Hi Ben, thank you for doing this interview, how are you doing?
I am doing well, thank you.
What was for you to reason to start with The Ludovico Technique? What was the first song or experience that you heard that spurred your interest in creating music?
1. I wanted an outlet for destructive emotions in a constructive way.
2. 80’s industrial and punk rock were one of the biggest influences on creating music.
Did you have any prior music projects or collaborations?
When I was a teenager , I had few punk-rock bands and had been in a few industrial bands prior to LT.
Can you explain the band name: The Ludovico Technique?
The name itself stems from the drug-assisted aversion therapy found in the novel and film "A Clockwork Orange", in which the patient is forced to view violent imagery while injected with experimental medication in an attempt to condition the subjects behavior.
The Ludovico Technique as a band takes this concept and transforms it into music. The lyrical content draws from personal experience and observation - you will hear nothing which has not been translated from feeling to sound.
It is harsh industrial music highlighting the dark aspects of the human experience as well as the depths to which the human mind can deteriorate.
What was the first instrument you played or musical equipment/software you utilized?
Guitar.
How has your music changed since its initial inception?
The only changes that have occurred is if a change has occurred in me.
What are the ethics as an artist that matter to you?
Expressing your art on your terms for your own release/pleasure not concerning yourself with its reception.
I view my art as an extension of myself so the expenses included with what comes along with my art are expenses that one would a lot for expenses of daily life.
What are personal influences in your music that the general public may not be aware of?
I listen to ALL music, classical, oldies, blues, hip hop, jazz, country, pop, punk rock, classic rock, as well as industrial.
The Ludovico Technique has a full band line-up, can you introduce the other members and what is their role? Are they only live musicians or do they take part in songwriting as well?
I write the music, but, when performing live every member puts something of themselves in the performance of that music. The members other than myself are: Jayson Smith (synth) , Simon B (drums) , and Eryk V- (synth).
What do you do to keep the line-up together and everybody trying to achieve the same goals for The Ludovico Technique?
The live members have a high amount of trust and evidence privately and publicly that the integrity of the project is in good hands. They share in a lot of my goals and ethical integrity so it makes a working environment very easy.
How are the songs created, do you always start to work with a lyric or do you start with music first, do you always work the same
way?
I do not always work the same way. A song could start off with a feeling that could then translate into words or it could start off with a feeling that then translates into music.
Motivation has nothing to do with creativity. Often times, those we know to be the most creative we wish had the motivation to express it, and those we know are very motivated we wish would stop.
You released on ep so far, what can you tell us about it?
Well, I had wanted to showcase a variety of our sound in a small outlet (5 tracks). I was pleasantly surprised it was picked up by Crunch Pod Records , which has a great deal of very talented artists.
What was the hardest part for you in the making of the album?
Going through the experiences that led to those songs being written. The music itself is the easy and rewarding part.
How are the comments on the album so far?
As far as I know it has been rather well received, but at the same time I don’t put much stock in those sorts of things because that is a whole other spectrum of the artistic world that is far less important than the music itself.
It is pretty rare these days for us to receive an ep without any remixes. Do you have intentions to work on remixes for other bands and allow remixes of your songs by other artists?
I personally haven’t been the biggest fan of the idea of people remixing LT material.However, I have done remixes for other artists. As time goes on, I’m warming to the idea of people remixing LT.
We are currently working on the full length for release 2010.
What is an ideal show experience? An ideal venue?
The ideal show for me is when I can pick up that the audience members are taking the journey with me. As opposed to at me. And as far as venues go, we enjoy playing in many different atmospheres, one ideal doesn’t come to mind.
Can good music sell itself or is a good visual presentation playing a big role in it as well?
The presentation should only play a role if it is part of the artistic expression. I often times, will go to a live show to be very disappointed by the lack of artistic expression in a live atmosphere. As far as good music selling itself, good music and selling are two separate areas.
You have 2 tours coming up, how do you prepare for a tour? What are your expectations for the tours?
1.I am a very active person .When playing multiple shows in a row, it is best to have a healthy lifestyle already in place prior to extreme exertion on the road.
2. For promoters to live up to their job description.
At the end of a show, what are the experiences that re-instate the meaning of your music pursuits?
After a performance there is a sense of invigoration as well as the physical exertion and nothing else that I have come across can take its place.
What is your advice to a future artist?
Do art for yourself and the moment you stop doing art for yourself you should stop doing art.
The August 2010 Tour with Ego Likeness, the full length album when we return, and my further development of Beyond Therapy Records.
Any last words for the readers?
If you are reading this then you are the underground and I thank you and appreciate your support.
www.myspace.com/theludovicotechnique
www.theludovicotechnique.com
Thanks to Precious Little for doing this interview with us!!