for that amazing section of the book came from. You mentioned Bastian had his own odyssey. Did he tell you anything especially fascinating?
HS (nodding): Of course! He talked about how he wandered after the band broke up. According to him, he lived in India, made films in Bollywood, and traveled the world, searching for himself. His life became almost legendary — he turned into a rock-and-roll Ulysses. Between you and me, he is Ulysses, the 20th-century Odysseus. He was searching for the answer to the ultimate question: what is freedom, and can you achieve it without losing yourself? These quests became the theme of my book.
ND (smiling): That reminds me of one of The StarBast’s old songs.
HS: Exactly. The StarBast were always searching for new forms of expression. They experimented not only with music but also with philosophy, trying to understand what it means to be free. And while their music was underappreciated in its time, now it seems more relevant than ever. That’s one of the main ideas behind my books — to remind people that there’s music out there that demands reflection and discovery.
ND (pausing, softly): Now I understand better why you didn’t give up on this work despite the challenges. You’re not just telling a band’s biography — it’s an attempt to understand who we are and where we are headed.
HS (smiling): Yes, you’re right, Nicolas. That’s exactly why I continue writing. Every time I open an old record or remember one of our conversations with Bastian, Koeb, or Hermann, I feel like I must keep going. This is a story that continues, even if StarBast hasn’t been on stage for a long time.
ND (raising his cup): To continuing the story, my friend!
ND (placing the cup down, after a brief pause): Holger, I can’t help but ask one more question that has been on my mind for a while. You’ve always been surrounded by people — The StarBast wasn’t just a band, but a whole world where you lived, worked, and created. Why did you choose to live in solitude? What made you leave it all behind and settle here, in the mountains?
HS (glancing at his dog, then at the mountains outside the window, taking a deep breath): I understand what you’re getting at, Nicolas. Here’s my answer. I think it was a gradual decision. When you work on something as personal as the story of StarBast, you start to feel the weight of time and events. I lived through their lives for so many years — their rises, falls, struggles, and losses — that at some point, I realized I needed space to make sense of myself.
ND (gently): You needed silence to process it all?
HS (nodding): Yes, and that silence was necessary for me to keep writing. Seclusion gave me the chance to hear my own story, not just theirs. These mountains, this air — they help me see everything from a different perspective. Here, I can finally slow down and live each moment mindfully. It’s what I was missing when I was a journalist, chasing stories and conducting interviews.
ND: Do you feel at peace here?
HS: Yes, here I can continue my work, but without the rush and noise of the outside world. Ironically, it’s in this quiet that I’ve heard more about The StarBast and myself than in all those years we spent on tour.
ND (after a pause, carefully): Holger, there’s another question that has been troubling me for a while. You’ve dedicated so many years to chronicling The StarBast, but why do you think interest in their music has almost completely faded? And as you know, it was our mutual decision, with the help of my musician friends, to revive the band’s music archives and reimagine them for the present day. Do you think it’s possible for a new generation to rediscover the band?
HS (frowning slightly, thoughtfully stroking his chin): There are many reasons why The StarBast has nearly disappeared from the music scene. For one, they were always somewhat "out of this world." Their music didn’t fit standard formats, and by the 1980s, when they reached their peak, the commercial side of rock music had become dominant. The StarBast’s music required thoughtful listening and deep immersion — something the mass audience wasn’t always prepared to give. That doesn’t mean the band wasn’t great; it’s just that their time and style didn’t align with the trends.
ND (inquiring): But nowadays, more people seem to be turning to experimental music, to philosophy and deep meaning. Could the new generation find something for themselves in The StarBast?
HS (nodding): Absolutely. And the fact that you and your friends decided to bring The StarBast’s archives back to life is a fascinating development. I’ve heard your recordings, and I think they could be a starting point for rediscovering the band. You haven’t just recreated the old compositions; you’ve reimagined them, adding a new sound that resonates with our time. There’s a powerful energy in that — a fusion of the past and present, especially in today’s chaotic world. The StarBast always spoke about freedom and rebellion against the system, and in today’s context, that theme resonates once again.
ND: So, to clarify, you believe this "revival effect" is possible?
