Vziel Projet - sharing FREEDOM through the queen of arts...

Interview by SelfmadeSatan

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Vziel Projet is the main project of Ukrainian musician Alex Ischenkau, the founder of Genetic Trance label. This project is based on melancholic Dark Ambient / Drone with obscure minimalistic melodic structures, Noise music, Industrial, Avant-garde and other various styles of Experimental. Vocals and speech are also in use. Besides, Vziel Projet has a lot of conceptual/lo-bit acts. Music of Vziel Projet was formed under the impression of Noise musicians, Razxca, Avant-garde music of the C20 and Les Légions Noires. Well, this brief introduction was taken from their Discogs page. We have a discussion with Alex and here he told us on everything… 

Hello Alex Usiel Ischenkau, how are you lately? Please provide some brief information about yourself; background, characters, everything about you in person?

Hello. I am currently a student of linguistics, and I'm so busy with studying now, that I unfortunately almost do not have time for my creative activities. I was born in Kyiv (Ukraine) and I've been living here till today. I reside in one of the small dwelling massives called Kadetski Hay among the green groves and gorgeous nature. But the largest part of my childhood has passed in Obolon', a large north-western district, at the suburban house. These places, besides, have made a great influence on my future world-view.

I also have a nice collection of books. I prefer reading books about fine arts, though I don't have time and desire to be engaged in collecting them any more. It's worth mentioning that my favourite fiction is "Fandorin Adventures" by B. Akunin. I'm also fond of avant-garde and contemporary authors, among which my favourite and the most favourite one is D. Kharms.

Talking about my musical experience, I've graduated from the music school in piano class.

On your facebook, you mentioned that you’re musical eccentricist and experimentalist, also a linguistic student, also a Discogs nerd. Tell us more in regard with this interesting introduction?

Well, I consider myself to be rather an eccentric person in modern musical scene, and I continue make more and more experiments with information and minds.

Talking about my studying, I've always liked everything connected with language and conversation. I find this topic more than exciting, that's why I've chosen the linguistic faculty. I investigate various related subjects, besides, I've found my joy in learning some specific languages.

In my opinion, Discogs is the best database for audio releases. With the help of this wonderful website I've found a lot of amazing labels and artists, so contribution to it and updating it are important to me in the sense of classifying and mixing all of that material (I've always liked order and classification).
 

When did you form Vziel Projet and started making/releasing music? How do you describe your project, musically and conceptually?

My first recordings date back to 2002. This was an album of sound poetry called "Алёшины Истории №1" recorded using digital device. It was released on CDr and actually had no promotion. Perhaps I'll make it available for free download or will sell CD copies. In 2003 I made my some records under the influence of Experimental, Industrial and Noise actions like TG, Merzbow and so on using the primitive laptop audio editor. I've burnt it to CDr and it was considered to be lost, till I found it in 2010 and released as GT103 on Genetic Trance net-label ([GT103] VzielProjet - Unreleased Raw Material 2003). In the following years I've actually lost interest for that, though some recordings were made (they were included on Anti-Sex EP [GT003]). In 2009 I started active recording (using still the same technique). My first net-releases date back to Jan 2010. They were published via Russian music forum Myzuka.ru. The last releases of the canonic Vziel Projet sound are "...of Prolonged Isolation" and "i hate you, GoQQanrls and Iturnoffaz" (under another alias). I've lost that program with which I'd been working since 2003 and it was so rare that I'd not been able to found it anywhere.

Now Vziel Projet is my main project. This project is based on melancholic Dark Ambient / Drone with obscure minimalistic melodic structures, Noise music, Industrial, Avant-garde and other various styles of Experimental. Actually, its ideological conception ranges from release to release. Some of them cover the theme of depression, philosophy, death, some of them have abstract conception, and some are even about Christianity, tributes, etc.

Why did you choose this genre for Vziel Projet?

I feel like exploring the depths of sound, gaining an experience and making something unusual, special, outstanding. Vziel Projet means freedom, it's the way of sharing my feelings, thoughts, concepts with a socium in the way of music, the queen of arts.

Do you have any other projects beside of Vziel Projet? If any, how does it/they different from Vziel Projet?

