| Despite the name of his new album, Nick from Antigen Shift is anything but cold. He's a very sincere, open individual, who's always willing to lend an ear to a friend. He recently released The Way of the North, which has a bit of a stripped down feel to it, with less distortion and more focus on emotional evocativeness and precision percussion. It's a foreboding piece, definately inspired by the harshness of the arctic, and it's a great way for Nick to thaw a two-year freeze on new material. The songs have a foreboding feel, evoking images of six-month-long nights and a landscape that can literally crush you. Nick talked to us about his album, and a bit about the dangerously beautiful North that inspired it. |
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INQ:
How do feel The Way of the North measures up to your other albums?
NICK: Well it's a very expanded sound for me. It sheds a lot of the distortion and harshness my audience is accustomed to hearing, and that wasn't a conscious decision when I started recording, it just evolved that way. There was a lot more outside influence allowed in, and I'd say overall it's a better album for it. INQ: Was it a tough album to write? NICK: It was the toughest in some ways because I had taken a 2 year hiatus from recording, and it's tough to get back into it. But in some ways that also made it easier - it was sort of starting off fresh. I felt like I could re-invent myself a little, and take more chances, and ultimately try things which had been in the back of my mind for 2 years. INQ: What new things did you try to achieve on The Way of the North? NICK: I wanted more sophisticated rhythmic structures, more harmony, more overall musicality as opposed to just beats and bass - I mean I still love harsh music, but I wanted to hear more emotion in the music. You listen to great bands, harsh or not, and they all share one thing in common, emotion: puppy, NWA, gridlock, godflesh, dalek....all of them so emotional, albeit not always the same emotions ;)
NICK: It was a little different with this album, because it wasn't a dark subject matter that inspired it. I mean, I am and always will be very interested in exploring the darker sides to things, the road less traveled as it were, but this album is all about my love of this country and the arctic environment. I was especially concerned with the threat of artic oil drilling, and deeply desire to see that way of life preserved, hence the title of the album and the information about artic refuge preservation found inside the booklet. I wanted to create a document that was both beautiful yet a little threatening, much like the north is itself. Something that you are welcome to admire, and ponder, but not manipulate... because in the end it is vastly more powerful than you, and will crush you like a bug if you fuck with it. Also I like snow. INQ: Will you be touring to support the new album? NICK: I have several shows, festival type things in the works, some of which are already booked such as the Providence Rhode Island Noisefest, others which are on their way. As far as a full blown tour, we'll see, if it does happen it looks as though it might happen overseas. INQ: Do you prefer the studio or playing live? NICK: I prefer the freedom of the studio, I like to take my time with most things, but when you can make people lose themselves in dance and just really enjoy the music, there is no other feeling like it. You share a part of yourself that borders on the sacred, and it's a real high. INQ: What was it like opening for Gridlock (you lucky bastard)? NICK: lol, indeed...my 2nd time too, the first being 9/11... yes that 9/11... It was great, SF is a beautiful city, and Mike and Mike are great guys. Other than a fantastic crowd, I think the best part was waking up in Mike Cadoos's studio surrounded by gear. In retrospect of course it means so much more, as that was their last live show together before they disbanded. INQ: Where are the best crowds? NICK: Well I have much less touring experience than most, but I'd have to say that Providence, Chicago, and San Francisco were the best. Chicago was an amazing experience because the original venue was suddenly not available, and so we had the show in some guy's loft studio apartment (in a commercial building I think), but somehow it became this amazing venue unto itself. And of course, at times Ottawa has been really exceptional, and I still love playing the home crowd..
NICK: For TWOTN I used mostly software - bunch of soft synths (Absynth, Albino, Reaktor primarily plus a whack of other smaller ones, Korg Legacy, etc), an Electribe drum machine functioning as a controller for NI Battery, I use Wavelab as an editor and Acid as a sequencer. I am currently teaching myself Ableton Live and am amazed by what it allows you to do... INQ: What do you do when you're not geeking out with your music gear? NICK: I'm a total gym rat actually, and watch far too much hockey. I also read voraciously, either non fiction cultural/anthro studies type stuff, or plague/apocalyptic fiction...and anything star wars.. INQ: Ecosystems everywhere are under strain, but what is changing in the north specifically, and why does it warrant attention?
NICK:
Well I don't want to suggest that it deserves any more attention than any other ecosystem in peril, I mean our environment is connected in such a way that makes the wounds of the one affect the many. However, I would argue that it warrants a different sort of attention for 2 reasons: INQ: Are any of the proceeds of your album sales going towards solving these problems? NICK: The proceeds must go back into the 'business' of making music unfortunately, but by being able to release albums which include information and act as reminders to people of what is going on, I would like to think I'm doing a little something to help out. Also, I think now that the US Senate has voted against drilling, it's more important to start thinking of how we can better manage our energy, so as to give the proponents of drilling less of a reason to resurrect the idea. INQ: What organizations are working to preserve northern ecosystems?
NICK:
There are several groups: INQ: What can individuals do to help make a difference? NICK: The single most important thing they can do is educate themselves - the more people are aware, the better the chances of opposition gaining ground. For those who live in the US, I suggest writing to your representatives of government should a second motion be launched. Donating is great, but not everyone is in a position to do so. But anyone can pick up a book, or go on-line and read some stuff. They're doing it right now ;) INQ: What kind of antigen are you? An immunogen, a tolerogen or an allergen? Or do you shift between them as your name implies? NICK: Well I'm a bit introverted so probably an endogenous variety ;) INQ: Thanks Nick. Any last thoughts? NICK: Thanks for the interest Victor, and props for the hard work you're doing with Inquisition. Oh yeah - and buy the CD or the north pole will melt and it will be your fault... ;) ---
Many thanks to Nick for the interview, the advice, and for releasing such a strong album! Have a comment on this article? Send us your feedback! |
INQ:
Your music has such a cold, ominous feel to it. What inspires you?
INQ:
What gear do you use?