Below is an exclusive interview conducted in 2008 for the Dreampop/Electronic band Elika, based in Brooklyn.
[indiessance]
What is the meaning behind the title of your new EP Trying Got Us Nowhere? Which contains a track titled Nowhere - is there a connection? What particular themes may fans find in your music?
[eva]
When I wrote the lyric I meant that in life regardless of faith, vision, drive, and good intent - sometimes things simply don’t work out. As far as themes in the music: love, death, guilt, hope, heartbreak and everything in between.
[indiessance]
You recently launched the new album in February at The White Rabbit in Plymouth, England, during your UK tour. Britain is known for its support of the performing arts. Did the Brits treat you good? What do you like about touring the UK? Which English venue was your fave?
[brian]
Yeah, the UK tour was a great time and a non-stop hangover. The people were very supportive of us which heightened the mood of the tour. Favorite venue was probably the launch at White Rabbit, we killed it that night.
[eva]
I agree about the gig at the White Rabbit being the best. It was like a homecoming. There was a lot of traveling and hijinx throughout the tour and at the end it felt like people really embraced the music.
[indiessance]
Ulrich Schnauss noted the shoegaze and electronic elements in your music. On every track of your mini-album, I can hear the balance you achieved between vocal, guitar, percussion and electronic elements. Was there a lot of sonic experimentation going on in the studio? Considering the finished product, do you feel that Elika has taken its sound to the next level?
[brian]
When we went into the studio with Jason all of the material was written except for Confidence Killed My Spirit and Defeated from the vinyl. We had a clear idea of what we were going to do and how to make our noise. This album is a definite step forward for Elika.
[eva]
I feel like we are both really confident about the kind of music that we are making now. As far as experimentation, I think that’s happening more during our live set.
[indiessance]
A reviewer for thechickenfishspeaks.com commented that Eva's "voice feels forced into the beats", but I can't see how a vocalist who is singing, playing keyboard and percussion at the same time could let the melody loosely drift over the rhythm. In that sense, such a comment seems unfair. On stage, Eva, you are synchronizing percussion instruments with electronic soundscapes. How do you feel about this reviewer's comment?
[eva]
You know, you just have to do your thing and not everyone is going to like it. I find criticism refreshing as long as it’s constructive.
[brian]
I’m a fucking NYC public school teacher, there isn’t a negative comment around that could hurt my feelings.
[indiessance]
As Shoegazing's ambient sister, Dream Pop weaves "bittersweet pop melodies into sensual, sonically-ambitious soundscapes" (Wikipedia). And many more comparisons may be applied to Elika. Your influences include Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine and Flying Saucer Attack - which generally represent shoegaze and electronica. What other bands inspire your songwriting? Are there any particular albums that you listen to more often than others?
[eva]
There was a reason why we chose to record with Jason Martin. I am inspired by his songwriting because he is never trying too hard. I enjoy honesty in music: people talking about their everyday shit, what they know, and the universal truths. There are too many political poser musicians out there; I’d rather hear about someone finding their baby teeth in a drawer or something. That kind of stuff wrecks me in the best way and makes me feel ok to be alive. Built to Spill has always had a way of grounding me like that.
profile @ myspace.com
homepage @ elikamusic.com
record label @ fiercelyindie.co.uk
