V.M.U goes behind the scenes with one of the most unique electronic artists hailing from Illinois!
We had the pleasure to catch up with Darkwave Diva on a email interview.
So it begins!
VMU: Hey how are you?
DD:
I am wonderful.
VMU: Where are you from and who is the current line up?
DD: I am from Darkwave Diva from Nebulous 9.We are:
Darkwave Diva: vocals
Xion: Keyboards/programming
Negative One/Bass Guitar
VMU: How many releases have you put out and who produced?
DD: We have released one EP independently. It was
recorded at Signal Sound
Source in Chicago and produced by George Langis.
VMU: Were the recordings done digital or analog? (if comps what programs)
DD: It was done using elements of both digital and
analog. We tracked our
digital sounds on to 2” tape then converted it to Protools.
VMU: How did the Nebulous9 form?
DD: We started back in 1999. At that time, Xion was
a DJ. We were both
mutual friends with a large crew of DJ’s and musician’s who would throw
little underground parties. At one party, Xion heard me sing and asked me
to work with him. We worked together on a lot of different projects,
inviting our musician friends to come in from time to time. We asked
Negative One come in to do some bass for a track we were working on, and
fell in love with his style. We felt his edge really added something to
our music, so we asked him to join us.
VMU: Do you prefer live or studio recording?
DD: Studio recording of course! We are electronic
musicians. We use digital
equipment to manipulate sound. It’s only when we really get into a track
and mold it that we create something worthy of playing live. Our creation
process starts with a studio recording.
VMU: How's the local music scene in your home town?
DD: Chicago is a city with a vast variety of musical
scenes. Chicago music
lovers know what they like, and are very dedicated to the band they
support. In our style of music, it’s so new, I like to think of it as an
emerging genre. There really isn’t a strong “scene” in this genre that
we create, but I think that is a blessing. It gives Nebulous 9 the
opportunity to be a part of something very fresh.
"Music gives artists a
voice and the opportunity to
be heard." - Darkwave Diva
VMU: What do you express in your lyrics?
DD: The lyrics are all very personal to me, all
stemming from incidents in my
life. Tragic youth, mental blocks…I really don’t want to say too much
about the content of the lyrics. My intent is for the listener to hear
the lyrics and draw their own conclusions.
VMU: How do you feel about other artists expressing their beliefs in music?
(Religious or political)
DD: I think it’s awesome. Music gives artists a
voice and the opportunity to
be heard. This is a great way to be a voice.
VMU:
Could you explain in detail the gear you use?
DD: Mac G4 w/ 80 gig acom ext hard drive w/ sony 21
monitor ( Our computer, we
use in conjunction with:
Protools Digi 001…(this is what we plug our gear into to record.)
Korg Trition w/ 4.5 gig ext scsi hard drive (A keyboard workstation that
has a great selection of drum pads.)
Roland JP 8000 (this is a great synth that allows you to customize sounds)
Korg EA-1 synth (Another synth)
MAM Vocoder (We use this for robotic sounding sampling.)
Korg DX16 XD recording studio ( Hard Disc Recorder with mastering
capabilities.
Shure SM58's mics
Shure AXS 3 mics
Shure SM57's mics
Rhode NT1 condensor mic: This is the microphone we use for recording.)
Project Studio speakers (These are great little studio monitors)
JBL 15 biamped – For our live monitors
2 EV 700 watt PA speakers
QSC 1450 watt amp
mackie mixboard We run our own mix when we play live.
2 Technic 1200's - (turntables)
Premere 5 piece drum set – We use a live drummer when we play out.
4 12 ampeg bass amp
4 12 Hartke bass amp
Ibanez SGR 5 string bass
VMU: Who are your musical influences?
DD: Front 242, Meat Beat Manifesto, Chemical
Brothers, Cirrus, NIN,
Portishead, Dubtribe Sound System, Morrissey, The Faint, Enya, Morcheeba,
Kosheen, Jazzy Fantasies, Lords of Acid, My life with the Thrill Kill
Kult, The Pixies, Sisters of Mercy, Julee Cruise, Skinny Puppy, Aphex
Twin, Lords of Acid, Ministry, Future Sounds of London, Hardfloor, Bass
Bin Twins, Rabbit in the Moon, Celldwellar, Tool, Aphrodite, Perfect
Circle, old school hip hop, Keoke, Sex Pistols, DK, CoC, Rage Against the
Machine, Miles Davis, Spooky Tooth, Jazz, Trip Hop, Drum and Bass, House,
Techno, Tech House
VMU: Any tours in the works?
DD: None right now.
VMU: How did you do the recording process live or 1 on 1?
DD: 1 on 1.
VMU: How do you feel about the mainstream music scene? (USA and overseas)
DD: I don’t follow the mainstream music scene.
VMU: Any deals in the works?
DD: No
VMU: New recordings in the works?
DD: Yes. We are working on a new album. We are
recording and producing the
entire album ourselves, so this is quite a project for us. As a matter of
fact, all of the Nebulous 9 songs we have available for download now are
all self written, recorded, and produced.
VMU: Any advise to other indie bands?
DD: Always push yourselves to the next level.
VMU: Do any of you own a home studio? (What gear)
DD: Yes, Xion and myself co-own the Nebulous 9
studio.
VMU: Why do you do what you do in music?
DD: I have a drive to create. We all have a passion
for music. And I must
also say, the guys in my band are good at it too!
VMU: Thank you so much for your time!! Any last words?
DD: Only thank you. I think it is a wonderful thing
you are doing for indie
bands.
VM UNDERGROUND
WWW.V-M-U.COM
June 27 2005