Citris Interview

Ron Mueck - Couv

Ron Mueck births larger-than-life, eerily-reaslistic sculptures of the unconventional human form. His characteristic slight manipulation of size keeps the pale figures strangely artificial, while the divine detail guarantees an uncomfortable emotional display. Checkout more here, here, here, and here.

Asobi Seksu recently released their new album Citris (read my previous post for details and mp3s). To get a better idea of where this new piece fits into the band's discographic basket, I got a chance to interact directly with the vocals of Yuki Chikudate, Asobi's unqiue singer. She talks about where this album diverges and conquests as well as her snobby passion for visual art.

Q. Was recording this album different than the last? Did you feel Pressure going into the studio?

The last record was basically recorded for free, so it was done on weekends and evenings, like when no one else was using the studio. The process went on for far too long and was very frustrating, This time around it was more compact, but about 3 days in we realized we were never going to make the record we all wanted with the time we had so far. So there i was like a big freak-out about how to get more time.

Q. What do you try to accomplish on this album?

We were trying to make an album that sounded really huge and all that, but most important we were trying to make something that worked all the way through as an album.

Q. How is your music percieved internationally? Are your audiences different as you tour in different countries?

Um audiences always vary, sometimes bigger cities tend to be a little more reserved but we have had good and bad shows just about everywhere.

Q. Has the music blog scene (or the internet in general) affected how your music is heard and distributed?

For a band our size that is going to some but limited coverage in larger magazines, the internet machine is important. Unhealthy, but important.

Q. Who are your favorite artists, and do you see pieces of them in your work (instruments, vocals, etc)?

Yes, we want to sound exactly like Bloody Valendine.

Q. What are you influenced by besides music (art/people)?

I can be a little snobby with artists: Guston, Rothko, Ernst, Thomaselli, Lohan, Kinski, Baldwin(s)...

Q. Where do you want to be in 5 years?

Playing music and watching daytime judge shows, Brown, Mathis, Judy etc etc

Q. Choose One From Each Line:
Vinyl, Cassette, CD, or MP3? Vinyl
Wool, Cotton, Polyester, or Silk? Cotton
Couch, Davenport, Sofa, Love Seat? Davenport (not sure what that is)
1968, 1978, 1988, or 1998? 1968
New York, Paris, London, or Tokyo? New York
Mall, Boutique, Department Store, Thrift Store? Thrift Store
Joni Michell, Janis Joplin, Ella Fitzgerald, Madonna? Madonna..easy

Help yourself to Citris at your local fruit cart [Strictly Discs or Side Records in Madison]... and I'm going to try and see them tomorrow night in DC. Anybody else planning to be there?