1. First, for all our readers who don’t know you, could you introduce
the band and make a brief summary of your story?
# Prck #
The band has been created by Ph. and myself in early 2004. We have released two
EPs "Heat From a DeadStar" (recorded live in Belgium in 2004) and "Lighten Our Minds"
(recorded by Kevin Porée in London in 2005). Since 2005 we regularly played in the UK,
most of the gigs being in London. We’ve tried to play with several drummers since the
beginnings of the band. But we failed finding someone who corresponds to the music.
I think the latest f*** drummers we tried definitely determined us: we decided few
months ago to remain as a duo, using a rhythm-box in studio and on stage. Then, after
two recordings and a lot of gigs in UK, we are coming back this time, angrier than ever.
# Ph. #
The band has always been the 2 of us. So that’s not a critical change, at least for us.
And if we believe the first reactions of the audience, that’s a good and convincing formula.
2. Your music is very original, dark and ambient, but at the same time, catchy
and moving. What are the main musical influences of Heat From a DeadStar?
# Prck #
Our areas of interest are quite vast, but I think that some currents are significantly more
important as far as the writing process is concerned. For example: Electronica, No-Wave,
Shoegazing but most of all Experimental and Noisy Rock.
3. How could you describe your musical style to someone who has never heard
your music?
# Ph. #
We play an instrumental music that is catchy, melancholic and full of energy.
4. You come from London, cradle of rock. What do you think of the British
musical scene?
# Prck #
There are hips and hips of Rock bands in London, but only a few of them are worth listening
to. Most of them are crap. The main problem comes from the fact that most of the bands
try to follow the mainstream and they generally don’t tend to make something really new.
# Ph. #
The most impressive bands come from the countryside, rarely from London. This is the case
for Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai, etc.
5. Your last EP, "Lighten Our Minds" has been released in 2005. What have you
done this past year?
# Prck #
We’ve played a lot. We have written new songs too. We got in touch with several interesting
persons and we even remain in touch with some of them. We are also preparing the release of
an electronic remixed version of "Lighten Our Minds", including the work of known and
not-yet-known artists.
# Ph. #
We have also cancelled a lot of gig. We lost a lot of time and energy just because we haven’t
been able to stabilize our line-up. Now, things are going much faster, mainly because we don’t
try to compromise anymore. We’ve always agreed Prck and I on where the band should be going.
6. You’re working on your new recording. Did you plan to record it again at Berry Studio?
Again with Kevin Porée?
# Ph. #
The recording session of "Lighten Our Minds" was a great experience. Kevin understood so many
aspects of our music. We really want to record with him again.
# Prck #
Kevin is just amazing. We recorded "Lighten Our Minds" in only four days! It was a really tough
job. But thanks to Kevin, we keep very good memories of it.
8. What should we expect from this new recording?
# Prck #
The next recording will be more "organic" than the previous one, I think. We want to reproduce
the atmosphere we create during our gigs, keeping this raw aspect. It was quite difficult with
"Lighten Our Minds", because of the drummer. It was impossible for him to record with us. It was
really frustrating not to be able to play altogether.
# Ph. #
Rozen Schtarck (the drummer at this time) got a lot of problems reproducing the parts that Prck
wrote with a rhythm-box. When we listen to some of our old demo versions (recorded by the 2 of us)
we found the songs better (not in term of sound production, of course!) but because the symbiosis
between the two of us is really good.
# Prck #
Rozen’s musical influences were really far from ours. We gave him a chance to be part of Heat From
a DeadStar. He didn’t make it. Actually that helped us understanding what we want. We already know
that the next recording will be more personal and much more experimental than ever. We have also
included lyrics in some of our songs.
9. When do you think it will be released?
# Ph. #
Hopefully in early 2007.
10. What are the main differences between the first two EP’s and the new material?
# Prck #
I think the new batch of songs is more consistent, if I can say it like that, in the sense that our
music is more mature. The samples and the keyboards have definitely found their place in our songs.
# Ph. #
The new material is really dark, more intense, closer to who we are, in fact.
11. How does the writing process work in your band?
# Ph. #
We always start from a guitar, bass or a piano riff. After that, Prck builds a temporary structure
using the rhythm box. Starting with this material, we lock ourselves in rehearsal studios and
we experiment.
# Prck #
The good point of this is that the structures of the songs are randomly built. The improvisation is
the one of the most important component of our music, whether it’s in studio or in live.
12. The reviews concerning this EP were excellent (as we can see on your website).
Did they influence the writing of the new material?
# Prck #
Even if we are always pleased to read any good review, it doesn’t really help the writing process.
It’s always the same questionings...
13. Is it important for you to be supported by the press?
# Ph. #
Yes, all types of media (magazines, fanzines, webzines) are always helpful. We increase our fan base
each time some people read some good comments about us.
14. You prepare a tour in Europe for this autumn and you will play in France on the 19th
of December (at LE KLUB). What should we expect from the show? What could you say to the
French audience to make them come to your show?
# Prck #
Anything could happen during our show, so you just have to come to the club and be ready.
15. If you wish upon a star... What could we wish you for the future?
# Ph. #
To be on stage for years, release thousands of albums, meet a lot of cool people.
16. One last word for the readers of our webzine "Les Acteurs De L’Ombre" !!!
# Prck #
Hope to see you all at Le Klub in December.
the band and make a brief summary of your story?
