January 7
So yea Bite Back sounds slightly altered but that was cuz Pat had been doing some updates to it and sent it to me along with a brand new song [ie: Blind Hypocrisy] Hope you guys like both!
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February 23
So I've gotten a few questions about me so I decided to post them for information/entertainment. Not much to report from base camp. Next entry I should have more meat about the release of BH and what not. For now I need to pack. More to follow...
Q: Why the name Flawless Mask? Where did it come from?
A: It kinda came on a shot from the blue one day. Ironically the whole thing started because I wanted something with my initials in the name. But, as I crystallized the name, I began to realize the emotional/psychological standpoint on it. People have a tendency, for one reason or the next...not always bad, to cover up things about themselves from anything from deep things to materialistic/surface things so the falsity becomes like that of a mask but there comes a time when one can cover up something so much it becomes a perfect mask so one doesn't know if its real or not. Since a lot of my material is about truth/honesty there is the undertone that the masks we wear are flawless but there's no need to have a mask to begin with because it gets the "wearer" nowhere.
Q: What genre would you consider yourself? (use plain English)
A: Thanks for the remind not to use jargon (Pat and Alyssa are familiar with that) but I will have to use some so bear with me. I cannot call myself straight electronica because I use too many sub-genres roiled into one so I would have to say EBM (Electronic Body Music) which is just kind of another name for industrial (Nine Inch Nails/VNV Nation) with less guitar and more synthesizers/programming.
Q: When did it all begin?
A: Oh here comes a history lesson. Technically Flawless Mask began early 2004 when Bill "Crash" and I discussed things and I realize I had potential. But the music started back in 2002 when I played cheesy house music under the alias "FM Radio". That didn't last long but I later rewrote the songs, added lyrics to them and recorded them. Most of the stuff on "Blind Hypocrisy" are actually melodies from FM Radio with changes added to them.
Q: Where do you take your inspirations from?
A: I never really took a close look at electronica until I heard Circle of Dust and Front 242 back in the yesteryears. I liked listening to it but never actually was inspired to try it myself. Circle of Dust gave rise to Celldweller and I already enjoyed F242 and other industrial and EBM bands so, to answer the question, I would draw strength from both the industrial and EBM sub-genres of electronica and that includes both vocal and musical aspects.
Q: If you could pick one influence, who would it be?
A: This question is no real surprise considering I listen to more obscure stuff than I'd like to admit but my undying inspiration has to go to Klay Scott (Celldweller). He's well versed in industrial, EBM and all electronica fields, is a veteran in recording and has worked with many other industrial bands and I've always loved his style. His vocals and music have influenced me the most to become Flawless Mask.
Q: How long does an idea linger in your head before it takes form into a song?
A: Surprisingly not long...once I get an idea lodged in my head, if its good, it'll take root and I'll start thinking of lyrics that will match what came to mind. If I get an idea in my mind and it has a good feel to it, I will sit down and not stop till the lyrics are written and a music framework is established...which, at longest, will be a couple of hours. At times I feel like I lose myself completely in the lyrics/melodies and sort of black out because...to sound dramatic...I become the song I write.
Q: What is the process from idea to final product mentally?
A: Pretty much it starts with an idea crystallizing in my mind, if its really good, it stays with me and words come to mind. At that point I usually start cultivating lyrics from the idea and the words it creates with it. While I'm creating the lyrics, the music comes with it so while I'm writing, I'm putting the whole package together. The final product of the song will be done by the end of the day, regardless of anything that happens because once I get started I cant stop working on it.
Q: Where do you get the ideas for the lyrics?
A: At the risk of sounding bleak, there really isn't a shortage of lyrical ideas since something is always happening. I draw from my own experiences, how I feel at instances in regards to something/someone. I'll also tap into things that have happened to those around me or to my friends. No that doesnt make my world a sad one nor my friends depressing individuals (far from it), it just means life isnt always comprised of flowers and sunshine but hearing stories and mixing them with what I'm feeling flow into the material I write.
Q: Do you find that your music is an accurate reflection of how you feel all the time?
A: Good Lord no! They're more of a reflection of how I've felt at a certain time or how I might feel about a certain instance. Despite what the songs and some of my entries may reflect, I'm actually pretty laid back and easy to get along with. I may feel wary and on my guard more times than not and that is an adequate reflection when interpreted in a song but it's definitely not how I feel constantly.
Q: Where did you find the strength and perseverance to finish the debut cd?
A: It really didn't require strength or perseverance because I loved the entire from start to finish. From when Pat and I met to when I finished recording, the entire process became my center of gravity and the source of strength and perseverance for everything around me. It was mad fun recording and I look forward to doing it again soon.
Q: Any plans for a happy song?
A: I knew I'd get this question at some point and yes, I have actually written a happy song but it is not going to be publicly released. I MIGHT release it privately but I'm not sure yet but yes I actually do have a song that isn't dark.
Q: What makes your music different from your idols?
A: Every artist, no matter what genre, differentiates in style by their own ideas, lyrics and what they put into the songs themselves. I tend to be heavy on the synthesizers and lighter on the voice distortion which could differentiate between my "idols" and myself.
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