EIC's 10Q's w/ Alek Fin

"..sensual futuristic synthetic air.."

Alek Fin

Prudent Synthetic Honesty

Alek Fin Bio:

Alek Fin is the Electronic/Alternative solo project created by producer Adam Finkel in late 2009. The debut album “Better When Seen From Above” was released in early 2010. Since then Adam has been releasing a series of remixes as well as working with 4 good friends, Jonathan Marsh (bask), Jeff Zavala (Anicca), John Figueroa (Captions) and Umang Bhakta (Vex Mohan) in creating a live show around it. They are currently performing around Southern California

Hello, how are you?

Hey, I'm doing well. Thanks for asking.

What are you currently listening to?

Nosaj Thing's 'Home', Flying Lotus' 'Until The Quiet Comes', 'Shields' by Grizzly Bear, and Tame Impala's 'Lonerism'..

When did this project come about and whom were your biggest influences for said project?

I started Alek Fin in the Fall of 2009. I was listening to a lot of Unkle, Autolux, Flying Lotus, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Sigur Rós, and Jon Hopkins.

Care to tell us a little bit about your latest release 'Mull'?

It's an EP about the different stages of thought and acceptance I went through while dealing with some recent heavy circumstances. Took me a lot of time and work to get it where I wanted it. Really meant a lot to put it out there.

Any plans to tour for said release?

No tours scheduled yet. Have a good feeling that will change in the upcoming months though.

If you could choose one different artist for each song on your  EP to be remixed/re-made, whom would you choose?

"Mull" - Jamie XX /  "Rocks In Paper" - Caribou / "Waiting Like A Wolf" - Jaques Greene / "Gone" - Tokimonsta

Got any other projects we should know about?

I have a couple in development. Keeping them under wraps at the moment.

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

Blade Runner

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

I would be happy with either Grizzly Bear's 'Veckatimest' or Radiohead's 'In Rainbows'. I have a lot of memories associated with both. They would be great for nostalgia.

Are you living your dream?

Still a little ways to go. Regardless, I'm enjoying the process of getting there.

Thanx Adam!

Alek Fin is currently too underrated (IMO), if you get a moment (please) spread the word..?

EIC's 10Q's w/ Fotoshop

"..bright & futuristic journey through a hazy dream sequence.."

Fotoshop

Reverie Reformed & Restructured

Fotoshop Bio:

Heavily disoriented synthethizers, basslines and beats, not unlike in Shoegaze, Trip Hop or Techno combined create the atmosphere of Fotoshop. Mostly everything, from composing, instruments, vocals, programming, mixing, mastering to graphics and some videos is made by Jarno-Erik at his home studio (a macbook and, well, not much more).

Hello, how are you?
I'm good, thanks for asking. Right now recording vocals for a new track. I'm not sure yet when it's going to be released.

What are you currently listening to?
I got excited about At The Drive-In when I heard about their comeback. So that and Jonsi from Sigur Ros. And always Elliott Smith!

What's with the band name?
I'm sorry about it (*laughs*). I don't really know, I thought it would be clever. Maybe it suited better the direction I went with my old demos. I use Photoshop a lot though. If I'm not making music, I'm making some retro sci-fi artwork.

Did you know what kind of sound you were going for when you began writing for it?
Sometimes. But mostly it evolves while I'm working with it. I love to try out different sounds and atmospheres.

What do you do when you're not being a musician?
In addition to artwork, I love to follow scientific publications and new studies. Psychology and space exploration, I'm very excited about the speed of new planets being found. I guess it's just a matter of few years until we have found a big number of planets that could be supporting life. And let's not forget what they are doing in laboratories testing their theories in quantum physics.

When should we expect another album from you?
This year, no doubt. Maybe I'm going to do an EP first.

If you could choose any 3 artists to remake/remix the album whom would you pick and why?
Caribou, because it's so lovely! Damon Albarn, because I have listened his sounds for a long long time. Com Truise would be cool too, I like his synths very much.

Got any other projects we should know about?
Helsinki has some very nice things going on right now. I should mention at least French Films which is getting pretty much attention already, Zebra and Snake is really good, and I love the sound of Aves.

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Then I guess I'd have to make a choice between Belle and Sebastian's 'Tigermilk' and/or Radiohead's 'Kid A'. They are so different, I'd have to let a coin decide.

Are you living your dream?
In a way, yes. But it's more of a path than a place, so it's not that hard!