Oh yes. Actually, I have lots of side-project made to produce some certain genre or positive ideology. For example, under Genetic Trance alias I release Electronics based music (like House, Techno or Ambient), VxZx is my noise/grindcore act and DGQ releases mostly Harsh Noise and AIC concentrates on Noise and Hardcore and has anti-islamic conception.

As we might know Vziel Projet has hundred of releases in its discography. It’s possibly hard but we want you to list out 10 most essential releases from Vziel Projet (as so far)?

At the beginning of October 2011 Vziel Projet has released 63 albums itself. Not much, but not so few. Actually, I could release more if I'd had more time - I've got a lot of unimplemented plans and ideas.

The 1st most valuable releases of VP is, to my mind, "Unreleased Raw Material 2003" as the first model of VP original sound. The next four are "þ", "Anti-Sex", "Mystica" and "...of Prolonged Isolation" - they're standards for me. The 6th one is "Hail Jesu Recurrection" as it perfectly reflects Easter atmosphere and reminds me about my childhood. The 7th is my split with Zarach 'Baal' Tharagh, as I consider him to be one of the most valuable artists of the Underground and having a split with him is an honour for me. The 8th is "A Tribute To Keiji Haino" reflecting the acoustic improvisation side of my art. "Blood On The Floor" is the 9th because it reflects the digital noise side of my music. The 10th valuable release is my split with Razxca "Razxciel" because Razxca is one of the largest influencers on my art and the split is funky overall.

What sort of tools you usually use when it come to make music? What influence you in your compositions?

Well, I use everything that gives sound. Because, as to my conception, any audio can be considered as music. Particularly, I've been using found objects, synthesizers, analog instruments and digitals.

While writing compositions I'm being influenced by some occasional idea, by my personal thoughts, experiences, fruits of my world outlook and sure by other artists' achievements.

You’re also the man behind Genetic Trance netlabel so please talk something about your label? What sorts of material do you mostly considered to be released on Genetic Trance?

The history of Genetic Trance begins in 2005, when I wrote the self-titled album using FL under the leadership of my friend AoS. In summer 2010 I uploaded it to Internet Archive and I wanted to post it to Discogs. As I was a Discogs dummy at that time I got confused with all of that rules, so I didn't know what to type into the "Label" field and I decided to create my own one. In autumn a website and conception were already created.

The main idea of Genetic Trance is the full informational freedom and limitlessness of all art. So GT doesn't set any limits to what should be on it. GT accepts not only audio but any other kind of media.

"Vziel Projet means freedom, it's the way of sharing my

feelings, thoughts, concepts with a socium in the

way of music, the queen of arts" - Alex Usiel Ischenkau

Tell us also about your sublabels; Default Recordings and бидлокор (bydlocore)?

The idea of Default Recordings had some different variants: lo-bit field recordings label or non-music label. The recent one is the label producing documental audio and "non-music" audio (field rec., spoken word, poetry, etc.). Sure it's all relative.

бидлокор is intended to releasing most lo-fi and trash music.

What will you say about Noise scene in Ukraine?

The most valuable Ukraine's noise achievement is, as for me, Quasi Pop Records. In general, Noise music is, unfortunately, poorly spread and recognized in Ukraine.

We reach to the end of this chat. Last messages please?

Thanks a lot for this interview! I hope everything will be OK and I wish all the best for you and your creative activities. Stay independent, cheers!

Information:
http://www.facebook.com/vzielprojet
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Vziel+Projet
http://genetic-trance.jimdo.com

Playing with nuns - Experimental Noise in a very wide form!

Interview by SelfmadeSatan

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Playing with nuns is a one-man project of Ariel Chapuis. Born January 1975 in Buenos Aires (Argentina), he’s the founder of side project Void of Coil, focus in deep dark ambient style (2008-present) with four albums made, all copies sold out and over 4000 downloads on the network. Ariel Chapuis is also the founder of the record labels 7579 Records (2008-2010) and Cubiculo Noise Recording (2010-present). Besides, he’s the collaborator of the "multi artists project" Knights of white triangle. Playing with nuns is an Experimental Noise project with more than 190 albums and splits made between May 2009 to present. Signed by labels like Kapustin Yar Records, Industrial Noise Records, Shit Noise Records, Kermesse Records, Kopp Netlabel, Dark Meadow Recordings, CoreBack Records, Devil Noise Records, Stockroom Records and many others. Enough with this introduction, here we got Ariel Chapuis to talk further…

Hello Ariel Chapuis! How’s life in Buenos Aires and Argentina in general? How do you describe yourself personally, both in and out of your musical activities?

