Featuring Andy De Decker / Ionic Vision | Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl | 08 Jan 2009
Thanks Andy De Decker (vox, synths) from Ionic Vision that you have found time to give answers to these questions,
So tell me a bit more about yourself, such as musical? Now how long have you been a musician? what made you want to make ebm music or got you into the EBM / Industrial music scene ??
Well, I don’t really consider myself as a musician,more as a programmer.We make electronic music since early 90’s and neither of us can read notes.It’s Do It Yourself….the hard way.The reason why we started making EBM was the fact that most bands that we liked started messing around with guitars and no good EBM bands were left. After messing around with demo-tapes and demo-CD’s we got a chance to join CCP, a label in Germany.After it went down,we co-operated with DSBP.And now we have our own label,Machineries Of Joy,sublabel to COP International. In other words,we do everything ourselves.
Tell one secret about yourself or the band that you have never told to anyone?
Hehe,cool question,but also difficult.I was the first singer of the band.This is only heard on the first version of our first tape “Einen Tanz Traumen”.It was decided that Sven should do this.Afterwards,it is clear that we were right ;-)
how and why did you come about starting Ionic Vision? what else inspires you to create? Ionic Vision was formed in ......?
We started in 1992 with tapes and even a synthesizer that didn’t belong to us.The reason was the area of the so-called cross-over electro which we hated a lot.Die Krupps,Nitzer Ebb,Pouppée Fabrikk,etc … all went for guitars and electronics.We stopped buying their CD’s,because we just didn’t like the music anymore.We wanted electronics. And so,we decided to do it ourselves.Now we are 16 years later,so I guess we did good.
First, congratulations on your new album Bitter Isolation Let's talk about your new full-CD, called "Bitter Isolation".where did the concept come from? and whats planned now that your album is finished? what are the plans for new Ionic Vision material? upcoming shows or anything else?
The name is a feeling that we have for many years now.You see,we have been doing almost everything ourselves since HOMO SOVIETICUS,as we were left without a record label.As said before,we do this since early 90’s.For some time now,we see bands getting more exposure and more opportunities and they only exist for a few years.We felt frustrated and so we decided to pour this feeling into a concept of an album,an EP-CD,a club remix 12” and some exclusive downloads on i-Tunes.Now that this concept of Isolation Sessions is over,we are doing some remixes for bands in several genres.We made a remix for Luzyphix (techno guy in Berlin),Luna Twist (a Belgian cult-band from the 80’s on a comeback),Soldout (Belgian electro pop band) and Implant.This also gives us some time to get to know the new version from REASON,which we solely use for our products.And yes, we have some shows lined up, but nothing confirmed just yet.If you check our Myspace-page now and then you should see some new dates and places.
How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?
Not too bad. We were in the Deutsche Alternative Charts for a couple of months.We even reached the TOP-10 with our album and were neighbors there to Coldplay and The Cure etc.
so, what's up with this Label Machineries Of Joy, part of COPINT you're working on? what's it gonna be like?
We have a new band,DARKMEN,a Belgian old-school EBM band.We engineered and produced their debut-album and their first remix-EP as well. Beginning this year you should see some results their via mails and shops etc.Keep a close eye on it !
Can you give us some insight into the beginnings of Ionic Vision a musical project? What's the history of Ionic Vision? How did it initially come to be? Can you give an introduction Ionic Vision?
Didn’t you already ask this question ?
Can you tell us a bit more about the musical projects,bands and leden you were involved Ionic Vision have been around for many years now.What does it feel like to be considered a pioneer of the ebm genre ? with prior to Ionic Vision? Bodybeats.and remix by oa: Orange Sector?
In the beginning we were 3, but one member left the band due to personal stuff.This was between our releases THE END and HOMO SOVIETICUS.Ionic Vision is only 2 since then.We did co-operate with some people,but they were never members.We do consider Louis Zachert,our technical man as a member,but he makes no decisions.He gives advise,he’s our sound engineer,he masters our CD’s and on top of that he has his own project,Black Wedding,and he’ll also release his CD this year via Machineries Of Joy.We know the guys from Orange Sector already for a long time.They are real friends and now and then we help each other and make remixes for each other.They go for the music just like us.
What are your views on the current state of the electro scene in Belgian in terms of creativity and audiences? And the scene in other countries?
In Belgium EBM is dead. The electro you have is techno-related, minimal or not. But the EBM or Industrial as most fans of your website know it, is dead. In former East-Germany old-school EBM is holy. Rest of Germany are more into the rest of the genre. And I feel that in other countries it still exists, but very low level.
Are you still doing web design? and Our new website will be online soon! stay my link in this homepage?
We have a new guy who volunteered to make a new website.It’s a very professional guy with great ideas and so of course we gladly took his offer.Just check www. e-vis.be/ and you’ll see what we mean.But it’s taking time because of us.We want to do this right and not too fast.You’ll see it coming soon. We promise.Maybe there will be some more pictures that we have never used before.Kristel Nijskens,our exclusive photographer,will have some fine prints,I’m sure (more info www. kristelnijskens.be)
you have very nice album Bitter Isolation 2008 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?
