First of, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about both of you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, what instruments you can play, and where you live would be pretty standard?
Hello my name is zll '. I live in Russia. I grew up in the north, in the Murmansk region. In 2001 I moved to St. Petersburg. Then I began to make music. In the beginning I only worked with a computer and Sony applications. I did samples in Sound Forge and used Acid for manipulation. So there were my first two albums OLFCM-1 & 2. Then I became interested in Low-Fi surround sound recording. So I get Olympus'84 album.
Then iron musical instruments started to appear in my set, mostly samplers. Eventually I became interested in a modular synthesizer, and I specifically went to Germany to buy it and pay tribute to the country of the great sound.
At the junction of sampling and modular improvisations appeared Tralfamadore album. After long reflection modular synthesizer I came to the conclusion that this is a very special musical instrument and it is capable of more than what I have heard today in the electronic music.
Now I am advocating a modular, but not as art, but as a special, logically meaningful musical style. As I imagine it, you can hear on my album 0.01. It recorded only on modular, one stereo line, no midi, no sequencers or typical of modern drum machines and samplers.
How do you enjoy where you live? Is their a vibrant music community for you to indulge? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity?
St. Petersburg is a beautiful and rather gloomy city, which of course is reflected on me and my music. As for the local scene, it's probably distracting than attracting, but among the musicians there are interesting people, but they are working in other musical styles
What drew you to start creating music yourself? What does your band name mean or where did it come from?
In creating the music I am attracted the process and progress. My nickname is an abbreviation, but what it means is a murky mystery
What sort of unusual or strange music and art influenced you growing up and helped encourage you to peruse what might be called "alternative electronic music"? Are there any experimental bands out there that you would say struck you with the chord that inspired you to peruse your current path of musical aspirations?
I was 10 years old when I went to the store to buy Metallica album. It was an ordinary store that sold everything: milk, bread, canned food, and there was a music stall. And very wild music was playing quietly in the stall - it was Prodigy. The money I had for only one tape, and I opted for Prodigy. And away we go. Now I am just fascinated by modular music. I'm looking for people with similar views. These guys are rare, and even rarer in Russia, unfortunately. The last one I liked is Beepsandboops on Soundcloud
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically? What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
I do not know what music has had an influence on me, I have been doing music since the age of 14. Perhaps music is the only thing that interests me.
The biggest challenge for me is live performances. It is always a great deal of stress
When you make music are you primarily a hardware or software oriented musician? Or do you do a fusion of both? Do you participate in the analog versus digital debate, vouching for the purity of analog sound? Or do you find it negligent with the advances of technology nowadays?
I get on badly with digital technology, so I almost completely eliminate contact with the computer. As for debate, I do not support this, since it is obvious that the digital and analogue has its pluses and minuses. Although I prefer the analogue sound. Digital is good for control and effects (reverb, etc.).
Are there any particular instruments, programs, or effects that you would say are vital to you making music?
Now it's only modular system. And a little editing in Sony apps
Do you spend a lot of time crafting your own sounds? Or do you value song crafting and effects tweaking more? Or do you find it's a balance between the two? What's your relationships with presets?
I believe that the sound needs to be done from scratch and self
What would you say would be you short term, and long term, goals for the band? What do you see in the future for your creative output?
I would be happy to be involved in the development of modular as the musical flow.
Playing live shows, recording new tracks, attempting to go live the life that gives you the experiences that inspires it all... it can be difficult to balance the time. Do you have any particular methods that you use to keep yourself focused or balanced in your direction?
All rests exclusively on interest and mood
Other then the genres that you are most typically known for working with, and being inspired by, are there possibly guilty pleasure bands or genres drastically different your usual repertoire that find themselves working their way into your inspiration?
Trying to keep pace with the times, but the parallel road. I observe and analyzes EDM, although the relationship is very thin.
Recently I like to listen to collections of Sublime Frequencies
What are your thoughts on genres in general? Do you find them creatively helpful as a template to work with? Or do you find them restricting? Or possibly somewhere in between? Now that the internet has caused so much crossover in music, would you even say genre labels are relevant any more?
It depends on the musician. A person who is committed to the development, searching for new, sooner or later will go beyond any genre. The main thing to enjoy, then the music will be cool. Experience is also important of course. Genre labels still have an impact in the music industry, but evolution is not on their side.
What sort of influences outside of your primary artistic expression help move or guide your artistic expression? I've often heard from musicians that their mundane jobs or family lives often provide a unexpected platform for inspiration.
This can be anything ... The most important thing to be in a clear mind and be focused
Is collaboration something that is actively important to you? Do you have any individuals you are particularly successful, or unsuccessful, in collaboration with? Has there been any collaborative based songs that you would say stand out to you?
I'm not very good to make music in a group. For me it is intimate, continuous process, alone. Although I have an experience of collaboration. Approximately 3 years I was one of two members of Ghetto Girls project. We even recorded two albums. I was responsible for the music, and the other guy was reading his poems in an image of a fallen woman
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
Peace, love, modular