Chrome

"Zycloned_Leviathan on 11-04-2005 @ 01:48:58 PM
great song, but is it true that vnv nation are nazis?"

I have the answer to this (hopefully this will shut up waldemar for good, I hope nobody minds if i post this in a couple other places on here, because I would really like to get those people to go elsewhere). I e-mailed their info address and told them I was looking for information on behalf of myself and a few others on what VNV Nation's policy is on having white supremacist fans, and Ronan wrote back. (I'm trying not to lapse into fangirl squealing 'bout getting mail from my favourite artist.)

"Hi there,

Thanks for writing.

To be honest, this is the first time I've heard of any fans being vocal about white supremacist views. I've seen arguments between people with very deeply held religious beliefs about the interpretation of songs but nothing akin to what you're telling us about.

I am sorry that your experience has given you cause to wonder about us. Even a cursory view of our lyrics would tell people that our message is a positive and benevolent one. It is a message of self betterment. It is humanist and it goes out to people all over the world. We have been on record saying this many times. Our fanbase includes people from a large number of ethnic backgrounds and nationalities, people from a large number of different religions, those with deeply held spiritual beliefs and those without, people with different political beliefs, lifestyles and sexual orientation. We are very proud of this. We are especially proud to know that our music and words provide a common meaning to such a wide variety of people.

Our music and its message are most definitely non exclusive and do not stem from or espouse an ideology or political message. What we don't want is to be promoted by anyone with an extremist view should it lead others to think that we share those views, whatever they may be. As for our line on fans with extreme views : In my travels, I have met many people through VNV Nation with views that would be called "extremist", both religious or political. Reading that, one might assume that I mean people with extreme right wing opinions or of European origin but It would surprise many to know that this is not the case not to mention the range of views that I have come across and from people of very different ethnic backgrounds and orientation. My line has always been that, people will hold whatever view they wish to hold, no matter what anyone has to say. BUT.. these views are their own and should not be promoted in conjunction with VNV Nation. We are quite categorical in that we do not share any extremist views of a racial, political or religious nature. One thing we definitely do not agree with is any message that promotes hatred. I welcome the chance for people to discuss their views in an orderly and intellectual manner in the appropriate setting. The world is full of differing views, but that does not mean people cannot discuss what they believe in an effort to learn more about one another and hopefully to come to a better point of view about the world.

Though it is a rare occurrence, it is not the first time Mark or I have been asked about our personal views on white supremacy. My answer has always been to suggest that those asking speak to our friends, in particular those who are gay or lesbian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or of African descent. That might take a while as there are quite a few. Something similar to your question happened when we played at an Aids benefit and received emails asking if we were gay and advocate gay rights. This question came from people on both sides of the subject. We're advocates of nothing other than a world with a common goal of solving our mounting problems together, not throwing stones at one another and emphasising our differences.

I hope this answers your question.

regards, Ronan"