HS (with a slight smile): I think it’s already begun. We live in an era of remixes, reinterpretations, and returns to the roots. If musicians can breathe new life into The StarBast’s legacy, it could be like a spark — people will start seeking out the originals, learning about the band’s history. Their music could find a new audience, one that’s ready to understand the deeper meanings they embedded in their work. After all, their music is "timeless." This could be another chapter in their odyssey, but in a modern context.
ND (eyes gleaming): Have you ever thought about turning your books into a film? Imagine the impact their story could have on screen, with The StarBast’s music as the soundtrack. It could make people rediscover the band’s forgotten melodies.
HS (smiling, shaking his head): That’s an interesting idea, Nicolas. And you’re not the first to suggest it. To be honest, I’ve thought about it myself — a film, maybe a series… Funny, you’re pushing me into new projects again, just like you did with the illustrated books. Remember, it was your idea to merge music and visual imagery, engaging as many senses as possible. We worked with artists to create illustrations for my books — it was an unusual but very productive process. I collaborated with many talented artists who were thrilled to work with The StarBast as a subject. Each illustration was an attempt to convey, through visual language, the energy that was present in their music and their lives.
ND (curious): How do you feel about the result?
HS (enthusiastically): It was an incredible experience! We used graphic metaphors, abstract imagery, to visualize the music and philosophy of StarBast. One of the key projects was based on the album "The Eye of Bosch" — we tried to convey the complexity and multi-layered nature of the composition through scenes inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch. Some of the images were almost surreal, much like their music, which always pushed the boundaries of conventional reality. The illustrations added an emotional layer that words alone couldn’t always capture. It was like building a bridge between the text and the sound.
ND: So maybe the next step is film?
HS (thoughtfully, but with a spark in his eye): It would be a logical step. Visualizing the band’s story on screen could be an excellent way to bring their music back into the modern context. Especially since their philosophy and ideas are deep enough to resonate with a new generation. Imagine a film about StarBast, where each chapter of their lives is accompanied by their original compositions, and your remixes serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
ND: That could be a real cultural event!
HS (smiling): These days, I’m careful with my statements, but it’s entirely possible. It wouldn’t just be a continuation of the band’s story but also of my own life as their chronicler, someone who wants to ensure they aren’t forgotten.
ND (smiling, leaning back in his chair): Well, on that wonderful note, I think we can conclude our official conversation. Now that we’ve discussed the possibility of a film and visual storytelling, the story of The StarBast feels even more tangible. Who knows? This project might just become your next step, and the world could start talking about The StarBast once again.
HS (gazing at the mountains): Time will tell, Nicolas. Sometimes life throws us surprises we never expect. But if this happens, it would be wonderful to hear their music once again, making people reflect on the past and what still lies ahead. Like each of us, The StarBast has its own path forward.
ND (rising and shaking Holger’s hand): Thank you for the conversation, Holger. Good luck in your creative endeavors. We’ll be waiting for the next chapter in this extraordinary story.
HS (smiling warmly, shrugging slightly): Thank you, Nicolas. Maybe this isn’t the end, but just a new chapter.
Nicolas Dubois (ND): We’ve finally met here, in the Austrian mountains, at the edge of the world, where time seems to flow differently. We’re sitting in your cozy chalet, not far from Bad Gastein, where you’ve retreated with your shaggy friend. By the way, what’s his name?
Holger Schmidt (HS): Guy. Caesar! Caesar, the emperor of all bobtails in the world!
ND: That’s a wonderful name! Sorry, I’m a bit nervous… I’ve never really conducted an interview with a writer before. But let’s start, if you don’t mind. Since our first meeting in 2017, many things have changed, but we’ve always shared a love for music, especially for the story of your favorite band The StarBast. In recent years, you’ve been living in relative seclusion, yet your chronicles of the band have become an important part of cultural heritage. How did this come about? What led you to become, let’s say, the chronicler of this enigmatic band? We’re preparing a website dedicated to StarBast, and anticipating questions from fans of both the band and your books, we’d like to clarify a few things…
HS (smiling, stroking his dog): Don’t worry, it’s fine. It’s just an interview — you can always edit it later. It all started with simple curiosity. I was a young rock journalist, and no one, including me, thought that StarBast would become such a significant phenomenon. For me, at the time, it was just a job — following the band, writing articles. But their philosophy and their music captivated me, and I realized that no one could tell their story the way I could.
