EIC's 10Q's w/ Textbeak

"..a pleasing amalgam of Micro-Clubesque Electronics, Witch House-Industrial, & other bizarre/quirky dark atmospheres.. .."

Textbeak

Sinister Synaesthesia

Textbeak Bio:

Mike Textbeak has a long history in electronic music with his releases on labels such as Tundra Dubs (San Francisco), Lasergun (Berlin), Post_Religion, Bleak (Vienna), Pale Noir (Madison, WI), Vaatican Records (France), Xynthetic (Canada), 21/22 Corp, Swishcotheque (UK), Colin Johnco (France), and many more. He co-owns the Philtre Com imprint with co-conspirator Claus Muzak aka Lucas Kuzma of The Strange Agency (musical instrument iPhone iPad app company). He was commissioned for mixing the Precarious mix for Disaro Records, a mix for Ritual Chicago, Tamara Sky's L1L DE4TH in LA, Hip Hop Break It Radio out of Houston, the official Grim Harvest Halloween 2012 Mixtape for Мишка with actor Omar Doom (Inglorious Basterds), XLVR for the clothing company NVR MND, the massive 5 hour 3 part COVENFVCK mix, mixes for Pulse Radio (UK), PBS (Australia), Clan Destine Records (UK), and AMDISCS label in the Czech Republic among many others.  His band Bath was featured on the “Why Be Blake When You Can Be Bleak?” compilation on the Bleak label with industrial legends Coil, Attrition, Sleepchamber, Nocturnal Emissions, and Portion Control. He has just finished a major 2 month tour and has opened for artists like Larry Tee, Designer Drugs, ∆AIMON, Nitzer Ebb, Light Asylum, Test Department, Skintown (Nick Turko of Zola Jesus), Meat Beat Manifesto, David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets), Daniel Myer (Haujobb), and the Legendary Pink Dots.  From the early ‘90s Columbus, Ohio electronic music scene, when Mike was a member of Body Release with Titonton Duvante (Residual Records), Todd Sines (Frankie, Planet E, Peacefrog, YORE, Seventh City), and Charles Noel (aka ARCHETYPE, ARCH_TYP…21/22 Corp, Bag Pak), through the mid ’90s early 2000’s with his band Bath, to his current endeavors, he has always pushed the envelope with his compositions, visual artwork, text collages, and genre-blasting DJ sets.

Hello, how are you?

Mr. Textbeak forgot to answer this one, we'll assume he's doing swell;]

What are you currently listening to?

//Tense// "Disconnected Myself (Kkoee Remix)" before that I was listening to Sandwell District.

What's with the name, is there a story behind it?

Back in the early '90s I drew a picture of a bird and a crayon and wrote "TEXTBEAK" on it. I put it on the wall next to my bed. I guess I sort of bonded with that image and name. Started using it officially around 2000 after I did a 12" as TXT.

Which do you prefer; writing music or DJing?

Tough call. I really like writing because I like the process of constructing. I see music as a multidimensional object and therefore making songs as process of constructing an audio sculpture that moves through a set point in time. I like DJing because I love the energy and the flying by the seat of your pants feeling. I also love doing mixtapes because I love to construct a giant flow of tracks and how they interact.

Care to shed some light on your EICV7"; theme, favorite track(s), etc?

