By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) Synthesizer is your seventh album. What continues to inspire the band to keep making music?
A) There is always something going on in life worth reflecting on and another world to explore, there has been a blurring that has happened between reality and creation and now I feel floating in a dream.
Q) How did the idea to make the art on the cover for Synthesizer into an actual functioning synthesizer?
A) I had always thought to make a record where the cover was a circuit board purely because I find the format visually appealing and, at the same time, I had been building these giant rack synthesizers we would bring on tour. So, I basically married the ideas together. It seemed to make sense and give the cover function over it’s form making the cover have purpose.
Q) My favorite songs off the album are “It’s Too Much” and “Plastic Future.” What track(s) are significant to you and what makes them so special?
A) Thank you. For me, I really love the track “Disgust.” It feels like pure excitement and sometimes I need a little adrenaline.
Q) What tracks on Synthesizer have become fan favorites at live performances?
A) I feel like “Have You Ever Been In Love” is one of those tracks because it gives us a chance to completely transform the stage.
We do this thing where we bring the drums to the very front of the stage and blast haunted strobe light laden building intensity to an unsuspecting crowd.
Q) The album is up for Grammy consideration. What does that achievement mean to you?
A) It’s totally mind blowing and out of my element. To even be concerned is a total honor and not something I would have ever thought since we play some pretty messed up music our own way.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from exploring this album – either as a message or emotion?
A) That they should share what they love in this world.
Q) Who are some artists that you are really enjoying seeing find their feet in the music industry these days?
A) I’m in LA at the moment, so I’m thinking of a bunch of LA bands – Sextile, N8NoFace, Eyedress, Pachyman ++++
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?
A) Thank you for the support. We do this to make music we want to listen to, so if you like this it means we could be friends.
All Questions Answered By Oliver Ackermann