Android Lust
~interview by Kim Mercil, introduction by Mike Ventarola
(photos from Projekt)
Android Lust has the distinction of being one of the earliest female influences in the electronic and industrial realm. At the outset, Shikhee was in a genre that was long over run by male artists and bands. To make her mark as an artist, it was essential to come to the table with enough energy and vibrancy that made the genre forerunners just as popular. Throughout the creation process, underground fans resonated with the work of Android Lust because it had the distinction of providing the feminine essence with the music without being "girly" and unapproachable to a cross section of potential fans.
Since this interview was initially conducted, Android Lust signed with Projekt Records.
With this also comes the re-release of The Dividing, which is currently available nationwide in most major music shops.
Additionally, the video shoot for the highly seductive track, "Stained," from The Dividing was directed by Dan Ouellette and Mark Larranaga in anticipation for a full DVD release later this year. Dan Ouellette is infamous for his dark, erotic artwork, as well as his work on numerous films in addition to David Bowie's "Dead Man Walking" video.
Mark Larranaga, a special effects wizard based in Los Angeles has had work featured in major music videos by artists such as Lenny Kravitz and Pink as well as major films such as Spider Man, X-Men and What Dreams May Come. More recently, Larranaga formed his own company, Neurotica Pictures.
Recently, Sam Rosenthal, owner of Projekt Records who signed Android Lust to their roster, was asked about his impressions of Android Lust. He states:
I was really blown away by Android Lust! The music has an energy and passion that I seldom see -- in any genre. Sure, The Dividing is a bit outside of what some consider the usual Projekt orbit, but remember that Attrition and Lycia and Steve Roach were all outside, when I signed them. I think Projekt needs to keep signing interesting new music, and I really don't think it gets more interesting and exciting than Shikhee!
All of Android Lust's fans from across the globe couldn't agree more!
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Kim: How old were you when you moved from your birth place of Bangladesh to England? Was it an easy transition for you?
AL: I was 13. It wasn't too hard. The challenge was coping with the weather and the food.
Kim: You eventually came to America, what was your reason for relocating here?
AL: I had my best friend at that time living here and I thought it would be a lot of fun to live in New York. She's now a born again Muslim, if there is such a term.
Kim: Would you agree that living in different parts of the world throughout your life has had an influence in your music?
AL: Probably to some extent, although I am not consciously aware of it.
Kim: Why do you feel that your past attempts at being a part of a conventional band failed?
AL: I have found very few people along the road that I am compatible with musically. I am also not fond of democracy when it comes to my music. If I am not going to get what I want by working with other people, then there's no point in wasting anyone's time.
Kim: When you decided to go solo in 95' thus the formation of "Android Lust", why do you think this was the right approach for you?
AL: Because of the reasons I mentioned earlier. Also, after my then band mate left to form his own project, I just didn't want to go through the process of finding people to write with. It just wasn't what I was interested in anymore. Instead, I found Colin McKay. He played guitar
synth with AL at live shows. He came from a blues/funk background, but he had no problem playing one note for a whole song if I asked him to. The first few AL shows were just the two of us, until I asked Christopher to play with us.
Kim: As a soloist, do you sometimes feel limited in the creation process of creating an album?
AL No, I think it's important to change things up so you can stay fresh creatively. I think it's easy to fall into a pattern because you get comfortable working a certain way, and that can make things stale. I set certain conditions on myself to try and avoid falling into that. It can be a little daunting at first, but it forces you to be creative in other ways, which makes things more interesting.
Kim: How would you describe you've matured musically from your debut album Resolution to the latest release The Dividing?
AL: I didn't want to write Resolution part 2. Resolution was an electro album, whereas The Dividing has no such limitations. I had shed some personal baggage and the music reflects that I think. It is an album of songs that don't follow any trends or fads. The Dividing has a lot
more depth than Resolution.
Kim: Released in Oct 9th, 01 was the cd single "The Want", was this the first single off The Dividing? If so, why was this song chosen in particular?
AL: It's the only single I ever released. I thought it was a good song to test the waters with. It was different than my previous work, but it was still recognizably Android Lust. I didn't want to hit people with "Sex and Mutilation" or "Burn" first, the two very opposite ends of the AL
spectrum.
Kim: When performing live Android Lust is joined on stage by Christopher Jon and Trevor G. How did you make their acquaintance?
AL: I was doing a radio interview on WFDU when Chris called up the station. This was back in 96. That's how we started talking. I had known Trevor from going to clubs in New York, and he also played in a local band that I was friendly with. After Colin moved to LA, Trevor joined the live line-up.
Kim: In late 2002 you did a mini tour in the US with Oneiroid Psychosis. How would you say this tour went for you?
AL: They only got to play one show with us because all of their gear got stolen after the first show in Columbus. They had no choice but to go back. It was horrible. I had half a mind to just turn back and come home. We decided to play the shows we booked together, even though OP couldn't make it. Lars came out to the WI shows, which was really cool. He came on stage and played one song with us in Milwaukee.
Kim: Currently, what is Android Lust been up to?
AL: Working on an upcoming DVD. We shot a video for the track "Stained" earlier this year. The editing is almost done. The DVD will have exclusive audio tracks, a documentary with behind the scenes footage and some surprises. I hooked up with Dan Ouellette for the video. He's an amazing artist. He directed as well as doing the set design. We are doing a few shows in conjunction with the re-release. We may do a few more shows in the coming months. We are rehearsing and getting ready for that.
Official Website: http://www.androidlust.com
Projekt: http://www.projekt.com