The 3 tracks "Location Detect," "Interceptor" and "Conquered" represent an alien invasion. It's a reference to Stephen Hawking's statement on trying to contact alien life; "I think it would be a disaster. The extraterrestrials would probably be far in advance of us. The history of advanced races meeting more primitive people on this planet is not very happy, and they were the same species. I think we should keep our heads low."  "Location Detect" focuses on growth and movement towards a specific goal and, upon recognizing that goal, closing in on it. "Interceptor" represents conflict and thus the conflicting sonic themes. "Conquered" is a lazy grinding distorted dirge to represent the lack of necessity of haste in the completion of a task. It symbolizes the requiem of a struggle. The three remixes represent three very different takes on these sounds of oppression. H3X3N (LIL DEATH) takes "Interceptor" and jumps the tempo double-time into a sort of tech-step thrash. Apollyon's Visage takes "Conquered" in a whole new direction by rewriting the song in a slow witchy dancefloor format with a great talking sample. WMX from Bestial Mouths did the final remix of "Interceptor" and it's bass heavy with nutty overlayed edits creating a sort of mesh of sound. H3X3N's mastering perfectly pulled it all together. The artwork is a collage by Calla Donafrio of gavials, gharials, and river dophins which is a reference to a strange dream I had being on a wooden raft that breaks apart and falling into muddy river water surrounded by strange beaked creatures.

Will you be performing these tracks live?

I actually have performed these tracks in their infant stages at the last couple Bath performances. Working on a new stripped down and polished performance of them.

Got any other projects we should know about?

Working on an album for Bath for release on Bleak.at out of Vienna and an EP for ZOA ZOA with Paul from Zex Model. Also just finished a remix for "Earth" from Bestial Mouths' new release on ClanDestine Records. In the process of remixing a song from Daniel Myer of Haujobb's new 'Architect' release, and a remix for the beast known as 3 TEETH. My TXTBK's CHVяCH XV BяXK3N 7ANGvAG weekly mixtape series is nearing its 3rd year anniversary in January and I was asked to curate the new NVR MND NVR MIX mixtape series which is off to a great start. Mixes so far by BlackBlackGold, SINS, BLVCK CEILING, and Alex Wolf of Post-Religion. The next mix in the series is by Light Asylum.

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

For this release, 2001: A Space Odyssey

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

Coil's 'Horse Rotorvator'

Are you living your dream?

I am working on it. I feel close to it and am very happy with many things in my life at this moment. I try to have high aspirations for my art, but not needing much materialistically to be content. I have some neat things in the works.

Thanx Mike!

Textbeak & EIC have something very special for you tomorrow right HERE..;]

If only I lived here..

Another awesome year in SXSW country, another individual (me) kicking himself for not going..:[

Good (free) music laying around the interwebs.. Pt. 2

Wise Blood - Penthouse Suites
&Warbonds - NYE (Ft. Jeremy)
&
Thundercat - For Love I Come
&
//Tense// - Disconnect Myself (The Beau Wanzer Adjustment)
&Soft Metals - Psychic Driving
&
Similar Objects - Ambgqty
&Serengeti - Ha Ha

~njoy.

If only I lived here..

I'm really diggin' this whole video flyer concept that's catching on..

Good (free) music laying around the interwebs.. Pt. 2

Trust - Candy Walls
&
//Tense// - Visitor
&
Staff Party - Furr
&
Not The 1s - You Dress Like An Asshole
&
H-Town - The Like It Slow (Star Slinger Refix)
&
Hammocks & Honey - Farewell (Fatti Frances Remix)
&
Ggle Highs - Shimmering Immers

~njoy.

If only I lived here..

That's it, I'm moving to Austin.

EIC'S10Q'S w///Tense//

"..mix styles ranging from the darker somewhat experimental days of Wax Trax with the earlier days of EBM (think Cabaret Voltaire, Nitzer Ebb, (earlier)Ministry, and maybe even a dash of "Pretty Hate Machine" era NIN)..."


//Tense//
Breaking The Manufacturer's Mold, Reforming It, and Then Breaking It Again

//Tense// Bio:
Houston artist //TENSE// are bringing back the EBM/Electro sounds of the 80's. Think Front 242, Nitzer Ebb (whom they have toured with), SA42, D.A.F., Ministry, etc. So far the band has released a couple of EPs and one LP. Check them all out HERE.


Hello, how are you?
I am actually really tired and have been working a lot before we leave on tour. And I have a headache. Ha.

What are you currently listening to?
Austin TX band Silent Diane, Portland band Soft Metals and Goblin's "Tenebre".

