Interview with Arctic Plateau (2012)

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Infernal Masquerade: Can you tell us a bit more about the concept and ideas behind the recently released “The Enemy Inside”?

The Enemy Inside mean understand himself, principally, but the concept is simple: a child loses his innocence when he learns to cry and laugh on command; education is harmful, but this is an inevitable damage and it affects everyone of us. Know and especially understand your limits but make the right choices; this is the key to go toward your dreams, but sometimes there's nothing to dream. This album speaks to reality.

I.M: How long was the recording and writing process behind this release? Any moments of ‘writer’s block’ that delayed this release?

No, Not at all, I've never had a block, it is almost impossible; I'm 40 years old and I write always music, also before forming the Arctic Plateau project, but I have big respect for my creativity; if I'm writing something but I feel that it doesn’t is a good day and I haven't good ideas I get up from my chair and I do other things. I never struggled to write this album, really. Regarding the release, "The Enemy Inside" was ready but was not released immediately for various reasons, including the choice of a perfect artwork. As usual, when I went into the studio everything was already written; I written until last note or lyric, the home pre productions sound are very similar to the final sound, but in the studio there's always a better atmosphere, obviously. Massimiliano (the drummer) was the only person that I have left play more freely, while remaining faithful to the drum ideas contained in my original home demo.

I.M: Many Post-Rock/Shoegaze bands sound very similar between their songs, but with Arctic Plateau there is a sense of uniqueness to each track. Can you tell us how do you achieve this?

This occurred in a natural way, I think. Many years ago I felt that I was close to something great, musically but It all happened when I started writing everything in solitary, bass line, drum map, guitars, lyrics, etc. I don’t have a method or perhaps my method is not a real method. I heard a lot of music in my life, I began to record my stuff in 1996 with a simply Fostex four tracks but I've never heard the desire to publish my material.

I.M: What are your main influenced behind the music you make? Do you think they have changed over the years and after each release?

My tastes have remained the same as always, in my head all music that hits my sensitivity deserves to be bought. I am a collector, I don't like too much the mp3 compression and I hate the "db war" that I listen often on many modern productions; I listen much music that has no parallels with Arctic Plateau but I love classical music and hate only ska music. I can not really say my influences, but believe me, I'm influenced by my inner world, principally. I translate my life with the language of music, paradoxically I could also avoid listening to other music but music is my entire life. buy a good album is still a great pleasure for me and hear a good song or a good album is still something of really exciting, but Arctic Plateau is a thing apart, too personal, Arctic Plateau isn't only music.

I.M: Arctic Plateau recently released an EP with Les Discrets, can you tell us a bit more about how this happened? There is a collaboration with Fursy on a track of the second CD in Les Discrets latest release, will there be any other collaborations in the future?

Friendship, Gratitude, mutual Respect; these are the things that crossed our musical worlds. I knew Fursy Teyssier almost 6 years ago, and he was an Arctic Plateau fan even before anyone. He was very young and it was already the great artist who created the Les Discrets project later; an impressive talent. I really appreciate his music and especially the way he perceives the music. Is a bit of time that I don't speak with my French friend, we are always much busy. But would be very nice to work together.

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I.M: Are there any plans for more live appearances in the future? Do you think that Arctic Plateau is a live band? Or would you rather keep it a studio project?

Unfortunately this aspect is not only determined by me. I have had many problems with this thing because the people I met wasn't exactly determined. This is a studio project, you know, Arctic Plateau was born in this way! I can't be anything other than what I am, but if I decide to play live I want to choose the right way that I want for my project. You can't play with Arctic Plateau if you don't love Arctic Plateau. You know, this is not a live band, but I'm working on the aspect and would like to live concerts, I want to play live, of course. Selection is not easy, I don't care too much of instrumental techniques, but the human being is a crucial aspect for me; if you want rock n roll there are thousands other bands, this is not rock n roll.

I.M: What would be the best touring package that you can imagine for Arctic Plateau to go on the road with?

Arctic Plateau is an evolving reality and I have much respect for the meaning of your question, really; please, ask directly to the fans, turning the question to them.

I.M: Any plans for the next record? Will it be released through Prophecy?

I'm writing a lot these days, Prophecy Productions has given me confidence and it is a label that works very well. I wish I could record and mix my entire next album and I'm working hard in my project studio, but it's too early to talk about a new album now.

I.M: Any things you want to add and tell the people in North America that will be reading this interview?

The Arctic Plateau Music will come straight to your heart across the ocean.

Read our review of "The Enemy Inside" here.

More info:

http://www.arcticplateau.com/

http://www.myspace.com/arcticplateauinfo

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