by Catrin Nordwig | Mar. 2018 |
„Ritual Body Music“ is your second album, which is going to be released via EKP, which is a well-renowned address for good oldschool electronic/ EBM music. How did it happen that you signed a contract there? And what are your expectations, now that you’re releasing your second album and releasing it there?
EK Product Is our record label but is also our family. You feel the support and cooperation between bands. We were referred by Ray Heflin (Equitant). We worked together in past years. We expect to have a personal and professional growth but also to contribute during our time through the label.
Since this is your second album: Were there any things you definitely wanted to change for your second output?
There is nothing to change. We let ourselves be carried away by our needs and flow in what we feel during the process. I could say that this album sounds less radical
What was your idea when choosing the title? Why did you include the word “Ritual” instead of “Electronic”?
I was immersed in shamanic rituals in the last years, I realized that the main purpose of music is to heal. Music can be used as a weapon but also as a powerful medicine, Ritual Body Music is a sound trip beyond stereotypes, a rhythmic vibration of the psyche through the body, the electronic body release its waves and summons the ritual.
Please tell us a bit about the recording process. How do you work? Who is responsible for what? How long did it take you to record “Ritual Body Music”? etc. etc.
First we write the lyrics based on our gatherings after some good beers , the drummer Andres henker is an important brewer in Colombia. Beer becomes a sacred source of inspiration. Then we make jams and from those recordings the final songs emerge.
Your musical roots can clearly be heard throughout your songs, be it NEP, PF or F242. But yet, Struck9 really sounds more than up-to-date and modern; you’re somehow incorporating the spirit of what Spetsnaz was/is doing. How do you do that? How do you stay away from simply being an uninspired epigone? 😉
We always try to preserve the tradition because it is our heritage, but we feel the freedom to deconstruct and make something new without losing the original essence. Inspiration comes when you detached from the definitions, trust your inner sound, stop thinking about pleasing mainstreams and you fly.
Apart from the music itself, it is important to you to convey a political message, sticking to Leftism. Why so? And what ((socio-)politically) concerns you most these days? What is, for example, the song “No Fracking U.S.A” about?
For this album we try to stay away from the political negativity that surrounds us today. We focus on delivering an environmental message, establish a link with the earth to confront our human nature. No Fracking USA is a rejection against useless models that fracture our biodiversity, specifically in Latin America. We are a uniting a conscious generation to protect and care mother earth.
When talking about this song: you’re singing it in your mother tongue (I guess) – and it really fits to EBM quite well; it has got the straight-forward touch of vocals sung in Sandinavian languages. Have you expected this before recording?
We are very proud to sing in Spanish, our first influences in music came from Colombian and Peruvian punk back in the 70/80s, songs like No Fracking U.S.A or Antipatriota flows easily. We have a global thinking when composing music, this song vocals are more influenced in the South American punk music, it’s a great coincidence.
Dirk of Accesory did the mastering for the album. How did this cooperation come into being? And what was it like working with him? Did you meet or have you been working from distance?
It was a decision of the label and we trust blindly in them. I deeply admire the work of Dirk Steyer, he masters all kinds of music, has a very wide knowledge and that gave us a lot of confidence. We been working from distance.
The amazing Atropine and Autodafeh contributed remixes. Why did you opt for these two acts?
We wanted to choose two bands on our label that we really admire. The balance was positive, we had already done two remixes for Atropine for Recurring Nightmares and Assailant::Remixed album. They completed us with this awesome remix.
Please tell us a bit about the EBM scene in Columbia. It’s not necessarily the country which first comes to you mind when thinking about that kind of music 😉 What is it like where you live? Are there many fans, concerts, parties?
First, let me correct you… It’s Colombia, not columbia there is history in music, there are parties, small festivals. Independent producers surviving in a small but united subculture. we support each other despite not having many bands and concerts.
What are your plans for the coming months? Are there some gigs planned in Germany?
Working on the B-Sides and Remix album, we can’t stop writing new music. Rehearsing a lot for our next gig. We are focused on strengths and empower the Latin American countries and bands thats our priority. but we are always open to any invitation to play in Germany.