Why the “//” before and after your band name?
I thought it looked like walls around my name and added to the feeling of pressure. I find them aesthetically pleasing as well.

Who/what inspired you to create the music you write?
MKF Kunst, my partner, inspired me to pick up an instrument and finally let out my frustration. I wear my influences on my sleeve clearly...WaxTrax! Records, Nitzer Ebb, Cabaret Voltaire...inner-city life, shitty jobs...

You’re about to go on tour with Nitzer Ebb, how did you get hooked up with them?
My friend Domokos from Future Blondes knew the promoter when they came to town last December and we opened for them in early December 2009. We met and hung out with them before and after the show. It turns out that Nitzer and I have mutual friends in the LA area so we stayed in contact and I made sure that //TENSE// stayed on their radar. The idea had been up in the air for a few months before I finally got the phone call from Douglas to confirm in September...AGH!

I can tell you’re a fan of the “Golden Age” (87-93) of Industrial music, do you have a favorite band from that era?
Oh boy, you are really opening up a HUGE can of worms, haha....let's see...I am just going to name 3 of my favorite record labels from that time: Nettwerk Records, WaxTrax! Records, and PIAS (distributed by WaxTrax! in the United States). I love that era of Chris and Cosey, Front 242, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails...really too many to name. That's definitely my favorite era (although I'd go about 84-91 really). <--Actually.., he's right. My bad.. Although I still think it survived through the mid 90's..;]

Can you tell us a little bit about the label you are on, Desire?
It's a label based in France...the guy who runs it (Jerome Mestre) got in contact with me a couple of years ago via Myspace. I still am not sure exactly how he heard me, but we clicked online and stayed in contact for a little while before he offered to release my LP. While it took almost a full year to release the LP I am VERY VERY pleased with the way it turned out. Jerome is a genuine music fan and takes pride in every step of the music making process, from the mastering to the promotion to the artwork, he's great!

What do you think ruined Industrial music?
GUITARS! That was number one! Damn guitars, money and the 90s! Ugh, such a shame.

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Oh man, this is really really tough...I mean really?! Fuck...hmmm....I always go back to Cabaret Voltaire's album "Crackdown". This album has everything from moody/scary Post Punk Drone to amazing beat driven Industrial funk, this album is my master plan and I love it from beginning to end. Of course, this could change in a week.

Are you living your dream?
This tour is truly a dream come true, but you know what would make me really happy?!?! To be able to do this and not worry about money all the time. If I had complete financial freedom that would definitely make things easier. BUT NOTHING WORTH HAVING EVER COMES EASY!!
WORK WORK WORK!

Thanx //T//!

//Tense// are back from a successful tour with Nitzer Ebb now and working on a follow up release..
In the mean-time the band wanted you to enjoy this FREE remix of Work Hard, oh and this one too!! <--Thanx for sharing guys!

Cool Video Funtime #219 - The Chain

This one's cool too ;)

REVIEW: //Tense// - Memory

7.75 out of 10

Find it here.