Thanx Jarno-Erik!


Fotoshop is currently under the radar and shouldn't be, maybe tell a friend or two and get the word out...?;)

EIC'S10Q'S w/Caroline

"..beautiful "abstract-ish" Electronic compositions..gentle/"toy-like sounding" melodies, playful clicks and kicks, melancholy piano tones, and "more than seductive"/persuasive & innocent sounding vocals.."


Caroline
Impeccant Pulchritudinous Pop

Caroline Bio:
Originally from Okinawa, Japan, Caroline Lufkin moved around a lot by the time she had graduated from Berklee School of Music in Boston in 2003, ultimately settling nowhere (though currently calling Los Angeles her home). With an incredible gift for writing gripping songs from the most minimal elements - not to mention a voice that could make angels weep - Caroline's music seizes the rare opportunity to hypnotize everything and everyone around it. And really, who in this world doesn't want to succumb to a music-induced weightlessness every once in a while?


Hello, how are you?
Wonderful! It snowed for the first time here in Japan and I just got done making a bunny snowman.

What are you currently listening to?
I feel I've been listening to the same music for years. Blonde Redhead, Mew, Eluvium, Four Tet, Caribou, etc. I've been kind of getting into a college pal's (St. Vincent's) newer record, "Actor".

LOVE the new album, glad to see you came back. Where have you been/what have you been up to lately?
I've been trooping around the world with Mice Parade and finishing masters program. Now I'm playing some local shows here in Tokyo.

Where does the title "Verdugo Hills" come from?
The title is the name of the hills I use to live down the street from in Cali. The Verdugo Hills made me happy in this period of time.

What's your favorite track off of the album?
The last time I listened to my album, which was months ago, "Seesaw" was my favorite. I think I like "Balloon" now. To be honest, it's always hard to listen to my own tunes for the first year after it's completion.

Will you be touring the US for said release?
I'm trying to make that happen now!

What's your least favorite thing about the music industry?
I think the industry makes us lose perspective of music. Music is for expression, venting, release, etc., not a product that needs to be judged, or crafted using a formula. A person's music is for someone who resonates with it and all others can just turn their heads towards something they like.

If you could collaborate with any artist of your choosing whom would it be with?
My dream is to collaborate with my friend, Miwa Matreyek. It's hard to describe what she does. She projects animation on objects, cardboard boxes, screens, etc. giving the it depth, and interacts/performs with it. I'd love to create a performance using her visuals and my music. Another lady I'd love to work with is Julia Potts, a illustrator/animator. Oh man, her characters are dreamy!!!

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Whoooaaa. I would probably end up hating that album after the first few years. I guess it would have to be something light and chipper with a little something to keep me happy and healthy. Maybe Beatles "Abbey Road"?

Are you living your dream?
My family is healthy. I have time to do what I love. I am living my dream! Though, I do have some goals I would like to fulfill! But, who doesn't?!

Thanx Caroline(s)!

Caroline is currently working on a US tour. I asked her if the recent devastating events in Japan harmed her in anyway, luckily her and her family got away without being harmed, just a little shaken up. I bet it would brighten her day if you bought THIS ALBUM;)...

If only I lived here..

A show where you want to see all the bands performing, including (mainly) the openers.. a rare thing indeed..

EIC'S10Q'S w/RxGibbs

"..music that gives you the sensation of floating above your own body is never a bad thing.."


RxGibbs
Liquescent Rapture Cultivation

RxGibbs Bio:
RxGibbs is a solo project of Ron Gibbs (Auburn Lull). In his words, " It kind of sounds like if Andrew Weatherall produced Auburn Lull". RxGibbs also features (here and there) members of Auburn Lull as well as the chopped up vocals of Lorraine Lelis (ex-Mahogany vocalist)." His debut album is set for release sometime in 2010.


Hello, how are you?
I'm great, thanks. Glad Spring is finally here. Michigan winters can be quite long and dreary.

What are you currently listening to?
Lately I've really been into Coppice Halifax, which is one of projects of Brian Graiger, aka Milieu. His albums Ocean Lion I and II are pure dubby ambient goodness, and he’s got tons of other great releases besides those as well. He also recently remixed a track of man that I think turned out really sweet. I've also really been digging new stuff coming out from the likes of Caribou, Casino Versus Japan, Seasonscollide, Beach Fossils, Thomas Fehlmann, Toro Y Moi, and Radio Dept. 2010 looks like it's going to be another good year for music.

