Hello HP, thank you for doing this interview, how are you doing?
Fine thanks, i'm pretty busy at the moment cause Zynic is starting off very well and releasedates are close, there's a lot of things to take care of, but i won't complain, it‘s positive stress.
What did trigger your interest in music and how did you become a musician?
I can‘t remember really, it was always there, i'm obsessed with music. I was listening to my mom's records over and over again when i was very young. Played country records at 45 to dance to them. Then growing into the punk and new wave area and found home. Someday i stumbled across a synthesizer at my friends house and i was hooked.
Can you give a brief introduction to Zynic?
Zynic was founded around 2008 by me, myself and i. It's an electronic pop project with at least one foot in the 80ies and my interpretation of all the bands i like, melted together in my head.
What did you do in music prior to Zynic?
I did backvocals, played keyboards but there wasn't very much going on, cause the job i had didn't give me enough time to spend on musical activities. There are also not very much people around where i live that share the same interests. It was a now or never situation to start with Zynic.
What was it that made you leave other bands and start with Zynic?
It was a good experience to zapp through these various projects and styles of music. It helped me find exactly what i don't want. I even did some rap parts back then, it was fun but not my cup of tea.
Zynic is a one person band, what are the pro’s and con’s in this way of working for you?
Well, pro is that you're in charge with everything and contra is that you are in charge with everything. But i think its the purest way, if you are the songwriter, to come as close as you can get to that what you had in mind, from the very first idea of a song to the finished version. If you have five people in a room, they are pulling the song in five different directions. That can be great and helpful but if it's a very basic idea its very hard to explain to other people what you had in mind.
What are your visions and ideas for Zynic, do you work with some kind of concept?
The concept is no concept. I guess it would be the death of Zynic if i try to work with some kind of a masterplan. Zynic is my therapy and escape from real life. It gives me a good time and helps me forget.
How would you describe the music of Zynic, where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from everywhere. Everyday life, things that make me laugh or cry. Life is so strange that it gives you tons of moments to think and write about.... and i try to release it in a melodic and entertaining way.
Can you tell us how the music of Zynic is created, do you always work the same way?
No, its different everytime. Some songs start with something that i was singing in my cellphone, ballads start on some guitarchords most of the time and some start via happy accident like MY PERSONAL KRYPTONITE. I hooked up a CV to midi interface and tested the arpeggiator on my Mono/Poly. That became the sequence on KRYPTONITE and i started adding to it.
You are a big fan of analogue synths, what is that makes you prefer these above digital ones?
I love the charme and the aura of these old machines, the wooden panels, the heavy knobs, the unique sound, there is so much history with them. I use digitals too, depends on what i'm looking for but i end up oldschool most of the time.
Is it possible to work without digital synths these days?
I take the best of both worlds. Technology gives you great opportunities to integrate the old monsters into your modern recording environment and optimize the recordings afterwards in your computer. I wouldn't want to miss the total recall situation with modern DAWs. I remember times, when i had to leave the equipment turned on for days not to lose settings. Always afraid to burn the house down. ;-)
You signed a deal with Conzoom records, how did it come to this?
Ingo discovered my tunes on myspace and wanted SOUL FOR SALE for the ELECTROPOP 3 compilation. I liked his interest in presenting new bands to the scene and taking the risk. It was important for me to work with someone who really loves what he's doing, so it felt right.
Your first release is the single “Dreams in Black and White” what is this song about and why did you pick it to be your single?
I'm sick of all the commercial and senseless information overload the penetrates me 24/7. All the sms crawls, ringtone bull, payback point spys, people that force me to listen to their private details, yelling into a cellphone while i have to sit next to them on a train etc. I came home from shopping with all that crap in my head and startet to write the song. I still dream in black and white and in slow motion, thats relaxing and healthy. I picked the song cause i thought it is danceable and catchy, that's what i wanted for the first single and i hope it was the right choice.
How are the comments so far on it?
So far, so good. But it's officialy released on 25th of march, so i don't really know yet.
The single contains remixes by bands like Iris, Assemblage 23 and Leaether Strip, how did you get those bands to do a remix? You must have been cheering every time you got a remix back.
Yeah, it was great to get these bands to lay hands on my work. I'm a big fan of all of them for years and they were on my wishlist, so i'm very happy that they all said yes! Thanks again guys!
When can we expect a full length album and what can you already tell us about it?
The first album will be out 29th of April, it's called FIRE WALK WITH ME and it comes as a limited edition of 500 copies and as digital download. We are taking care of mastering at the moment, some details for the booklet and then we are ready to go. All preorders taken at www.conzoomrecords.de can get their name in the booklet cause zynic loves you ;-)
Will you support the album with live shows?
I'm already working on live interpretations and some ideas. But there's still work to do. Maybe in the end of 2011, when all the studiowork is done, i'll hit the stage.
What will be next for Zynic?
We are planning at least one more single or ep, so i'm busy writing, remixing and taking care of further artworks.
Any last words for our readers?
Thanks for your time & stay zynic!
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