Listening to bands like //Tense// and White Car not only puts a huge smile on my face, but also gives me the hope that Industrial music could finally return to it's roots. You know, before all of those "pesky guitars" and Heavy Metal Dance sounds got in the way.. If you're a fan of Industrial music it's no secret that the sound is (somewhat--pretty much) officially dead. The new "Industrial" scene, AKA "Club Metropolis" is in this reviewers opinion pure radio filth with no depth what so ever. Just because your rich parents bought you an expensive synthesizer when you were young and you live in New York and/or Germany gives you no right to rape and reduce a genre to the sad state it's in now. I'm sorry, but I am absolutely disgusted by today's "Industrial" music/scene. Leave the clubber music to the DJ's, leave the guitars to the Metal heads. If you want to be "Industrial", you can do it one of two ways (maybe a few more, but here are a couple basics); 1. Bang on sheets of metal, use a drill, hammers, found sounds, etc. Don't think form and construction, but rather improv & deconstruction. Think of it as a form of expression rather than trying to make a quick buck with a radio hit. 2. Shed light on the Industrial Revolution, no not the music kind. The concept/notion that shapes our entire civilization. Whether it's anti-establishment, dark poetry, or just plain hatred for society in general word these ideas in a way that is unique to your project. Do it with a simple drum machine, a couple synths, vocals, & maybe some samples, NOTHING ELSE (obviously you can use more instruments if you want. Just no you are swaying further and further away from the original concept of Industrial music with the more layers of "Pop" you add). Stop confusing you're shit EBM club music with the real deal. That being said, what is EBM? Electronic Body Music was once a term that referred to the early days of dark dance music where the mixing of Electronic Pop sounds & meaningful lyrics still had depth/originality. It was a somewhat short lived scene that still has it's hardcore fans. NOW there is another form of EBM you need to know about (not to be confused with the good kind) and that's today's "EBM" which is about the same concept but with tripe meaningless lyrics on top of Fruity Loops created beats, uninspiring scene kids, and the same synth sounds utilized by every band on previously mentioned label. It's the kind of music that could fit in perfectly at a top 40 Trance/Dance club or perhaps the headphones of a yuppy kid attempting to fit into some sort of lame suburban Goth club. Stop doing this please, it makes you lame. Seriously, don't you get tired of blending in just because it's hip? Doesn't listening to the same song over and over again get boring. Don't get me wrong, I like to dance and I even love a few morbid things, but originality means a lot more to these ears. If it isn't original, maybe it's more of an homage, it better be done right ..or not at all. Which is why I love //Tense//, they have mastered/captured the sounds of my youth quite perfectly. I can only keep my fingers crossed that people will catch on to these guys. Rivet head's, your new messiah has arrived. Dust off those welder goggles, bust out your collection of cogs, polish those black army boots. Do whatever it is you need to do to get yourself in the right mindset to listen to perfect sounding Industrial homage music.

"Memory", in many ways, is a history lesson in the ways of mechanized art. //Tense// know exactly what to do when it comes to writing simple, yet perplexing Industrial music. On the LP "Memory", they mix styles ranging from the darker somewhat experimental days of Wax Trax to the even earlier days of EBM (think Cabaret Voltaire, Nitzer Ebb, (earlier)Ministry, and maybe even a dash of "Pretty Hate Machine" era NIN). Although I do like their EP's a little more than this particular release, "Memory" is still a prime example of how I need my cold factory sounds. Brooding synth bass lines, simple electronic drum pad sounds, demented samples, and distorted vocals that sound pitch perfect underneath all of the madness. Personally I think everyone should eat up sounds like these, that is unless you live in a farming community where machines and electricity don't exist. //Tense// documents your community for what it is.

//Tense// brings a future back into past of the future Industrial music scene. An absolute 100% no-brainer for anyone into Wax Trax Records/80's - mid 90's Industrial music. "Memory" forms sounds that work best for dark drives through bright depressing cities. My only hope is that more bands like these will continue to pop up over the next coming months/years. Please don't let this be a short trend, please don't let this be a short trend, please don't let this..? RECOMMENDED.

Standout Tracks: My ears always crave sounds like these, so all of them are pretty good. Otherwise; Work Hard, Lost Race, Lead Head

EIC'S10Q'S w/White Car

"..lovers of artsy/dark Post-Punk/"(anti)establishment/political" themes mixed with post neo-modern Electronic/mechanistic backdrops.."

(Photo credit: Zara Katz)

White Car
Methodological Neoteric Sentiment

White Car Bio:
In the rough and humble south side of Chicago, 22 year-old Elon Katz and his counterpart Orion Martin manufacture an Industrial Space Funk sound that taps Ballard and Dionysus on the shoulder to remind them their time hasn’t run dry in 2010. The music struts a particular brand of artifice with a panache swagger that always finds new potential in its birth city’s past revelations- think the Wax Trax lexicon with touches of classic Chicago House. Katz serenades the tracks of "No Better" with 16-bit crushed vocals and the listener is accosted into a paranoid tale of contemporary reality: the mind’s capacity in relationship to the abundance of databanks, hunting as hobby, sexuality as commodity and the ever entangling web of online identity.


