This "interview" was conducted with voytek of soundgazer on 10-Aug-2010 Thanks voytek

 

 

Hi voytek,we are happy to get the chance to ask you a few questions For the first question will be Thanks voytek that you have found time to give answers to these questions,How are you doing?

No problem, thank you for the opportunity and interest.I'm great.  Enjoying a rare heat wave here in Canada.

 

Hello voytek what noise do you make in soundgazer?

Live i play guitar and do lead vocals.In the studio I also do most of the programming and composing.

 

How's the start of 2010 been for you thus far?

By far the best year ever, for me personally and the band too.  We actually played a show New Year's Eve just after midnight.  After getting off the stage we all thought "wow, great energy....2010 is going to be a good year".  So far its been great.

 

do you know the netherland?

I grew up in Poznan in Eastern Europe and travelled to Amsterdam and Rotterdam when I was very young.I also learned a lot about The Netherlands while completing my University studies in Urban Planning in Canada and Germany.So i guess I know a bit about The Netherlands.Turks Fruit is also one of my favorite films :)

 

For a lot of people, this is probably going to be their first full introduction to soundgazer so how about you tell us a little bit about how you guys know each other and how the band came together?

Before Soundgazer I was a guitar player in a few metal/hard rock bands.But I started getting bored of practicing arpeggios and just playing one instrument, so I went out and bought my first synthesizer.I instantly fell in love with the saturation and depth of electronic sounds and so decided to form a band which would incorporate these sounds.A friend introduced me to Rany knowing I was looking to collaborate on a new project.Rany not only played bass, but as a film director is brilliant at creating and syncing projected visuals to music.We totally hit it off and began writing, recording, and performing together in the simmer of 2006.

Do you follow the electronic music Electronica / Alternative / Industrial, do you have any other favourite bands?

I absolutely follow this kind of music.  There are many bands whose releases I always anticipate and countless others I keep discovering, mostly through the advent of internet radio and some great local djs.  I love a lot of artists that combine elements of rock and electronica, such as Devin Townsend, IamX, Dope Stars Inc., and The Birthday Massacre.  But also love countless other artist spanning many genres.  The Wildhearts are probably my favorite band ever, they seem to have been around ever since i got into music.

 

How is your relationship with other electronic bands?

I would say very good.  Its somewhat difficult being in Canada in that you are much more isolated from the frequency of meeting other bands unless you get out there yourself.  I am very honored to say that I can call members of several international bands good friends.  There are also many terrific local electronic bands whom all seem to have a strong working relationship for good of the scene so to say.

 

Can you give us a brief run-through of soundgazer story so far?

Sure.  Rany and I formed the band in 2006 as mentioned above.  We released our first full length CD titled Screen Feel in 2007.  This CD embraced more of an EBM sound and featured an aggressive singing style which we quickly outgrew.  In 2008 we replaced our original drummer and shifted our style towards stronger melodies, clean vocals, and a more dominant guitar presence.  We played many shows since that time, including concerts with Infected Mushroom, Imperative Reaction, SITD, Aesthetic Perfection, and countless others.  In 2009 we released an EP titled Like Gravity which included our first music video.  This summer we are releasing a full length CD titled Inner Speech and have now become a four piece.  I asked a local singer/song writer, Izzy Novak, to do some vocal layers on a track titled Thoughts Felt on our Like Gravity EP.  We were both very happy with the results and decided we need to keep working together.  So as of recently Izzy is joining us on keyboards and secondary vocals.

 

When did you form soundgazer? What inspired you to make music together?

Rany and I formed the band in 2006.  It took a couple of years to evolve into a sound we all feel comfortable with.  The inspiration was mostly from electronic bands and sounds.  Toronto has an extremely vibrant electronic music scene which Rany and I frequent, thus regularly being exposed to many "club anthems" and great live acts which we find very inspirational.  Once we started performing together I definitely think the live experience became our biggest source of inspiration.    

 

What are your top ten favorite Electronica / Alternative / Industrial Club Songs of all time? Who are you influenced by?

