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Assemblage 23
The new album is great! Did you find it challenging to make this album
after the success of Failure?
Thanks, I'm glad you like it! It was challenging, but I wouldn't say
necessarily because of the success of Failure. I am my own harshest
critic, so it's always difficult with a new album because I am tough
on myself and expect growth and improvement from release to release to
a degree that is perhaps a little unreasonable. So I think never
being satisfied with 'good enough' is what makes it challenging.
Your lyrics are very emotional and personal. Does this ever bother
you to "bare your soul" so to speak, or do you find it helpful in some
ways?
I actually find it pretty easy. After all, you seldom see the people
you are baring your soul to, and even when you do, like in a live
show, they're usually strangers. I find it much easier to do in front
of a roomful of people I don't know than I would in front of friends
or family. It's also definitely a release to be able to deal with
issues in your life and get it out in a song than to just carry it
around inside you all pent-up.
Where did the name Assemblage 23 originate from?
It's just a name, there's no special significance.
Your tour starts in April. This will be your second tour of the U.S.
correct? What will be the live setup? Are you planning on doing gigs
in Europe as well?
This is really our first proper, full tour. We've done 'mini-tours'
on the west coast before, but this will be the first time we'll be
covering the entire US. The live set up will be me on vocals, Kevin
Choby on e-drums, and Paul Seegers on keys. As for Europe, we just
got back from about 5 weeks of touring all over Europe.
Who will you have as an opening act?
It will depend on which city we're in. We're leaving it up to each
promoter to book the support acts, so there will be a mixture of
'known, signed' bands and local acts who are just getting started.
Your CDs were originally on the Gashed label which is now out of
business. How have things been on Metropolis?
Fantastic! I've had nothing but positive experiences with them so
far.
What is your response to critics that compare Defiance to your last
release and question the subtle differences between the two?
It's amazing to me that people are upset when an album doesn't sound
exactly like it's predecessor. You'd think people would get bored
with hearing the same thing over and over again. But for me, I need
to grow and change and evolve from album to album or *I* am going to
get bored. So, hopefully each album will pick up where the last one
left off and then build on that and evolve. The funny thing about
"Defiance" as an album is that so far it seems to be a 'grower'. Some
people didn't like it as much as "Failure" at first because it sounded
a bit different than they were expecting, but once they get over that
initial shock, many of them actually like it more and appreciate that
evolution. And for those who don't... well, you can't be all things
to all people. Maybe the next one will be more their cup of tea. |
