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Jul 02, 2008 11:09 pm
Edited : Jul 07, 2008 08:35 am |
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MyGothicHeart.Com Interview with Angels and Agony by Abortedlife
MGH: How did your electronic act ultimately find its own niche within the competitive grounds of the dark music arena from its rather humble beginnings?
REINIER: When I founded Angels & Agony in late 1995, it was first an instrumental project, later vocals and lyrics were added.
MGH: Your songs are always catchy and easy to listen to, is there a secret formula or recipe to this close observation?
REINIER: I've always tried to make up tunes and melodies, first behind our piano, later with the aid of synthesizers and a simple drum machine. First there were the melodies and later I got interested in writing lyrics.
MGH: Aside from managing A&A, Marco also sidelines as a club DJ. What's his preferred record format to use during live sets, CDs or vinyls?
MARCO: As DJ CO2, I am a well-known club DJ in The Netherlands. Mostly I play genres like electro-pop, industrial/noise and some classic goth & 80s stuff, it depends on what the people inside the club prefer but it's always danceable! I don't spin any vinly anymore as it is so much easier to carry and use CDs. Managing A&A goes quite naturally, it's just that I have the time and experience to do some extra for the band. Since Project-management is our booking agency, I'm not so busy with booking concerts anymore.
MGH: How well are you acquainted with the iconic future-pop leader Ronan Harris of the smashing hit group VNV Nation?
REINIER: We know Ronan from, I think, 1994 or 1995, when the club where Marco is resident DJ, booked the first mainland gig for VNV Nation. They weren'that famous and big at that time. Over the years we kept in contact, and through the effort from a mutual friend, Ronan produced our
'Eternity' album.
MGH: Not to cause any offense at all, but do you by any chance follow them in their musical direction or tried-and-tested approaches per se, just to serve as a guide?
Of course, we do not outline our songs after their musical style. That would be quite unwise, now wouldn't
it? But what I really value in VNV Nation's music, is their message, the atmosphere they create. The songs have a meaning and purpose, they make you think about things. I hope that we have the same effect on people.
MGH: Then carefully discuss with us the steps of your creative process, now fusing all your original elements.
About composing songs: mostly I start with a synth or bass line, and it evolves from there. You add a drum part, a string or choir part, write a lyric in between and there we are... Erik and I send each other files and songs by internet or cd and incorporate each other's ideas. Or not J When a song is 80% finished Marco comes round and gives his opinion, since he's more of a DJ then a musician. When all is done, we leave it for a week or two and then listen to it again. If it's still good we'll keep it, if not we work on it some more.
MGH: Eternity is your first full-length album, but how long did it it take you to complete it?
REINIER: 'Eternity' is an album on which Ronan (as producer) tried and succeeded to make all the songs, which was a gathering of older and new songs, into one coherent album. The album is dark, melodious, danceable and uplifting. We try to convey the message that we are all one, we go on, forever. No death, no life, just be. I prepared the demo’s for Ronan, who lived in London at the time. I flew over a couple of times to work on the album. Then he moved to Hamburg, so I flew over there as well. It was quite an undertaking, but it was well-rewarded. In Hamburg another good friend of mine, Axel Ermes (Girls Under Glass, contributor to Wolfsheim, Project Pitchfork) runned a studio where we recorded vocals and mixed the whole album. So, it was a creation with friends. I guess it took about a year to finish everything.
MGH: How did Out of Line Records stumble upon A&A, is it the other way around even?
REINIER: We were very glad when Out Of Line contacted us for a little talk. They were the only label who responded to our demo. We’ve sent to numerous labels in the scene, but got no response. From then on, Out Of Line and A&A are in close contact. It is in our both interest that our music gets out. They do good adverts in all the scene related magazines, release limited editions etc. Good label! ;-)
MGH: You went on tour with another famous outfit in the EBM scene, known as Project Pitchfork. How was that experience like with them around?
REINIER: The Pitchfork guys are great! But you can imagine, a tour bus packed wich 17 men! The smell, the alcohol, sweaty socks, hahaha! No, it was great fun, they were very supportive. We had a good time. On our website www.angelsandagony.com) you can still find Marco’s tour report. I’m a fan of Project Pitchfork, they have some great songs. Also, with a message ;-) .
MGH: What are your representative songs that could very well distinguish and encapsulate your artistic trademark?
I think we have about 3 representative songs: One, Darkness and Forever.
MARCO: The Pitchies are very nice guys! It's not like we are influenced by them but we used to listen to their music. Especially the first albums, they're great! One of the representative songs for A&A is 'One'.
MGH: You were given the opportunity to do a cover song for "God is God" by Laibach. How extensive was the restructuring from its original version?
REINIER: An Italian label contacted us. What I really like are the drum 'n bass drum loops. It was so very different than the original, haha!
MGH: What is going on in the Netherlands? What noteworthy bands have sprouted from there?
MARCO: There are not so many good electro-bands yet in The Netherlands. Of course Grendel, which is quite a big name but besides them and us, it's not that developed. Personally, I like a band called NG-PRO and I would love to tour with them sometime... I expect some more bands to stand up in near future as the genre is very hot on the youngsters.
MGH: You have a nice studio by the way. Do you spend lots of time/sessions in them though?
REINIER: We do have nice studios, where we can spend hours, days... sometimes, people think we've vanished in thin air. And then the studio door opens and everyone is relieved.
MGH: Are you working on a new album presently? When is it going to be publicized?
REINIER: The new album is called 'Avatar' and is finished and will be released by Out Of Line in Europe on November 1, and in the USA released on Metropolis Records on November 9. The album contains 17 tracks, and there will be a limited edition digipack with bonus cd.
MGH: Any future tour dates you'd like to add to this interview as a reference for those who are left in the dark?
Yes, we will be touring in 2005, as some single gigs as well.
MGH: Your parting words. Thank you very much.
REINIER: Thank you for your interest in Angels & Agony. May Love & Light guide your path! |
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