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Sebastian Elliot of Is Fantasy-Based in Setting

REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

Tell me a bit about the origin of Braindance, and how the band has evolved through the years. As a young man putting off graduate school and the responsibility of a career in psychology, I met producer/ guitarist Vora Vor and made a career of Braindance – writing material, developing lyrical concepts, and recording it all, some of which would appear two years later on the Shadows EP of 1994. Fear Itself followed in 1995, Redemption in 2001, and now, to coincide with the International Omelette Festival, comes Master of Disguise. Standard evolution – write songs, record songs, perform songs, write new songs, record new songs, perform new songs, write new songs…

Symbolism runs rampant through your work, so while this is usually a pretty standard question, I’m really curious what “Braindance” means to you. Vora and I both grew up reading and collecting science fiction/fantasy novels and comics, and to this day, I’m a huge fan of comic art – the whole superheroes-wielding-magical- weaponry package, battling-evil-aliens-for-the-control-of- the-universe type thing. I’ve got enough reality in my life, so I make quite an effort to gravitate towards the other world, especially where Braindance is concerned. All of the album covers and inserts feature high-quality symbolic illustration by gifted artists, have symbolic themes running through and between them, and are symbolically most certainly related to vampirefreaks.com/ progressivedarkwave the symbolic material contained symbolically within. Lyrically, I believe in a good measure of ambiguity. Most Braindance songs are imported into a construct that Sebastian Elliot of is fantasy-based in setting. Naturally, the themes have specific meanings for me, but I try not to assign too many definitive conceptual values to the symbols in that construct, simply because it might translate differently for you. Insofar as everyone’s experiences are different, so should their interpretations be. Whereas I might see a symbol representing despair and desolation, someone else might see a symbol communicating an egg salad sandwich. Interview by DeathWish Having said that, our music is still quite subjective. Along with wanting to produce music that represents a unique From the trenches of New York’s underground an innovative voice, along with wanting to push the limits of what is out potion for the ears has been dreamt into being. Distilled there and what you’ve created for yourself, is the hope that this shit actually means something to you. That it defines at from fast-paced roaring guitars, frighteningly erotic least a part of you. Behind the lyrical symbolism are meanings lyrics, and pressed into fluidity by complex orchestral about real issues that have governed my life over the last few arrangements, this alchemical blend has seeped out, into years. For me, Master of Disguise will be our lyrically darkest the music . This sinister sounding concoction is called yet, and personally speaking, I’m hoping that there won’t be Braindance, and just because you haven’t heard it yet one this dark ever again… doesn’t mean you can escape it‘s effects. While you’ve rather consistently played live over the past It’s creators, Sebastian Elliot and Vora Vor, have brewed few years, you haven’t released an album since 2001, and three intrinsically layered releases, and have another there was a five-year gap between that and its precursor. transmuting as we speak. As the curtain begins to rise Of course, you’re not the only band to take breaks between albums, but is there any story behind these gaps? on the next act for Braindance, that of the future, VF Magazine explored what darkly beautiful vision have they Indeed there is a story—one that involves a time machine and been dreaming up in the 7 years since their last album, a hopscotch-champion lobster with Parkinson’s disease that is currently in discussions for a live action feature film. Redemption.

