This summer, a perfect harmony of the classical and contemporary descends upon The Galapagos Art Space. Discrete Encounter could best be described as glam rock meets synth-pop - the silvery love-child of Rammstein and Imogen Heap. Founded by Natasha, a classically trained pianist, and an accomplished composer, Taras, Discrete Encounter picked up a live DJ and some killer visuals to create an electro-rock show that is rocketing to the forefront of the genre.
JB
Both of you are essentially classically trained musicians. What prompted this cross over into electro-rock?
DE
We believe classical musical education is a perfect foundation for any artist in any genre.
Natasha spent years studying classical piano and singing in a choir, although she always perceived herself as a contemporary songwriter, which, of course, was greatly magnified by her love for writing lyrics. Similarly, Taras after academia, embraced the heavy metal, and later discovered the elegancy of electronica to merge the best of those worlds into his signature production.
JB
What is the process for making music? Do the lyrics come first and you create the sound around that or does it usually start with the music first?
DE
Creative process is always unique and we don’t really have one formula for our collaboration. All of us constantly come up with and share new ideas. Natasha listens to pulsating rhythms, Taras reads her poetry and miraculously the balance is found, new form unravels and the song emerges.
JB
Another large part of your show is the visual component, thanks to Stas. When did you start incorporating that, and how do you integrate it into the performance?
DE
Inspiration is a prerequisite for any collaboration. This is exactly how we started working with Stas after he shared his ideas for video projection. His works added yet another dimension to our world of poetry and music. Because Stas uses lyrics almost like a film director would use the script, the projection during our live show evolves into real-time theatrical scenery, consisting of numerous parts and pieces, all connected by the word.
JB
Your previous work is well-known for this soaring rock guitar on top of minimalist style beats. I noticed that, while that trademark is still readily apparent, there is definitely a move to a more synthetic, industrial sound underneath. As you’ve been collaborating with DJs, do you find yourself moving toward a more electronic sound and how do you balance that with the rock aspect of your music?
DE
Music reflects the reality we live in, as Hermann Hesse said in Glass Bead Game, to learn about a civilization, one should listen to its music. Our music is a reflection of this hi-tech world, where we rely on technology in our creative process and expanding the boundaries of listening experience, as well as enhancing with electronic processing, 5.1 sound combined with HD visuals, etc. Our interest is in the synthesis of best elements in contemporary music using latest technology. Electronca allows us to create soundscapes on symphonic scale. Minimal techno is a perfect rhythm section that we seamlessly intergraded with the heavy guitar riffs and dramatic vocals. Subsequently, everything is processed by the DJ in real-time, adding effects, applying EQ etc. So every collaboration and performance is a unique experience reflecting the DJ‘s esthetics.
JB
Is there anyone with whom you’d like to collaborate in the future?
DE
We are now working with various DJs and producers that created numerous remixes . We also worked with photographers, graphic artists, and fashion designers. It would be interesting to collaborate with creative individuals in film, animation and technologies that could inspire us.
JB
You’ve just released a new CD, 2B1. Is there anything in particular that you are proud of from that CD?
DE
Yes, the artwork, for instance – also result of a collaboration. We are deeply moved buy the feedback we get from our fans and hope 2B1 reaches and inspires many.
JB
To finish up - as an artist, what is your opinion on illegal downloads, music piracy and the state of the music industry?
DE
The adventurous time we live in is full of technological innovations. The music industry is in the midst of this change, inevitably, problems arise. But when the industry reconfigures itself, things should improve, hopefully for everyone – the audience, the artist and the industry.
Catch Discrete Encounter at the Indie Rock Launch, Galapagos Art Space, NYC 6/12/2008:8PM
Check out Discrete Encounter on Myspace for more music videos, remixes, and a spy movie short starring none other than Natasha and Taras! Myspace.com/discreteencounter.
www.discreteencounter.com
Del.icio.us
digg
reddit
