Featuring Kevin of skin contact | Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl | 4 january 2009
Thanks Kevin that you have found time to give answers to these questions,so tell me a bit more about yourself,such as musical how and why did you come about starting skin contact? what else inspires you to create?
Thanks for taking the time to do the interview! Music has always been a huge part of my life- as a young child I would bang on the pots and pans,and play my toy instruments- as a teenager I had the obligatory garage band. When I was 15,I was introduced to industrial music,and through interviews & such I gleaned what I could about the
process.I've been a computer geek all my life as well (got it from my father), and when I learned you could use computers to make music,I knew that was something I wanted to do.In 1997,at age 19,I got a computer for this purpose and began the learning process.
Any reason why you free download.your Originally released in 2001.9 tracks (39:59) EP carbon/reset? and Miscellaneous remixes.6 tracks (32:32) and Free download-only promo EP 7 clear tracks (33:28) Tell me
about your albums EP 6 songs (28:37) CDR the fine line "2007" ?
The decision to release “carbon/reset” for free was largely due to the circumstances at the time- due to life keeping me busy elsewhere,it had been a few years since it's release, and it had only been released through mp3.com.I didn't have the funds to back two releases,and I of course wanted to release the new stuff (“the fine line”),but I didn't want to just leave the previous EP to rot,so I decided to give it away.
The EP “clear” was released to promote PPD,and that's something I plan to do with future releases as well.
"The fine line" came at a sort of turning point- it was originally planned as a full-length album,but again circumstances stepped in.It came to the point where some other things were taking precedence,and I had to put it aside for awhile.Since it had been so long since I'd released anything,I decided to put "disrupted" & "reticent" out as free downloads, and come back to finish the album when I could.When I did make it back,I realized that the stuff I was writing then wouldn't fit so well with the older stuff,so I decided to release an EP,and start on a new album,which would be PPD.There's still a couple of tracks from this period that haven't been released,I'm not sure what will happen with them.The ones that didn't make the cut were more guitar-based than the ones that are on the EP- I guess I went through a bit of a phase there, in fact most of the tracks on the EP were inspired by something I came up with on the guitar,though for some no guitar made it into the final track.
Let's talk about your full album 11 songs (47:13) "pleasure,pain,and distraction" 2008,Where did the concept come from? and whats planned now that your album is finished? upcoming shows or anything else you're working on?
The music on PPD was inspired on an emotional level by personal experiences.My life at the time had all the makings of a soap opera,this was my musical catharsis.
I am definitely looking into doing some shows,though the live stuff will be a bit different from the stuff I record.My studio process doesn't lend itself to live performance,and I don't want to just be standing there pressing play.I've put together a combination of a Linux-based software setup & some external stuff for live noisemaking,involving a fair amount of improvisation.
Can you give us some insight into the beginnings of skin contact a musical project? What's the history of skin contact? How did it initially come to be? can you give an introduction skin contact?
Well, it might sound cheesy,but it's true- all my life there's been music in my head that I hadn't heard before,I just had to find a way to let it out.I think it's definitely a form of therapy as well.I'm not very good at expressing myself any other way,so it comes out in music I guess.
Can you tell us a bit more about the musical projects,bands and site project you were involved with prior to skin contact?
Actually,skin contact came first,everything else has been on the side,so to speak- although sometimes the side projects have become the main focus for a time. Probably the most interesting was Krushed Opiates,with D.Smith & Al Warr. Kind of a long story,I'll give you the short version-it actually started out as 2 side projects of D.'s- one with me (Skin Receptor),and one with Al (Krushed Opiates).We all met through mp3.com, through mutual admiration and remix swapping.After some time,the two projects became one (starting with a few skin contact “guest appearances” on KO tracks).A friend of D.'s offered to back an album financially.Thus, “Driving the Two-Dimensional Highway” was put out as a DSBP release in cooperation with BLC Productions.
There was also Cogitate,with Rick Bakos of Gross National Produkt (great stuff)- sadly,we only ever finished 3 tracks together before circumstances on both sides got in the way.I was (and still am) really happy with how they turned out,it's too bad that never went further.Our paths have crossed occasionally since then- in fact I recently finished a remix for his other project,Brother Cement- so who knows,we might just do more one day.