Hi Ian! All is fine here. In Argentina in general, as many countries we have problems, but we've been in worse conditions previously. I personally describe myself as a normal person, with a regular job that lets me luckily, enough free time to devote to what I like.

When I work with Playing with nuns I focus entirely on what I'm doing. I do not usually write tons of stuff and then save and use them in futures albums. I compose at the time the material that will be used in every album, split or V.A.

Previously I used to do otherwise, and then I find myself with a lot of material waiting to be released, so later I used that tracks as bonus tracks or unreleased tracks in special editions. One month ago a released a double album called "Alt. takes and other marvelous" with old compositions, first takes and demos. That was my last work with old material. Now I compose only what will be edited.

When and why did you form Playing with nuns? Any good reason you chose Playing with nuns as your project name?

Playing with nuns was born in early 2009, was an idea I had in mind since 2007. I wanted to experiment with noise, field recording and circuits, so I started working on it. Is a style that I enjoy, not only to compose, but also listening to other artists. Allows you plenty of variants with which to experiment.

The name Playing with nuns, was chosen at random way. Has no meaning.

Please elaborate more about your major genre; musically and conceptual?

What I do with Playing with nuns is experimental noise in a very wide form. People will find in my discography noise, harsh, experimental, power electronics, ambient and circuits sounds. I like to experiment with all, I like to do field recordings and then distorted, add sound effects, noise and stuff like that. Mix voices, samplers, work with pedals, etc.

And conceptually I like to work in primary ideas, based on things I read, or personal experiences.

As for now, you’ve almost 200 titles listed in your discography. That’s amazing! How do you manage to come up with a lot of releases?

That's true, I have almost 200 releases. As I said previously I have a job that leaves me enough free time to work on Playing with nuns, and I have many albums because basically I am connected to many people as me, who enjoys what he does and is willing to further work in splits and compilations. Most of my albums are published under my own label "Cubiculo Noise Recording" and others are published under different labels around the world, as Shit Noise Records (Germany), Stockroom Rec. (France), Dark Meadow Recordings (U.K.), Coreback Rec. (France), Smell The Stench (Australia), Amex Nori (Belgium) and many others.

Last week, at the same day I published 1 album under my own label, 3 under other labels, and 2 V.A.compilations. (6 albums at the same day)

 

Ariel Chapuis... an Experimental/Noise/Non music artist

If you have possibility to list 10 most essential/memorable releases from Playing with nuns, what would they are?

Well, there is a difference between essential and memorable, so I'll list 10 essential and 10 memorables.

10 essential albums for people who want to know Playing with nuns:
01-Playing with nuns - Hinyouki split "Diego Valor"
02-Playing with nuns - Ethnomite pux split "Asian order"
03-Paranormal interference
04-Screamtoplaxia
05-Playing with nuns - Herr Schmitd hat Krach split
06-Playing with nuns - Kaiser[schnitt]ambosslaszlo split
07-I am the motherfucker
08-Thousands of different ways
09-Playing with nuns - Automageddon split
10-Tasting double jive (A Best of compilation)

I think with these albums, listeners will know the most eclectic side of Playing with nuns.

Now the 10 memorable albums for me:
01-"We were playing". Was the first album, very experimental which released only 3 copies.
02-"The yellow ribbon cutting". Also one of the first. A raw album and one of my favorites.
03-"Screamtoplaxia". The first in Power electronic style, part of a trilogy with "Map.109" and "Stealing puppies again". A year ago was re-edited under the romanian label Harsh noise Propaganda Prod. in special edition with some bonus tracks.
04-"She was lost in madness". My favorite among all my discography. Pretty experimental!
05-Playing with nuns - "Kaiser[schnitt]ambosslaszlo" split. For this split I used different instruments, such as an electric violin and bass.
06-"V.A. An Unattainable Idea". The first compilation I organized, with the label Amex nori from Belgium. 56 projects and almost 4 hours of noise.
07-"Playing with nuns - Talib Aziiz split (Jakarta)". With a great friend and a constant inspiration for me.
08-"Playing with nuns - Hinyouki split (Diego Valor)". With legendary Hinyouki!!!
09-"Alternate theory". With the collaboration of Xtematic and Ecoute la merde on voices.
10-"Playing with nuns - Arte Sacra Atelier split (I'm a motherfucker)" A new artist for me, the final result was fantastic!