ND: Judging by what you’ve written in your books, the band always meant more to you than just a musical group. What unique qualities did you find in them?
HS (gazing at the distant snow-capped peaks): You’re right. Absolutely right. StarBast was never just a band. Their music reflected a struggle for freedom — from the system, from the world, from their own limitations. Each of the members had their own internal mission; they were like philosophers in the world of music, even though much of this remained offstage. Bastian, Koeb, Eri, Hermann — each had their own fate, and their music absorbed all this mixture of dreams, losses, and aspirations. For me, it was important to show that they weren’t just musicians but seekers, fighters for something much greater.
Despite their star status, each member chose what might seem like an ordinary path. Schwarz, for example, became a teacher, Hermann co-owned a restaurant, and Klaus went into war journalism. But in reality, they were fully formed individuals who didn’t limit themselves to music alone. Their freedom and maturity make them role models. Who else should today’s youth look up to? And their music mirrors who they are — free, profound, requiring deep immersion.
You once asked me why I always called them a cult band. I am convinced that the term 'cult' fully applies to The StarBast. They didn’t just play music; they created philosophy. Which brings us to the question of commercialism.
ND (interrupts with a smile): You talk about them as if they were old friends. Did that friendship survive even after the band broke up?
HS: Yes, exactly. We’re still on good terms. Hermann, for example, helped me with the archives. If it weren’t for his diaries, my books might have remained just an idea. He was the one who preserved every event, every emotion that happened to the band. It’s his records that form the basis of my work. And Klaus, even after becoming a war correspondent, remained a bright and courageous person. I know his work as a photographer helped him get through many moments that would have broken others.
To be honest, you’ve also had a significant influence on me. If you think about it, you were the one who pushed me toward turning the band’s biography into illustrated books. It was your suggestion to combine music and visual imagery that gave me a powerful creative impulse. I remember you talking about your childhood memories — those old tapes of The StarBast that you and your friends painstakingly deciphered. That inspired me to take my work to the next level.
ND: Each of your books, as I see it, focuses on different periods in the band’s history. How do you decide which moments are the most important for a new volume?
HS: It depends on what the archives and the members' records reveal. For example, The Eye of Bosch and Bastian’s Wanderings were closely tied to Bastian’s philosophy and creative quests. AUM was more about Hermann’s perspective on the band, his attempts to find meaning in everything they did — although that book is also very much about Koeb. With each new volume, I felt like I was discovering something new, not only about the band but also about myself. Initially, I had a plan — to write a book about each band member. But plans, you know…
ND (laughs): And how do you find the time for all this creativity, living here in the mountains?
HS (with a smile): My dog and walks in these mountains help keep my mind clear. And the sound of the wind. The crystal-clear air, free of civilization’s scents! This place has become a refuge for me, just as music was for The StarBast.
ND (leaning back in his chair): This place is breathtaking, especially when you look at those peaks. Do you think the environment truly has as much influence on a person as people say? Did this place affect your creative process?
HS (thoughtfully looking out the window): I believe the place does have a significant influence on how you write and what you think about. The mountains here are like a metaphor for time. On one hand, they are eternal, like the story I’m telling. On the other hand, they remind you of the fleeting nature of life, like the fates of the band members. Every day, looking at these peaks, you focus on what really matters — the stories that must not be forgotten. Yes, this place has become an integral part of my work, as if nature itself is helping me hold onto their memory. Trust me, the pathos in my words is not false. Live here for a while, and you’ll understand.
ND: It’s hard to believe you left your career as a journalist to chronicle a band that’s no longer in the spotlight. Were there moments when you wondered if it was worth it?
HS (smiling): Oh, there were moments, no doubt. When I first started writing, all my old articles and photos related to StarBast were seized and classified by a corporation I used to work for. I won’t name names, but that was a serious blow. I really thought everything was lost. But then Hermann appeared with his diaries, and it was like a sign — I had to keep going. From that moment, I understood that their story needed to be told, no matter how difficult it would be.