# Prck #
The band has been created by Ph. and myself in early 2004. We have released two
EPs "Heat From a DeadStar" (recorded live in Belgium in 2004) and "Lighten Our Minds"
(recorded by Kevin Porée in London in 2005). Since 2005 we regularly played in the UK,
most of the gigs being in London. We’ve tried to play with several drummers since the
beginnings of the band. But we failed finding someone who corresponds to the music.
I think the latest f*** drummers we tried definitely determined us: we decided few
months ago to remain as a duo, using a rhythm-box in studio and on stage. Then, after
two recordings and a lot of gigs in UK, we are coming back this time, angrier than ever.
# Ph. #
The band has always been the 2 of us. So that’s not a critical change, at least for us.
And if we believe the first reactions of the audience, that’s a good and convincing formula.
2. Your music is very original, dark and ambient, but at the same time, catchy
and moving. What are the main musical influences of Heat From a DeadStar?
# Prck #
Our areas of interest are quite vast, but I think that some currents are significantly more
important as far as the writing process is concerned. For example: Electronica, No-Wave,
Shoegazing but most of all Experimental and Noisy Rock.
3. How could you describe your musical style to someone who has never heard
your music?
# Ph. #
We play an instrumental music that is catchy, melancholic and full of energy.
4. You come from London, cradle of rock. What do you think of the British
musical scene?
# Prck #
There are hips and hips of Rock bands in London, but only a few of them are worth listening
to. Most of them are crap. The main problem comes from the fact that most of the bands
try to follow the mainstream and they generally don’t tend to make something really new.
# Ph. #
The most impressive bands come from the countryside, rarely from London. This is the case
for Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai, etc.
5. Your last EP, "Lighten Our Minds" has been released in 2005. What have you
done this past year?
# Prck #
We’ve played a lot. We have written new songs too. We got in touch with several interesting
persons and we even remain in touch with some of them. We are also preparing the release of
an electronic remixed version of "Lighten Our Minds", including the work of known and
not-yet-known artists.
# Ph. #
We have also cancelled a lot of gig. We lost a lot of time and energy just because we haven’t
been able to stabilize our line-up. Now, things are going much faster, mainly because we don’t
try to compromise anymore. We’ve always agreed Prck and I on where the band should be going.
6. You’re working on your new recording. Did you plan to record it again at Berry Studio?
Again with Kevin Porée?
# Ph. #
The recording session of "Lighten Our Minds" was a great experience. Kevin understood so many
aspects of our music. We really want to record with him again.
# Prck #
Kevin is just amazing. We recorded "Lighten Our Minds" in only four days! It was a really tough
job. But thanks to Kevin, we keep very good memories of it.
8. What should we expect from this new recording?
# Prck #
The next recording will be more "organic" than the previous one, I think. We want to reproduce
the atmosphere we create during our gigs, keeping this raw aspect. It was quite difficult with
"Lighten Our Minds", because of the drummer. It was impossible for him to record with us. It was
really frustrating not to be able to play altogether.
# Ph. #
Rozen Schtarck (the drummer at this time) got a lot of problems reproducing the parts that Prck
wrote with a rhythm-box. When we listen to some of our old demo versions (recorded by the 2 of us)
we found the songs better (not in term of sound production, of course!) but because the symbiosis
between the two of us is really good.
# Prck #
Rozen’s musical influences were really far from ours. We gave him a chance to be part of Heat From
a DeadStar. He didn’t make it. Actually that helped us understanding what we want. We already know
that the next recording will be more personal and much more experimental than ever. We have also
included lyrics in some of our songs.
9. When do you think it will be released?
# Ph. #
Hopefully in early 2007.
10. What are the main differences between the first two EP’s and the new material?
# Prck #
I think the new batch of songs is more consistent, if I can say it like that, in the sense that our
music is more mature. The samples and the keyboards have definitely found their place in our songs.
# Ph. #
The new material is really dark, more intense, closer to who we are, in fact.
11. How does the writing process work in your band?
# Ph. #
We always start from a guitar, bass or a piano riff. After that, Prck builds a temporary structure
using the rhythm box. Starting with this material, we lock ourselves in rehearsal studios and
we experiment.
# Prck #
The good point of this is that the structures of the songs are randomly built. The improvisation is
the one of the most important component of our music, whether it’s in studio or in live.
12. The reviews concerning this EP were excellent (as we can see on your website).
Did they influence the writing of the new material?
# Prck #
Even if we are always pleased to read any good review, it doesn’t really help the writing process.
It’s always the same questionings...
13. Is it important for you to be supported by the press?
# Ph. #
Yes, all types of media (magazines, fanzines, webzines) are always helpful. We increase our fan base
each time some people read some good comments about us.
14. You prepare a tour in Europe for this autumn and you will play in France on the 19th
of December (at LE KLUB). What should we expect from the show? What could you say to the
French audience to make them come to your show?
# Prck #
Anything could happen during our show, so you just have to come to the club and be ready.
15. If you wish upon a star... What could we wish you for the future?
# Ph. #
To be on stage for years, release thousands of albums, meet a lot of cool people.
16. One last word for the readers of our webzine "Les Acteurs De L’Ombre" !!!
# Prck #
Hope to see you all at Le Klub in December.