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Apr 03, 2008 02:53 am
Edited : Jul 01, 2008 03:53 pm |
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MyGothicHeart.Com Interview with Tragic Black by Abortedlife
MGH: Hello there, Tom! I just wanted to update our readers here at MGH regarding the current mindset of one of the greatest names in the electronic scene. What would a Tom Shear be thinking right this very moment?
TS:I leave for Australia in a few days, so that's most of what has me occupied at the moment.
MGH: Your tour schedule is this coming december 28-29 and then january 4-5 in australia. How would you likely spend the holiday interval between those mentioned dates?
TS:My wife and I hope to do lots of sight-seeing and enjoy a small vacation. It's rare when I'm touring that we get a chance to see much of the countries we are visiting, so this will be a nice change from that.
MGH: Did you go through any signs of culture shock having visited that many countries within a brief period? To mention that you have recently completed both your Russian and Eastern European tours, does the overall atmosphere change radically with every destination?
TS:Some more than others. Even within Russia there was a world of difference between Moscow and Volgograd. But the more traveling you do, the more you learn to expect that things are likely going to be very different from what you are used to. On the other hand, the other thing I have found is the more you travel, the more you realize that despite cultural differences, people are mostly the same everywhere you go.
MGH: I'd definitely say you're one of a few artists who could get away with wearing just a plain black shirt and still look great. Is there a message you would like to send across about your unique fashion sense?
TS: Not really. To me clothes are just functional. I've always found fashion to be silly and boring. Especially in regards to music, I think it dilutes what is really important... the music itself.
MGH: As I was composing this after getting your confirmation reply in the mail, you were also online on your MS (officialassemblage23) page.
Now, my question is, do you actually take the time to reply to messages/comments or just browse over them a little to get a general view of the feedbacks?
TS: I used to take messages on there, but the interface is such a pain in the ass ('An unexpected error has occurred...'), so now I just provide a link to my email address, as that is much easier. But yes, I try to reply to every email I receive. To be honest, I really hate MySpace, but it's sort of expected these days, isn't it?
MGH: Please give us a quick introduction into your "Rarities" offering, and also the origins of the songs you put on there.
TS: As some people may know, Assemblage 23 was around as a project for almost ten years before getting signed. Part of this was due to the climate of the scene in the US (in the early to mid 90's labels in the US only wanted bands with heavy guitars), and part of it was the fact that I was treating more like a hobby than anything else. So there are a lot of songs from the period before I got signed that no one has heard. I thought it might be of interest to the real hardcore fans to hear some of this stuff, so that's the origin of the CD!
MGH: How many tracks do you usually play during your live performances? Is it ever negotiable if the audience still wants to hear some more?
TS: We always come prepared with an encore or two, but we can't take specific requests. The backing tracks are all on minidisc, so we can only do what we have with us. But we usually play a minimum of 90 minutes. I find that is the attention span MOST crowds have. Sometimes, though, you get the feeling that the crowd would have you play all night if you could. That's a pretty cool feeling.
MGH: I know you'd probably feel obligated if I ask you about the lyrical aspect of your
music, considering how many have asked you the same thing. But, what has mainly evolved all throughout your history, this is in terms of your writings and approaches?
TS: I think I've just become more comfortable writing lyrics and have improved a little with each album, hopefully. To me, it is still the most difficult and least enjoyable aspect of songwriting, but it gets easier as time goes on.
MGH: What are your present influences? We're curious to know what you, who is a major influence on the dark electronic scene yourself, listen to or advocate personally.
TS:Lately I have been listening to a lot of electrohouse stuff... I'm still into dubstep... I listen to a lot of techno and IDM oriented stuff as well. Really, I am always on the search for music I haven't heard before.
MGH: If there's at least anyone or a driving force in the world whom you feel you owe your career to as A 23, who or what do you reckon would fill that very position?
TS:Depeche Mode. Not only did they get me interested in electronic music, but the first time I saw them in concert they had a DJ spinning industrial music in between bands, and that was my introduction to this kind of music.
MGH: So, going back to your band engagements, how long until your series of tours will be over and done with?
TS:After Australia, we don't have any shows until the Black Sun festival in March. We probably won't do many live shows next year. I really need some time at home and in the studio to get the next album going...
MGH: What is your take on meeting the deadlines of your career projects and on the other hand allocating enough time and space for yourself?
TS: I'm bad about taking time off. I always feel like I have to be constantly working or I feel guilty in a way. But usually after a tour I just enjoy having some quiet time at home. It probably seems boring, but after living in airports and dance clubs for 4 or 5 months, you really need something different.
MGH: As soon as you get this upcoming release nailed pretty soon, do you believe you'd still have the drive and resources by then to do more follow-ups?
TS: I suppose the well will run dry some day, but for the moment, I have a ton of song ideas for the next album, so I think I'm safe for now. haha
MGH: Okay, Tom Shear of A 23, thanks a lot for giving me this opportunity! Good luck on the australian tour!
TS: Thanks! |
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