Introducing... Key To The Mint

Name of band: Key to the Mint

Members: 4

Year formed: 2015

Location: Cleveland, OH, USA

“We try to capture the same anxiety and austerity that the post-punk groups of the 80s had.”

Key to the Mint formed in early 2015, out of the defunct Cleveland shoegaze/noise band Privacy//Policy. Starting with P//P’s final single “Observation,” Rich Kundracik and John Alexander began taking their previous band’s post-punk leanings in a more melodic, accessible direction, making greater use of synthesizer and keyboard textures. A lineup for this new group solidified with the additions of vocalist Joel Anger and guitarist Justin Romanak.

Key to the Mint released their first record, Polynesian Dreams, in September 2015 as they began playing local shows. After a tumultuous 2016 and the departure of Romanak, Key to the Mint regrouped to begin their second album A Godless Line. Released on December 1st 2017, A Godless Line brings a harder edged sound that captures the post-industrial anxiety and malaise of the 80s underground. With guitarist Connor Simpson from Cleveland post-rock act ITEM, Key to the Mint plans to tour the US in the spring and summer.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

We are Key to the Mint, darkwave from Cleveland, Ohio. JA and I (Rich) were previously in a noise rock group that shifted to darkwave. We found a perfect front man, Joel Anger on craigslist to complete the lineup.

Intravenous Magazine: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

We try to capture the same anxiety and austerity that the post-punk groups of the 80s had. Especially British groups. Joel came to our studio to demo some songs and things clicked right away. We’ve formed the rest of the group around that sound. I think it fits well with the general attitudes in a post-industrial city like Cleveland in these uncertain times.

Intravenous Magazine: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Musically speaking - Depeche Mode, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, The Smiths, New Order, etc. Non-musically, I’m an engineer. So I think there is a certain “tightness” and mechanical nature to our songs that comes from my personality.

Intravenous Magazine: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

We perform all over our home town. We are playing Chicago at the end of April and hope to tour the East cost of the US this summer.

Intravenous Magazine: What is your current release and where is it available from?

A Godless Line came out in December. It’s everywhere: Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube, itunes, CD baby.

Intravenous Magazine: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

We played Brite Winter Fest in February, our biggest show yet. Also, being played on Part Time Punks radio show out of LA is really cool.

Intravenous Magazine: What are your plans fro the future?

We are already working on our next record. We hope to tour all around the US and eventually the UK.

Intravenous Magazine: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

I found your site on a group page. I always appreciate sites that promote new music. It’s hard to be a musician in the age of the internet. So if you introduce us to your followers, special thanks to you.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Key-to-the-Mint-399758816888749/

https://keytothemint.bandcamp.com/

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Introducing... Warsaw Pact

Name of the band: Warsaw Pact 

Members: Ivan Delint, Jesse Vladimir, Luis P., and Saul Talamantes 

Year formed: 2018 

Location: Los Angeles, California 

"[...]  I find Brutlist structures very interesting and cold. It's part of the reason why I like the eastern bloc and the whole socialist movement that occurred there, watching footage and seeing the structures that were built, I absorb that into my life and I’m sure it’s channelling out into my music."

Warsaw Pact was founded during the summer of 2017 by Ivan Delint in Los Angeles, California. Influenced by modern Cold-Wave and drawing deeply from early Post-Punk, Warsaw Pact is meant to transport you into a state of introspective bliss. The project began as Delint's solo effort, he is currently the lead guitarist LA based Post-Punk band The Eleventh Frequency, but has since began forming a new band around his solo material.

Day by Day is the first of four songs Warsaw Pact plans to release in the coming months, leading up to an E.P. in the near future.Day by Day was written, recorded and produced by Warsaw Pact in Los Angeles.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed? 

