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 you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, and where you live would be pretty standard?
Sure, we started very young in the 80s (like 16 years old) playing on garage bands (my brother Cesar playing the bass and I - Eduardo - as a drummer) but with the idea to add some synths sounds in the future, so in the beginning of the 90´s we started to check some test with a pretty basic synthesizer and works good for us, so, we founded Arian 1 on May of 1992, in Lima, Peru.
How do you enjoy where you live? Is there a vibrant music community where you are? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity?
Well yes, I think so, Peru is pretty spacial because you could find a mix of cultures, very different people and sounds from all over the country, we have a very big folklore community and pop bands, the same from Latin music industry so there is a strange feeling when you’re doing rock, or alternative electronic music (EBM, Industrial, Synth, Future, Techno, etc), I mean, Arian 1 is very uncommon or rare music for the majority of the people who lives here you know, but there is not a problem for us, we know that some people loves the alternative sounds and we are doing, so we work and play for them, it is a little community but very precious for us.
What do you see in the near, and far, future for your creative output?
We will continue working of course, until we decided to finish our cicle, I said that because I see that the scene is approaching to and end, sounds hard but it is a reality, the people are growing and I don’t see so much new bands/people who support this kind of music, some media channels are closed too, but not all is hard, maybe we could change the destiny of the alternative music scene, I think its depends of us, only the union of all alternative bands, media, promoters, labels, people who loves this kind of movement can rescue the scene. Only if we want of course, otherwise (maybe soon) the new generations will listen only pop or folk music depending of the location.
Do you consider yourself to be part of a particular sound or scene? What is your thoughts on the nature of genres and styles, and do you have any particular ones which you find to your enjoyment more, listening and/or production-wise?
We consider as part of the Alternative "Electro, Synth, EBM, Industrial, Goth scene for sure", we started doing EBM and some mix between synth pop - ebm sounds around 1993, then got a more consistent sound in 1996 like more minimal techno with techno industrial, in the middle of the 2000´s our sound reached a better quality and consistent between the limits of synth-futupop-ebm, was a wise mix btw, today the band works on a unique fusion of all the mentioned styles, our sound is imposible to catalogue on a single style, our mix of sound are complex because we grew up at the same time with the alternative electronic music and saw the evolution in more than 2 decades, so I guess our 2018 sound is indescribable ;)
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?
Definitely, our lives changed so much from the time we decided to make music, and of course the music change your mind and the way you see the world, the people, all the connections with nature and the universe, the music is the soul of the world, a very special and unique source of energy and expression from the human race.
What would you say are your favorite themes and topics that inspire you to compose? What draws you to those themes?
I think the 3 mayor categories to inspires us to write are: sociological, political and even cosmic themes, we are so connected now that if something happens at the other side of the world we started to feel the consequences on our country, globalization is not funny, it is an integration that includes many big issues.
When it comes to your musical self and your real world self, would you say that their is a separation? Do you find yourself getting into a character or mindset when you create, or do you find your music is a representation of your day to day self?
It is a representation of what we are, what we think and see the world, the future, with their problems, a constantly changed society and more, we are living on a crazy place now, nobody know how much time we can support this kind of dangerous politics, when we are at the stage we send our message of change, and hope.
So much has been said, and it sometimes feel that every word combination has every been taken. As a lyricist myself I know the pain of how hard it can be to articulate something in a way that is both engaging to the audience and uniquely artist. How do you find inspiration for your lyrical poetry?
Our lyrics are metaphorical, we keep our inspiration live and you could find some confusion at the beginning but if you read between the lines... you could find the message :)
What would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to art and music? Are there any bands that you would say struck you with the chord that inspired you to peruse your current path of musical aspirations?
Of course, Front 242 is our big influence I think, there are more like Nitzer Ebb, and Depeche Mode also, but when we enter to the studio we left our influences outside and works on our sound.
Are you musically self taught? Or have you had mentors along the way to help you develop?
