AnnaWright on purevolume™

Ian McCulloch

Alternative / Indie

Sigur Ros

Ambient

Dada Pogrom

Experimental / Techno

Nine Inch Nails

Rock / Experimental

Paul James Berry

Acoustic / Alternative / Folk Rock

Oasis

Rock / Classic Rock / Alternative

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Hello! I love listening to new music and other interests involve live music, painting and journalism. For example, I recently saw the Nine Inch Nails, Bauhaus and Peaches tour and wow, what an amazing show. Also, I have posted two interviews (Blogs) here with Dada pogrom (ISL) and Paul James Berry (UK). Musically, I am into The Stills and Vanity Beach right now and if you have any suggestions for me, please drop me a line, comment, message, what-ever :) Anna

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July 24

Interview: Dada Pogrom (ISL)

Interview: Dada Pogrom (CAN) - July 24, 2006

1. Which city feels more like home and are the music scenes much different?

Reykjavik will always be my home and heart. In many ways the scenes are very similar in the way that you meet people, go to concerts and party it up. However, there is a difference in the size of each scene. Of course it is bigger in Canada. Everything is bigger in fact. The big difference though, is the atmosphere. It is simply more cozy in Iceland... strange but true.

2. Are you more creative during the 24 hour daylight period in Iceland?

Nope. I feel much more creative during the dark time or the winter season. The reason is beyond me although I think it has to do with the wind chill factor. Essentially there is not much else to do in either country except stay inside and use your imagination. That is what I do. Summer time is a very different atmosphere altogether.

3. Tech Noire & Apocalypso were written in Canada and Iceland: are the results different?

Yes, of course each country has shaped my writing, mood, and approach to music. That goes with out saying. My writing is also affected by my state of mind at the time, my attitudes and even the technology available.

Making music is fun no matter the country. For example, I had an awesome time at Thule studios in Iceland with Thor who has remixed a few of my songs. Similarly, I had a blast recording with Anthony Valcic at the Warehouse in Vancouver who has been a big influence on my music over the decades. What a pro!

Its all about the A room.

4. Boogie Electric, a a single is very different from your over all body of work?

Yes, this single is more house oriented and has a get down appeal to it. House is not my thing anymore. Ive moved on to the darker side of the spectrum, if I can use that expression.

5. Is War is a Pogrom inspired by contemporary issues present in the media today?

This song was originally written in 1989 when bands like Skinny Puppy were quite young. I have reworked the sound itself and versions of electro and industrial exist. This topic however, is an ongoing issue irrespective of the decade or even century. In fact, the subject is never obsolete so, yes it is inspired by contemporary politics and no, it is inspired by our understanding of history. The 1930s art movement called Dada evolved out of the same chaos.

6. Is The Sky a message to encourage people to pursue their goals?

If the meaning is taking literally then I would have to say yes. The song though will mean different things to different people and it is to simple to say it means this or that. I think the interpretation of the message and the music itself is far more important than reaching a strict conclusion.

7. Pyto: what is that about?

It is a synth anthem, big and bold. Again, I cannot give you a conclusion. The song is the message and the message is the song.

8. Eternity and Lota Draconis, two slower pieces: Will we find more of this in the future?

Yes, I am constantly developing this side of my music. These songs are symphonic epics belonging to the genre tech noire, a mix between electro and classical. It is not that simple which, brings us back to the interpretation issue.

9. Do you have any music videos?

Yes, I have a video for Eternity. It can be seen on my website (www.dadapogrom.com) and on Badwoolftv.com. I am happy with it and the footage was taken in various parts of Iceland. it was so cold when we were filming.

We are currently filming footage for War is a Pogrom and soon I will have some still images available as a preview. The surprise awaits everyone, even the crew. We had a blast and so far so good. There is talk about another video for the new album called Deja Voodoo which, will be out in the fall. This I am looking forward to.

10. When will the next album be available?

There is no exact dates I am aware of. I leave it up to the fiends at Beatkamp. This fall is one hundred percent accurate.

11. Will you put a track from the new album on pure volume as a taster?

Of course this can be arranged, with out a doubt. Stay tuned as they say!

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June 28

Interview: Paul James Berry (UK)

As I mentioned, I love new music (especially live music), painting and writing. Call me a budding journalist or an avid chit chatter. Hope you like.....

- Anna :)

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Interview: PAUL JAMES BERRY UK

1. Have you experienced any culture shock moving back to the UK?

Yeah, the price of food is ridiculous here. I also love how the girls just let it all hang out. Even when they arent particularly beautiful the English girl has no shame, and I respect that. The myth of the English Rose is totally misunderstood tut tut!