ND (leaning forward, intrigued): And what about the other band members? You’ve had many interactions with them. You mentioned seeing Bastian after his disappearance. Is that true, or just a literary embellishment?
HS (laughing): Yes, it’s true. I ran into him completely by chance at a train station in Italy. I had almost given up hope of finding any of them, and there he was — standing in front of me with his trademark smile and a bottle of whiskey in hand. We traveled together for nearly a day, and he told me about his adventures. That conversation became the basis for one of my books in the Bastian’s Wanderings series. Sometimes, I feel like StarBast never really disappeared. They just continued to exist in another dimension — in memories and stories, in their unique musical cosmos.
ND: So that’s where the idea for that amazing section of the book came from. You mentioned Bastian had his own odyssey. Did he tell you anything especially fascinating?
HS (nodding): Of course! He talked about how he wandered after the band broke up. According to him, he lived in India, made films in Bollywood, and traveled the world, searching for himself. His life became almost legendary — he turned into a rock-and-roll Ulysses. Between you and me, he is Ulysses, the 20th-century Odysseus. He was searching for the answer to the ultimate question: what is freedom, and can you achieve it without losing yourself? These quests became the theme of my book.
ND (smiling): That reminds me of one of StarBast’s old songs.
HS: Exactly. StarBast were always searching for new forms of expression. They experimented not only with music but also with philosophy, trying to understand what it means to be free. And while their music was underappreciated in its time, now it seems more relevant than ever. That’s one of the main ideas behind my books — to remind people that there’s music out there that demands reflection and discovery.
ND (pausing, softly): Now I understand better why you didn’t give up on this work despite the challenges. You’re not just telling a band’s biography — it’s an attempt to understand who we are and where we are headed.
HS (smiling): Yes, you’re right, Nicolas. That’s exactly why I continue writing. Every time I open an old record or remember one of our conversations with Bastian, Koeb, or Hermann, I feel like I must keep going. This is a story that continues, even if StarBast hasn’t been on stage for a long time.
ND (raising his cup): To continuing the story, my friend!
ND (placing the cup down, after a brief pause): Holger, I can’t help but ask one more question that has been on my mind for a while. You’ve always been surrounded by people — StarBast wasn’t just a band, but a whole world where you lived, worked, and created. Why did you choose to live in solitude? What made you leave it all behind and settle here, in the mountains?
HS (glancing at his dog, then at the mountains outside the window, taking a deep breath): I understand what you’re getting at, Nicolas. Here’s my answer. I think it was a gradual decision. When you work on something as personal as the story of StarBast, you start to feel the weight of time and events. I lived through their lives for so many years — their rises, falls, struggles, and losses — that at some point, I realized I needed space to make sense of myself.
ND (gently): You needed silence to process it all?
HS (nodding): Yes, and that silence was necessary for me to keep writing. Seclusion gave me the chance to hear my own story, not just theirs. These mountains, this air — they help me see everything from a different perspective. Here, I can finally slow down and live each moment mindfully. It’s what I was missing when I was a journalist, chasing stories and conducting interviews.
ND: Do you feel at peace here?
HS: Yes, here I can continue my work, but without the rush and noise of the outside world. Ironically, it’s in this quiet that I’ve heard more about StarBast and myself than in all those years we spent on tour.
ND (after a pause, carefully): Holger, there’s another question that has been troubling me for a while. You’ve dedicated so many years to chronicling StarBast, but why do you think interest in their music has almost completely faded? And as you know, it was our mutual decision, with the help of my musician friends, to revive the band’s music archives and reimagine them for the present day. Do you think it’s possible for a new generation to rediscover the band?
HS (frowning slightly, thoughtfully stroking his chin): There are many reasons why StarBast has nearly disappeared from the music scene. For one, they were always somewhat "out of this world." Their music didn’t fit standard formats, and by the 1980s, when they reached their peak, the commercial side of rock music had become dominant. StarBast’s music required thoughtful listening and deep immersion — something the mass audience wasn’t always prepared to give. That doesn’t mean the band wasn’t great; it’s just that their time and style didn’t align with the trends.
