DJ Chihiro represents pure power through grotesque&evil, in his work as a dj and activity in the band Vanished Empire. Gothic-electro project from Japan, which will drag you through the darkest of your dreams and shake your limbs. Happy New Year dar(k)lings and enjoy!
pdn: Greetings! Firstly, how did you come up with Dj Chihiro as a stage name? Does it have something to do with your real name or did you get the idea from somewhere else?
Chihiro: My stage name come from a part of my real name. But I keep my real name secret. lol
pdn: You collaborate with many bands; which one was your favourite band to work with so far?
Chihiro: I really enjoyed that I played with ZODIAQUE (Japanese metal band). As remix work I enjoyed with every band!
pdn: If you could pick any place, where would you like to play someday, most of all?
Chihiro: I would like to go to Germany and play in Wave Gothic Treffen. But I would be happy if I can play for the audience who were waiting for me no matter any place any country.
pdn: When did you get started with Dj-ing and what influenced you to play industrial?
Chihiro: I started to go to gothic event in Japan over about 10 years ago and it was the time of the beginning of Dark-electro music. This is the very important experience and influence for my career.
pdn: Please tell me a bit about the main themes, subjects that inspire your music.
Chihiro: My main theme is "Dark, aggressive, and danceability". I like around 142~5BPM.
pdn: Does Vanished Empire have any plans for the near future?
Chihiro: Vanished Empire will launch gothic event in Tokyo from next February. I will be glad when I see the audience who come from oversea!
pdn: What are your main aspirations as an artist?
Chihiro: Making a legend in world gothic scene. This is my aspiration.
pdn: Thank you for your time!! Any final words you would like to add for the fans, fellow darklings out there?
Chihiro: I will keep on providing dark and gothic music! I would like to ask audiences and organizer in whole world to wait for my coming!
http://www.myspace.com/dj_chiro
http://www.myspace.com/vanishedempire
The Ludovico Technique is a harsh industrial band from Orlando, FL., and their main intention is to highlight the dark side of human experience as well as depths which the human mind can reach. Vocalist and mastermind Ben V- was kind to answer the following questions for us.
pdn: Hey Ben! Please tell me a bit about the source of inspiration for the band's name.
Ben: The name stems from the story "A Clockwork Orange" - the "Ludovico Technique" is the psychological therapy given to the main character in an attempt to condition his behavior.
pdn: How did you guys meet? Was it prior to the band's existence?
Ben: The first live band members were all actual friends of mine. I think its important to have a very personal relationship with those that you share so much of your passionate experiences with.
pdn: Who writes the lyrics and what inspires them?
Ben: I am the principal writer for the lyrics and music, Every song is extremely personal to me, where as others in the industrial scene may talk about cybernetic war or just say the word fuck over and over, Lyric writing for me is a way to get thoughts and feelings out in a constructive way that otherwise would end up coming out in a destructive way in my day to day life
pdn: What were things and/or people that influenced you when getting started and along the way?
Ben: Anxiety attacks, past drug abuse, the death of immediate family and a general sense of disconnection and misunderstanding to my fellow man are things that were and are influential
As far as Musically? Old school Industrial, Classical Music, 1920's and 30's blues Old school hip hop, 1950 and 60's country.
pdn: And how would you describe your sounds in a few representative words?
Ben: Harsh industrial music highlighting the dark aspects of the human experience as well as the depths to which mans mind can deteriorate.
pdn: Which had been your favourite band to tour with so far? And also, if you could pick anyone, who would you like to share the stage with someday?
Ben: We've toured with so such great bands up to this point I think there's different experiences on each tour that have been my favorite, as far as one day maybe Skinny Puppy, Front 242, Einstürzende Neubauten
pdn: What are The Ludovico Technique's nearest plans? Any specific events the upcoming year?
Ben: We are at the moment in the studio recording our debut Metropolis Records Album "Some things Are Beyond Therapy" which I will turn in to them come Feb. We'll spend the remaining time of 2012 touring heavily and playing Europe for the first time.
pdn: Thank you so much for the interview! Any final words you would like to add for your fans?
