AngelTheoryInterviewMachinist

The quality and arrangements of your songs are very solid what made me think that you’re not newcomer on electronic scene or that you worked really long and hard to achieve such a good result on “Fatal Condition”. What of my suppositions is more close to truth?

Charles: I have actually been writing music since my teenage years, so I have had some 20 years practice which works in my favour. Song writing for me is a craft, its more than just adding some vocals on top of music, there are some very nice tricks and ideas you can play with. For example “Damaged” on the album doesn’t really have a chorus, but there are enough vocal hooks to keep the song memorable and interesting. As far as arranging EBM, it can be very different from most styles, and there are certain trademarks which you have to adhere to, but these are only guidelines. “Paranoia” on the “Transmission” EP breaks away from this idea.

v: What is the main idea behind songs represented on your debut album “Fatal Condition”?
C: When I started writing these songs I had no real clear idea of what they would be about, or represent as a whole. Each track was written as a single entity but when they were all put together I discovered an on going theme from song to song. So I would have to say the idea behind the album is about the struggle to find a peace in ones life away from the day to day things that we have to deal with. There are songs about salvation, escapism, longing, and struggle. We all go through these things daily so I believe this is something everyone can identify with.

v: As composer you demonstrate nice variety in atmosphere, power and speed of songs, but definitely there must be something combining them… What is it according to your general plan?
C: As a composer I like to write in a variety of moods, I believe it makes for a far more interesting album so to an extent it is a conscious decision. But at the same time I think if I only wrote fast tracks I would get very bored. The thing that I believe that combines them together is their atmosphere, they all have a dark feel to them which helps the album sound complete as a whole. Otherwise I have no real plan, I just let the music go in it’s own direction.

v: What music did you listen during last 2-3 years mostly? Is it possible to consider european EBM and dark electro as the most strong influences on your firm style.
C: Over the past 3 years I have been listening to a lot of electronic music, probably more than ever before, but I also listen to other styles as well. But I believe the real influence comes from music that I was listening to in my youth as well. When I listen to “Fatal Condition”, I can hear things from the 80’s, and also from today. I think the great thing about listening to other forms of music is when it comes to composing, I can bring those other influences into my writing and thereby making ANGEL THEORY not just another electronic band. To have something new and fresh to bring people.

v: Can you tell us briefly about current situation with electro-industrial/EBM/noise/syhth-pop music in Australia? I firstly want to know do fanbase and scene grow for such music and do you have many young band playing dark electronic? Till now we mainly know here such bands from your continent as SNOG and IKON… not a lot actually.
C: We do have a small goth/dark scene in Australia. Although our country is large, our population is quite small, 20million only. So as a result dark music isn’t that well known or received by the mainstream public listener. We do have bands like RESURRECTION EVE, STARK, TANKT and THE CRYSTALLINE EFFECT, which are making an impression on the European market now. It is very difficult for Australian bands to make a huge impression here being so far away. If it were possible a move to Europe for a couple of years would help push ANGEL THEORY greatly, because I could play more live shows, more often. At this stage the best I can do is come back year after year for more shows.

v: Judging on your live concert schedule, remix exchanges with other artists and ANGEL THEORY publications in press you already gained a kind of international recognition with “Fatal Condition”. Did you expect all this from the very beginning or you believe in lucky karma of ANGEL THEORY?
C: To be honest I didn’t really know what to expect. Maybe sell a few CDs, and get some reviews, and hope for the best. Anything that happens from there is a bonus. The “Transmission EP” went top 5 on the Dutch Underground charts and that really took me by surprise, I wasn’t prepared for that. But I am truly happy with the recognition I have received thus far, it is turning out far better than I could have imagined. As far as karma is concerned, yes I believe that I must have done something pretty dam good in my past life to get this far.

v: You album contains several very strong club tracks. especially like “Resolutions”, “Transmission” and not fast but very moving “Cold Fire”. How important is the club factor for you?
C: The club factor isn’t important to me. To be honest when I was writing the album I had no real idea that what most people want from electronic bands is club hits. But honestly is it the CD buying public that want club hits, or it the reviewers and DJs. In Australia, and very small portion of people that listen to dark music go to clubs, myself being one of them. The only time I go to a club is when I’m playing live in ANGEL THEORY. At a guess the figure would be less than 10% so what does the other 90% want to hear? While I understand the importance of a club hit from a promotional point of view, on a whole, I believe an album that is solid regardless of its speed will have a longer shelf life.

v: You demonstrate different vocal approaches in your songs, aggressive and dark or more melodic and pure singing. Was it difficult for you to find appropriate vocals tones and processions for every song?
c: No actually it came very naturally. I start composing the music first and then vocals second. I didn’t think about it, just sang in whatever style I felt suited the music and hoped it worked. Tracks like “Gone” and “Where did I go wrong” just seem to want a more natural tone. Like the music on the album, the vocals too have a variety of approaches. You could almost say the album has three vocalists on it, but they are all me.

v: Do you know what songs on “Fatal Condition” are the most popular at club DJs and listeners?
C: Honestly no, I couldn’t tell you. From the play lists I have received from radio shows, and nightclubs, there is a huge variety of tracks people are picking up on, which I believe works in my favour. It tells me that the album has quite good market cross over potential. If everyone picked up the same track on the album I would be quite disappointed.

v: Your album is already released in Germany on Endless Records and on GUP in Australia. What about invasion into North America? Is there any progress in this direction?
C: ANGEL THEORY does have distribution in the US through Metroplois. North America is however another territory where I am looking at playing some shows hopefully in the very near future. Stay tuned for further developments.

v: Do you watch Olympic games in Greece? If yes, how did you like the opening show? What sport discipline is the most interesting for you, if such exists?
C: The opening ceremony was on as we hit the stage for our first show in Utrecht, so I guess I had more important things on my mind. But I do exercise quite a lot. I do weights, and lots of bike riding. I actually really enjoy being physically active, keeps me in shape after eating all that chocolate I consume.

v: At the end of our conversation please tell us about your nearest future creative plans (remix exchange, live gigs, studio update, probably next ANGEL THEORY releases...)?
C: There is a lot planned for the rest of the year after this European tour. I will be back in Australia in September, and will continue work on the new album. I have already written a small handful of tracks that I’m really happy about. My aim is to have it finished before the end of the year, and hopefully it will get a release by mid to late 2005. But depending on how “Fatal Condition” sells, we could also see a second EP from the album, with remixes and a bonus track or two. I also have a remix exchange lined up with TERRORFAKT which will be a very interesting for the both of us. Ben is an incredible artist and I really enjoyed watching him play here in Europe. His style is very different to mine, (hard core industrial noise) so the remixes should be quite interesting. Post that as mentioned previously we are looking at heading to the US for some shows, but nothing is planned thus far. Its all going very well, I have nothing to complain about. Thanks!