Wow, thats a hard question.  There are thousands to choose from, for different reasons, and the choices depend on what mood I'm in.  But it would definitely be songs by bands that were most often played by djs in Toronto's electro club scene.  Bands like Icon of Coil, Assemblage 23, VNV Nation, Apoptygma Berzerk, Project Pitchfork, Skinny Puppy, KMFDM, De/Vision, Seabound, Imperative Reaction, Neuroticfish, and so on.  Influentially, I take a lot from synth based bands, but also really like a lot of elements of hard rock.  I feel like I have different influences for different reasons.  For example, I have always loved the big anthem like choruses of The Wildhearts, the aggression of Strapping Young Lad, the melodies of IAMX and Dope Stars Inc., the saturation and depth of electronic bands like Seabound, Apoptygma Berzerk, In Strict Confidence, and Helalyn Flowers, and the dance rhythms of Goa Trance acts.  From time to time I also enjoy listening to virtuoso musicians in acts like Dream Theatre. 

 

What would you consider your favorite cd's?

Another hard question as there are so many choices.  Taking into account entire CDs from start to finish I would have to include Biomech by Ocean Machine, Kingdom of Welcome Addiction by IamX, Holy by In Strict Confidence, Mechanical Horizon by Decoded Feedback, Violent New Breed by Shotgun Messiah, Gingerhearts by Dope Stars Inc., Zzyzx by Zeromancer, Dreamin' In A Casket by Hardcore Superstar, Damaged by Razed in Black, Devil in the Details by Saigon Kick, Chutzpah! by The Wildhearts, and Walking with Strangers by The Birthday Massacre.

 

What are the future plans for soundgazer?

Put out our second CD, Inner Speech, this summer.  Perform as much as possible.  Try to make it to Europe and Latin America where we receive most support and interest.  Scoring a booking agent or some kind of label support would be a huge bonus.  Put out follow up CD early 2011 with both Izzy and myself on lead vocals.  This should keep us busy for the next year.  We also filmed another video directed by Jamaican legend Ras Kassa we hope to release shortly after Inner Speech hits the streets.

 

What is the main idea, the message you want to leave to people who listens to you? What is your motto?

I don't think we have a single motto.  If there is a main message its to make people question their existence and the decisions they make in life, wether the theme is emotional, political, or even environmental.  I do not like being direct and to the point with lyrical messages, but rather have deeper ideas and concepts so that different people may perceive the same song in different ways. 

 

What’s the name of your band? where did the name come from? or what's the story behind the band name?

Soundgazer" came to me from working on music on computers for countless hours.  Anyone who has ever worked with audio sequencing software knows there is a visual representation of the sound(s) files in the shape of a wave(s) on your monitor.  Sometimes I worked on music so much I would end up having dreams with these screen shots.  I could actually turn off my speakers and know what song is playing just by looking at the wave files.  Accordingly, much like gazing at the stars I was gazing at these wave files which represent sound, thus "soundgazing".  I mentioned the name to a few people who thought it was cool so I stuck with it.

 

If people don't know what you and your music are about, how would you describe soundgazer?

A unique blend of synthesizers and guitars layered with harmony vocals.  Danceable beats, catchy melodies, and diversely influenced compositions further underpin our sound.  We often get classified as "synth rock".

 

 

EP "Like Gravity" where did the concept come from? and whats planned now that your album is finished? or anything else you're working on? Tell me why this title,"Like Gravity" Tell us a few words about the concept of this?

The "Like Gravity" concept came from a personal situation I experienced.  I found some people have very limited control and strength when dealing with their emotions and the actions they trigger coupled with a short sighted prediction of the future.  Basically, "lust" often works "like gravity" pulling people into situations idealized by sexual fantasies, though "rationally" such decisions are illogical.  Thus people often negatively impact their life by allowing lust to work like gravity.  The "Like Gravity EP" is a four song CD we released a few months ago which also features our first music video for the track "stay the same".  We will be releasing a full length length CD in the coming weeks titled "Inner Speech". 

 

How is your relationship with the fans like?

Is it nice to meet fans or have you also problems with intrusive hysterical female and male admirers?I really love meeting people whether they are fans or not.  We have a great relationship with many of our fans and supporters, though we need more :)  Rany seems to have a lot of hysterical admirers anywhere we go, both male and female!

 

How do you feel to hold the finished cd in your hands?

Its an outstanding feeling.  A summary of months of work, life experiences, personal stories, tributes to influences, and many more things all in one package.

 

How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?

We have only played a few Canadian shows in support of the "Like Gravity EP".  We plan to hit the road in the fall once our full length "Inner Speech" CD is released.

 

What do you think of a modern Gothic and about Electronica / Alternative / Industrial scene?