What are your favourite tools you employ in composing processes? Did you ever have formal learnings in handling those equipments and softwares?

My favorite tools are pedals, some digital sound mixers and circuits. But I really enjoy making noise with whatever I find around me. Also I use an electric bass and some metals.

I have no formal learning. I am self-taught, like to experiment with stuff and find that I can create new sounds.

Void of Coil is known as your other project, give us further information about it? How does it differ from Playing with nuns? Any other projects to tell about?

Void of Coil is my dark ambient project. Was born in early 2008 and consist of 4 albums. I work with dark sounds, ambient textures and a lot of field recordings. You can download the complete discography at www.myspace.com/voidofcoil.

The difference between Playing with nuns and Void of Coil is basically the dismal atmosphere that recreates ambient passages and a conceptual dark story.

About other side project, I have worked with people from Mexico, Chile and U.S.A in a multi-artist project called "Knights of White triangle" You can find that project around the net. I have more side projects but that's a secret! :)

You’re also running a label called Cubiculo Noise Recording. Anything you want to share with concerning the label? Something about 7579 Records please?

I created Cubiculo Noise Recording just as a tool for editing my works. In the beginning I had the label 7579 Records, but when I started to work on splits I decided  to close 7579 Rec. and create Cubiculo. simple as that.

"Lack of thorns" released on Devil Noise Records

Tell us your experiences in live shows related to Playing with nuns?

I have played live several times, in local pubs and workshops, but what I enjoy most is writing in the Studio. I like to think about Playing with nuns as a studio project. I dont know if I'll perform live again.

How do you see the current experimental/electronic music scene? Please recommend some of your preferred artists?

I see a lot of awesome artists. What I enjoy most is to maintain contact with them! Its fantastic to share experiences, ideas and futures projects. And of course I have some favorites artists.

First of all, "Hinyouki" from Spain. They are wonderful people and I learn from them everyday. They are very professional in everything they do.

"Ecoute la merde" from France. Vivian is awesome and I really enjoy his complete discography!

"Koobaatoo Asparagus" from U.S.A. Michael is the master of circuit bend. If you are looking for a versatile artist, go to Koobaato asparagus!!

"Fukte" from Italy. What can I say about Fukte?! If you have not heard Fukte, you're missing something special.

"Endometrium cuntplow" All the discography is essential for me!

"Ethnomite Pux" An artist that surprises me every time I hear something new from him. He has a great talent.

They are some of my favorites, and I fully recommend!

What would it supposed to be from Playing with nuns in the future? Can we expect more surprise and distinct releases?

In a near furure will be released a split with Gay noise, also a split collaboration with Fukte, Dao de noize is in the list too, and more Hinyouki/Playing with nuns collaborations. So for sure you must wait for new surprises!

Here we come to the end of this conversation! Final messages please?

Well, I want to thank you for your interest and for this interesting interview! I really enjoyed answering and I really appreciate that! Cheers and best regards! - Ariel (Playing with nuns)

Information:
http://playingwithnuns.weebly.com

http://soundcloud.com/playing-with-nuns
http://twitter.com/PlayingWithNuns
http://www.myspace.com/playingwithnuns

#Details on "Lack of thorns" released on Devil Noise Records [HERE]

Mists Of Poveglia - as Cold and Dark as the Winter itself

Interview by SelfmadeSatan

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Lord Forneus was originally guitarist for a Black Metal band, but had always been experimenting with electronic music. After years of experimenting with the occasional Dark Ambient based tune, Mists Of Poveglia began its reign of ice in of all times the summer of 2008. To date, Mists Of Poveglia has unleashed a lot of remarkable releases through several good labels such as Depressive Illusions Records, Dark Meadow Recordings, Dungeon Of Darkness, etc. I personally really fascinated with this UK's Winter inspired Dark Ambient spirit Mists Of Poveglia so here’s an interview with Lord Forneus. Let the master speaks...

