You have participated in the Emergenza Festival Edition 2014/2015. What made you decide to take part in it?
Our band CEDRIC rather started as a loose project of three guys already having separate bands, and we somewhat neglected the project for some months. After having recorded our first songs we really started to think that our music has something very intense, and so we decided to participate in the Emergenza contest to more or less force ourselves to finally get it together for the stage.

As you approach the world final, what is your state of mind?
We are very excited about it! Who would have thought that we would end up at the Taubertal festival? It just didn’t occur to us that we would make it there.

What is your best memory from your Emergenza experience? 
There are several: In the first round, we had some major technical problems and the crowd liked us anyway. In the following rounds it was just dazzling how people responded to our music. It all has been going great for us!

What's behind your band's name? Any specific meaning?
The given name Cedric has its origins in the Celtic language and is derived from the Celtic-Welsh words “carad” (loved) and “caru” (to love). Another meaning is derived from the Celtic words “kad” (war) and “ric” (sovereign).
This mixture of love and war appealed to us and seemed in many ways to fit to our music. But not being too scientific about it, we just love the sound of the word.

If you had to choose a famous song that represents your band...which one would it be?
This would probably be a totally different answer for every band member. The major musical influences of us three don’t overlap too much. It’s virtually impossible to name one song.

If your band had another name, what would it be?
In the beginning when we didn’t have a name we sometimes called ourselves “Mit Gudrun Ensslin in der Badewanne” (In the bath tub with Gudrun Ensslin) jokingly. Our humour tends to be absurd...

Can you tell us a funny story or anecdote about your experience on stage?
We always tell the lighting guy to use his fog machine a lot. During one gig, this led to us not seeing the audience and vice versa. The show became a blind flight for both sides...

What can audiences expect from one of your live performances?
Intensity, passion and little talking.

Before you go on stage, do you have a ritual or a good luck charm that goes everywhere with you?
Do you know those question/answer jokes? Like: “What do the Queen, the pope and Nelson Mandela have in common?” Our drummer Chris always likes to tell such a joke hours before our show and proceeds to tell us the answer only seconds before we get on stage...

What is your dream gig?
Probably that’s the the same for all performers who enter a stage: a big crowd having a good time and singing along to our lyrics! That would be... wow!

Do you guys have any hobbies? What do you do when you don’t play? 
Making music the way we do is already quiet time-consuming. But we like to do a lot of things, like good movies, listening to music and collecting records, going to live shows to see bands we like, a bit of photography here and there, sports... nothing spectacular.

If you could invite a band or an artist at your party, dead or alive, who would it be?
G.G. Allin.

What are your short to medium term plans after the international final?
We’ll be going on our first tour in October which includes dates in Germany and the UK. It’s gonna be a thrill!

What question did I forget? Can you suggest a question you would want me to ask?
We think you already asked us a couple of interesting questions by now...

Why do you think you deserve to win the 2015 Festival edition?
We don’t particularly think we deserve winning the finals, not having heard any of the music of the other contestants by now. We are convinced that everyone is there for a reason.