Hi Shikhee, thank you for doing this interview, how are you doing?
I am doing well, Ed, thank you.
The most difficult question to answer. Who is Shikhee?
A songwriter, singer, performer, producer, yogi, mother of a cat named Motu - these are some of the roles Shikhee plays.
What made you start a career as a musician, what it a song, a video or event that got you motivated?
I was always heavily into music and sang for as long as I can remember. But it was in the early 90s when a company called Ryko started re-issuing the entire Bowie catalog. That's when I really got into Bowie. I was listening one day and it struck me that I must make music. That it was the medium I needed to express myself.
What is it that drives you as a person and musician?
The process of writing The Human Animal has been an enormous growing experience for me. I used to think I needed to make Android Lust successful to be happy. And now I feel I need to be at peace to make everything in my life work, including Android Lust. I guess I am looking for the same things everyone is, and answers for questions we may not even know we have.
In 2006 you released Devour, Rise and Take Flight, an album that got great comments from both press and fans, what happened after Devour?
I had to take some time off from Android Lust after Devour. I toured, but I was in a very negative place. It took me a while to find any enjoyment in life again. We did two tours to follow up the release in 2006 and 2007. It was during the 2007 tour when things started to turn around again for the better. I had a new band, and went out with fresh outlook and it cleansed the soot that was still sticking to me.
Sideline magazine called you one of the three leading ladies in Electronic music (together with Erica Dunham of Unter Null / Stray and Emileigh Rohn of Chiasm), how do you feel about such a compliment and what do you think of your own position in electronic music?
It's nice to be recognized. I don't think too much about my place in things. As long as I can keep doing what I love and make a living at it I am grateful.
You have always followed your own path in music, how important is musical integrity for you and how did you manage to keep it over the years?
Music to me is a way to connect, so it's easy to keep the integrity because once I feel the connection I know it's right. I know I've stumbled onto something when there's a release of emotions, and it's always positive, no matter how negative a subject I may be writing about.
Has making music change for you over the years, when you start all is new and exciting but as an established artist people have expectations?
Yes definitely. There's an added pressure of how people will perceive something compared to your previous output. You have to let go of that worry because all it does it hurt your current state. Some people will like it and some won't and that is just the norm. I accept it and stay my course.
During the creation of “The Dividing” you had a writers' block. How was that, did it made you feel despondent at times, how did you deal with it?
It was very depressing. But writers' block is a trap because the stress your feel about your block only makes it worse and perpetuates it. I tried to force myself to write and it would only cause more frustrations. I had moved into a new place after a breakup, and instead of dealing with the emotional upheaval, I wanted to delve straight into writing. It was only after I came to terms with where I was things started to fall in place. Funny how that happens.
Anything creative is a gift. And if something is not happening at a given time, forcing it to happen doesn't work. Even though I did at times, and actually managed to write, it made the writing process stressful which ultimately hurt me. And I paid for it after Devour with a prolonged absence from Android Lust.
In your website you say that you were facing fears again, doubting yourself if you can still do it? How do you deal with this and what is the turning point in this creative process for you that you put the doubts aside and started working on the album?
I dealt with it by putting in honest time in my studio. It was 2 years that I had stayed away from writing, so coming back was scary in some ways because I didn't know what would happen. I had to re-train my writing muscles by putting in hours in the studio, re-familiarizing myself with the environment.I was walking down 9th avenue one day and an entire song just popped into my head. I knew I was back.
Between “Devour, Rise and Take Flight” and the new album “The Human Animal” are 4 years, can you explain this gap? What did you do in these 4 years?
I needed to take some time off after Devour. I was burnt out from the pressures I was under while working on the record from my day job and legal issues with my label. It took its toll and made it difficult for me to approach music for a while because I associated it with a very negative time period. I eventually I found my way back again after touring with a new band and redefining some personal rules.
The Human Animal did you record with your live band in the studio, how was it to work with the full band in the studio? Who are the members of your live band and what input did they have on the songs?
Steve Kefalas on drums, Christopher Jon on synths, Bret Calder on bass, and James Light on guitar. I worked with them one a time in the studio. It was great to have new energy on the record. I wrote the parts knowing their strength in the instrument, so the result was as well or better than I had expected. They brought their individual style and put in elements throughout the record that made for a richer sound. Chris also mixed the record.
Can you explain the album title?
At a basic level the human is very much a primal being, with the same instinctive urges and same biological functions, but it’s our consciousness that sets us apart. It’s about the two beings housed in the same shell.
Have you found the balance between the physical and spiritual for yourself? What is the perfect balance for you?
It's a constant process. Learning to trust my instincts and staying true to what makes me happy is what I am going for now.
You did release the album on your own Synthellec Music, why did you leave Projekt Records?
My contract with Projekt was satisfied. Neither of us decided to pursue it further.
What is the difference between having an album released on a label or put it out yourself, isn’t it a lot of extra work you have to do?
Yes it is a lot of work. But the industry has changed so much that it's now mainly a DIY world for indie artists anyway. Even if you're on a label, you still have to do a lot of the work. The labels would only do a bare minimum. At this point in my career, unless a label can offer me more than what I can do myself, there's no point in being on one just to save myself a little extra work.
What kind of progress has the music of Android Lust made over the years?
Android Lust is a self sustaining entity with fans all over the world while staying true to its vision.
What inspires you in songwriting and what is the secret to transform ideas/inspiration into songs?
Secret is to feel it, put in the hours and not cheat yourself. God is in the details as they say.
How do you let yourself go when recording or performing. Lots of singers focus on good singing which often gives it a lack of emotion, a sterile sound?
Both are equally important to me. I get inside the song when I record, do whatever it takes to get me there. I generally like to make the room really warm and be as comfortable as possible.
For live I generally do warm-ups before soundcheck. I try to stay away from loud areas where I'd have to strain my voice to speak. Right before I step on stage I take time to myself to focus and channel my energies.
Music can be a tool for social change, it can be a statement, a protest, a hope & so forth, are there any ideas you want your work to represent? What do you hope your music conveys?
I hope for connection, by connecting with deeper parts of myself. I hope people interpret and find whatever meaning they may, and as long as it holds some meaning to them, it is successful.
Social change comes from individual change on a mass level. I am interested in the individual. I don't care for music that is preachy because it assumes a position of moral superiority.
Will you support the album with a tour, are there any plans to come over to Europe?
We just did a five week US tour with Mankind is Obsolete. I'd love to come over to Europe but we need sponsors from Europe to bring us.
Any last words for the readers?
Thanks for your time.
www.androidlust.com