We don’t have a fixed process for making a new track.Sometimes one of us has an idea for a part of a text, sometimes it’s an arrangement or even just a sample from the news.It also happens that we simply throw away a complete track,because we don’t like the end result.And then I really mean “press delete”.We only use tracks that we both like. And if not,we find a solution.That’s one of the main advantages of doing all by ourselves.We decide on the deadline,no-one else.
Out of all of your albums, which album would you say is your favorite album? Why? Violent Playground 1995 / Rage Against The Acoustic 1997 / Homo Sovieticus 1999 / MaschinenAngst 2001 / NeuMaschinen 2002 / Actual 2005 and your-EP 2008 Sweet Isolation / Bitter Isolation 2008
I would say Bitter Isolation.Because it holds the best of all the former albums.It has aggression,it has harsh electronics,it’s perfectly balanced in every way and the concept with the chairs in absurd places is simply great. We never have been more proud of any album like this one.
Can you tell us a bit more about this Their first release? your tapes/demo..s
That was just 3 very young men having fun with tape-decks,a synthesizer from a friend and messing around with it all. Still,we found it important to be different in concepts etc.Even a limited edition tape and special versions of CD-R’s etc.Ionic Vision is a concept band in every aspect of the word.
For all the Ionic Vision fans who would like to start making EBM music,what would you recommend to them? what equipment would be a good place to start out with?
Reason, a tremendous application from Propellerhead.It’s all we use since 2 albums and it’s you need,trust us.Of course,an open mind and a good drive also helps,but you cannot buy this in the shops.
What is currently inspiring your material as an artist?
Life and frustrations in general. No other bands, for sure.
How did you come up with the name of your band,Ionic Vision? and your new name Ionic Vision and what is the key to making music from Ionic Vision? and what inspires you to keep growing as a musician?
We used to record tapes for people with dance music and we did this under the name IONIC VISION.It comes from a catalog number from Mute Records,from which we are both fans.No further info,I’m afraid.The name just felt right for what we had in mind.I don’t feel that I have grown as a musician,more as a programmer with sounds and possibilities of computers for Ionic Vision. And of course,the ever growing circle of people from the music business.
What ideas, movements and personalities would you say were crucial for the definition and development of Ionic Vision as a creative entity?
For me that would be: good music from the 80’s and after that.No politics or so.I don’t believe in mixing politics and music or religion and music.I’m just not interested.
If there was one thing you want people to know about your band what would
that be?
We are the only band that still make old-school EBM since early 90’s.We never stopped and we never made any compromises,despite what others said.
Tell us a little bit more about Ionic Vision What do you do in your spare time?
We are both hard working fathers.We both listen to music,but not to EBM.I am a collector of comic books.And we both collect music,even still on vinyl.We are both freaks from 80’s maxisingles.We are even at the moment cleaning hundreds of them digitally for our own pleasure in the car.
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?
Personally I listen to artists/bands like Marsheaux,New Order,OMD,Orbital,etc etc.If I like it,it’s ok.I don’t care what genre it is.
who would you like to meet? a ask you a few other questions if you could meet on person in our scene who would you like to meet ?
My parents,who are both in heaven if there is any.As far as still living persons are concerned,I don’t know.
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 Ionic Vision story?
Since early 90’s.Nothing changed that much.There are still nice people and assholes.It’s only sounds and instruments that change.Our inspiration is our belief that we like what we do.We need music like people need air and water.
Can you tell us something about the beginnings of Ionic Vision 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 said before, we like to think outside the picture.We are not narrow minded people who only think EBM or alternative.If we like something and we find a way to blend it into our music we will do so.This goes for sounds, samples,people and remixes.
Are you working on any current or future projects? how's your relationship with fellow Ionic Vision member, Sven Lauwers (vox, synths) ?
We are only working on things for Ionic Vision,no side-projects.Being father and employee,it’s already hard to find time for this.Sven and I are best friends since age of 16.We know each other better than our wives do ;-) And we are both godfathers to one of each other’s child.He’s like a close brother I never had. I love him !
On question about influences and inspirations about Belgian? Are you currently working on or planning any new releases? What is the future for your music? were you living Belgium !! California?
We live in Belgium.But nothing that happens in Belgium will influence us.Maybe some beer now and then ;-)
It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity,Well,any last words to your EBM fans?
Follow us in our Rage Against The Acoustic and thanks for the support for so many years.It’s one of the reasons why we still do what we do.
and what is next on the the Belgian agenda? any plans for upcoming live dates? what was your favorite place to play a concert in?
Some dates coming up, yes.Favourite place to play so far was at Dessau,BEAT CLUB.The people went totally crazy there by stage diving on the intro of the concert alone.There are even fans running around with t-shirts they made themselves and tattoos from us.Real hard-core fans !!!
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?
Keep up the good work
Any famous last words for your fans that read this?
Don’t know if I’m famous, but I’ll give it a try. “Live now ! It’s over before you know it!”
and Are there any plans for the future we haven heard of until now and you would like to share with us?
Nothing confirmed yet.
Do you have any final words or requests? any last words for www.ebm-industrial. Nl
Thanks !!!
Ionic Vision live in Sandersleben 23/06/2008
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