STROMKERN

Interview

 

 

Why it took so long to finish Light it up album?

- Life gets in the way, I suppose. I moved away from the rest of the band, and that had something to do with it, but I also wrote most of a new album in 2002-3 that had to be basically thrown away, because it was terrible. It really was just terrible, all this horrendous gothic metal and half-baked ideas. Not good. I'm glad I did it, because I got it out of my system and then could clear my head and we got some really good songs written, I think. But you can't rush inspiration; it comes when it feels like it. Hopefully the next record won't take so long, but you can never tell.

 

I hear that have been some negative feedback from some people about album cover. What do you think about it?

- I haven't heard about any negative feedback myself, so I can't really say. The record is very overtly political, and I can imagine that that will alienate some people, but that's their problem really...

 

You collaborated with Frank Spinath (SEABOUND) and Victoria Lloyd (CLARE VOYANT) on this record. How was it? Do you like this kind of collaboration?

- Both collaborations were fun and I like the results a lot. Both artists were very easy to work with, although I did wish that it were possible for us to be in the same place at the same time for the recordings. However, that wasn't possible, so Frank recorded his vocals in Germany and Victoria in California, and sent them to me. I think collaborations like that are great, because it's inspiring to hear how other people interact with your work.

What have you been listening recently?

- Mastodon, and this band Pelican. Pelican are really amazing. All their records are now out on this label Hydra Head, a label in LA run by one of the guys from Isis, I think, who are also a really amazing band. I've been listening to AFI's "Sing The Sorrow" a lot recently. What else...the new Young Gods retrospective, and the new Neubauten supporter album, which is really quite good. And just today I listened to Ministry's "Land Of Rape And Honey" and "Twitch" albums again and was reminded of what amazing albums they are, even after all these years.

 

What do you think about todays electronic scene? What is the same and what is different from the 90-is? How do you see todays electronic scene in USA?

- Depends on what you mean by "electronic scene" I guess. I think the increased ease with which people can make and distribute music these days has led to a terrible glut in all styles of music, not just electronic music. In the 90s, everyone was a DJ; now, everyone's in a band. It's very frustrating because everything is =popular for 15 minutes, but has no staying power. Labels no longer support and develop artists over the course of a career, because that model no longer make economic sense. I think that's really unfortunate, not just because I'd like to have a long career as a musician, but because I think that true artistry takes a lot of time to grow and mature, and the current state of affairs does not encourage that kind of growth whatsoever.

 

Do you use more hardware equipment or software in production?

- We basically use whatever is available to us at the time. If it makes the right sound, we'll use it!

 

What about computer: Mac or PC?

- I'm a Mac person, but everyone else in the band uses PCs.

 

Light it up was no.1 on DAC. How do you feel? It's your first time, right?

- That was our first time with a #1 album in DAC, or an album in the DAC
at all. It's great, and I'm glad the DJs like the album.

Hvala i sve najbolje!
ned

 

STROMKERN official website

 

Interview made with Ned Kirby in November 2005. by Danijel Levatic for Elektronski Zvuk.

 

2005. Elektronski Zvuk