Interviews: Output 1:1:1

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Avant-Garde project Output 1:1:1 from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

I got it from my recording software. When you export a session to an mp3, it uses "Output 1:1" as a placeholder name. I made a little adjustment to the end and liked how it looked. It had a kind of robotic element to it that I liked. Picking a band name is mind-numbing. The line between "cool" and "moronic" is way too easy to cross. Every time I thought of a possible name, it veered too far into the latter.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I'm not sure, but it must have been from the lack of equipment/funding for new equipment. Séan and I worked from what we knew how to use - he has a great deal of technical knowledge, and I'm fairly competent at hiding my mistakes under a mountain of effects. It only gets heavy when it felt necessary. I don't think it was much of a conscious choice.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

I currently operate as a solo project with a few close collaborators. I'm currently in the process of bringing on more musicians, but the following people worked on the 

EP: Séan (Producer): I've known Séan since we were 9 years old, and we've been writing music together since we were about 14 or 15. We've developed a great creative relationship over the years. I'm really grateful for it. Michelle (Additional production on "Issue at Track Level"): Michelle and I have been close friends for the past few years. We used to bartend together. After my partner, she was one of the first people I spoke to about my anxiety. 

Stefan (album art): Stefan has been a friend of mine since university. For years I wanted an excuse to work with him. I love his work. We recently reconnected when he had a gallery close to my neighbourhood.

Elias (director): Elias directed all our videos so far and has been a good friend since I moved to Toronto. He was in a band with Séan and I a few years ago. In addition to being a talented guitar player with a beautiful singing voice, he's a very talented and creative director.

Emma (photography): Emma and I have been together for over 5 years. She's been an incredibly supportive and empathetic partner. It was really special that she was able to contribute to this project. It means a great deal to me.

4. Each band member favourite band?

I listen to a lot of Radiohead, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey. More recently I’ve been listening to Anna Calvi, Kamasi Washington, and Low's latest record. Séan takes a lot of inspiration from Bahamas and Dan Mangan.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Song writing is my favourite part. I'm considerably nervous performing and working with bandmates, but locking my self away and pursuing new sounds is very exciting. I guess the process of writing itself is my biggest drive. I enjoy hearing something in a song that I wouldn't have thought of until that moment - learning how it was done, and trying new things with it.

6. Where was your last gig?

It was at a bar in Toronto's West Queen West neighbourhood. It was a while back - my anxiety and panic attacks made performing quite challenging for a while. I've been working over the last few years to perform again, and live beside those parts of my mind instead of fighting them.

7. Where would you like to act?

I'd love to perform in Lisbon or Liverpool. I have a deep fondness for those places. Some of my favourite memories are wandering through Lisbon looking for street art and stumbling upon the LX Factory. My parents emigrated from Liverpool, I don't think there's a spiritual connection there, I've just found it to be a fantastic and welcoming city.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I'd love to open for Anna Calvi, Tanya Tagaq, or Hand Habits. I'd take any opportunity to see them live. I'm not sure if Calvi has been here yet for her Hunter tour, but I hope she does soon. I was fortunate Tagaq put on this amazing performance at Massey Hall, which I think is online now. I've never seen anything quite like it. I've only found Hand Habits' work recently, but there's this slight nostalgic element to their style that's nicely contrasted by their unique guitar playing.  

9. Whom not?

I saw Cigarettes After Sex open for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds once. I do not envy that position. I don't think I'd want to play with or meet any of my long-time influences at this point in my life. I'd be horrified of disappointing them. 

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Frequently. I think removing yourself from the room, not talking to bandmates or any early arrivals helps. I take that time to remind myself that when I'm playing, I'm playing for the song and for the experience of that song. If I stay in my own head through the performance, I think it makes for a very stilted show. I have to forget myself for a little bit.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Radiohead is a big one. I bought their live record "I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings" before I knew much about their transition into Kid A/Amnesiac territory. I must have been 13 or 14. Going from "The Bends" to that record is a pretty sharp turn. At the time, I was mostly into Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Bands that made interesting music, but kept to a relative genre. Songs like "Idioteque" and "Dollars and Cents" opened up new textures and rhythms. The more obsessed I became with those songs, the less interested I was in guitar-driven music. I still enjoy a lot of guitar-driven music, but I think the stuff I listen to now isn't always enamoured with big chords and solos.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

What my songs are about - it's still a new and strange feeling for me. I don't want to sound pretentious and say "it's open for interpretation," or "my songs are universal," etc. At the same time, someone gave me their interpretation once, and it was quite moving. They heard these words with an entirely different set of experiences and definitions. It felt really important that someone who doesn't look, talk, or act like me connect with these words in an abstract way that's entirely different from my own experience.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I hope they don't find it off-putting if I'm too awkward or exhausted to make conversation. I'm pretty introverted in my personal life, which is something people are starting to understand. I hope they understand that I appreciate them even listening to my work, and if they have a connection with it, that's just wonderful.

14. What do you think of our site?

To be honest, I'm new to it. You have an overwhelming index of bands to check out. I personally like being able to search by country. I think it's a nice touch. If I'm only searching via genre, I'll possibly limit myself to a single mode. I'm interested in Chilean acts.

15. Something add?

Thank you for taking the time to listen and share this work. Answering questions like these are surprisingly therapeutic. I'm learning more and more about how to express my ideas and speak of my work without being too self-deprecating or self-serious. Thank you for that opportunity.