Warsaw Pact is Ivan Delint, Saul Talamantes, Jesse Vladimir, and Luis Posadas. I (Ivan)  started writing songs on my own when I learned to use Logic and Reason in school back in 2012. Over time I picked up guitar and generally got better at producing said songs. I met Saul around the same time and it was only during the latter half of 2017 that we started to consider writing music together. I showed him some of my personal work and he was very enthusiastic about it and offered to learn and play them. With that I began searching for the rest of the guys. Jesse V. quickly came into our lives and we got along with him really well. Luis was my friend on FB, although I had never met him before. I searched my friends list and was looking for a bassist that, at least style wise, could fit into Warsaw Pact. Luis was an obvious choice so I shot him a message and here he is! 

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

I'd say it's a fusion of traditional Post-Punk, modern Cold-Wave, and mid 2000's indie. We sound like an 80's band that discovered a 2005 NME mixtape from the future on the ground. Our music is eclectic, it's dark but it's dancable, it can be introverted and it will get extroverted. We think we have a good set of songs that'll keep the audience interested.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

We draw from early Post-Punk pioneers such as Siouxsie Sioux and Bauhaus into New Order/Chameleons as well as more modern acts like Drab Majesty, Interpol and The Killers.  We actually created a collaborative Spotify playlist where everyone in the band threw in 6 songs we like and that we wanted to show each other. It turned out to be a really cool way to get to know each others tastes. Turns out we're a very diverse bunch! Non musical influences, and I can only speak for myself (Ivan), I'd say I find architecture very interesting and musically influential, not sure if that makes any sense but I find Brutlist structures very interesting and cold. It's part of the reason why I like the eastern bloc and the whole socialist movement that occurred there, watching footage and seeing the structures that were built, I absorb that into my life and I’m sure it’s channeling out into my music.

IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

We will have our live debut around March of this year. We rehearse at least once a week and we’re very eager to start playing some shows, there’s also offers from promoters waiting for us to give them the green light to start booking. We’re excited to say the least!

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

We debuted ourselves with 'Day by Day', released January 1st 2018 and it's available on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and Youtube.

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Our career has been short but in the first month of existence we've seen 'Day by Day' play on Belgian, French, German, Polish, Spanish, and American radio. I think it really gives us a sense of "yeah this thing is real and there's potential here". It helps us push forward as a band.

IVM: What are your plans for the future?

We plan on re-releasing Day by Day along side a remix which is being worked on by Antipole. Day by Day and said remix will be avail on Spotify/Apple Music as well. After that we'll begin focusing on our second single 'Light'  and an EP sometime this summer. 

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

 Thank you!

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/TheWarsawPact/

https://www.instagram.com/warsaw_pact/

https://warsawpactla.bandcamp.com/releases

https://twitter.com/WarsawPactLA

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Introducing... Borg Queen

Name of band: Borg Queen

Members: Jenny Kirby

Year formed: 2013

Location: Vancouver, BC Canada

“I was an alcoholic stripper who needed something do do to keep busy so I wouldn't drink so I decided to write some songs about my experience in the exotic entertainment industry.”

Borg Queen is an electro goth rock project from Vancouver, BC led by multidisciplinary artist Jenny Kirby.

Borg Queen released it’s first LP 'Sex, Drugs & Shiny Brass Poles' January 29th, 2017. The album is a follow up to the release of the 2014 single 'Lapdance Romance'.

Originally, the project began as a series of surrealistic paintings that were a form of art therapy, but has now evolved into a full blown multidisciplinary art project.

Borg Queen can best be described as, a one woman content producing machine! “She plays and records all the instruments and does the engineering and production. Each song has a corresponding painting done in large format acrylic on canvas. Borg Queen has evolved into an assimilation of all the different artistic mediums Jenny has trained and worked with professionally including, painting, animation, acting, set design, dance, musical theatre, production design and of course music.” 'Sex, Drugs & Shiny Brass Poles will feature 10 original paintings and 3 new music videos.

The perfect showcase of Borg Queen’s unique integration of mediums are the music videos, where Jenny takes a very hands on approach as an art director who also designs and makes the sets, costumes and props herself.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

I was an alcoholic stripper who needed something do do to keep busy so I wouldn't drink so I decided to write some songs about my experience in the exotic entertainment industry.

