Erleen Interview

XWave – Can you give me a quick history of your project since day 1?

Erleen – This particular project started about four years ago.  I was very interested in working solo, and I wanted to learn all the new technology available today for composing music, such as Cubase and Logic.  These programs give a person the ability to easily to create in depth and layered music completely independent of anyone else.   A good friend of mine, Bryan Erickson, of Velvet Acid Christ, worked with me, he built my computer- my music making machine, as it were, which I used for some time to compose the majority of my work.  Since then I’ve moved to California and performed for the likes of Don Bolles (formally of 45 Grave and The Germs) and I’ve opened for Gitane Demone (formally of Christian Death) to name a few.

XWave – Who’s composing the arrangements and who’s writing the lyrics?

Erleen – I’m doing both.  “Erleen” is essentially a “one woman band.”  I have a back up vocalist and guitarist (Jacqueline) who I use specifically for live performance, but when it comes to actually composing the music I do it all myself.

XWave – What instruments are you using for the electronic part?

Erleen – In the beginning I was using primarily Cubase and Reason (computer programs) in combination with my keyboard.  Although currently I am in the process of transitioning into Logic and Reason (more computer programs), its a taken some time because I’ve essentially had to re-learn everything, all of these computer programs are complex and take some time to get used to.  Although I have to say, the technology I’m using now makes Cubase seem archaic, I think my listers will find that my new material far surpasses my old work in sound quality.

XWave – Who have you been collaborating with?

Erleen – I have had several offers from other musicians to collaborate, but at the moment I am interested in only working solo.   So, to answer your question, right now- no one.  I find that I work the best on my own.  I have no inhibitions when I’m in my room alone trying to come with vocals or compose music.  In my room I feel free to sound, act, compose, etc. however I want.  It much more difficult to have that sort of freedom when your working with someone else.  Also, I find when I work with someone else there has to be a lot of compromise.  I don’t like compromise.  I want my music to sound exactly the way I envision it to be.

XWave – I’ve heard that you have been DJ’ing in the past. What type of music did you spin? Where at?

Erleen – Ahhh, yes I started out as “Dj Harlot” several years ago doing mostly deathrock/industrial club nights in Denver, Colorado.  When I moved to California I started Djing at a variety of night clubs and quickly grew in popularity as a Dj among the goth/industrial scene.  So I was Djin’g at several different clubs at once, including Sabbat and 80′s night in San Diego.

In addition to Dj’ing at clubs, I also co-hosted a radio show on 88.9 FM KUCI out of Irvine California.   Our show was called “Closed Caskets for the Living Impaired.”  I still co-host on that show from time to time. It airs every Saturday from 10pm – 12pm PST.

Right now I feel like its time for me to move past Dj’ing at clubs, I had been djing for so long, I just want to focus on writing music.

I will say though- one of my old club fliers, for a night I did called Subversion in Denver, was recently published in a book titled “The Art of Modern Rock” Edition 2 – Poster Girls.  …So there, I left my “Dj’ing” mark on the world.  Heh, heh.

XWave – Living in the United-States, are you going to vote in the upcomming election?

Erleen – Yes, I’ll be voting for the lesser of the two evils.  But I have to say, after Bush got elected, ehem… twice, I’m starting to believe the whole thing is rigged.

XWave – Who are your heroines/heroes?

Erleen – Nina Hagen, Danielle Dax, Elizabeth Fraser (of the Cocteau Twins), need I say more?…

XWave – Has anyone ever told you you look like looks like Christina Applegate from Married… with Children (when your hair is down of course)?

Erleen – Yes I have actually, I get that on a very rare occasion, when my hair is blond.

XWave – What are some of your favorite concerts you have saw?

Erleen – That’s a tough one… My first concert, ever, was Iggy Pop when I was 13 years old, I got to go on stage, and Iggy put his arm around me while he sang “The Passenger.”   Being a kid, that was pretty cool experience.

…I have to say Laibach put on an amazing show.  Nick Cave also left me with a lasting impression.  Oh, Oh… Erasure was one of my all time favorite live performances too.

Most recently, I went to see the Psychic TV, who put on a wonderful show, as well as 20th anniversary tour of My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult.  MLWTKK played all their old classics, and I have to say that was the best $10 I ever spent.  Really, I could go on and on, but I won’t bore you anymore with this…

XWave – Are you planning on touring anytime soon?

Erleen – My goal is to do some “mini-tours” here and there, over the next year.  But no definitive plans as of yet.

XWave – Have you been to Europe? If so, where did you go?

Erleen – I really want to go to Europe!  But no, I’ve never crossed the pond.  I’d like to do a tour there in the near distant future.

XWave – Are you planning to release new material any time soon?

Erleen – Yes, I have several things in the works right now that I will start to release over the next several months.  It’s going to blow away everything else I’ve released so far!