Radio Metal has just published an interview with GOTTHARD's new singer Nic Maeder who was announced as the replacement for the late Steve Lee, who was killed in a tragic accident last year. Here is an excerpt from the chat:

Radio Metal: Since you were still a completely unknown musician five days ago, before the official announcement, could you tell us about your background, your musical projects, etc?

Nic Maeder: I’ve been playing music all my life. I started to play a bit piano of when I was eight years-old. I didn’t like it that much and I quit. My piano teacher told my dad “oh don’t worry, one day he’ll pick up a guitar probably” and I did. I really started singing a bit after that and then had a lot of different bands and day jobs in between as well. Sometimes I could make a living from some bands for a little while but never very long. That’s how I’ve been doing this. Last year I’ve been doing acoustic covers in pubs in Australia and stuff. Then I started the auditioning process for this and here I am!"

Radio Metal: Didn’t you feel any pressure replacing Steve Lee or maybe were afraid of the reaction of Steve Lee’s fans?

Maeder: "Yeah of course, that’s definitely a lot of pressure. I think again you need not to think about it too much [he laughs]. It really helped me with it. And it’s really good having the guys here… It’s like family, everybody sticks together and everybody’s fighting the pressure, not just me. It makes it a lot easier."

Radio Metal: I guess it must be kind of embarrassing since you’re replacing someone who passed last year… Did you feel somehow ashamed of the feeling of being enthusiastic to be in the band?

Maeder: "No, not at all. The band really wanted to continue, that’s something that they’re really passionate about doing. I was really happy they asked me to do this and to be part of it. I think it’s fantastic."

Radio Metal: What is your level of contribution to the new album?

Maeder: "Well I compose as well, so I compose music and lyrics and everything along with the others guys. It’s really a shared work with everybody."

Radio Metal: Freddy told us a few weeks ago that a song will be dedicated to Steve Lee. Who will write the lyrics?

Maeder: "This is actually something that Leo [Leoni] wrote. I helped a little bit but it’s his."

Radio Metal: What are your projects now? You’re gonna dedicate yourselves to the album?

Maeder: "We’re starting production at the end of the week, and we hope that the album will be out for spring next year. Then we’ll start touring."

Radio Metal: Do you plan to do some festivals this summer?

Maeder: "There will be festivals, they’re starting to book them right now. I don’t know which one we’ll do, but we’ll definitely do some."

Read more here.