More recently,I played bass and shared vocal duties in a local rock band called Someone Else's Problem.It was just a fun thing to do with a couple of friends,we did a few shows in bars.We played about half originals,and half covers- everything from Iggy Pop to Ministry.After a couple of years we broke up due to human nature and the guitarist joining the Air Force.The drummer (Kris Wilson) & I are still close friends,we still have an occasional drum/bass jam.We toss around the idea of starting something else up once in a while but nothing's come
of it yet.
What are your views on the current state of the electro scene in Colorado Verenigde Staten,in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?
There is a bit of a scene in Denver,which is about a 3 hour drive from where I live- less so in Colorado Springs, which is closer.I'd like to get to Denver more often,but the schedule of my day job has prevented it until recently.
As far as the rest of the world goes- in general,I actually think right now is a pretty damn good time for music.Sure,there's a lot of crap out there,but there's a lot of really good stuff out there too.Sometimes I just think you have to look a little harder.
you have very nice numbers clear rosllow remix 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?
Thanks! It usually starts with some snippet (like a rhythm or simple synth line) that starts to play in my head.It might be inspired by music,or some environmental sound,or whatever- then I sit down and try to reproduce that in the studio.Once the initial idea is down,the song starts to write itself really- I'll hear other stuff in my head and just keep following the ideas until they stop.If that doesn't happen,it goes into my ever-growing “maybe later” pile.
Though I've toyed with the idea of vocals,I'm never happy with the lyrics I write- so I use samples that fit the idea of the song (or just “feel right” in some other way) when I feel they're needed.I definitely like to play with vocals- whenever I do a remix that has them,I can't resist messing with them in some way.
For those who want technical details:the main software I use is Reaper (www.reaper.fm),with a ton of plugins, mostly free or cheap stuff,though I've splurged for a few things I really liked,like Wusikstation and iZotope Trash.I also couldn't live without Sound Forge,I've been using that since before Sonic Foundry was aquired by Sony.Lately I've been toying with a Linux audio setup on an extra PC built from spare parts-the distro it's running is called Jacklab- it comes already set up for multimedia work,including a bunch of great free software.I've also had some luck using windows software on it via WINE.I'm pretty sure the next machine I build myself will not be windows-based.
The remix you mention was by a guy who goes by rosllow on the KVR forums (www.kvraudio.com)- last I checked he didn't have a website.It is indeed an excellent remix,I still owe him one for that.
What is currently inspiring your material as an artist?
Well, life continues to prove interesting,as long as that's true I think I'll always have some kind of inspiration.
How did you come up with the name of your band,skin contact? and what is the key to making music from skin contact? and what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?
Heh, everyone assumes it's a sexual thing (and I won't deny that I realized that would happen when I chose it,it was just more a “bonus” than a reason), but honestly the way I came up with it was by reading the warnings on some chemical cleaner...you know, “avoid skin contact”.I realized it hadn't been taken yet,so I made it mine. I like stuff that can be taken more than one way, and it fit the bill there too.
Part of what keeps me growing as a musician is my desire to try new things. Working with others has also helped in this area- even when just swapping remixes, sometimes having that little insight into another way of working can have an impact on one's own way of working.
What ideas, movements and personalities would you say were crucial for the definition and development of skin contact as a creative entity?
Well, for starters I'm a huge fan of the DIY ethic,which could come from my roots as a punk-rock skater kid. I've also always had an interest in technology,which I think has had a pretty big effect on my musical choices- both what I make & what I listen to.I've also always liked sci-fi & horror movies,and the sounds & music associated with them.My dad was a sci-fi guy too,so that was probably my introduction to synthesizers- old sci-fi soundtracks and sound effects.
What do you think of its intermingling with the electro,Darkwave and EBM scenes? while electro is your main musical pallet,what other music do you listen to?
The first music I really remember identifying with was old punk rock- Misfits, Dead Kennedys,Minor Threat,The Circle Jerks.Lately I've been listening mostly to power/rhythmic noise,and a lot of hard drum & bass (Noisia, Panacea, Current Value).Also very much into breakcore & IDM.As far as other stuff goes,there's about a 50/50 chance that I'll like it if it's electronic in nature.There's a lot of mainstream trance/techno-type stuff that I don't like,but there's some I do.I like a lot of 80's stuff, synth-pop and the like as well as post-punk like The Fall.I don't listen to much other rock or metal,but there's the occasional band I like (I love Slayer,for instance).I've always had a tendency to pick music apart as I listen,to focus on the separate elements as much as the overall song,and I've always liked
sounds that went beyond the typical guitar/drum/bass stuff- so anything with layers or unique sounds might interest me.