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

It sounds like Annie Lennox getting gang banged by NIN, Depeche Mode and Marilyn Manson. I've always loved Trent Reznor's style of innovation and using sound design elements and audio engineering to convey artistic intent. I look at a composition like a painting made out of layers of sound with each layer telling an integral part of the story.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Trent Reznor, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Salvador Dali and Tim Burton.

IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

Not usually, but if I do it's at events in the Metro Vancouver Area.

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

'Sex, Drugs & Shiny Brass Poles' and it's available on my website, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify etc. Pretty much everywhere except Bandcamp.

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Making the music videos. I'm a visual artist as well and it's really the ultimate medium for me to work in. Also, performing at a fetish event Kink Fetish Night in Vancouver. That was awesome!

IVM: What are your plans for the future?

Put together a theatrical production of my live show to tell the story of Sex, Drugs & Shiny Brass Poles. Finish the EP I'm currently working on and do more live shows at fetish type events.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

I have a new music video that's being released June 16th called 'We're All Whores'. The track is available as a free download on my website.

Links:

Website - https://www.borg-queen-music.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/borgqueenmusic/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Borg_Queen

You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/BorgQueenMusic

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Introducing... low.poly.exception

Name of band: low.poly.exception

Members: Exactly one

Year formed: 2017

Location: On the net

low.poly.exception is a secretive individual releasing dark tech themed music on the internet. with two EPs under their belt, they are preparing their first full length album titled 'Nodal Point Gang' which will be available on September 22nd, 2017 in digital and CD format.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

The best way for me to put it is that I materialized on the net one day. from that point forward I wanted to document my journey with a soundtrack of my own composition.

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

I jokingly refer to what i make as "codewave," a sort of cold and nihilistic cyberpunk influenced electronic music. It has bits and pieces of darkwave and darksynth and a variety of other styles.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

My primary influences are artists like Ryuichi Sakamoto, Android Lust, Kenji Kawai, Dryft, and more.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Truthfully for a ghost wandering the net, a live performance would be a bit difficult, but if you keep your eyes and ears open to social media channels you might find something close in the near future. I am working on some multimedia projects to pair up with my music.

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

I just released my second EP 'In The Absence Of Light' at lowpolyexception.bandcamp.com with a pay-what-you-want pricing model. On September 22nd, 2017 I will be releasing my first album 'Nodal Point Gang' in digital and CD formats.

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

We're just getting started.

IVM: What are your plans fro the future?

To keep looking forward. to replicate.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

In these trying times, there is net, or nothing.

Links:

https://soundcloud.com/lowpolyexception

https://lowpolyexception.bandcamp.com/

https://twitter.com/lowpolyexe

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Introducing... Cruel Wonders

Name of band: Cruel Wonders
Members: Vlad Shusterman and Tamar Singer

Year formed: 2012

Location: Tel Aviv/Jerusalem, Israel

“Our visual aesthetic is very much in vein with the Art Noveau and Victorian decadence. We're both film school graduates, so visuals are an important part of our project.”

Four years in making and having shared stage with such heavyweights as ROME and Spiritual Front, Cruel Wonders' debut sets classical poetry (ranging from Shakespeare to Russian Symbolists) to sparse, doom-laden neofolk for the post-metal age. The duo's sound is rooted in Singer's haunting vocals and hearty strumming, while Shusterman's mesmerized riffs and cavernous electronics evoke equal parts darkwave lull and doom metal menace.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

We are Vlad Shusterman and Tamar Singer, longtime friends who just started jamming one day with a couple of guitars and some tomes of poetry for ready-made lyrics. Vlad is a quite known producer actually (his post-rock/electronica project Ghost Bike is signed to n5MD and been making waves since 2010), while Tamar is a professional filmmaker (Cannes festival nominee), a musical latebloomer who started playing and singing at the age of 30. So, we came up with a few memorable songs and decided to make a record.

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

Female-fronted neofolk with a healthy dose of doom and darkwave influence. In a tag - folk noir, probably. Our music is definitely guitar-based, but we try to spice things up with cinematic percussion, processed samples, various noises - whatever works for the atmosphere.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

We're both huge fans of left-of-field metal and dark folk, obviously. Tamar is into lots of acoustic and proggy stuff, Vlad is big on ambient, drone and industrial. Our visual aesthetic is very much in vein with the Art Noveau and Victorian decadence. We're both film school graduates, so visuals are an important part of our project.

IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

Our live performances are quite rare, since there is regrettably not much interest for dark folk here in Israel. We're still somewhat of a household name in the genre, locally, so when big name acts from abroad come to play here we're usually called upon as the opening act.

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

We are releasing our debut album Gentle Doom (named after a line from a Shakespeare sonnet) on the 10th of March through Bandcamp. There are nine songs with lyrics by classical poets, book-ended by two ambient interludes. It can be streamed and pre-ordered on a pay-what-you-want basis at cruelwonders.bandcamp.com/releases.

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Opening for ROME and Spiritual Front, two famed acts we deeply admire.

IVM: What are your plans fro the future?

Making another record we're proud of, hopefully.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

Just that we've been enjoying your zine. Keep up the great work!

Links:

http://cruelwonders.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/pg/CruelWonders

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Introducing... HR_Lexy

Name of band: HR_Lexy

Members: Arlene Sparacia, John Ferrante, Justin Verted

Year formed: 2015

Location: Nashville, USA

HR_Lexy is a female fronted, electronic trio based in Nashville, TN. The group's sound has been described as haunting electronic pop, with synth soundscapes, driving drum beats, and ethereal, dream-like vocals.
HR_Lexy lyrically explores the pull between dark and light, humanity's relationship with nature, and spiritual awareness. Their live show includes symbolism and theatrical elements that further emphasize these themes.
HR_Lexy recently released their second EP entitled Slaves to the Light in Oct 2016. The band's debut EP Nature Vs Neon was released in 2015.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band come to be formed?

Arlene and John met through Craigslist ad. We played shows as a duo and released our first EP, Nature Vs. Neon. Justin and Arlene met at a mutual job at Whole Foods. Justin came to our shows and expressed interest in being a part of the group. We are happy to have him onboard.

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

Our sound has and continues to develop over time. We actually began with guitars as our main instruments. That quickly morphed into simple synth based music, which then led us to our more complex soundscape sound now. And we are still evolving, with the additional of Justin. The constant is Arlene’s ethereal vocal style and a strong musical platform to support that.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Arlene: Kate Bush, Kim Gordon(sonic youth), Frida Kahlo, Patti Smith, Austra, Angel Olsen, Future Islands, The Jag

John: Being outside in nature, a good synth sound, Sinead O’Conner, Depeche Mode, The Cure, stocism, minimalism.

Justin: Pattern recognition, fractal geometry, Sigur Ros, food forestry, the expansive state of being.

IVM: Do you perform live, and if so, when can we see you perform in the near future?

Yes we perform often. Our show dates can be seen at our website.

IVM: What is your current release, and where is it available?

Our current EP is titled Slaves to the Light. That and our first release are available as digital downloads from hrlexy.com, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon MP3 and other digital music stores. We are also on Spotify and Youtube.

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

It really all has been a highlight. We have had such great experiences, releasing two EPs, several videos, performing at all the great clubs in Nashville, radio interviews, interviews such as this. All highlights. We really enjoy performing live, seeing our stage show develop has been much fun.

IVM: What are your plans for the future?

We are currently writing and rehearsing new material, which we plan to release soon. Expect new videos to as well. More live shows and touring.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

Thank you everyone for listening!

Links:

Official Site:http://www.hrlexy.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hr_lexy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrlexy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCYPV9M7WKK_eRvTYiz1l_A

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Introducing... Armless Alice

Band Name: Armless Alice
Members: Fredrik Thrysoe, Hampus Severinus, Mikael Hagman.
Formed: 2008

Location: Gävle, Sweden


Armless Alice is a Swedish industrial rock band, formed in Gävle in 2008 by their frontman Fredrik Thrysoe. Since their formation they have released an EP, 'Postmortem Superstars', through Sliptrick Records and
are now back with their first full-length album, 'In Shapes', in January 25th 2017.

