EIC's 10Q's w/ Edward Ka-Spel

"..equal parts ghostly-psychedlic atmospheres, with micro-Jazz bass lines, outer body vocals, absurd lyrics, and a few decaying mechanical dins.."

Edward Ka-Spel

Phantasmal Psych-Mechanic

Edward Ka-Spel Bio:

Edward Ka-Spel is best known as the lead singer, keyboard and electronics player, songwriter and co-founder of the band The Legendary Pink Dots, in which he was initially known as D'Archangel, Prophet Q`Sepel and other pseudonyms. He has also released numerous solo albums (initially featuring other members of the Legendary Pink Dots, and including contributions from Steven Stapleton), and has worked in various side projects, including The Tear Garden (with cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy), and Mimir (with Phil Knight, Christoph Heemann, Jim O'Rourke and others).  Ka-Spel's solo albums range for abstract electronic noise to more traditional pop songs, incorporating diverse elements of psychedelia, industrial, avant garde, experimental electronic, art pop, classical music, folk (nursery songs), sampling, noise, collage, music concrete, etc. His lyrics have been described as intensely mystical, incorporating recurrent themes from his own personal mythos. Ka-Spel's songwriting has been compared (usually favourably) to that of Syd Barrett and early Pink Floyd, though the artist describes the comparison as being a coincidence, not a direct influence. Ka-Spel has cited Iannis Xenakis, The Beatles, Nurse With Wound, David Bowie, Brainticket, Can, The Residents, Magma, and Throbbing Gristle as significant influences. Ka-Spel often appears on stage barefoot, wearing a long scarf and either pink or black optic glasses. Early in his career, he drew black lines on his face and arms, which Phil Knight has referred to as "his cracks," presumably as they resemble the cracked lines of a china doll, an image very present in his early albums.

Hello, how are you?

(Edward skipped this one, we'll assume he's doing great;)

What are you currently listening to?

Recently re-discovered Godpeed You! Black Emperor....what an incredible listening experience. As deep as it gets...can bathe in that for hours...

Care to tell us about your latest solo release 'Ghost Logik'?

A concept I'd been turning around in my head for some time...Just an attempt to stretch my transparent hand through a dimensional wall and pull something out that's tangible and makes sense to me and anyone who cares to listen. No rattling chains, "trick or treat" journey....it isn't a horror story but it's a rarified landscape where the apple shoots upwards from the branch of the tree.

Any plans to tour the US for said release? 

Tentative plans for a Dots' tour in Spring 2013.

Out of curiosity, you've been making music for a while now, do you have a particular album and/or track that you are most proud of?

That's a tough one....Still stand by "All The Kings Horses" which was composed just before and after 9/11.It still resonates 11 years on...

Whats the craziest thing that's ever happened to you while on tour?

Playing for a handful of people eating pizzas in a bar in Victoria , Vancouver Island. Arrived at 11pm and decided to take the show to the audience. Slowly tied up an entire table with microphone lead while crooning....One person sat on the floor hammering it with his fist guffawing, "Jolly good show" .It seems he was the local journalist. David lynch would have loved it...but well, you HAD to be there.

Got any other projects we should know about?

Deciduous Flux is a project with 2 artist friends in Denver while I'm also doing something together with Philippe Petit. 3 new LPD albums in the pipeline too.

What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?

Gone With The Wind

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?

Hard one......'In The Court  Of The Crimson King' probably.

Are you living your dream?

You bet

Thanx Ed!

Edward Ka-Spel is currently/always writing new music, check it...

If only I lived here..

Seriously though, W-O-W. This has to be the best Coachella yet!

REVIEW: The Answer Team - O Sad And Future Human

7.5 out of 10

Find it here.

Omaha Nebraska has been a hotbed of musical activity dating back as far as the 1920's. Jazz clubs and underground nightspots were once home to some of the most prominent staples in Jazz, Blues and Swing history. There has been a notable music scene to be found in Omaha at any point in time ever since. It wasn't until the early 1990's that Omaha began it's gradual reign as one of the biggest independent music scenes in the Midwest. The Answer Team is certainly helping to fuel this fire with their debut album, "O Sad And Future Human".

Formed in 2006, Thomas McCauley and Brandon Bone started jamming together in college, and thus began a foundation that would eventually evolve into The Answer Team. After a few years of "revolving door" band members and a brief stint with vocals, their niche was found with the help of now permanent fixtures, Jason Bejot and Dustin Treinen. This finely tuned niche I speak of can be summed up by just simply calling them an instrumental Post Rock band, but this would be an understatement, and quite frankly, an insult to the band itself. The album opener, "Where's The Sun" is a gorgeous yet deceptive tune, it begins with a bit of feedback and distorted chords sugarcoated with light, melodic anticipation; all the makings of a build-up that begs for an explosion of angst-ridden vocals and rapid guitar riffs. Fortunately, it takes a refreshing detour into a beautiful, arpeggio-rich frolic. It's almost like a lone flower growing out of a crack in the middle of a gritty city sidewalk. This sets the tone for the whole album. On "Does This Shirt Make Me Look Dead?", uplifting layers of violin and a defiant, thunderous rhythm make this track as powerful as it is heart wrenching. The occasional spoken word interlude and a captivating solo piano track serve as palate cleansers for the ears and mind. There are no shortages of gems here.

"O Sad And Future Human" paints an honest and extremely well structured portrait of a journey through the emotional spectrum. Whether you're an avid Post Rock lover or an occasional visitor of the genre who feels that a little goes a long way, there is something here for you. This is a strong debut by a group who I hope will continue to produce beautiful music for years to come. For fans of Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Pelican, This Will Destroy You and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Standout tracks: Where's The Sun, Does This Shirt Make Me Look Dead?, A Hero's Aftermath, A New Look At Marilyn Monroe

Godspeed You! Black Emperor 2010 US Tour..

Godspeed You! Black Emperor '10

02-17 Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market
02-18 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
02-20-21 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
02-23 Los Angeles, CA - Music Box at the Henry Fonda
03-16 Brooklyn, NY - Masonic Temple
03-17 New York, NY - Church of St Paul the Apostle
03-19 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
03-20 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
03-22 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
03-24 Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
03-26-27 Chicago, IL - Metro
03-29 Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre

I regret passing up the chance to see these guys years ago. (I really do) Don't repeat my mistake.

Godspeed! Returns!

(no words necessary here)