Can you give a brief introduction to Syndika Zero?
Paul:
Syndika Zero is a hard electro band based out of Sacramento, California. We are signed to Crunch Pod and have just released our label debut, 'Blindness' on that label.
Can you explain the name Syndika Zero?
Paul:
To be honest, there has never been too much of a meaning behind the name of the band, other than syndika being the french word for syndicate. Using the number Zero in the name though was a conscious decision, seeing as though this project was a new beginning of sorts for me...
Who are the current members of Syndika Zero and how did you find them, what’s their background?
Paul:
There are three members currently, Cin, Thorfinn, and myself. Prior to deciding to perform live, the band only consisted of myself, but when planning for live performances, Cindy was an obvious choice - besides being my wife - to have in the band, because she had previous experience playing bass, as well as performing live in a band setting.
Cin:
Yes, I'm a 'slave' to the band. ^_^
Paul:
Thorfinn and I have known each other for a number of years, we first met in a metal band that I had joined shortly after completing high school. With this history, I knew that he would be an asset to the band, considering he shares the same passion that both Cin and I have for this music.
Paul:
Actually we had a lot of good feedback about the album and saw a lot of support early on from djs and internet radio, as well as our peers, after releasing the album we were asked to perform with Alter Der Ruine and W.A.S.T.E. on a number of dates. In addition to that, we were able to secure a slot at The Blacksun Festival IV in 2008. Our reviews were positive as well, I remember that one review we had received said that we were akin to "...the crack-addicted baby of Terrorfakt and Haujobb..."
A debut album is often part of a learning process, what are the most important things you have learned from it?
Paul:
Of all the things that I have learned, I think the most important thing is to constantly challenge yourself to stray from a comfort zone, not that you have to re-invent the wheel with every song, but to allow yourself to explore new territory as an artist.
You are now signed to Crunch Pod, How did you get in contact with them and how is the collaboration so far?
Paul:
While writing 'The Example' I had provided some demo tracks to Ben Arp of Crunch Pod when he performed as C/A/T opening for Haujobb in 2007. His feedback was very encouraging. Shortly after releasing 'The Example', he attended two performances where we had opened for Alter Der Ruine and W.A.S.T.E., after the second performance, I had bluntly asked him, 'So when are you signing us???'
Shortly after, we began to communicate more often, which soon led to the planning stages for 'Blindness'. We were in constant contact throughout the entire production of the album, Crunch Pod has been extremely supportive and honest with us, I couldn't ask for a better label.
You just released your album “Blindness” how do you look back on the recording process?
Paul:
There was definitely a 'bar' so to speak, seeing that we were 'following-up' with this album, while at the same time 'debuting' on a label. It was a challenge, because I didn't want to simply 're-write' 'The Example', but build upon the Syndika Zero sound. One advantage that I did have was that Cin sat in on some of the sessions and gave a second opinion on most of the material, so it was nice to have a fresh set of ears during production of most of the tracks, as well as some input. Can't wait to begin work on the next album when we return from our tour.
Paul:
I will be the first to agree that 'Blindness' does definitely deviate from 'The Example', while retaining some of the elements that make it a Syndika Zero record. There is definitely more melodic structure and hooks to the songs, as well as more intricacies that I feel in some ways 'The Example' was lacking.
In my mind the album and songs are better constructed, less noise. Can you agree on that?
Paul: Yes, and I'm glad to hear that as well, I wanted this album to show that we can be more than just power-noise rhythms and distortion.
The track Dies Irae has a Gregorian Choir for the vocal part, how did you get the idea of using this for a song and was it hard to build a song around this vocal part?
Paul: I have always enjoyed choral music and love to work with elements which at first may seem foreign in an electronic composition. Considering the context of the source material (from which the track receives it's title), I felt that a power-noise song based around the choral melody was fitting. Almost a 'beauty and the beast' aesthetic.
The track “sister” was written after a tragedy in your family. Did it help you to cope with it?
Cin: It helped a lot. Paul and I were fighting a lot the day Brieana passed away. We knew she was ill when she was born, but it's one of those realities I just didn't want to face. The sample 'Life and Death are the same Movement' just really made me realize that we have no control over life, she was here to serve a purpose. Brieana was the first infant to undergo the Hybrid procedure for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The hospital learned a lot from Brieana's procedure and we can only hope it will help more infants who are born with the same heart condition.
Does the song still give you goosebumps when listening to it or playing it live?
Cin: After Paul wrote it, I had a copy playing in my car everyday, and my eyes would just fill with tears knowing I will never get the chance to see my niece grow up. It's been a hard thing to accept, Paul and I lost our niece, my brother and his wife lost their daughter, my parents lost their grand daughter, and my 1 1/2 year old niece Genevieve lost her little sister. We haven't played Sister live, but at one of our recent shows at Skandal in Riverside,CA, Paul dedicated our song "Ashen" to Brieana. I was caught off guard and had to hold back my tears, but the fans really connected to us which was amazing, you couldn't ask for better fans. I <3 u guys!
Paul, how was it write the track “sister” for you, does writing a personal song like that deviate from the normal songwriting?
Paul: Writing the track was a bit difficult, but writing music is a bit of a cathartic experience for me, it's something that allows me to be true to myself and 'let my guard down' for a moment and be truly candid. It's a vulnerability and a source of strength at the same time.
Paul: Chaos Exemplified came together very quickly actually, all the artists involved were great to work with as well. It is definitely quite varied in styles for a remix album, it was interesting to hear 'The Example' taken in so many different directions as well.
Currently you are doing live shows, how does the audience respond to the new tracks?
Paul: The reaction has been great! Fans have definitely been very receptive to the new music. Can't wait to hit the road again, because we will playing many cities that we have not had the chance to perform in before.
The best way to promote a new album is by doing many shows, is it hard these days to get good shows, what is the biggest problem in getting booked?
Paul: Being a new band definitely has it's disadvantages, but with the help of Crunch Pod, word of Syndika Zero is spreading. In turn, this is opening many new areas to us, as well as new opportunities for performing live. Our best source of promotion is still word of mouth though, which in turn gives us a better opportunity at securing shows.
Any last words for the readers?
Paul:Thank you so much for supporting us! Spread the word about Syndika Zero!
Cin: Come to our shows, we love getting to know all of our fans! We wouldn't be doing this without you guys.