Its really difficult to speak of this scene as "one" because it is very diverse and differs from one region to another.  I really like the "unification" of the scene recently though.  When i was a kid listening to Industrial, EBM, or Goth Rock meant you were into three different scenes.  Now it seems that being into any music that has a streak of darkness means your into Goth, at least that has been the trend in Canada.  I'm also enjoying hearing more and more guitars and acoustic drums.  Looking forward to the future of this scene.

 

What's your favourite track of yours?

I like different tracks for different reasons.  I like the message in "Thoughts Felt", the guitar effect in "Like Gravity", and I love playing "Generation" and "Fade" live.

 

What and who gets you excited about music today?

I love discovering new bands.  Any style of music that has melody seems to grab me.  There is a great Internet Radio station, Sanctuary Radio, I often listen to for motivation.  Live shows of course ignite excitement in me as well. 

 

Our usual question - what is music for you?

Playing the right note at the right time.  These are the only two things you need to know to be a musician.  Though for me personally it is a spiritual dimension, a world onto itself with purpose and meaning.

 

What was your best live experience so far?

Opening for Infected Mushroom literally a few months after forming Soundgazer.  Playing in Montreal is always a blast too.

 

What are your views on the current state of this Electronica / Alternative / Industrial

I'm really out of the loop as far as what artist are most popular, but again, I really enjoy hearing more and more guitar in music lately.  This scene is also somewhat underground, so I do see some struggles, especially by the inability of Indie Record Labels to continue supporting artist based on CD sales.  In fact, getting any kind of label support is becoming very difficult, though its also easier than ever to be independent. 

 

scene in Toronto Canada.in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?

The scene in Toronto is great.  Many successful international bands made Toronto their home.  There are many artists to feed off and cross inspire so to say.  The audience always struck me as diverse and open-minded.  We have never played outside North America, so its difficult for me to compare to other countries, though I often hear artists say people in Europe are spoiled compared to North America as the scene their is more vibrant.  I think much of this has to do with higher densities in Europe and perhaps a more open minded culture.  We hope to perform in Europe and South America in the near future.

 

you have very nice numbers` tell me about lyrical compositions what you can tell about the done work? How does your music creation process work? How do you create a song?

Thank you !  I like to have messages or stories in our songs which have deeper or more philosophical meanings beyond what is on the surface.  I really like when 10 different people hear the same Soundgazer song and interpret the lyrics in 10 different ways.  I also like to write lyrics which cause people to question their existence or the decisions they make in life.  As far as the music, we don’t have a particular formula which we follow for composing.  My favorite is when we just improvise, “jam” so to say.  Its usually just guitar, drums, and bass at this point, and then we play around with vocal melodies and add electronics.  Though many times I’ll create a short loop or series of chords with inspiring sounds or effects and use that as a basis.  I personally try to write music and lyrics at the same time, I find they compliment one another more this way and usually create a unified feel to a composition.

 

What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

We have struggled with a genre classification since Soundgazer was formed.  I feel comfortable labeling us as "synth rock".  Though we have been described as a lot of styles, including EBM, trance, industrial, alternative, nu-retro, even indie.  Many of my favorite bands have been very diverse, so not fitting a particular genre classification is alright with me.  I have so many influences it would an injustice to list only a few.  Looking at my itunes play count ranking, currently topping the list is IamX, Dope Stars Inc., Birthday Massacre, and Gary Numan.  Though influentially I would include Devin Townsend and The Wildhearts.

 

Since the music industry is more open now to purely electronic music has this made things easier for you?

Its funny you mention this as the other day my friend was playing me songs by many of todays most popular commercial artists and I pointed out that most of them are electronic.  Will this makes things easier?  not sure.  I think it provides a greater likelihood of receiving commercial support compared to a few years ago, but I don't think it will make it easier for us.  Its now harder to sell music and get people out to concerts, so its like one step forward and two back.  Though we're not complaining. 

 

 

So what are their main influences as a band at the moment?

We actually all have very different listening preferences as individuals, so as a band there are not that many artists we all mutually see as influences. 

 

What is currently inspiring your material as an artist? tell me all about the Electronica / Alternative / Industrial scene of Toronto Canada?