Mixing loud industrial rock with intimate and hushed piano ballads while adding lo-fi rock to the mix.
The shows are filled with theatrical elements, be it old television sets spread around the stage to the band changing their looks and stage clothes for every event.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

I started the this band because I was tired of all the other local artists that I used to perform with as a drummer. Nobody had any focus or discipline so I started my own. We started out as a horror punk band but later grew more industrial with time because I got tired of all the horror stuff. I'm the only member that's been in the band since the formation and I also write our music.


IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

I think we're an odd mix of industrial rock with some lo-fi rock thrown in. Quite hard to define.
It all comes from me listening to heavy industrial music while I'm a big fan of artists like Lisa Germano.


IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Musical influences - Nine Inch Nails, Lisa Germano, David Bowie, Marilyn Manson.
Non-musical influences - David Lynch.


IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

We're planning some shows at the moment. New shows will be announced shortly through armlessalice.net


IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

'In Shapes' is available through Spotify, iTunes & Amazon.

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Highlights include playing at Rock Bitch Boat 2013, which included traveling between Stockholm to Riga, with the infamous Swedish band, Skitarg and BatAAr. As well as performing at the Getaway Rock Challenge in Gävle and a lot of club shows in different parts of Sweden.

IVM: What are your plans fro the future?
Promoting the album by playing shows all around Sweden, hopefully we'll reach new areas with time.


IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

We got more material and news coming out this year so keep yourself updated through our website armlessalice.net or through facebook.com/armlessalice



Links:
www.armlessalice.net
www.facebook.com/armlessalice
www.youtube.com/armlessalice
www.twitter.com/armlessalice
www.instagram.com/armlessalice 

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Introducing... Ujjaya

Name of band: Ujjaya

Members: Hery Randriambololona (all instruments)

Year formed: 1993

Location: Montigny le Bretonneux (near Paris) – France

“I’m mainly a live artist. I make nap or sleep concert. Many of my concerts take place

in sacred places like Hindu temple, church, crypt or Pagode mainly in Paris.”

Ujjaya first was a ritual-psychedelic-heavy-prog sextet.

Founded in 1993, after the first album, I was seeking for a music that reflected more my spiritual concerns and naturally ended to play ethno-ambient music around 1997. After 15 years of silence, (and

dozens of albums recorded in complete secrecy) I decided to become public again around 2011.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

I was studying medicine but ended as a professional musician as I was obviously making more music than anything else. The success of my first public album 'The Master Of Crossroad' gave me confidence in that choice.

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

It’s Ethno-ambient. It reflects my spiritual search. As a yoga practicer, and as a malagasy (mix between Indonesia and Africa) the style was obvious for me at the first track around 1997.

I was hearing that kind of music (Jon Hassell, Jorge Reyes, Steve Roach and so on) long ago

but I was still stuck into my electric guitar then. When I decided to make a definitive step into that

unknown land the instruments came to me (as both I came to them into my travels thtough Asia)

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Tuu, Jon Hassell, Steve Roach, Robert Rich, Jorge Reyes.

Hinduism, shamanism, esoteric ism, yoga, Buddhism, poetry (Indian poetry , and spiritual poetry)

IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

Yes I am. I’m mainly a live artist. I make nap or sleep concert. Many of my concerts take place

in sacred places like Hindu temple, church, crypt or Pagode mainly in Paris.

My next date will be January 14th in the auditorium of the public library of Clichy (in the near suburb of Paris) with another artist called Archetype (who is more on the drone side than me but also make sometime some ethno-ambient track à la Dead Can Dance)

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

My current release is a live album available for free at https://archive.org/details/eg0_162

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

My second Sleep concert into the Hindu temple of the Dharma Sangh in Paris (in Nov 2016), it was just pure magic all night long.

My concert into the great pagoda of Vincennes, at the foot of the 9 metres golden Buddha for the day of Bhutan (May 15th 2016). Baza Rimpoche the head of the Buthanse Buddhism gave the initiation of long life. We ended by recorded him a full day in a studio in Paris.

The Sacred Night in the Saint Merry Church ( 28 of May 2016) in Paris which gather all the religion (Buddhist, Jews, Sufi, Hindu and Christian).It lasted all night long and I played at the morning around 5 or 6 after the dervishes.