Ben: Follow your passions, let no one stand in your way, we have one life to live and this is not a dress rehearsal for something else, If there's someone you love, express it, If there's something you hate, express it. The Things that separate us from other animals on this earth are the usage of tools, bipedal motion and ... Artistic Expression. You have dreams for your life and there is nothing to stop you. Thank you for your time and we'll see you out on the road!
http://www.facebook.com/theludovicotechnique
http://www.theludovicotechnique.com/
http://beyondtherapyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/self-titled-e-p-re-issue
Third Realm is an incredibly awesome darkwave project from Buffalo, New York and it is the brainchild of Nathan Reiner, a guy we can all learn a lot from. Today he answered some questions of mine!
pdn: Hi Nathan! Please tell me how did you come up with this name for your project?
Nathan: Hello! I chose the name Third Realm quite spontaneously. It felt very intuitive at the time, and stuck ever since. For me, it represents the dimension that we currently live in. I believe that when we die, some of us travel to the fourth realm, a spiritually advanced dimension. Third Realm is not to be confused with the Third Reich, which was related to the Nazi rule in Germany.
pdn: Third Realm is your solo project. Isn’t it difficult to be alone behind all of it, doing everything yourself? Or do you get help from anyone in the process? Either way, the final product is simply amazing!
Nathan: Thank you! I actually find it quite liberating. I continue to create everything on my own; it’s always been a very personal process for me. I’ve learned so many things regarding production, mixing and mastering along the way as well. I recently added a few members for my live shows, but in the studio, it’s just me and my thoughts.
pdn: How did you get the idea for this one-man-band?
Nathan: I think it spawned from the idea, if you want something done right, do it yourself. I didn’t initially plan for it to be just me, but I realized early on that music was a form of therapy for me, so collaborating with others would taint my main inspiration to keep creating.
pdn: At what age did you decide you would like to be a musician?
Nathan: Probably around 15, I was fascinated with all kinds of instruments and computers, it felt destined to be.
pdn: What and/or who is your main inspiration?
Nathan: Life, death, emotions, art, thoughts. We are living on a planet of uncertainty; we don’t know exactly how we got here or what our main purpose as humans is. Still, certain things make us feel good inside, freedom of expression is important. Free will inspires me. Musically, artists such as Bauhaus, Nine Inch Nails, Diary of Dreams & Front Line Assembly inspire my creations.
pdn: There is a multitude of different sounds combined in your songs, creating diversity not only between the songs, but within them as well, which makes your sounds unique. One of the songs that first caught my attention in this matter was Manic Panic, what can you tell me about that particular song?
Nathan: Thank you for pointing that out, I pride myself on creating songs that cannot always be placed under one genre. Manic Panic is quite the experimental track, merging drum & bass elements with harsh industrial vocal approaches. It would be safe to say that lyrically, it’s based on an array of inner thoughts and emotions. In fact, ‘Love is the Devil’, the album that track appears on, is all extremely personal. I’m sure the individual who influenced the entire theme knows who they are!
pdn: One of the main subjects is clearly romance and different approaches of it. Is the general message your music transmits based on personal experiences?
Nathan: Absolutely, some of my songs are certainly fantasy based, but for the most part, most of my songs are influenced by some type of emotion, consciously and/or subconsciously.
pdn: How do you usually like to spend your free time, when you are not working or creating music?
Nathan: Anything that sparks my interest really, but you can often find me playing video games, singing karaoke or occasionally hanging out with some good friends at various clubs or concerts.
pdn: What is your motto in life?
Nathan: Remember the past, but live for today. Life is too short, don’t take things too seriously. Not to say don’t be responsible, but don’t get caught up in minor details that can frustrate you or make your life complicated for no good reason. Go with the flow, express yourself, and appreciate your friends and family.
pdn: Thank you so much for the answers! Any words you would like to add for your fans? :)
Nathan: You’re very welcome, thank you for having me! I would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has listened and continues to listen to my music. I appreciate it more than I can express. I enjoy hearing from you, and I still to this day do my best to personally write back everyone that writes me an email, message or comment. So keep them coming! For those of you who may not have heard, a new Third Realm album entitled ‘New World Order’ was released back in August, it features a cover of ‘Cry Little Sister’ from The Lost Boys soundtrack. Fans of my albums ‘Under the Black Light’ & ‘Love is the Devil’ will find familiar comfort in these new tracks. Thank you again for listening!
http://www.facebook.com/ThirdRealm
http://www.myspace.com/thirdrealm
http://www.vampirefreaks.com/third_realm
