INTERVIEW – Kidneythieves
Published on October 29, 2011 by Dave Sutton · No Comments
In 1999 Kidneythieves made their mark on the industrial scene with their debut album, Trickster. Four years later they went bigger and better with the follow-up, Zerøspace, from which the song Before I’m Dead was featured on the Queen of the Damned soundtrack, winning the band more fans. After two great albums things then went quiet in the Kidneythieves camp and the founding members Free Dominguez and Bruce Somers went off to work on different projects. Free released a solo album titled Freedoming in 2004 and Bruce went on to work with another band called Shocknina.
After an eight year gap, Kidneythieves returned in 2010 with their third album, Trypt0fanatic, an independently released album, distributed via the band’s website. Now, a little over a year after the release of Trypt0fanatic, Kidneythieves have served up another slice of electronic, industrial grace with their new EP, The Invisible Plan.
Free and Bruce discuss their new EP, their influences and their hopes for the future.
The Invisible Plan came out just over a year after Trypt0fanatic. Was this a conscious decision to release a quick follow-up or was it a more natural development and simply having more songs ready that you wanted to put out?
BRUCE: “I think it was a natural development. With labels out of the way, it’s easier to release on your own schedule once you have something you think is worth sharing. It’s pretty cool.”
FREE: “Bruce and I are motivated to keep making music, so why wait?”
How would you describe The Invisible Plan in relation to previous Kidneythieves albums?
BRUCE: “It’s more electronic. We focused a bit more on melody on this CD but it still rocks. Tryptofanatic was pretty loud so we were hoping to focus a little more on the vibe of the song for The Invisible Plan.”
FREE: “I also feel like we grew in certain areas, especially when I hear Never and Me and Floating Angels and had more fun along the way. We laugh a lot in the studio.”
It’s early days, but what kind of reaction have you experienced so far to the new EP, from both fans and critics?
BRUCE: “I read a few iTunes reviews then I stopped. I’m not sure it’s healthy to read your own reviews. Anyways, so far, people seem to like it.”
FREE: “I read Facebook postings and Tweets to the band/myself. Reviews? If I’ve put a record out into the world, it means I’m happy with it. Sharing with some people who dig it is amazing!”
There was a gap of eight years between Zerøspace and Trypt0fanatic; was this purely to allow time to work on different projects or were there other reasons behind this?
BRUCE: “Lots of reasons. We’ve been on two labels and both labels imploded. It takes a toll for sure. Our hopes and dreams are really wrapped up into this project so when the labels go away, it takes a little while to get over that and figure out what you should be doing. We feel stronger than ever now and are moving forward with a great team of our own. It’s all good.”
FREE: “But we never stopped doing music, and really, there was only barely 3 years that Bruce and I weren’t working on KT. I think now since we own our studio outright and can release quality sounding albums without someone else’s budget, it becomes easier. The hardest part? Once it’s released, how do we tour and keep going.”
After such a long gap, did you find your fan-base had changed at all?
BRUCE: “So far, the hardcore fans seem to be there. Our shows have been packed which is totally awesome. We feel so lucky to have a fan-base. Kidneythieves was always about word of mouth so we see new people at the shows and hear from them online. It’s been great.”
FREE: “I did notice that our 15-18 crowd has grown the fastest since Facebook!! And it means everything to see someone who may know us from our earlier albums be so loyal.”
Having released a full album in 2010 and with The Invisible Plan EP having just recently come out, have you had any thoughts regarding your next full-length album? Can we expect the gap to be less than the one between Zerøspace and Trypt0fanatic?
BRUCE: “For sure, the gap will not be that long. This is our creative outlet and we both feel strong right now. I was actually in the studio all day today coming up with riffs and ideas. I know Free writes all the time so we’ll definitely look forward to the next release soon.”
FREE: “We are on it. And very inspired!!”
How have you found the process of self-releasing Trypt0fanatic and The Invisible Plan? What are the pros and cons compared to being signed to a record label?
BRUCE: “It was a tough adjustment to not have a label. The main reason was that a label gives an artist a feeling of legitimacy as in, “This is my job and this is what I am.” When the labels went away, a lot of artists (and managers and staff) dropped out of the profession because there was no money. Once we regrouped and found an amazing manager, things started to change. We now feel stronger than ever. My advice to other artists is find a manager that has a ton of energy and is “plugged in” to social media and the web. It’s much more important than the old school management that only works for Arena acts.”
FREE: “Let’s not forget reality stars, haha. I’ve heard the genuine naïve words “I came to LA to do music and get a reality show” out of someone’s mouth once. You really need a good team around you, and we have never felt stronger.”
Now that The Invisible Plan is out are you planning to do much touring to promote it?