The Ambiosonic festival 2015, in south of France which happen in the middle of nowhere into the wild. All the energy was provided by solar installations. Only vegan food for 5 days.

IVM: What are your plans for the future?

Get a label for a physical album.Take time to make my website and a bandcamp (I’m ashamed but I haven’t any yet ). Organizing the Paris Festival Ambient on a greater scale. Have a collaboration with an African traditional player, Adama Ouedraogo, and another with Ian Naismaith, an ethno-ambient American guitarist (Two projects that I started but as to be finished ). Another collaboration with a Chinese jaw’s harp player called Wang Li is still mo my mind since 2011. Never found the time to start it. A long time goal is still approaching the illumination and the silence.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

Not enough time (much is devoured by promoting myself) too much projects

Links:https://www.facebook.com/Ujjaya.ethno.ambient/

https://archive.org/details/eg0_162

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Introducing... X-O-Planet

Name of band: X-O-Planet
Members: Manja Kaletka, Goderic Northstar
Year formed: 2016
Location: Nackenheim / Germany

"Inspired by Science Fiction in literature and films but also recent scientific discoveries and theories about the universe, the Time, the Matter and possibly extraterrestrial life, X-O-Planet picks its listeners up for a voyage through the infinite dark cosmos."

At the beginning of the year 2016 Manja and Goderic decided to slip their different musical influences in a new electronic project. At the end of the year 2016 the debut album “Passengers” will be published.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

Manja has as yet been involved in various projects like the rock band Jesus On Extasy (album 'The Clock' 2011), the British Avant Garde music band Attrition, with which she had toured through Europe, the Neo Classic band Weltenbrand of Liechtenstein, the band Illuminate (album 'Grenzgang' 2011), the dark rock band “Dark Diamonds” (album 'Das Gift' 2009) and the Gothic project Crypt Cha (album 'Sorrow’s Away' 2005). Since 2008 Manja is the new singer of the Synthie Pop / Dance project X-Perience. Together with the two founder members Matthias Uhle and Alexander Kaiser she is working on the fifth full length album of the band. In the meantime she was involved in different pre-productions in the area of Pop and Dance music.

Goderic: Since his childhood Goderic has been learning to play church organ. Later on he started to teach himself guitar and bass guitar. Inspired by pioneers in the forefront of electronic music like Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk and Die Krupps he became more interested in electronic sounds. So he experimented with analog synthesizers and produced his first electronic compositions in which also influences of well-known EBM combos like Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb can be recognized.

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

The music of X-O-Planet is set in the area of Dark Electro. It is assembled of harder bass rhythms paired with spherical synthesizer sounds, which stem from the pen of Goderic, and Manjas warm and crystal clear voice.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

The lyrics concern themes as Science Fiction, the exploration of outer space and interpersonal interludes, which are carried by the signs of time. Inspired by Science Fiction in literature and films but also recent scientific discoveries and theories about the universe, the Time, the Matter and possibly extraterrestrial life, X-O-Planet picks its listeners up for a voyage through the infinite dark cosmos.

Our primary musical influences are Jean-Michel Jarre, In Strict Confidence, VNV Nation, Rotersand and Solar Fake.

IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

So far we've only had some very exclusive gigs at private parties. But since we both are professional musicians and we are very ambitious, we are interested in doing live performances as much as we can.

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

Our first album will be digitally released on 30​th​ dec. 2016 on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Deezer etc.

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

The highlights of Manja's career has been the whole period with the band Jesus On Extasy, the work with the British band Attrition and the membership and work with X-Perience.

IVM: What are your plans from the future?

At first we want to play live as much as we can all over Europe… and maybe further away. Second is the work on our next album.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

Be a passenger and follow us on our voyage through time and space!

Links:

http://x-o-planet.com/en/

https://www.facebook.com/XOPlanet/

http://www.youtube.com/c/Xoplanet_electronica 

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Introducing... Neon Shudder

Name of band: Neon Shudder

Members: One

Year formed: 2013

Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA

“To see people actually diving in and reading the story and saying they liked this character or that twist is a big deal for me. Knowing people are excited about something I created gives me huge drive to continue doing this.”