We do everything, (composing, production, mixing, mastering., Lyrics, recording, etc.) along the way we knew very king and good friends to help us in some details but in the majority of our releases we did it.
When it comes to composing music, do you approach things with a clear vision in mind, or do you prefer to let songs feel themselves out? Do you have any particular techniques or tricks you use to keep yourself creative and consistent?
Not always, sometimes we need to stop when doing demos and take a break, take some drinks or start again to review it, but not more than 4 hours of continues work at studio, some tacks grows very fast and goes to the next level in demo category, there are many levels of develop in a song, first is the base, drums and bass, then melodies, and then lyrics at the same time we are doing the steps or sequence of the song, the structure I mean, finally I write the lyrics (in the best case) and record some vocals, sometimes work without the lyric, just only vocals melodies, or random vocals sequences. Some tracks born in 6 months other in 1 or 2 years. depending on the feeling and our appreciation.
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?
Yes, we learned to manage our agendas, our weekends, holidays, and nights are good to review our work, our families support us a lot, are very kind and respectful with our music, this is very important for us and was the base to continue with Arian 1 through the years.
For fans who have not seen you yet, when it comes to your live show, how would you describe yourself thematically and visually? Are you an energy and audience driven band in the live atmosphere? Or would you consider yourself to be more thematic or presentation oriented?
Full energy, a non stop live show, with messages, a strong and special live act, very kinetic, with some breaks to recover the breath :) but with the strong and powerful electro sounds.
When it comes to performing, what are your favorite sort of venues to play in, and what are your favorite areas to tour? If you could tour with any other band in the world who would it be and why? What are some of your favorite memories of touring?
I like medium places, because you could have a good connection with the people, we are very demanding with the sound system and like to work with professionals not amateur engineers. About Tour, depending of the proposals, if the bands playing are in the same status or better, or are Alternative as we are, there is no problem, we are glad to share a tour, or support them but always taking care of the technical themes and following all professionals standards. About bands, will be nice to play with our mentors.
Have you had any particular moment(s) that you would like to share, that you would consider to be a crowning achievement in your musical career so far, or moments that you would say truly continue to inspire you to pursue your artistic path?
A memorable event was when we played at the Wave Gothic Treffen in Germany, was a great show, with a very nice crowd, excellent sound and venue, was the first time a peruvian live act played there, some very special and unique event in the history of our band.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
I think the Mix and Mastering process was a very big challenge for our project, if you don’t have a good sound, your are in big trouble. Until you work with other people or producers (of course) that they takes that part of the job.
When it comes to fan and critic feedback, how much do you take it to heart, and how much do you feel it evolves, pushes, or holds your sound in place? Do you feel that the personal response and interaction in the live environment, and the subsequent positive press you've regarding both your live and recorded music has consciously encouraged you to do things a certain way?
We heard everything, we think every voice has something to said, and tried to take the best of both. We are not perfect, maybe, we may not archive perfection.
Outside of Electronic music, what other genres could you see yourself composing music in? Or should I say, do you see yourself inspired by? Do you have any other musical projects that you are involved with, or do you have any other musicians or artists that you collaborate with in some capacity?
Sure, there are a lot, but mainly Rock alternative and classical music are my favorite.
What sort of new bands have come out in recent years that have caught your attention? Is there any bands out there you see yourself, or would like to, remix or collaborate with in the future?
VNV Nation, Depeche Mode (always), Skinny Puppy, Mental Discipline, Covenant to mention some, there are hundreds now, but day by day we will start for sure to discover new ones.
Outside of music, what are some of your favorite past times and emotional engagements?
I am a Ham radio Amateur, and director of the National Emergency Radio net of Peru, that's a strange hobby isn’t it? :) but I can live with that haha :)
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
Thank you so much! and hope to see you guys at the shows coming up on 2018 !
Follow their latest activities on Facebook:
Check out their picture stream on their Instagram:
Download their music on their official Bandcamp:
Check out their YouTube for streaming of their music
Find some interesting remixes and promo material on their Soundcloud: