Goths being Goths?

Yeah, and I see it as very counterproductive. Look what happened to NIN for instance: with their first, they were still virtually unknown with just a small fanbase. Then they simply exploded and large group of their initial fans turned their back on them labeling them as sell-outs… If someone’s doing what they’ve being doing all along, and meet success, I think that’s great! I would more easily find their records, see them live... but instead, the attitude is ‘everybody knows them now, so I won’t support them any more’. Attitudes like that are stopping this scene from blossoming.

But there’s so much potential… STOA for instance – 100% artistic music, than all the way to VNV Nation, blending various influences. Excellent stuff… what is the problem?

I think that the problem is that no one knows how to market this scene to audiences outside our little circle.
That would be a Holy Grail… there really is much potential. But the question is how to reach outside people with virtually no air play outside college radios, major magazines don’t pay attention to it, TV is far, far away… the first person who finds a way to promote this scene will hit the jackpot. The only thing I can think of (highly improbable scenario) is that a huge name like DM take a band in this scene to open for them…

What would you do if offered such deal? Would you change A23?

Well, certainly some things would have to be changed. You would play in front of huge crowd, not just a couple of hundred people, so you loose that intimacy with the audience. But if offered, I’d jump on it! It might be very humbling experience but also could be very beneficial.
I would like to see myself being 65, sitting in my rocking chair and thinking “Wow! There’s some cool things we’ve done!” rather than “Oh, man what if we had tried…” Yes, I think we would like to accept the chance, if given. But as long as you stay true to yourself, of course…

So far, has this journey exceeded your expectations?

Oh, yes, very much so! Initially, music was just a hobby, I’d play songs to my friends, and they said I should publish them, so it started. I never expected a record deal, tours here in the US and in Europe... it’s been a pleasant surprise…And now you’re doing remixes for some new bands… which artist’s music would you like to produce?It’s much easier for me to answer which producer I’d like to produce A23 music. It would have been Flood... I’d love to hear what he’d do with my music…

Don’t you think when you hear a song:” I would have done it better.”?

Yes, of course! That is what initially got me into me into making music. Many times I was like ‘This bass-line sucks!’ and ‘These lyrics are just meaningless!’, so I got bits and pieces of influences and started making my own stuff. Making music that I’d love to listen to...

(END OF INTERVIEW)