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You’re due to release Master of Disguise phrase that was engineered to save some meets meets in the fall. What’s the official release time and simplify description. Humans, meets Fear Factory meets Pink Floyd meets date? especially recently, like to have their Sisters of Mercy meets KMFDM meets information color-coded and labeled in Hilary Duff. Some simply call it progressive The official release date is before the end bite-size chunks of easily understood darkwave, others call it doody. of time. descriptive boxes. It was a phrase that Progressive Darkwave is also the name What can existing fans expect from was created in lieu of explaining elements of your record label. How has preparing MoD? How do you plan to lure in new in our music that others needed to hear for an independent release affected the ones? in order to work with it or understand it on whatever level. It was a phrase that band in regards to creative control over Combine the sheer excitement of Swiss hopefully would communicate dense the music as well as the ability to really almond coffee ice cream with the danger programming, multi-layered composition, get your name out there? of aged Manhattan clam chowder and Progressive Darkwave Recordings you’re still nowhere close. was created simply as a business With regards to the material, buffer for the band’s activities. we’ve taken everything that Out of necessity, we’ve had to worked before and took it to learn production, engineering, the next level – production, publicity, promotion, and performances, songwriting, management as we went, because lyrical imagery, artwork I believed that we owed it to – everything has matured ourselves to become recording considerably. Joe ‘Sweetrot’ artists. The underground fans, Simko just finished the press, and radio have been always inside cover art for Master been exceedingly beneficent, of Disguise, and I couldn’t be whereas in the past the labels more excited. In addition to have had no clue what to do with the packaging, we still plan us. Because what we do crosses on luring in new fans with a few different sub-genres, there attractive spokesmodels, seemed to be no ‘niche’ for us, adorable company mascots even in the independent world, and festive full-page magazine which prides itself on promoting advertisements… new, exciting, underground Surely you’re asked to music. Independent labels as well describe this a lot, but what as majors have risk to contend does “progressive darkwave” with, and they’ve got to be sure mean to you? that your music has succeeded in other realms – someone must When we first started have had one of you, and have Braindance, we never really done rather well with them. In knew exactly what it was the past, it seems we’ve always that we were doing in the been too metal for goth labels, sense of categorization. It too goth for was only after receiving labels, too progressive metal press and response from for industrial labels, too industrial for the underground community that we performance with a technical slant, guitar-driven labels, too guitar-driven for came to be familiar with all of those distinct vocal melodies, and/or a lyrical dance labels, too dance for metal labels, little descriptive terms about music that content of a darker nature. It might be etc., etc., etc…Hopefully, that’s about to vary from person to person like gothic, a phrase that fans of dark metal, ebm/ change…Until then, we retain full creative progressive, darkwave, industrial, epic, etc., electro, progressive metal, guitar-driven control over ourselves and hope to get the etc., etc…In fact, I’m still not clear (and industrial, dark ambient, and dark house name out there by sending personalized have yet to receive a satisfactory textbook would understand. It would be a phrase croissants to every home across the globe… explanation) on what those terms and that spoke of elements of goth, synthpop, their respective boundaries are. Perhaps if darkwave, progressive trance, doom, vocal Many artists, especially in this scene, I had been clear on those terms and how house, modern classical music mixed with sometimes have difficulty striking the they were supposed to be communicated enough pop sensibilities to make anyone balance that you’ve managed between musically, we’d be doing something nauseous. a visual aesthetic and the music. completely different than Braindance, How important is the visual aspect of With regards to comparisons, however, I’ve something completely identifiable, and Braindance compared to the musical heard everything from Rammstein meets probably be more successful by this point. aspect, and how do you keep one from Paradise Lost meets Depeche Mode meets overwhelming the other? “Progressive Darkwave” was simply a Queensrÿche meets Type O Negative 54 VF MAGAZINE INTERVIEWS