ND (inquiring): But nowadays, more people seem to be turning to experimental music, to philosophy and deep meaning. Could the new generation find something for themselves in StarBast?
HS (nodding): Absolutely. And the fact that you and your friends decided to bring StarBast’s archives back to life is a fascinating development. I’ve heard your recordings, and I think they could be a starting point for rediscovering the band. You haven’t just recreated the old compositions; you’ve reimagined them, adding a new sound that resonates with our time. There’s a powerful energy in that — a fusion of the past and present, especially in today’s chaotic world. StarBast always spoke about freedom and rebellion against the system, and in today’s context, that theme resonates once again.
ND: So, to clarify, you believe this "revival effect" is possible?
HS (with a slight smile): I think it’s already begun. We live in an era of remixes, reinterpretations, and returns to the roots. If musicians can breathe new life into StarBast’s legacy, it could be like a spark — people will start seeking out the originals, learning about the band’s history. Their music could find a new audience, one that’s ready to understand the deeper meanings they embedded in their work. After all, their music is "timeless." This could be another chapter in their odyssey, but in a modern context.
ND (eyes gleaming): Have you ever thought about turning your books into a film? Imagine the impact their story could have on screen, with StarBast’s music as the soundtrack. It could make people rediscover the band’s forgotten melodies.
HS (smiling, shaking his head): That’s an interesting idea, Nicolas. And you’re not the first to suggest it. To be honest, I’ve thought about it myself — a film, maybe a series… Funny, you’re pushing me into new projects again, just like you did with the illustrated books. Remember, it was your idea to merge music and visual imagery, engaging as many senses as possible. We worked with artists to create illustrations for my books — it was an unusual but very productive process. I collaborated with many talented artists who were thrilled to work with StarBast as a subject. Each illustration was an attempt to convey, through visual language, the energy that was present in their music and their lives.
ND (curious): How do you feel about the result?
HS (enthusiastically): It was an incredible experience! We used graphic metaphors, abstract imagery, to visualize the music and philosophy of StarBast. One of the key projects was based on the album The Eye of Bosch — we tried to convey the complexity and multi-layered nature of the composition through scenes inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch. Some of the images were almost surreal, much like their music, which always pushed the boundaries of conventional reality. The illustrations added an emotional layer that words alone couldn’t always capture. It was like building a bridge between the text and the sound.
ND: So maybe the next step is film?
HS (thoughtfully, but with a spark in his eye): It would be a logical step. Visualizing the band’s story on screen could be an excellent way to bring their music back into the modern context. Especially since their philosophy and ideas are deep enough to resonate with a new generation. Imagine a film about StarBast, where each chapter of their lives is accompanied by their original compositions, and your remixes serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
ND: That could be a real cultural event!
HS (smiling): These days, I’m careful with my statements, but it’s entirely possible. It wouldn’t just be a continuation of the band’s story but also of my own life as their chronicler, someone who wants to ensure they aren’t forgotten.
ND (smiling, leaning back in his chair): Well, on that wonderful note, I think we can conclude our official conversation. Now that we’ve discussed the possibility of a film and visual storytelling, the story of StarBast feels even more tangible. Who knows? This project might just become your next step, and the world could start talking about StarBast once again.
HS (gazing at the mountains): Time will tell, Nicolas. Sometimes life throws us surprises we never expect. But if this happens, it would be wonderful to hear their music once again, making people reflect on the past and what still lies ahead. Like each of us, StarBast has its own path forward.
ND (rising and shaking Holger’s hand): Thank you for the conversation, Holger. Good luck in your creative endeavors. We’ll be waiting for the next chapter in this extraordinary story.
HS (smiling warmly, shrugging slightly): Thank you, Nicolas. Maybe this isn’t the end, but just a new chapter.
Holger Schmidt (HS): Guy. Caesar! Caesar, the emperor of all bobtails in the world!