Can you explain your music in 5 words or less?
Ambient Dub?

How did the name RxGibbs come up?
I was actually dubbed RxGibbs after an old band mate of mine noticed my license plate read RXG. With my first initial being R and my last name being Gibbs, he started calling me RxGibbs. It just stuck I suppose.

You got members from Auburn Lull to guest star on your next album, how did that come up?
Well, about three years ago I was lucky enough to be able to open up for them live a couple of times here in Michigan. We became good friends and I ended up joining the band right before their last album, "Begin Civil Twilight", came out. So, over the years I've acquired many recordings from everyone in the band that I ended up incorporating into the new album. A couple of the songs actually kind of started out with me trying to remix a few Auburn Lull tracks, and they just ended up kind of morphing into their own thing.

Your earlier material seemed a little more psychedelic, now it's a little more ambient, was it your mood and/or your influences that changed?
I wouldn't really say that my influences have changed. I mean, I’ve always drawn inspiration from bands like Seefeel, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, early-Verve, Andrew Weatherall‘s projects, The Orb and such. These were the bands that blew my mind way back in high school, which really dates me I suppose. But I never stopped loving those bands and I’d glad to see that there is somewhat of a resurgence of interest in many of those bands. I’ve got to say though too, I am definitely continuously inspired by all the new great music coming out nowadays. I think we are in pretty exciting times, creatively, for music. There’s so many bands making exciting stuff that it’s hard to keep up.
Anyway, the change in sound was mostly due to me going from an all live recording setup to more of a loop/sample based project. Sometimes I just think recording can be a huge pain in the ass. Too many cables and too many variables that can make it all go horribly wrong. Plus, I’ve got enough recorded material on my computer already to keep me busy for a while.

I would love to hear you score a movie sometime, have you ever thought about doing that?
Yes, I have and I hope I have the opportunity someday ..Actually, Auburn Lull just found out that one of our songs is going to be featured in a movie this year. I can’t give out the details just yet, but we are definitely excited about the company we are in on this soundtrack. This director is known for having pretty sweet soundtracks. Stay tuned.

Who is you all time favorite guitarist and why?
I'd have to say that Nick McCabe from Verve is probably my favorite. I don't think anybody has ever made their guitar sail and soar like his did on "Storm In Heaven" and all the early Verve singles. I still think that was some of the most beautiful music ever made. I remember buying "All In the Mind", their debut single, when it first came out and thinking they were already the best band in the world. I mean, that is still probably my favorite debut single from any band, ever. Too bad they ultimately turned to crap. Although I hear that Nick and Simon Jones, Verve bass player, have formed a new band so I am hoping for good results. I still think Richard Ashcroft is the one that ruined them in the end. Too bad.

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
This is a totally impossible question, but I guess if I had to pick one I would say Kiln's latest album "Dusker" for a couple of reasons. First, that album never ceases to blow my mind. The attention to detail on that album is just amazing. And second, because I feel like I could always listen to that album and find little blurps and bleeps that I never noticed before. It’s literally chock full of wonderful, soothing sounds.

Are you living your dream?
Ha-ha, I‘m not sure, but life is good. If I'm ever am able to quit my day job and just make music, then maybe I'll be a little bit closer to that. But that is highly unlikely. Actually, if I even still have a day job by the time you read this, I’ll be happy.

Thanx Ron!

RxGibbs is currently putting the final touches on his upcoming debut LP, look for that pretty soon...(in the meantime check out these)

Caribou w/Toro Y Moi 2010 US Tour..

Caribou w/Toro Y Moi '10

05-06 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
05-07 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
05-08 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
05-09 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
05-10 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
05-11 Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theatre
05-12 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
05-13 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
05-14 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
05-15 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
05-16 Austin, TX - Emo's Alternative Lounge Outside
05-18 Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
05-19 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
05-20 San Diego, CA - Casbah
05-24 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
05-26 Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
06-04 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
06-06 Lawrence, KS - The Granada Theatre
06-07 St. Louis, MO - Firebird
06-08 Louisville, KY - Zanzabar
06-09 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop

I'm really diggn' the new Caribou album, it doesn't really sound like his previous albums. But it kind of reminds me of Erlend Oye's solo work..(which I love)

Good (free) music laying around the interwebs..

Emeralds - Geode

&
Team Ghost - Colors In Time
&
Dazzle Ships - Least Resistance
&
Caribou - Odessa (Nite Jewel Remix)

~njoy