I feed off many things for inspiration, wether personal or not.  I particularly get inspired by hearing other artists I enjoy, this seems to set off a reaction which gravitates me to my studio where I can release ideas which eventually get expanded into songs.  As I mentioned before, the scene in Toronto is great.  There are many bands of differing styles, great DJs, promoters, club nights, a lot of cool local fashion, and eccentric people, which all combine to create a very vibrant scene.  The long cold winters also seem to give people extra incentive to style interesting fashion and keep warm on a dance floor.

 

Do you think that people from the music press didn't expect you to grow up musically?

Some for sure, but I think most of our reviews thus far have been accurate, even some bad ones from our first CD.  When I formed Soundgazer I was a guitar player with no singing skills who had only written instrumental songs, so I would have to kid myself if I expected to get a ton of great press at that point.  I think we may have exceeded some expectations by quickly identifying things we need to improve and working hard on improving them, which we continue to do.  So yes, I think we "grew up" musically very quickly which some press did not expect.  Great question by the way.

 

what is the key to making music from soundgazer and what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?

Similar to what I answered above, we know we can sound better if we continue to work on all aspects of our music, so there is always that drive.  I also think the determination and vision we have, not for commercial success, but to continuously create music that evolves us as artists.  This takes a lot of work.  Besides that, I think its also important to have balance in your life.  Music is good for the soul, so we indulge in it as much as we can.

 

How do you see the future of download / Copyright in area of goth-Electronica / Alternative / Industrial music ? What are the best ways to develop it in your mind ?

I have personally uploaded Soundgazer's material for file sharing, not to give away music free, but to expose it to people who may not have come across it.  When I was very young I use to go to CD stores to check out new artists, releases, and flip through magazines.  These days most activity like this takes place on-line.  Sure you can usually sample a 30 second clip of most artists music legally and for free, but having your music shared illegally can have some beneficial consequences too.  Your exposing it to many potential new listeners who might make copies for their friends, give to DJs, and attract new listeners by simply making it available in a shared folder.  I also bet many of these new listeners would not have gone out of their way to purchase your CD, but they may become fans after illegally downloading it.  As an artist that is what's most important to me, having people interested in and supporting my music, regardless of how it got on their music player.  Soundgazer is emerging in this changing industry so we have never felt "ripped off" by illegal downloads, its just the norm now.  Many of my all time favorite artists have day jobs, yet still manage to put out music and squeeze in a few weeks of touring every year.  We hope to do the same.  As for the future, I predict "owning" music will become much less significant.  I don't think illegal downloading can be controlled nor can selling CDs be reverted back to what it was in the 90s.  I would suggest a mass online music storage centers where subscribers can listen to any artist, anywhere, anytime.  The prices have to be reasonable though, that is the key in my opinion.  At the turn of the century CDs became very cheap to produce and distribute, yet the prices remained high.  I think if some of the big companies reacted and began selling CDs for $4-5 they would still make a profit and illegal downloading would not be so desirable today.  But greed prevented that from happening, so I'm actually looking forward to the day CDs seize to exist.

 

If there was one thing you want people to know about your band what would that be?

Our bass player is sexy !! 

 

Please let us know about your upcoming plans, some new releases you like to confirm here

New CD in coming weeks titled "Inner Speech".  A lot of shows after that.  Hopefully make our way overseas.  A follow up CD we already started working on for 2011 titled "Two Graves", which will include Izzy and myself both doing lead vocals.  Another video by years end.  Hopefully another interview with you in a few months with further updates. 

 

It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity,Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?

Thank you for seeking out and supporting electronic music ! 

 

and what is next on Toronto Canada agenda?

CD release party for Inner Speech and a few more shows in the coming months, otherwise primary studio work.

 

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

Best bet is to hit up our facebook and myspace pages to check out our music.   We also sell our music through various digital and CD distributors.   If your a DJ or reviewer and would like a promo copy of our latest release please email us.  You can find the links on our website: www.soundgazer.net .

 

How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

It has changed a lot in short period of time.  Most noticeably, we outgrew the angry singing style from our early material and incorporated clean vocals.  We have also diversified from being almost entirely electronic to now emphasizing guitars and acoustic sounds.  Our compositions have also developed a far more melodic structure.

 

How is the new line-up working out?

Brilliant.  Becoming a four piece means we can play everything live.  When we were a three piece we needed to prerecord a lot of the electronic sounds.  The sound has diversified and the onstage energy is also way more positive.   Having two female and two male members also feels very balanced.