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By Steven, Friday 30th October 2009 09.29am (3406 views)
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Creeping onto the scene with their debut album “Twinkle Twinkle Little Scar,” Razor Blade kisses are taking the baton for a varied music scene, but ultimately appealing mostly to the gothic and alternative crowds with their polarised fairytale land of gentile yet seedy ideas in their music.
Currently pushing the release of their album with a tour the band took some time out to answer a few direct questions about their style, work ethos and dress sense.
So how does it feel releasing your first album?
Layla: Exciting..we've constantly been asked about the album and the release date and now it's finally out it's a sigh of relief :)
Azadeh: it's something we have worked hard on for a few years now, it's hard to believe it's finally done!
Andi: Tiring. It's not hard work, it's just an awful lot of work. It's great to get it out finally, but already we are focused on the second album, so I can't say I've really stopped to think about the release of this one.
Did everything go to plan, or did you have problems along the way?
Layla: I wouldn't call it problems but there was a long delay due to making choices, and small bumps due techy issues, etc.
Azadeh: Like everything else we faced some problems, nothing serious but they were all time consuming, hence the delay in releasing the album, but all these problems make us appreciate the final result even more I think.
Andi: There were problems, songs were dropped from the CD, but to my mind that just makes the whole thing tighter. I'd rather release 10 solid tracks than a longer album half full of chuff that begs the listener to skip on.
How satisfied are you with the final album?
Layla: It's good. Could be better if we get access to a super dooper recording studio but considering it's the first album and time-scale and budgets considered it's good.
Azadeh: I think it is as I expected it to be.
Andi: Part of me would have liked it to have been mastered more aggressively for loudness to compete with modern records, but you lose fidelity doing that, so i'm happy that we went the quality not loudness route. After all, that's what the volume knob is for, crank it up!
Looking back so soon, is there already alterations you would make to any of the work?
Layla: Just technical glitches...better quality recording, 'ts all.
Azadeh: I don't usually look back at things that gone path, my view in life is always look to the future, therefore I'd rather spend that energy in producing material for the second album
Andi: The actual recordings were done a few years back and many of the songs have evolved since when we play them live, so it'd be nice to get the latest arrangements down, but it was a struggle getting them mixed mastered and released for a number of reasons so adding to that would have meant the CD probably never coming out. Besides no true artist is ever happy with their work.
Is there anything you would alter in terms of your work ethic... that maybe you will be mindful of next time round?
Layla: ermmm.. just work faster!
Azadeh: Hopefully we wouldn't linger so much on trivial matters and we get things going a bit quicker.
How important is the image of the band (seeing your very colourful photo shoot in the album)?
Layla: It's almost just as important as the sound. Our image gels with our music and the other way round. You wouldn't see opera actors/actresses in jeans and t-shirts on stage, same goes with our band. The image helps with bringing the music to life.
Azadeh: Our band is dependant on two main factors sound and image and they are both as equally important. We try to be as original as possible but at the same time offer something that people are already familiar with and have a link to it. For example we use the concept of the well-known fairytale characters and present them in a new light.
Your sound is fairly unique in terms of what is commercially popular. Does this bother you, or do you see it as a challenge?
Layla: It's good. I often say it's like Marmite, you either love it or hate. A fan once described it as Nutcracker Ballet on Acid. I loved his description.
Azadeh: It is one of our selling points in my opinion, although it's got the danger of people either loving or hating it but I think it's worth it.
Andi: Most of our influences are from very commercial bands, however there is no point copying them outright, and the mix of these influences hopefully gives people something tangible to hold onto, with some real history behind the sound without it just being another cookie-cutter commercial work.
Toying with folk, fairytale, gothic, darkwave among other sounds, what is it that interests you the most about all of this when you are writing your music/lyrics?
Layla: All of the above and many more. I love haunted dollhouses and period/dark music. So I guess it comes naturally to me write lyrics the way I do.
Andi: Mixing the nice with the nasty, the pure with the corrupt. Contrast is king.
What or who are your main influences in this record in particular?
Layla: Bach, Muse and Placebo. And people who've been with me in the past 3 years.
Azadeh: Concept wise old persian and western fairy tales and sound wise japanese Visual Kai bands such as Malice Mizer
Andi: Linkin Park, Muse, Massive Attack, Portishead, Switchblade Symphony.
Any ideas you want try out for album number 2?
Layla: Yes, a slightly different sound.
Azadeh: That's something you'll find out in future I'm not gonna reveal any secrets ;)
Andi: I think there will be a certain amount of polarizing and cementing our formula. Perhaps making things a bit heavier in some places and slightly lighter in other places. If I listed the bands that are currently influencing what we write it might worry the sheep somewhat!!
Do the members of the band have any side projects on the go? I know the lead singer designs a lot of fashion!
Layla: Yes, I do. I have my own designer label Mort Couture. Also working on small music projects here and there.
Azadeh: Apart from being a singer I'm also a part time alternative model, my work is mostly photographic but I also work with clothing brands and do a few catwalks here and there.
Andi: I've always had musical side-projects on the go, and I'll continue with them, as well as probably expanding my photography and videography horizons.
Razor blade kisses will be playing at Camden’s Dingwalls supporting Faith and the Muse this Sunday 1st November.
The will also be playing at the face Bar, Reading on 28th November.
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