Interviews > interviews 2, 1995 + 1994
Interviews > interviews 2, 1995 + 1994
Morbid Outlook
July 14, 1995
Interview by Mistress McCutchanDescribe pre-black tape for a blue girl and black tape's beginning how did that and projekt get started.
In 1983, I was making a fanzine in Florida. And as an extension of that, I decided to put out a cassette of local electronic/new romantic bands. There wasn't even a label name, at that point . . . but the idea was born. I had a couple of short electronic instrumentals on there, and that began a solo electronic era, in which I probably released seven cassettes in two years. In January of '86, I moved out to California to finish my last two years of college. And it was quite a shock to be alone. Really alone. I began writing more lyrical music, and I knew that I was taking a new direction. So I created the idea of Black Tape For A Blue Girl, where I could incorporate different singers and musicians who would help me realize this vision . . .Origins of the name black tape for a blue girl.That is something that I like to keep vague, because I think that it creates an image that each person can interepret in their own way. I liked what you said, about the name being about "A raven-haired beauty named Laura." Well, that's not actually the case. But it is fine by me, that it has been interpreted that way.Who makes up the current band?These days, it is myself on electronics and vocals, Lucian who is my female vocalist, and Oscar who is my male vocalist. There will probably be other people involved on the next album, whenever that gets done. But the three of us form the core of the band. As you know, it has been a relatively volatile band, with people coming and going. Oscar and I are the only ones who have been on all five albums. But I really see it as sort of a "performance" that I write the script for, and different artists interpret my words and characters for me. I used to get depressed, when someone left. Wondering "how will I ever replace Sue?" but then Lucian came along, and I was wonderfully surprised that I created something even more exciting to me. It is nice, because the band is always in evolution. Both in the themes that I am working through and also in the sound of the band . . .Has black tape for a blue girl toured?No. It has never really been feasible. First because everyone lives so far away. Oscar points out that previous to this lush garden within, no one in the band had ever met any other members. Oscar's in Florida. Sue's in England. Lucian's out here in LA, Allan lives in Boston . . . so a "tour" has never been a feasible idea. The second problem just dealt with "levels of recognition." In that it wouldn't be depressing, to play for 25 people in some crummy bar. Now, a tour would be feasible . . . but logistics would still be hard. Pat has been telling me I should do an instrumental/ambient set . . . or just a stripped down version of Black Tape. So maybe someday it will happen.What do you wish to achieve with your work? What type of feel/approach do you wish to project?I try to reveal the thoughts and emotions that I am feeling at the time, in an effort perhaps to understand myself better? That sounds a bit generic, I suppose. It is never a fully realized CONCEPT. Just a slice of life. a chaos of desire was recorded at the time of what you could call a "break up" - even though it was more the end of a friendship, then the end of a love affair. And only now, years later, can I really see the intricate workings of it. Probably the sort of thing that was apparent to the listener immediately. It takes time for me to get that sort of perspective on the album. this lush garden within is even more difficult for me to explain. I think at one time I had a nice tidy description, but now i don't know. It deals with the feminine in our society. But there are really deep personal problems that I was working through in that album. Being "cheated on" and betrayed by the person who I trusted so deeply. Her getting pregnant, and having to deal with that confusion and pain. I suppose I was too discrete in the way it was all worded, as I have yet to meet a person who was able to gather up the true personal meaning from that work. So what I actually achieve isn't necessarily clear . . .What events in your life are reflected in your music? Events that helped/hindered black tape?It all comes down to personal experience. That is all there in the music. I used to be an obsessive type, and this over-analyzation of every second of time, and every action is all reflected in my art. It is a sam-journal, or maybe group therapy. And then others tell me that they see themselves in my art, and it is good to have that connection. But sometimes I say "whoa! If they see themselves, then maybe I should be worried!" (laughs) I met both of my ex-girlfriends through their appreciation of my art. And that worries me, a little bit.What type of music interests you/do you listen to?I like the ethereal side of life. I am bored silly by all the "rock" goth bands. It is so stale. So if i were to tell you the three bands that impressed me on my two week trip with lycia (sam as sound man!) I would say they were:How are you received by your audience?1/arcanta - monastic chants from chicago. Soon to be on projekt.
2/Low - Slowdivish guitar trace
3/Gavin Bryars - The Sinking of the Titanic - sort of like Eno's Discrete Music.
This confuses me a bit. Because I get a lot less mail then I used to, even though the Cds are certainly out there more than ever. So I have a bit of a void of knowledge. I would love to hear from more people . . . I receive letters from people who feel a connection to my work, because it lays bare emotions that they have felt, and that they understand. So, it is the soul searching that connects them to my work. Always the connection that I wanted to make. Though I was told by this one record store guy that "people buy your music, because it's the cool thing to own." And that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, because this was never about fashion . . .Who do you think is drawn to you music?Fans who like to experience. Some people tell me that it's a bit challenging. Because it's not what you expect of a "goth band." But I'm not a goth, anyway! So although the fans come from the gothic scene, they are people who like music that's poetic and dives deep into the soul.Future plans/releases.I am considering releasing forbidden as a maxi cd, of songs that were re-recorded/reworked for compilations around the time of this lush garden within. I have a short novel of the story of what led up to that album -- I'm thinking of a book/cd package. But I have been hard pressed to decide about releasing it, because it is a bit of a farce now. The tale of falling in love with someone who betrayed me and I broke up with a year and a half ago. But I will have this thought through soon enough . . . because I need to get it out of my system, because I want to begin work on my next cd. I have a bunch of instrumentals written, and I have to get going on some Vocal songs. It is so hard to create, In Los Angeles. I am not inspired here, anymore. I was really inspired on my trip. Meeting a few interesting people who stirred up some buried thoughts. But now that I'm back here, I am back to business mode. and that sucks!
