Getting their start in 1996, The Azoic continue treading on new ground while holding on to their creative electronic base of dance and industrial EBM sounds with emotional and ethereal vocals. The duo�s recently released fourth album titled 'Illuminate,' the Azoic develop their production skills, keep the fans dancing and still wear their emotions on their sleeves. Sit a spell Kristy Venrick and Steve Laskarides and read up on the pair�s thoughts on creativity, cover tunes, collaborations, a little politics and even the future.
KoB: Are you still working on music long distance with Steve? And if so, could you describe that process and maybe it's advantages and disadvantages?
Kristy: Yes, we still work on music from opposite sides of the US. (He's in
Phoenix, AZ and I'm in Columbus, OH.)
As for the process, Steve usually starts with the music until it's about
50-75% complete. Then he sends it to me and I work on a melody and/or
lyrics. Whatever inspires me. I'll call or send him my idea(s) and then we
discuss the music, song structure and keyboard/drum parts. When he's got
the song close to completion, I'll finish the lyrics and record the final
vocals in the studio. I may let him know the intent with all the vocal
layers or let him just run with it and then he adds the finishing touches
that make it what you, the audience, hear. Sometimes, however, we have to
go back into the studio and rework or redo a song completely. You never
know exactly what the song will sound like in the end and that is part of
the excitement!
KoB: What sort of non-musical influences affect your creative process, lyrically and musically?
Kristy: Experience is the main influence/inspiration. Anything that affects me, inspires me, catches my eye, etc. There is so much that shapes us that it's hard to say where my lyrics come from, except from within...
KoB: Although both deal with creativity (in some form), have you ever let your two "jobs" or "creative outlets" mesh or crossover in any way?
Kristy: Oh, I'm sure architecture has helped shape our music in some way and thankfully several architects also like The Azoic, so we have crossover appeal. (laughs) I think the band allows me to utilize creativity that work doesn't and vice versa. It's a nice balance.
Steve: My job is very technical and has helped me understand programs and process much better over the years. So, in some way, it's helped with the studio and the tools I use to create our music.
KoB: The way you have blended different genres and sounds seems to have made "Illuminate" more up beat and danceable than past work. How important is the dance floor successful track to the Azoic? Did this style of production just happen, or was it done on purpose?
Kristy: Most of our fanbase comes from those who hear our music in clubs, so
I think it's a large part of the importance to our music. But, we don't go
into each new album thinking "Yes, I have to create this type of dance
track." We do love the energy and dynamics found in up-tempo dance tracks
and maybe it's natural since Steve was a DJ for many years. But, sometimes
a song will take a completely different direction than we expect so you
never can tell. We actually hoped for a harder hitting album, but we have
no complaints with 'Illuminate' and are very proud of the results!
Steve: Yes, in some ways, this album and each song had a direction of it�s own. In other ways, we took some of our more recent influences and let them guide us.
KoB: Was this the case with Carve Into You? The reason why it was re-recorded or re-mixed for 'Illuminate?'
Kristy: Steve created a remix of the song because he had so many ideas after finishing for 'Forward' that he wanted to explore. This song is also important because a friend wrote it about her experience (and anger) from living in a Serbian concentration camp. I think this song is so important because we forget how often we take freedoms of any kind for granted.
KoB: "Obsession" is your first recorded cover tune, originally by Animotion. How was that song chosen and are there any other tunes you would like to cover? Have you covered any other songs live in concert?
Kristy: Steve and I had been asked several times about covering another song, but we didn't because we wanted The Azoic to stand on it's own merits first. So, when asked again, we actually considered it and felt maybe it was the right time. It took a while to chose a song that we both liked, wasn't overdone and easily recognizable throughout the world. "Obsession" seemed to be the clear choice. From there, I mentioned to Steve about asking a guest vocalist or two. We discussed asking Frank Spinath from Seabound because we admired his voice and passionate vocal style. Luckily he agreed and our voices blended well together.
KoB: As your first (Azoic) collaboration, how was it working with another singer? Was this similar to you working with other bands or was there a different feel to someone coming in to work on your project?
Kristy: I've sang on songs with other vocalists before, so it wasn't that foreign to me. I think it felt very natural and we hope to incorporate more of that in the future.
Steve: Having Frank's vocals didn't feel much different and he had a lot of feedback on what he envisioned, just as Kristy does. So, it worked out really well!
KoB: Are there any other collaborations being considered for future work? Are there any particular artists/musicians that you like and that you would like to work with?
Kristy: Yes. There are many we'd like to work with. Too many to name.
Some are merely dreams... But, we do hope to work with a few artists soon
and possibly a remix disc for 2005. I guess we shall see...
KoB: Any of those dreams you care to mention? Or keeping them silent dreams for now?
Kristy: We want to keep the fans in suspense for now...
KoB: Much of your music and lyrics seem to be driven in a more passionate realm, more emotional. I know voting is important to you, has the state of American politics ever made you want to include lyrics or a more political nature?
Kristy: I do try to write from my heart and yes, I've thought a lot about writing more political lyrics at times. But, I think when I sit down to write a song, I just let the music guide me and evoke the emotions. So, with our current political state, politics may very well creep up into a new Azoic track!
KoB: Have you ever written lyrics without the music as background already in its development stage?
Kristy: Of course, but they later get reworked and adapted to the songs they "fit" with. Unfortunately, it can be hard to retain the initial feel or intent this way, but each song, lyric and poem is different.
KoB: Do you prefer working in a studio or performing live? How does the live sound of the Azoic affect studio production (or vice-versa)?
Kristy: Both are exciting as you never really know what to expect or how things will come together. But live shows have dynamics and an intensity that you just can't replace. Performing live is what takes your music to a whole new level and makes it alive. We also love the interaction with the fans.
Steve: The live shows are created from the studio production with extra keyboard parts and levels, but sometimes we will play a new song live and either read the crowds reaction or get a feel for what works best for us after several live performances of that track for how we should tweak the final version. So i guess it works both ways.
KoB: What's in the future for the Azoic? Any extensive touring (I know this can be difficult with your job)? How about Nilaihah (future releases)? Are there any other video plans for any "Illuminate" tracks?
Kristy: All 3! Yes, we hope to play several shows in 2005, even Europe. But, most shows will have to be on weekends due to our distance and work schedules. We also hope to shoot a new video, if there is time. Perhaps we should take a poll on which track? :) And, in a few weeks, I should have several of the upcoming releases, plus a few new bands added to the Nilaihah Records roster, listed at www.nilaihah.com. However, I do know the new Distorted Reality CD, "Daydreams and Nightmares" will be one to watch...
To read a review of the "Conflict" CD single by The Azoic, go to the Kult ov Bela ~ Azoic "Conflict" review page here.
This and other interviews can be found at the Side Line Magazine website.
For more information about the Azoic, please check out The Official Azoic website.