ND: That’s a wonderful name! Sorry, I’m a bit nervous… I’ve never really conducted an interview with a writer before. But let’s start, if you don’t mind. Since our first meeting in 2017, many things have changed, but we’ve always shared a love for music, especially for the story of your favorite band The StarBast. In recent years, you’ve been living in relative seclusion, yet your chronicles of the band have become an important part of cultural heritage. How did this come about? What led you to become, let’s say, the chronicler of this enigmatic band? We’re preparing a website dedicated to StarBast, and anticipating questions from fans of both the band and your books, we’d like to clarify a few things…
HS (smiling, stroking his dog): Don’t worry, it’s fine. It’s just an interview — you can always edit it later. It all started with simple curiosity. I was a young rock journalist, and no one, including me, thought that StarBast would become such a significant phenomenon. For me, at the time, it was just a job — following the band, writing articles. But their philosophy and their music captivated me, and I realized that no one could tell their story the way I could.
ND: Judging by what you’ve written in your books, the band always meant more to you than just a musical group. What unique qualities did you find in them?
HS (gazing at the distant snow-capped peaks): You’re right. Absolutely right. StarBast was never just a band. Their music reflected a struggle for freedom — from the system, from the world, from their own limitations. Each of the members had their own internal mission; they were like philosophers in the world of music, even though much of this remained offstage. Bastian, Koeb, Eri, Hermann — each had their own fate, and their music absorbed all this mixture of dreams, losses, and aspirations. For me, it was important to show that they weren’t just musicians but seekers, fighters for something much greater.
Despite their star status, each member chose what might seem like an ordinary path. Schwarz, for example, became a teacher, Hermann co-owned a restaurant, and Klaus went into war journalism. But in reality, they were fully formed individuals who didn’t limit themselves to music alone. Their freedom and maturity make them role models. Who else should today’s youth look up to? And their music mirrors who they are — free, profound, requiring deep immersion.
You once asked me why I always called them a cult band. I am convinced that the term 'cult' fully applies to The StarBast. They didn’t just play music; they created philosophy. Which brings us to the question of commercialism.
ND (interrupts with a smile): You talk about them as if they were old friends. Did that friendship survive even after the band broke up?
HS: Yes, exactly. We’re still on good terms. Hermann, for example, helped me with the archives. If it weren’t for his diaries, my books might have remained just an idea. He was the one who preserved every event, every emotion that happened to the band. It’s his records that form the basis of my work. And Klaus, even after becoming a war correspondent, remained a bright and courageous person. I know his work as a photographer helped him get through many moments that would have broken others.
To be honest, you’ve also had a significant influence on me. If you think about it, you were the one who pushed me toward turning the band’s biography into illustrated books. It was your suggestion to combine music and visual imagery that gave me a powerful creative impulse. I remember you talking about your childhood memories — those old tapes of The StarBast that you and your friends painstakingly deciphered. That inspired me to take my work to the next level.
ND: Each of your books, as I see it, focuses on different periods in the band’s history. How do you decide which moments are the most important for a new volume?
HS: It depends on what the archives and the members' records reveal. For example, The Eye of Bosch and Bastian’s Wanderings were closely tied to Bastian’s philosophy and creative quests. AUM was more about Hermann’s perspective on the band, his attempts to find meaning in everything they did — although that book is also very much about Koeb. With each new volume, I felt like I was discovering something new, not only about the band but also about myself. Initially, I had a plan — to write a book about each band member. But plans, you know…
ND (laughs): And how do you find the time for all this creativity, living here in the mountains?
HS (with a smile): My dog and walks in these mountains help keep my mind clear. And the sound of the wind. The crystal-clear air, free of civilization’s scents! This place has become a refuge for me, just as music was for The StarBast.
ND (leaning back in his chair): This place is breathtaking, especially when you look at those peaks. Do you think the environment truly has as much influence on a person as people say? Did this place affect your creative process?
HS (thoughtfully looking out the window): I believe the place does have a significant influence on how you write and what you think about. The mountains here are like a metaphor for time. On one hand, they are eternal, like the story I’m telling. On the other hand, they remind you of the fleeting nature of life, like the fates of the band members. Every day, looking at these peaks, you focus on what really matters — the stories that must not be forgotten. Yes, this place has become an integral part of my work, as if nature itself is helping me hold onto their memory. Trust me, the pathos in my words is not false. Live here for a while, and you’ll understand.