BRUCE: “Yes, we are trying to do a lot of press and just get the word out. The next step is to hopefully get out and do some key dates and trying to build the fan-base. The more we can get it going, the more we can tour which is one of our main goals.”
FREE: “A television show spot or a sponsor wouldn’t hurt!”
What are your views on the Internet in relation to music distribution? It obviously allows for a more convenient and easier way to reach a wide fan-base, but at the same time it has increased the level of piracy due to illegal downloads. Do you think one of these outweighs the other and how do you think it has affected you?
BRUCE: “It’s tough. Piracy is frustrating because if a fan really likes the music and wants to support it, we feel they should be part of the community that really supports the band. I’ve seen many friends in big bands get shot down because of Piracy. Just amazing. I think if the fans knew what an impact it really had, they might think differently about it. That being said, we have so many great fans that do support us that I feel truly blessed.”
FREE: “I couldn’t have said it better myself!”
Which bands influenced you to make music? Do you have conflicting tastes and does this cause any issues when creating your own music?
BRUCE: “I think we have very similar tastes. Free and I do differ on a few things for sure but we generally like similar music. I usually listen to a lot of different music. I also like music that is a lot different than the music we make. I can’t imagine making a Feist CD but I love her new CD. I love Death Cab for Cutie and Switchfoot’s new CD totally kicks butt. I’m a huge 8mm fan and just heard two new tracks from their upcoming CD. And Chevelle is still #1. I love Skrillex and I also have been listening to Gabriel & Dresden (Motorcycle Remix is awesome).”
FREE: “When Bruce and I first met, Jason Bentley and the URB Magazine crowd had opened me up to an entirely fresh electronic trip hop and drum and bass genre, and I think that was really brought to the table during that time. I listen to all kinds of things from The Roots to Radiohead, Aqualung, to Gnawa music—it just has to move me. I love old French music, Brazilian and Cuban music, Dead Can Dance, even Bluegrass. Great electronic music always gets me. I love the band Ours (Jimmy Gnecco) and I’d have to say that one and Glasser’s Ring are my two faves of this year. I have a Pandora station that varies Boards of Canada, Mum, Modeselektor, Justice and Bonaparte. Sounds like United States of Tara music choices!”
When playing live, which songs are your favourites to perform and which do you think get the best reaction from the fans?
BRUCE: “We usually like to play new songs because they are different. I really like playing Tears On A Page even though we’ve only done it once. I get to play some cool stuff that’s not in the original track and I think we are just beginning to feel it out. It will be fun to tour that with that song in the list. Invisible Plan is also getting a great response which is great to hear (Check out the live video on the web from the 1st time we ever played the song Live at The Roxy). I think Zerospace and Before I’m Dead get a great reaction. Freeky People is also a kick.”
FREE: “Tears on a Page was fun, Before I’m Dead, Beg is fun, and I can’t wait to play Floating Angels.”
Several songs from your debut album Trickster were featured in the video game Deus Ex: Invisible War and you also collaborated on a song on a recent addition to the Final Fantasy series. Do you think video games are becoming a useful avenue for reaching a new fans, much like movie soundtracks have been for many years?
BRUCE: “I think so but it’s hard to tell. I think it depends on if the game really hits. It also depends on how well the Video Game company promotes the band. I know that back in the day, we got a ton of promotion from the movie Queen Of The Dammed. I’m not sure.”
It’s Halloween, so it seems only right to ask: are you horror movie fans and if so which are your favourites? What would be an ideal Halloween for you?
BRUCE: “I heard the new Paranormal Activity 3 is crazy. I forgot the name of the scariest movie I ever saw but it was shot in Japan and I’m sure it will come to me. I just watched The Others, which Free and I saw on tour a few years back. Great flick.”
FREE: “I’d love to play a show in full costume some time! I never saw Exorcist until about 4 years ago. I couldn’t get to sleep. And there’s no way in hell I think I’m gonna watch Paranormal Activity 3 if I’m going home alone. Let the Right One In is definitely one of my top movies.”
What’s next for Kidneythieves? What are your hopes and plans for the future?
BRUCE: “Write more music, play out with our new band. Inspire and be inspired.”
FREE: “Bruce and I are so inspired. I want to keep getting better, better singer, better writer, better musician. I’m writing a lot more on guitar these days. I have some musician friends who are really pushing me—like when I do jams with them I have to play what I write, and am being challenged again in many styles of music. Right now, our minds and team or focused on some planets aligning so we can do some touring!”
If you haven’t already, feel free to read our recent review of The Invisble Plan. You can currently download the EP’s title track for free from the Kidneythieves’ official webite.
For more information on Kidneythieves:
- Official Webite
- Facebook
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