The only things I really can't stand are modern country,singer-songwriters with acoustic guitars,Bob Marley,and Eminem.
If you're really interested in what I listen to,look for synthgeek on last.fm.
How long have you been in the music industry and how has it changed over time? Now I have to ask,what's the inspiration for the skin contact story?
I started in 1997,but it may not have been until '98 that I actually put something out there for others to hear.I would say there's been a lot of changes since then- for one thing, digital distribution through formats such as MP3 is now widely accepted.I think in that way things have changed for the better for the independent artist,even if
there's more to sort through.There are avenues opening up now that just weren't possible 10 years ago.Widespread internet access means it's possible to distribute your music digitally to a huge worldwide audience,and companies like CD Baby & Tunecore make that a possibility for everyone.
There's been some huge changes on the recording side since my early days as well- the technology is just so far beyond what it was 10 years ago,it still blows my mind sometimes.The video card in my latest computer has more processing power than my first music PC did-and it's several generations behind the state of the art.There's also an abundance of very affordable & free software around these days.It's perfectly feasible to have a functional electronic music setup for $1,000 or less,including PC & audio interface.Most people (at least the ones reading
this) probably already have a computer that would do the job If that's the case,you could certainly get started without spending a dime.
Can you tell us something about the beginnings of skin contact how and why did you begin to make music? Why various electronic styles? tell us about your unique style of music and who are your major influences?
Where do you typically get your inspiration for numbers?
As far as musical influences,the ones that really inpired me early on were (short list) Skinny Puppy (the first industrial music I ever heard, blew me away),Front 242,Die Form,X-Marks the Pedwalk,Haujobb,16Volt,Swamp Terrorists,Cubanate,Numb,Future Sound of London, Juno Reactor.The rave scene was pretty big where I was around the time I got started,and I attended a lot of those because my friends were into it- so I got introduced to a lot of electronic stuff outside of the industrial/EBM world,and some of it I actually liked,though I had no idea who the artists were.I think that had a pretty big influence on me as well, especially early on.
On an emotional level, most of my inspiration comes from experiences-I'm most inspired when there's stuff going on, good or bad.On a more physical level,I find the process itself very inspiring.I don't really know how to explain it,but I'm sure it's the same for anyone writing music- whatever their chosen instrument(s) might be.There's a point where everything flows,and the next note/noise/drum hit/whatever just comes one after another.I'm a total junkie for that.
Are you working on any current or future projects?
I do have another solo project, called Fugue State.It started out as a place to put stuff that didn't fit with whatever I was doing with skin contact at the time,and kind of grew into it's own project.It tends to be less dark & noisy than skin contact I think. There will probably be a release from that project this year,though I have nothing solid in the works just yet.You can get everything I've released under this name from the website: http://fstate.skincontact.com
I recently started an organization with my friend Marc of CyberLotion-it's an artist collective called IDE (for Independent Dark Electronics).We have a website at http://www.ide-hq.org,where you can download our first compilation.We're currently working on adding more content to the site,some artist interviews & such.
On question about influences and inspirations about Colorado ,Verenigde Staten? Are you currently working on or planning any new releases? What is the future for your music?
Yes, I'm currently working on the follow-up to PPD,looks like the title will be “antitrust”.I'd say it's maybe ¾ done, recording-wise.It will be longer than the last release.I'm really happy with the way it's turning out.I just got back a killer remix of the title track from Defrost,that will be on the album too.I find myself playing with the guitar a bit more again on this one- so far just a few small parts in a few tracks.Other than that,in many ways it's sounding similar to PPD I guess- a similar blend of influences anyway.I think it's a just a bit more aggressive as well.
The future? Well,I don't plan on stopping.More remixes.Hopefully some shows.
It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity,Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans? and what is next on the Colorado ,Verenigde Staten agenda?
Support independent music!
thanks for your time! great work on the albums and good luck with everything.any closing remarks you'd like to say to the ebm-industrial.nl? Do you have any final words or requests? any last words for www.ebm-industrial.nl
Good luck to you ,too- and thanks for the support!
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