Interview- Rivulets

rivulets.

What are your musical influences?

American Music Club, Chet Baker, Bauhaus, Big Star, Biosphere, the Body Lovers, Jackson Browne, Codeine, Leonard Cohen, Sam Cooke, the Cure, Brian Eno, Galaxie 500, Marvin Gaye, Lisa Germano, Billie Holiday, Mark Hollis, Jandek, Robert Johnson, Labradford, Lycia, Mazzy Star, Morrissey, Neil Young, Red House Painters, Simon and Garfunkel, the Smiths, Spiritualized, Stars of the Lid, the Stone Roses, the Sundays, SWANS, Talk Talk, Tones on Tail, the Velvet Underground. There are more and I'll kick myself later for forgetting them...

What is your live show like?

Usually just myself on guitar and voice. It's more interesting than that sounds, I hope... Occassionally other people chime in on various instruments.

What serparates your band from all the other bands out there?

It's called rivulets, and it's run by me.

What is your latest news with the band?

I just finished a month-long European / UK tour and am about to begin work on a third full-length at Electrical Audio in Chicago with Bob Weston (Mission of Burma, Shellac) engineering. Guests this time will include Chris Brokaw (Codeine, Come, the New Year) and Jessica Bailiff (Kranky).

Where do you hope to be in 5 years with your band?

Well, maybe not as rivulets... but on the road still, playing shows, visiting new places and putting out records.

What is your best experience as a band?

Touring around, seeing different countries and meeting nice people.

What is your worst experience as a band?

Travelling to and playing shows that feel pointless.

What is most important to you in your band?

Making the music I want to make and reaching other people who like it too.

Do you have a personal favorite song, could be your own or other, and why?

Blue and Grey Shirt by American Music Club? That's the first that comes to mind. Loss Leader by Codeine? Don't Explain by Billie Holiday? All these would probably change if you asked me on any other day. There are too many...

What do you think of the current gothic/ EBM/ Industrial/ noise/ synthpop etc scene today?

I think Skinny Puppy did a pretty good job at being Skinny Puppy and other people should stop trying to be Skinny Puppy too.

What music do you currently listen to, and why?

Mostly female artists lately, for some reason. Mirah and Nina Simone especially.

How do you keep changing your music from album to album or plan to change it?

I write songs and sometimes they sound different from other songs I wrote before.

What kind of recording environment do you have? None. I have a cassette four track for the odd compilation song but I prefer to record at studios with decent gear and people who actually know what they're doing (i.e. not me).

How long did you spend on your latest effort?

We're planning on four days to record and one to mix. I don't like spending unnecessary time fiddling around in the studio. Get in and get it done, you know?

What are you looking forward to most right now as a band?

Finishing this third album and having it come out and hopefully doing a lot of touring thereafter.

What is the hardest thing about being in a band for this genre?

It's not particuarly hip or cool, so no-one's really going to hype you... word travels slowly. But the people who are into it are genuinely into it, not because they think they are winning any points for it.

Are you with a label or working on finding one? If so.. how hard is it to be accepted or what was it like being accepted?

The first two rivulets albums are on Chairkickers, and there are EPs on BlueSanct, Silber, Tract and Acuarela.

Remixes? Do you have any or working on any?

Anaphylaxis did one for a tour 7" a few years back. I've gotten a couple unauthorized remixes from fans which were good.

Compilation experiences good or bad and why?

If it's a cause or a tribute that you feel strongly about, it's good. But don't give your songs away to everyone who asks. That's bad. Also make sure they will master the thing properly. If they don't know what mastering is, that's bad.