You have participated in the Emergenza Festival Edition 2015. What made you decide to take part in it?
Max: We were keeping an eye out for a cool contest when a friend sent us the submission link for Emergenza. Remy and I met up with Emergenza’s representative who explained how the contest worked. We thought it would be great to play in 3 cool, renowned venues in Brussels and then play at Taubertal Festival if we were to win the Belgian competition… We decided to give it a shot.  

As you approach the world final, what is your state of mind?
Axel: We want to soak up the experience of playing our first show outside of Belgium on a big stage, and simply play our asses off. We’re pumped up, that’s for sure.
Rem: Playing at Taubertal Festival is a huge opportunity for us. We’ll try our best.
Max: We’ve learned so much over the course of Emergenza and we’re going to learn even more as we get ready for the big day! There’s a lot of work ahead in the weeks to come if we want to make something really memorable. We have to push ourselves to new limits. I can’t wait.

What is your best memory from your Emergenza experience?
Max: At the Brussels finals, I tried new things with the audience and I wasn’t sure at all if they would go well or not. I wanted everyone to get down to the ground, sing with me and finally get up and party. To my amazement, everybody followed perfectly! From there I felt like I could do anything.
Rem: So true, when the crowd does exactly what you have in mind… it’s an amazing feeling.

What's behind your band's name? Any specific meaning?
It reflects our way of seeing music. Life is full of candy, sweet and sour moments. We have to seize them. For us music is a way of capturing these moments and keeping them alive.

If you had to choose a famous song that represents your band...which one would it be?
Axel: Stairway to heaven - Led Zeppelin
Max: Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free - Nina Simone
Rem: Twist and shout - The Beatles

If your band had another name, what would it be?
Axel: We came up with the hashtag #CandyArmy to get our fans excited for Emergenza’s Belgian finals in June. I think that would be a cool band name.
Max: If only we had the guts to use a name generated by BandNameMaker.com. What do you think of “The Balcony Yodelers”? Haha
Rem: So many possibilities… Let’s keep Candy Robbers for now ;-)

Can you tell us a funny story or anecdote about your experience on stage?
Max: Our first stage experience as a band was in the bar area of Brussels venue Atelier 210 in March 2014. It was perfect and awful at the same time. Axel’s guitar kept going out of tune.
Axel: Then Max’s guitar strap undid itself. The time he spent fixing it felt horribly long.
Max: ... like I was going to die… But we had managed to pack the entire place with 200+ people and the crowd’s energy was so good.
Remy: We had a blast and feedback definitely pushed us forward and confirmed we had to carry on.  

What can audiences expect from one of your live performances?
Max: To experience a spectrum of emotions, from excitement and cheerfulness to more intimate and heartfelt moments.
Remy: Be ready to move and have fun, but also feel the little details. We want to connect with the crowd.

Before you go on stage, do you have a ritual or a good luck charm that goes everywhere with you?
Rem: Personally, I like to warm up a little and drink a beer or a glass of red wine.
Max: Visualizing the moment I step on stage before the Candy Army. This helps me focus and want to give all of myself.
Axel: No good luck charms, but about an hour before the show I try to get away from everything and everyone. I need to find a mental state of coolness and channel my energies.

What is your dream gig?
Axel: We’d love to support Lucy Rose on her next European tour…
Remy: We all love her music. There is something very real about her and what she does.
Max: She’s not hiding behind an image or anything superficial. I think this is why her fans relate to her so well.

Do you guys have any hobbies? What do you do when you don’t play?
Axel: I play tennis and pickup soccer. I also read and watch TV shows.
Rem: I like recording music, taking pictures and hangout with my dog.
Max: I listen to music all the time. I have a passion for discovering all kinds of artists.

If you could invite a band or an artist at your party, dead or alive, who would it be?
Axel: Kanye West, please.
Rem: Sir Paul McCartney
Max: D’Angelo or Me’shell Ndegeocello

What are your short to medium term plans after the international final?
Axel: We have a new album titled Cookie Jar that’s coming out in September!
Max: There’s also new video material on the way, music videos, LIVE sessions, and more.

What question did I forget? Can you suggest a question you would want me to ask?
Nope. See you at Taubertal!

Why do you think you deserve to win the 2015 Festival edition?
Axel: ... Because we’re nice guys.
Rem:  Why not?
Max: I think every band that has made it to this final stage has every chance to win. We’ve all put our hearts and sweat into getting this far, and I’m sure every band is going to give their all. All that’s left is to have as much fun as possible and see what happens!