ND: It’s hard to believe you left your career as a journalist to chronicle a band that’s no longer in the spotlight. Were there moments when you wondered if it was worth it?
HS (smiling): Oh, there were moments, no doubt. When I first started writing, all my old articles and photos related to StarBast were seized and classified by a corporation I used to work for. I won’t name names, but that was a serious blow. I really thought everything was lost. But then Hermann appeared with his diaries, and it was like a sign — I had to keep going. From that moment, I understood that their story needed to be told, no matter how difficult it would be.
ND (leaning forward, intrigued): And what about the other band members? You’ve had many interactions with them. You mentioned seeing Bastian after his disappearance. Is that true, or just a literary embellishment?
HS (laughing): Yes, it’s true. I ran into him completely by chance at a train station in Italy. I had almost given up hope of finding any of them, and there he was — standing in front of me with his trademark smile and a bottle of whiskey in hand. We traveled together for nearly a day, and he told me about his adventures. That conversation became the basis for one of my books in the Bastian’s Wanderings series. Sometimes, I feel like StarBast never really disappeared. They just continued to exist in another dimension — in memories and stories, in their unique musical cosmos.
ND: So that’s where the idea for that amazing section of the book came from. You mentioned Bastian had his own odyssey. Did he tell you anything especially fascinating?
HS (nodding): Of course! He talked about how he wandered after the band broke up. According to him, he lived in India, made films in Bollywood, and traveled the world, searching for himself. His life became almost legendary — he turned into a rock-and-roll Ulysses. Between you and me, he is Ulysses, the 20th-century Odysseus. He was searching for the answer to the ultimate question: what is freedom, and can you achieve it without losing yourself? These quests became the theme of my book.
ND (smiling): That reminds me of one of StarBast’s old songs.
HS: Exactly. StarBast were always searching for new forms of expression. They experimented not only with music but also with philosophy, trying to understand what it means to be free. And while their music was underappreciated in its time, now it seems more relevant than ever. That’s one of the main ideas behind my books — to remind people that there’s music out there that demands reflection and discovery.
ND (pausing, softly): Now I understand better why you didn’t give up on this work despite the challenges. You’re not just telling a band’s biography — it’s an attempt to understand who we are and where we are headed.
HS (smiling): Yes, you’re right, Nicolas. That’s exactly why I continue writing. Every time I open an old record or remember one of our conversations with Bastian, Koeb, or Hermann, I feel like I must keep going. This is a story that continues, even if StarBast hasn’t been on stage for a long time.
ND (raising his cup): To continuing the story, my friend!
ND (placing the cup down, after a brief pause): Holger, I can’t help but ask one more question that has been on my mind for a while. You’ve always been surrounded by people — StarBast wasn’t just a band, but a whole world where you lived, worked, and created. Why did you choose to live in solitude? What made you leave it all behind and settle here, in the mountains?
HS (glancing at his dog, then at the mountains outside the window, taking a deep breath): I understand what you’re getting at, Nicolas. Here’s my answer. I think it was a gradual decision. When you work on something as personal as the story of StarBast, you start to feel the weight of time and events. I lived through their lives for so many years — their rises, falls, struggles, and losses — that at some point, I realized I needed space to make sense of myself.
ND (gently): You needed silence to process it all?
HS (nodding): Yes, and that silence was necessary for me to keep writing. Seclusion gave me the chance to hear my own story, not just theirs. These mountains, this air — they help me see everything from a different perspective. Here, I can finally slow down and live each moment mindfully. It’s what I was missing when I was a journalist, chasing stories and conducting interviews.
ND: Do you feel at peace here?
HS: Yes, here I can continue my work, but without the rush and noise of the outside world. Ironically, it’s in this quiet that I’ve heard more about StarBast and myself than in all those years we spent on tour.
ND (after a pause, carefully): Holger, there’s another question that has been troubling me for a while. You’ve dedicated so many years to chronicling StarBast, but why do you think interest in their music has almost completely faded? And as you know, it was our mutual decision, with the help of my musician friends, to revive the band’s music archives and reimagine them for the present day. Do you think it’s possible for a new generation to rediscover the band?
