The second album of Electric Litany entitled "Enduring Days You Will Overcome" was released in February by Inner Ear Records. Richard Simic, the drummer of the band answers the questions of MixGrill concerning its production and many more...
When you set out to write and record "Enduring Days You Will Overcome", did you have something specific in mind? If so, how did the finished product differ from what you had planned?
We didn't have anything in particular in mind for the second album when we wrote it. It was written over several years, with no expectation or criteria. Often there is an unspoken agreement among us that an idea has life, we tend to explore that idea and see if it survives. Often the songs are nourished over many years through live shows and rehearsals and even then they can be discarded. Also, a last minute idea can appear in the studio. This album has a mixture of both.
Which are the new elements that you offer to your audience with this album?
The new album features some new arrangements in terms of instrumentation. It has also given us the opportunity to explore our own interests as individuals, with everyone bringing their own ideas to the table. Since the first album the band lineup has changed and new members offer their own personality, which makes this record quite different to our debut album.
One common question now. How was the collaboration with Alan Parsons? Do you feel that his contribution to the album changed fundamentally the outcome of your vision? In what way?
For us the role of the producer is to understand the vision firstly through the music and help express that through the production. He was supportive of our songs and help us commit them to record with a level of experience beyond any of us.
Is there a particular song of "Enduring Days You Will Overcome" with which you have an especially strong bond?
Definitely the title track 'Enduring Days You Will Overcome.' This was recorded in one take with no set structure; therefore, we have to rely on our experience of playing together as musicians and capture that on record. There is a great deal of uncertainty and fragility within that song that can not be rehearsed. It's like good sex, you don't spend weeks planning.
How do you define success for the band? Do you have goals that you are trying to achieve, even if they aren't something you speak about publicly?
The goal for us is to play music to people that want to hear it, anything beyond that is a bonus. Right now we are fortunate in that we can play in small venues and engage with people directly. Our objectives are not to headline Glastonbury; they are to connect with people and share an experience.
Are you satisfied with the feedback from your music? How do you evaluate it (concerts, social media, discs...)?
We have had a very good response from the music we have released. I think we measure it by the integrity of those we meet at live shows and those who share our music and speak to us after shows.
Do you find more personal satisfaction in writing and recording or in touring and performing live?
Both offer a different kind of satisfaction. There is something quite rewarding about the immediacy of a live performance and something also special about watching an idea grow through the recording process.
How did you come up with the name of the band?
Ketamine. It was a poor choice from a list of poor choices.
How is your cooperation with Inner Ear Records so far?
We have had a long-term understanding with in the Inner Ear about the integrity of music.
From "άφησέ με να 'ρθω μαζί σου" to "I have the moan of doves and the feather of ecstasy", or from Ritsos to Ginsberg. What happened in the meantime? Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is something impossible to search for because inspiration finds you. I think this is true with any artist.
Which is your favourite music instrument or sound?
The human voice.
Would you like to write music for a film or a theatrical production?
Depending on the story of course. It's something we've been looking into, if an interesting movie or theatrical production came our way, we would be receptive to collaboration.
You do not hesitate to express your political opinion. Should politics have a place in art and which is its role in the modern society?
Of course it should. Art is means of communicating a message, after all.
When you set out to write and record "Enduring Days You Will Overcome", did you have something specific in mind? If so, how did the finished product differ from what you had planned?
We didn't have anything in particular in mind for the second album when we wrote it. It was written over several years, with no expectation or criteria. Often there is an unspoken agreement among us that an idea has life, we tend to explore that idea and see if it survives. Often the songs are nourished over many years through live shows and rehearsals and even then they can be discarded. Also, a last minute idea can appear in the studio. This album has a mixture of both.
Which are the new elements that you offer to your audience with this album?
The new album features some new arrangements in terms of instrumentation. It has also given us the opportunity to explore our own interests as individuals, with everyone bringing their own ideas to the table. Since the first album the band lineup has changed and new members offer their own personality, which makes this record quite different to our debut album.
One common question now. How was the collaboration with Alan Parsons? Do you feel that his contribution to the album changed fundamentally the outcome of your vision? In what way?
For us the role of the producer is to understand the vision firstly through the music and help express that through the production. He was supportive of our songs and help us commit them to record with a level of experience beyond any of us.
Is there a particular song of "Enduring Days You Will Overcome" with which you have an especially strong bond?
Definitely the title track 'Enduring Days You Will Overcome.' This was recorded in one take with no set structure; therefore, we have to rely on our experience of playing together as musicians and capture that on record. There is a great deal of uncertainty and fragility within that song that can not be rehearsed. It's like good sex, you don't spend weeks planning.
How do you define success for the band? Do you have goals that you are trying to achieve, even if they aren't something you speak about publicly?
The goal for us is to play music to people that want to hear it, anything beyond that is a bonus. Right now we are fortunate in that we can play in small venues and engage with people directly. Our objectives are not to headline Glastonbury; they are to connect with people and share an experience.
Are you satisfied with the feedback from your music? How do you evaluate it (concerts, social media, discs...)?
We have had a very good response from the music we have released. I think we measure it by the integrity of those we meet at live shows and those who share our music and speak to us after shows.
Do you find more personal satisfaction in writing and recording or in touring and performing live?
Both offer a different kind of satisfaction. There is something quite rewarding about the immediacy of a live performance and something also special about watching an idea grow through the recording process.
How did you come up with the name of the band?
Ketamine. It was a poor choice from a list of poor choices.
How is your cooperation with Inner Ear Records so far?
We have had a long-term understanding with in the Inner Ear about the integrity of music.
From "άφησέ με να 'ρθω μαζί σου" to "I have the moan of doves and the feather of ecstasy", or from Ritsos to Ginsberg. What happened in the meantime? Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is something impossible to search for because inspiration finds you. I think this is true with any artist.
Which is your favourite music instrument or sound?
The human voice.
Would you like to write music for a film or a theatrical production?
Depending on the story of course. It's something we've been looking into, if an interesting movie or theatrical production came our way, we would be receptive to collaboration.
You do not hesitate to express your political opinion. Should politics have a place in art and which is its role in the modern society?
Of course it should. Art is means of communicating a message, after all.
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