Interview with dark wave/synth-pop duo Close to Monday

Comprised of singer/songwriter Ann and producer Alexander, Close to Monday is a European dark wave/synth-pop duo whose sound echoes electronic music of the past while also feeling distinctively modern. While they have a cohesive style, their work is extremely varied, with no two tracks ever sounding alike. Their deeply atmospheric sound blends icy synths and … Read more

En Esch returns with new solo album, “Dance Hall Putsch”

On his new solo album, Dance Hall Putsch, En Esch continues to create hard, highly danceable electronic music that incorporates a variety of different styles. The album includes many collaborations, with the opening track, “Get Lost”, featuring Vas Kallas of Hanzel und Gretyl. En Esch first gained recognition as a member of KMFDM from 1985 … Read more

Astari Nite steer away from the gloom with “Resolution Of Happiness”

With their latest album, Resolution Of Happiness, Astari Nite open up their sound, moving in a brighter, more vibrant direction heavily influenced by the nineties. They haven’t abandoned the atmospheric gothic style of their past releases but have instead allowed the varied influences of the band members to seep in. The result is an album … Read more

Kenneth James Gibson collaborates with Paul Carman on “Murals For Immersion”

For Murals For Immersion, the sixth ambient album released under his own name, Kenneth James Gibson teamed up with saxophonist Paul Carman for a very non-traditional collaboration. The music is driven by the saxophone, and while some parts are recognizable as such, much of Carman’s playing gets and sculpted into an otherworldly sound. Over a … Read more

Karen Haglof interviewed about “One Hand Up”

As Karen Haglof prepared to follow up her 2019 album Tobiano, the world came to a halt, forcing her to pause and re-evaluate her creative process. Studios were closed, and the usual channels for collaboration disrupted. It forced her to embark on a journey of experimentation, incorporating loops, found sounds, and a more collaborative approach … Read more

Midge Ure embarks on ‘Band in a Box’ tour

When Midge Ure has toured America in recent years, it’s usually been completely solo. With just his guitar, he impressed audiences with re-workings of Ultravox classics like “Vienna” and “Reap the Wild Wind,” Visage’s “Fade to Grey,” and his solo material. But this summer, he’ll be embarking on a ‘Band in a Box’ tour with … Read more

Insect Ark interviewed about “Raw Blood Singing”

Raw Blood Singing, the latest release from Insect Ark, features a new lineup and explorations into new musical directions. Initially, the solo project of Dana Schechter (Bee and Flower, Angels of Light, Swans), Insect Ark is now a duo comprised of Schechter and percussionist Tim Wyskida (Khanate). The music is bleak, but with a sweeping, … Read more

Malice Machine interviewed about “Act Of Self Destruction”

On their latest album, Act Of Self Destruction, Pennsylvania duo Malice Machine delivers a collection of tightly focused “aggro-punk” songs that embrace old-school electronic/industrial influences within a modern context. The group consists of Syn Thetic and Julie-X, who had previously worked together as a drum and bass player team within various Long Island industrial and … Read more

Eric Harding talks about his new instrumental project, Head Shoppe

Sidelined from the music he typically made, Eric ‘Cashew’ Harding (Eagle Winged Palace) shifted to instrumental works for his latest project, Head Shoppe. The innovative music on Head Shoppe’s self-titled debut album combines classical guitars, vintage synths, field recordings, and other elements into psychedelic folk-oriented soundscapes. To bring his ideas to life, Harding enlisted Kenneth … Read more