NEON SHUDDER is the moniker for Philadelphia area producer jhm. His music styles range from industrial to synthwave to ambient with hints of other influences including jazz and funk. Currently neon shudder is focused around the "Cadence" series of concept albums/novellas including 2016's "Cadence" and the upcoming followup "Sons of Seraph."

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

I've been making music for a long time. In 2013 I wanted to finally put out some kind of release for music around a central theme. At the time I was heavily into cyberpunk and wanted to make music that gave off Blade Runner or Deus Ex vibes. I put out a small EP on bandcamp and was pleasantly surprised that people enjoyed it so I continued making music under this name.

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

I get called synthwave a lot but that's just one style that falls under the umbrella of what I do. I'm going a lot of directions including industrial and ambient, and even put out some weird, dark electronic jazzy songs. I was always a fan of that kind of sound so it was a no-brainer that it was what I wanted to do.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Buck-Tick, Android Lust, Michael McCann's work for Deus Ex, Yoko Kanno, Ed Harrison, and Nobuo Uematsu musically. William Gibson's writing, Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex, Cowboy Bebop are some of the non-musical influence for this project.

IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

There are currently no plans for neon shudder live, but I wouldn't rule it out.

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

I have two albums that came out this year at neonshudder.bandcamp.com - one is the gothy industrial release 'OMENS II' and the other is my first cyberpunk concept album 'Cadence.'

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

I'd have to say it's people getting genuinely excited about my concept album series. To see people actually diving in and reading the story and saying they liked this character or that twist is a big deal for me. Knowing people are excited about something I created gives me huge drive to continue doing this.

IVM: What are your plans for the future?

I plan on releasing one more album to complete the 'Cadence' trilogy, and then I'll be moving on to experimenting more with my sound on new EPs and albums.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

Almost all of my music (save for concept albums) is on bandcamp free/pay what you want, so give it a shot!

Links:
neonshudder.bandcamp.com

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Introducing... Mebitek

Name of band: Mebitek

Members: Mebitek

Year formed: 2003

Location: Mogoro, Sardinia

From the acid and dusty factories of the electronic underground, through the devastated and pure immaculate nature of Sardinia, an explosion of anger and melancholy darkness transforms electronics into a cinematic orchestra.

What technology can transform into audio & visual experiences we can just follow the future, transforming sorrow into confidence, pain into art to see the own horror diminuendo becomes melancholic crescendo.

Dark Ambient Cinematic Electronic Music from Sardinia

Let's the eternal journey starts...

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

My name is Claudio and I form Mebitek in the late 2003 when I was outside my Island and I was living in Bologne (Italy).

IVM: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

My initial sound was influenced of the Bologne underground scene and was mainly hard techno with tribal influences. after some years of experimentation I develop an electro dark ambient cinematic music style.

IVM: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

My influences are various. they come from a lot of music style and artists:

Tim Exile, Jeremy Ellis, Ulver, The Haxan Cloak, Atrium Carceri.

IVM: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

I performed live since 2003 but now I'm a little bit stuck cause I'm improving my style and soon I will start again to have live set. I performed in Sardinia, Italy, France.

IVM: What is your current release and where is it available from?

My current release is 'An Eternal Wail's Journey EP' my first dark ambient EP and it's available on bandcamp: https://mebitek.bandcamp.com/

IVM: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

I open [for] a lot of big artists gigs and [have] release eight vinyls in France, two EP's

IVM: What are your plans fro the future?

My plans is to develop my electro dark ambient cinematic style merging it with some visual arts. A full album for February is ready and has been planned.

IVM: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

In those days I'm preparing an art installation called 'The Sensegration Box' that will be performed the 12th November 2016. I develop music, videos, website and with the help of my collective I prepared to media campaign. I can find all the info in the official website: http://thesensegrationbox.mebitek.com/

Links:

http://music.mebitek.com

http://thesensegrationbox.mebitek.com/

https://soundcloud.com/mebitek

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyDARDK824sFtVpftfLpcdw

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