Hello, how are you?
Hello. I am good, but feeling a bit stressed.

What are you currently listening to?
Honestly, music has been kind of annoying me lately... But I have been digging on classic Chicago House jams, early techno stuff from the big 3 (Atkins, Saunderson, May), Colin Newman's "A-Z", Butthole Surfers, early IDM stuff, 90's jungle tracks my friend Mike Vallera plays me, Severed Heads, Pink Industry and been getting into The Durutti Column, it's really strange and beautiful music.

Where does the name “White Car” originate from?
The name is a direct reference to the Cabaret Voltaire song from the album "Code". It is also in reference to the concept of 'vehicle'- the idea of a vessel or tool that facilitates new ways of moving, working and thinking.

Are you guys officially signed to any label/are there any prospects?
I haven't signed any binding contracts and I'd prefer to keep it that way. I am currently working on a LP to be release by Hippos In Tanks with a possible buddy label, sometime in the summer of 2011.

I really love “your style” of Industrial music (seriously, keep it up please), can you recommend any current or new projects that may sound similar?
To be honest, there are very few contemporary "Industrial" acts that are interesting at all, I am more interested in artists who share similar ways of thinking about electronic music and popular music culture, some of them sound Industrial at times... People who I like and can recommend are Gatekeeper, Beau Wanzer, TENSE, Oneohtrix Point Never, Tearist, Light Asylum, Von Haze, George Quartz, Teen INC, D'eon, Slava, Gavin Russom, Geneva Jacuzzi, Mutant Beat Dance, Melvin "Traxx" Oliphant III and Nation Records, Medio Mutante, Azari & III, Salem, Love Concept, Brett Naunke and Catholic Tapes, Positive Shadow/Henry Glover, Andre Ferreira and Pacific Housing Authority, Mike Vallera, Mahjongg, Andy Ortmann, Alex Barnett, Ga'an, Mr. 666, Beautiful Swimmers, Weird Records, Veronica Vasicka (Minimal Wave) she is more of an cultural anthropologist than a record pusher- its inspiring and fascinating, her releases may not be new, but they are more than current!

You’re based out of Chicago right? Have you ever considered teaming up with Kill Memory Crash and releasing what could be one of the best Industrial albums of the last 10-20 years?
Not really familiar with them, don't care for those sounds really... I work best alone or with close friends... also not really interested in releasing the "best industrial record" of the last 10-20 years, I found serious inspiration in Industrial Dance music when I first started this project around two years ago, but that doesn't mean White Car will always sound like that... my interests fly by night and I am not thrilled with the idea of becoming a tired dog performing the same tired tricks.

If I was to watch a movie on mute while listening to your latest EP, which movie would sync up the best/act as a good visual representation of said EP?
Background splatter frames from Ren and Stimpy with the characters of Barbarella and Cobra Verde superimposed on them...

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Vangelis "Opera Sauvage" ; serious bubble bath music, I could float in it forever...

Are you living your dream?
In a way...

Thanx Elon!

White Car recently released "No Better", you should probably buy it...

Cool Video Funtime #202 - Turn It Off

EIC EXCLUSIVE(s): "Guess The Next EICV7" Artist"

Is it..Tense - Work Hard Short Life (White Car Ephemeral Remix)
or..
Universe - I Piano
or perhaps it's..
Seven Saturdays - True Romance (Strangeloop Remix)
or maybe..
Lapalux - The Dead Sea (Space Ghost Remix)
or quite possibly..
Jon Lemmon - Close To You (Demo)

The next EICV7" comes out November 17th. Within these EXCLUSIVE tracks lays the answer on who it is.. Got any guesses?