The visual aspect in Braindance is not as Sin City, & Total Recall. In fact, I would splendors bring this disagreement to an important as the musical aspect, unless I love to find a comic artist willing to bring end, not unlike a or unforeseen happen to put on more weight than expected the events depicted on the Braindance force halts the flight of a scared virgin in a short period of time. To keep the visual album covers to life in either a graphic upon your silver screens. Crawling out aspect from overwhelming the musical novel or an animated feature. Of course, of its crypt in ’94, this vile fiend called aspect, I adhere to a low-carb, fiber-rich, they’ll have to wait until after the action Braindance has released Redemption, protein-based organic diet and a healthy figures have arrived. a musical attack sure to have you serving of daily cardiovascular activity. clenching your lover for comfort. Okay, reigning this back in here. Do you currently have a touring lineup Braindance has a very rich, unique Redemption comes to steal your breath in place? What can you tell me about the sound. Are you listening to anything and soul with not only its intricate musicians you’re playing live with? inspiring lately (new or classic), and compositions but the return of would you have any recommendations captivating comic art from Kinchi from Braindance consists of Vora Vor, for our readers? Kinchimagic Multimedia Productions. responsible for production, programming, arrangements, and guitars, and myself, I’m a big fan of any and all hybrid music This horrific monstrosity begins with responsible for minced onions, parsley, that combines musical intelligence with the sample laden track “Refracture” and braised shallots. We have between a darker intensity and a signature sound. warning listeners of the haunting three and five revolving members, human Currently I’m listening to a lot of house, punishment to come from their vanity, and otherwise, responsible for percussion, progressive trance, and classical music. encompassing the spectator in a fury basses, keyboards, voices, and a myriad I’m also listening to nifty Metropolis of carefully constructed organs and of other aural excitements that we’ll be stuff like In Strict Confidence, Hocico surgically slicing guitar riffs. Sebastian’s performing with live, soon after Master of and Velvet Acid Christ. I’m also listening deep, chilling, and frightening vocals Disguise is released. to some progressive metal like Kamelot, offer a rolling dimension to this song and , some thrashy not seen since Type O’s Bloody Kisses Currently, we’re looking for a drummer, a melodic stuff like Dark Tranquility, days, its seductiveness sure to leave the bassist, and a (female) keyboardist/backing Killswitch, , and Lamb of ladies craving more. This is followed vocalist. We have interested parties, but God; Priest, some Maiden, Zeppelin, by the ethereal experience (and my have yet to formally begin auditions. If Jorn and old Whitesnake; anything by personal favorite on this album) entitled you think you’ve got what it takes and Noise Unit or Delerium; Juno Reactor; “Resurrection”; light notes of an eerie smell really good, please let us know at Pink Floyd; some soundtracks, some xylophone lead you forth to a swirling progressivedarkwave.com… ‘70s compilations, the John 5 record, guitar arpeggio as Sebastian paints a You’ve never been shy about your love of Katatonia, the latest Scar Symmetry, lyrical picture of blackened forests and comics and comic art. Any favorite artists , Leaves’ Eyes, Beatles, Bach’s restless spirits, finally culminating to or titles? Musical Offering, Manuel Barrueco, a duo of Sebastian and Vora chanting a lot of Anthony Robbins. No other “lead the way, lead the way and be my I’m a comic fanatic—Spider-man, Daredevil, recommendations other than to utilize guide.” Upon escaping the enticing Batman, Spawn, The Punisher, The an oatmeal-based moisturizer with UV grasp “Resurrection” enticing grasp, Darkness, Witchblade, and Pitt—I guess protection after bathing. the listener is whisked away, carried Marvel and Top Cow are the big players along by cacophony of flowing notes for me. In fact, I just went to the New York and samples to Braindance’s guitar Comic Convention and paid a visit to the masterpiece “Resurgence”, with its great Marc Silvestri and the talented guys crunchy riffs beckoning you to worship at Top Cow Productions, and confessed upon an altar of arpeggiated scales and my desire to play Jackie Estacado in an trills. upcoming Darkness film. I’m not sure, but I think he was laughing at me. Internally. Without reluctance or hesitation “Redemption” is the perfect example What are your thoughts about the of the brilliance found within a genre growing trend in comic-book films? Any of mesmerizing symphonic sounds favorites? Do you think comic films have and guitar metal coupled with a jumped the shark yet, or do you foresee BRAINDANCE— composition style once only found that day coming? REDEMPTION exclusively within the annals of I don’t know, but I still have faith in Progressive Darkwave Recordings history. Braindance is Hollywood as mankind’s saviour—especially Reviewed by DeathWish paving new ground for future musicians all that soulless C.G.I. stuff. The proliferation to take notice, while entertaining your It was once implied to me that Symphonic of comic-book films is probably the only darkest fantasies and fears. This release Dark Metal/Goth was a dying genre. For societal craze that hasn’t made me wince. indeed is a must have and “it’s oh, so the sake of argument I’m thankful for the I’ve been a long-time fan of many legendary very tasty”! comic, sci-fi, or fantasy adventure films such twisted, creation of Sebastian as Star Wars, Highlander, Dune, Conan, Elliot and Vora Vor, whose ominous Dark City, The Matrix, The Fifth Element, creature cloaked in darkness and all it’s 55 September/OCTOBER 2007

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