2. Were most of your songs written in France?

The songs for Nations where born in several locations on tour, in the studio and home. The Kite, Fever Van Rose where written, or at least started years before when I was still in England. However, its true to say that the finishing touches were finalized in Paris.

3. The song Supermodel, are you also defending existing superficial images of men in the fashion industry?

Defending? I dont think I was defending anyone. I was simply pointing out the stupidity and recklessness of the fashion industry. Gender was not on my mind. Man woman or child flaunting a mink coat in a perfect body in the name of money or brand is distasteful.

4. The song Mexican Girl & the English Rose speaks about learning to do accomplish the impossible, would you say that this is the over all message behind your music?

Wow, I guess the truth is I want to believe this.

5. The song Ballad of Serge Gainsborough as youve explained on your site is about cultural icons in France. Who would you say is the equivalent in Britain?

Not sure really. Not to the same level anyway. Weve had piss-head film stars like Oliver Reed, Peter OToole characters of this calibre, but Sergyyy boy was a one off. Nobody contemporary springs to mind.

Thats what was so interesting about Serge, he was accepted by the people and got away with his deeds. The French still do have a soft spot with the crazy artist syndrome, though nobody matches the bill these days with the same media profile, either in the UK or in France. Everybody seems far two conservative and calculated businessmen with guitars.

6. Has the environment shaped your writing when we think of the difference between Ginnel and Nations?

Of course, to a certain extent. However, Id say it has more to do with whats happening in my life at the time and in my head. Which perhaps this is the same thing.

One of the reasons my songs take a long time to manifest is simply because I dont have the luxury to take it to a conclusion immediately. Im not in a stable financial situation that would permit me to work uniquely on my Art. Therefore, I waste a lot of time scraping a living doing other activities to feed the family. I wont bull shit you say that my songs need time to develop. I probably could get a pretty good album up and running from scratch in 3 weeks, if that was my only focus.

But back to the question, yes Im probably very changeable with the immediate. If a neighbour started playing load Zulu war beats, then PJB might paint his face

7. What kind of direction can we expect from the 4th album?

As always, I need to get the skeleton framework of the songs finished then lets see. Im still in the process of writing and so I dont know if there will be a radical change to the finished thing! To me, Ginnel & Nations are very similar; basic songs what I wrote on an acoustic guitar which can be dressed up in various outfits. Did you ever see the old 70s English kids programme, Mr Ben?

I think to change something because everybody expects it is wrong. If it happens organically then cool

8. Some musicians claim not to listen to works from others in order to keep their uniqueness fresh, does this also apply to you?

Not intentionally, but I understand that to bathe too deep into a somebody elses style would rub-off, for good and bad. Its also true that I do listen to a lot of music that is very neutral from what I do; ethnic, classical, jazz, etc. So, when I hear music close to my genre my ears can be two critical and forget sometimes just to enjoy

9. What season most inspires your writing?

Never really gave it a thought. However, spring with the start of life sounds inspiring

10. What is the best part of making an album besides writing, ie: recording, mixing etc...?

Actually, the writing rarely comes easy, but I do love it when Im on to something and really start to wrestle the beast down. Exhilarating & frustrating at the same time Recording & mixing is also a big high. Im a reasonable cook & thats what mixing is all about.

I do like the atmosphere in studios, although I can be over sensitive to people around me that I dont know. Its not a rockstar ego thing, its just I dont like to be on show or under scrutiny. Its good when you can let your guard down and just fuck about. Experimenting is totally essential, but it is a luxury in todays over charged studios. Long live the 4-track!

11. Music is obviously your passion, do you have any other favourite art forms ie music, film etc...?

Yeah, Im quite a big film lover and tend to break down crying at the most stupid of films. Id even like to make something. Though Im not really sure where to start! Does anybody want to lend me a camera? ACTION!!

12. Touring, any particular highlights: some of your songs speak of various cities?

Do they? I cant think of any particular songs about individual cities. But as I said, Ive toured quite a bit in European and therefore crossed swords with many a place. Its seems to be always the case that the highlights where in fact the low lights.

Take my first showcase gig last year in Toronto at the NYNE festival. Solo show in a little club. Rock/metal band pulls-up in a big van outside the venue - while I was on stage - and blasts out their set. I laughed, but id did totally fuck-up my set.

Welcome to North America, boy!!

** June 14, 2006 **