HS (frowning slightly, thoughtfully stroking his chin): There are many reasons why StarBast has nearly disappeared from the music scene. For one, they were always somewhat "out of this world." Their music didn’t fit standard formats, and by the 1980s, when they reached their peak, the commercial side of rock music had become dominant. StarBast’s music required thoughtful listening and deep immersion — something the mass audience wasn’t always prepared to give. That doesn’t mean the band wasn’t great; it’s just that their time and style didn’t align with the trends.
ND (inquiring): But nowadays, more people seem to be turning to experimental music, to philosophy and deep meaning. Could the new generation find something for themselves in StarBast?
HS (nodding): Absolutely. And the fact that you and your friends decided to bring StarBast’s archives back to life is a fascinating development. I’ve heard your recordings, and I think they could be a starting point for rediscovering the band. You haven’t just recreated the old compositions; you’ve reimagined them, adding a new sound that resonates with our time. There’s a powerful energy in that — a fusion of the past and present, especially in today’s chaotic world. StarBast always spoke about freedom and rebellion against the system, and in today’s context, that theme resonates once again.
ND: So, to clarify, you believe this "revival effect" is possible?
HS (with a slight smile): I think it’s already begun. We live in an era of remixes, reinterpretations, and returns to the roots. If musicians can breathe new life into StarBast’s legacy, it could be like a spark — people will start seeking out the originals, learning about the band’s history. Their music could find a new audience, one that’s ready to understand the deeper meanings they embedded in their work. After all, their music is "timeless." This could be another chapter in their odyssey, but in a modern context.
ND (eyes gleaming): Have you ever thought about turning your books into a film? Imagine the impact their story could have on screen, with StarBast’s music as the soundtrack. It could make people rediscover the band’s forgotten melodies.
HS (smiling, shaking his head): That’s an interesting idea, Nicolas. And you’re not the first to suggest it. To be honest, I’ve thought about it myself — a film, maybe a series… Funny, you’re pushing me into new projects again, just like you did with the illustrated books. Remember, it was your idea to merge music and visual imagery, engaging as many senses as possible. We worked with artists to create illustrations for my books — it was an unusual but very productive process. I collaborated with many talented artists who were thrilled to work with StarBast as a subject. Each illustration was an attempt to convey, through visual language, the energy that was present in their music and their lives.
ND (curious): How do you feel about the result?
HS (enthusiastically): It was an incredible experience! We used graphic metaphors, abstract imagery, to visualize the music and philosophy of StarBast. One of the key projects was based on the album The Eye of Bosch — we tried to convey the complexity and multi-layered nature of the composition through scenes inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch. Some of the images were almost surreal, much like their music, which always pushed the boundaries of conventional reality. The illustrations added an emotional layer that words alone couldn’t always capture. It was like building a bridge between the text and the sound.
ND: So maybe the next step is film?
HS (thoughtfully, but with a spark in his eye): It would be a logical step. Visualizing the band’s story on screen could be an excellent way to bring their music back into the modern context. Especially since their philosophy and ideas are deep enough to resonate with a new generation. Imagine a film about StarBast, where each chapter of their lives is accompanied by their original compositions, and your remixes serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
ND: That could be a real cultural event!
HS (smiling): These days, I’m careful with my statements, but it’s entirely possible. It wouldn’t just be a continuation of the band’s story but also of my own life as their chronicler, someone who wants to ensure they aren’t forgotten.
ND (smiling, leaning back in his chair): Well, on that wonderful note, I think we can conclude our official conversation. Now that we’ve discussed the possibility of a film and visual storytelling, the story of StarBast feels even more tangible. Who knows? This project might just become your next step, and the world could start talking about StarBast once again.
HS (gazing at the mountains): Time will tell, Nicolas. Sometimes life throws us surprises we never expect. But if this happens, it would be wonderful to hear their music once again, making people reflect on the past and what still lies ahead. Like each of us, StarBast has its own path forward.
ND (rising and shaking Holger’s hand): Thank you for the conversation, Holger. Good luck in your creative endeavors. We’ll be waiting for the next chapter in this extraordinary story.
HS (smiling warmly, shrugging slightly): Thank you, Nicolas. Maybe this isn’t the end, but just a new chapter.