 Lord Forneus - the master of Mists Of Poveglia

First of all, please let us know everything about yourself in person? Why did you use Lord Forneus as your pseudonym?

Hails. Well myself as a person.. dark, depressive, humorous maybe.. As for LF, I searched for a name for a long time and began using it around 2000, I saw about this medieval demon rising up from hell and its just been there ever since.. he is the hate and intolerance within me.. the evil person.

How do you define Mists Of Poveglia, musically and conceptually? If one asking you the different of Mists Of Poveglia from others in the same genre, what could be perfect anwers?

Well musically its darkest ambience... conceptually its Winter Ambient... the freezing winds in snowy fields.. late nights under the stars... depression.. solitude.. longing...

What sort of tools you use in making music? Do you have formal education in musical compositions, instruments and softwares?

Nope I have no idea what I’m doing with anything.. guitar or electronic.. I just work it out and hope for the best usually... I use many things from real instruments to samples etc.. that and weed..

What is/are the most important thing(s) you take into consideration when you sit and start composing your songs?

I just let what is going to happen happen.. its just evolves infront of me.. I never really 'plan' songs before hand.. I just make sure they have the passion, cold & emptiness one listening to the music deires.

As we might know, you have came up with lots of great releases on several good labels. Please pick up 3 releases that you think the most essential from Mists Of Poveglia (and please give some description on each of them)?

Good question. Well I would of course recommend the 2nd album which was released on Glorious North but this is sold out. It has some great works on it. And also Vinterland.. the first 3 songs on that really caught the project superbly. Again this is sold out.. So i will say.. the 3rd album “Winter Nights In Fields & Under Streetlights” which is available is also a great body of works that is exactly what Mists.. is about. Thats available on Depressive Illusions Records or I believe in the UK Glorious North Productions is the best place to pick up a fair few Mists.. titles.

Devil Noise Records has recently released “Misted (Rarest Of The Rarities)”, digitally (free download). It was later released on tape by Depressive Illusion Records with a bonus track. How do you describe this release?

Its a compilation of material selected personally by Devil Noise from old downloads that arent available anymore and such. Again freezing cold ambience aplenty! It is available!!!

Besides of Mists Of Poveglia, I think you also have some other projects including Black Metal ones. Please introduce in brief each of your projects?

Winter Forest artists currently working are..

- Mists Of Poveglia (Winter Ambient) project of LF

- Grimsvotn (Raw Black Metal) project of LF

- Dark Isle (Ice Core Trip Hop) project of ACid

- Froze.Hatech. (Power Electronic/Noise/Experimental) project of H-B

There are alot of other acts in the Forest... these are on hiatus until the time captures them. And a few are defunct also. The genres really do range from everything to anything.

Let us know more about Winter Forest Industries, both as a label and a studio?

Winter Forest Industries is the home of Mists & many other acts.. Its a home for all the differant artists, like a stable as such. These will all be our projects, I dont think we will introduce 'outsiders' as such. We only release limited editions of our projects currently, but we are going to release many other artists soon. All DIY, nothing 'pro' but in very nice limited editions. Winter Forest Studio is now the main recording facilities. I doubt we will include anyone else in the studio thats not part of the Industries. Its a perfect place for us to record and remains a secret location..

What does Winter (I mean the season) really mean to you?

Its a cold season.. I think it brings me peace. To walk in a snow covered field in minus degrees.. all alone with nothing around.. I feel so depressed and at the same time so happy in solitude.. Its darker too, I like the dark to come over early..

Thanks for replying this interview! Last words please?

Thank you for considering us. I’d just like to say thank you to everyone that supports us. Labels, bands, fans, everyone.. Freezing greetings to.. Devil Noise, Sween Glorious North, Sergiy Depressive Illusions, Danny SODD, Ed DMR, Justin i AM esper, TBS Ablaze Eternal and fuck me anyone else I forgot! For updates like us on facebook and got to http://mistsofpoveglia.blogspot.com. Hails!

Information:

http://mistsofpoveglia.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mists-Of-Poveglia/193264180686620