3rd NAIL
April 18th, 1995How long has projekt been in existence and how did it get started?
Sam: I started projekt in 1983, when i released a cassette compilation of local electronic/techno-pop bands. My roots were in that scene, the "home taper" scene where anyone could grab a tape deck and some old synths and make music . . . that was the beginning, and there were around 18 cassette releases which have been deleted and buried deep underground . . .Almost any ambient or ethereal band is described as a "projekt band." Was it a conscious decision to feature these kinds of groups on your label, if so why?Sam: The criteria has always been that I must like the music, in order for it to appear on projekt . . . and at the same time, fit into the "vision" of the label, which i feel, generally, is pretty broad. The bands aren't all exactly alike, there is quite a variety I think --- even if they all DO fall into the same general realm. I, personally, don't hear a lot of bands that i think are "PROJEKT BANDS" -- although I get many demos from bands who feel they fit in.There has been such an upswing in the popularity of this kind of music in the last few years. Why would you say that is?I think one of the reasons is that labels that had been underground for years finally broke into the mainstream, and were able to be heard by more fans. For example, throughout the 80s, 4AD was an odd import label, that was still relatively unheard of by the general listener. Sure, "I melt with you" was a hit -- but that really didn't spark interest in the 4AD sound. It took years for COCTEAU TWINS to get heard (once they went to CAPITAL), and with WARNER BROTHERS backing 4AD, it was clear that they would receive mainstream acceptance.What is it like being in black tape for a blue girl and running a record label at the same time?On the other hand, there are labels like Cleopatra and Projekt and Tess, who remain in the "underground" yet are able to get artists into stores and out to the audience. When the rope came out, in 1986, in was nearly impossible to get into the stores. Maybe 200 copies of the lp made it to stores. So the climate is very different, now.
Insane. I end up not having enough time to work on my music, which is a source of great frustration . . . as the music is the reason I began the label. This year, there are 24 cds planned (on Projekt and Relic), so it gets pretty hectic and makes little room or energy for music . . .Which do you prefer to do?I enjoy making the music. Actually, I have recorded about 45 minutes worth of new songs. It is in the screening process. Seeing if I like it, seeing which songs will get vocals, which will be scrapped. But I could really complete an album in a month, if I forced myself out of the "work" mode . . . and secluded myself somewhere. But that just isn't possible with all the obligations of taking care of the artists and releases on projekt . . . and then I get e-mail people bagging on me for being too "lofty" and removed from my fans. and I ask myself 'what do you want of me???' I mean, should I spend my few free hours writing letters to all of the mail order customers, or maybe relaxing and having a life. It is frustrating, because people sort of want to hang onto you as their own little secret. And they get upset when you no longer have time for lengthy personal correspondence. It hurts my feelings, actually, when they say these nasty and false things about me. Veronika (my girlfriend) and I talk about it, because some people expect a lot of you. And if you don't do things just the way it is expected of you, you become a "corporate" record executive who no longer cares about his fans. and that's very judgemental and uninformed! Yes, I don't have time to listen to that large box of demos that comes in, that's why I have people who do it for me . . . would they prefer I do that continuously, and don't release the music of the bands they enjoy. Or don't work on my own music?Do you see ambient and gothic music becoming "mainstream"?To a certain degree, It is already . . . if you consider how many albums DEAD CAN DANCE sold. but it's not going to knock the country or rap bands out of the top-10!How do you feel about the major labels buying up the indies.I am very wary of such a thing. Because it almost always means a shift away from concern for the actual artistic integrity to the "sales" potential. And that is against what I believe in. I was chatting with someone from MCA, and she was saying "but wouldn't you sign such-n-such an artist, if you knew it would mean lots of sales." and I responded not a chance. Like I would sign London After Midnight, just to sell a few thousand cds. How could I possibly upend the label like that?What does darkwave mean to you? Is it different from ethereal/ambient?To me, "Darkwave" is just a handy catchphrase for a wide variety of music. From the original intention of dark guitar goth, to even something like Jorge Reyes, who is dark tribal, and mysterious. To me, it means everything in this wide genre . . .What would you say to a beginning band that wanted to be on projekt?Work together very secludedly, ignoring what is popular and what you think might "sell" in order to create a sound and identity for yourself. So people will remember your music. Because it is not "image" that will give you long-term validity, but creating something that is striking and musically unique.Are you ever surprised at the success you have had with the "music community"?I guess not. Not to sound stuck-up, But I know the amount of hours that we all have put into this thing, so it seems like a fair reward for that effort. How many years has Mike from LYCIA been toiling away unknown? Isn't the recognition and success deserved? Some people call success "selling out." I call success a reward for you work.What is your biggest complaint about the music industry?People afraid to take chances.How important is the gothic audience to your music.I think the core supporters are from the Gothic scene, naturally. But we get a great many of our listeners from the likes of SPIN, ALTERNATIVE PRESS and SASSY!!!!