UNTER NULL interview (novembre.2004)

Where comes from that name "Unter Null"? And what does it means exactly?

Erica Dunham: The name “Unter Null” originally started off as a self-deprecating term. “Below zero”, “total loser”, however which way you want to translate it. But I guess it could also mean something along the lines of a “cold-hearted bitch” as well. I let people come to their own conclusions with that.

What's bring you to electronic music?

Incredibly long story, but I grew up with a lot of interest in music. I remember Johnny Cash, Blondie, Ozzy, Bob Dillon, and this brilliant album called “Popcorn” being played a lot when I was growing up.
I started playing the piano when I was 3, and this developed into interest in other instruments.
I guess my first real brush with industrial music was when an older friend of mine played Skinny Puppy for me when I was 12. I was hooked. And thus it began.

Your early works was totally powernoise/harsh rhythmic industrial stuff.
I rarely heard such a strong wall of violent sounds!
Can you tell us more about your first love for this violent industrial side of electronic music?

I was always seeking out new music and new sounds, and luckily here in Seattle we have Musicwerks so practically any industrial album was right there waiting. It never hurts to ask for recommendations! I’ve always loved harsh and brutal ‘music’, and finding a whole new realm of it was very exciting and inspirational.

Now Alfa-Matrix presents UNTER NULL as a female-fronted HOCICO or SUICIDE COMMANDO-like.
How do you feel this comparison? And why did you choose to change your music direction to dark-EBM ?

I believe that labeling an artist is definitely necessary for promotional purposes; it gets other people interested if they have heard the other bands the artist is being compared to. But there is comparison, and then there is saying one’s a complete knock-off of the band. I may draw influences from some of these harsh EBM groups, but I do say I definitely have my own sound.

The change in sound for me was just a natural progression and evolution in my music. Quite frankly, I got sick of “noise”. I wanted melody, I wanted vocals, and I was getting pretty tired of people asking if that was the CD skipping or the track itself ;)
As my interests and influences changed, so did my music. My music definitely parallels a lot with what is going on in my life currently as well. The past few years have been pretty rough, and I definitely needed a more ‘vocal’ kind of catharsis.

You recently signed on Alfa-Matrix. So, what can we expect? A debut album? And when?

This is correct! I think Alfa Matrix is a great, very supportive label.
A debut album is currently being recorded currently, and there are plans for the full length to be out in winter 2005. Prior to that, expect an EP release with some great remixes.
What to expect from the album in full? Quality, not quantity. I want people’s perception of my music to change with this – Unter Null grew up J

On this forthcoming release, will you keep some powernoise elements?

Most definitely! I have a couple of tracks that will definitely grab the attention of the fans that are familiar with the older Unter Null style. I do still like some of the elements, as you said, but they sound a lot better with some music.

The "Re:Connected.1" comp reached a good place in D.A.C.
Did this fact bring you much more desire to launch your first official CD?
And did you plan to travel to Europe for live-gigs?

When “Your Nightmare” was released on the Re:Connected 1 compilation on Alfa Matrix, a full length release was already in planning. I’m actually very shocked that “Your Nightmare” is getting as much club play as it is getting over in Europe – but it also makes me very happy.
I do plan to play some shows in Europe, when time permits, as I’m currently very focused on my career.

On stage, what's the line-up for UNTER NULL?

Live line-up for Unter Null consists of:

Shane Siegfried of FT13 – live keyboards and live guitar
Michael Blackburn – live drumpads

I love playing live with these guys as they put a lot of energy into their stage presence.

What are your relationships with other bands and what's your state of mind amongst so many muscled males? :-)
How the other musicians consider a girl as they're almost guys?

What an explosive question ;)
My state of mind? To be honest, being a female in this male-dominated scene doesn’t mean much to me. I understand that I’m a “rare breed”, what have you, but I don’t find myself competing with the other men in the scene – most of those I’ve met I get along with extremely well.
The funny thing is, a lot of people who aren’t familiar with Unter Null automatically assume that it’s a male who’s behind it, and they’re pretty shocked to find out that it’s my little contribution to the world.
Other musicians- well, for the most part, other female musicians absolutely hate me, which is expected, as most of it revolved around jealousy, being bullied in school, or being used to getting what they want. Who knows? I just find it hilarious, that in this day and age of feminism; the least supportive of their own species are other females. It explains a lot as to why I don’t get along with too many females. They get offended too easily.
The guys on the other hand – hey, never had a problem with them – unless they happen to be dating one of the girls that hate me… then they follow the herd J

Today, what's the state of the musical scene in Seattle? Is it always the place to be for the US musicians?

I think Seattle is both a great and terrible place for musicians. On one hand, we have a vast amount of incredibly talented and driven people here; especially in our own little ‘scene’, but the irony of it all is that they’re all at each others’ throats. It’s very, very competitive, very backstabbing, and very politically-charged.
From my point of view, the state of the music scene here is in a state of disarray, in a state of chaos, it’s a very non-supportive environment based on favoritism, and like I said, scene politics. It’s very unfortunate.

Any words about the George W."4 more years" Bush re-election... ?

I’m not even going to mention politics. It has no place in my music. Instead, anger, murder, lust, and evil rule all.

Last question:
Give us your current TOP10 album spinning on your CD-player:

1. ACDC – Back in Black
2. KMFDM - WWIII
3. Icon of Coil – Machines are Us
4. Watts - Pigmartyr
5. Panzer AG – This is My Battlefield
6. Arch Enemy – Anthems of Rebellion
7. Dimmu Borgir - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
8. Din_Fiv – Escape to Reality
9. The Mars Volta – De-Loused in the Comatorium
10. Charlie Drown – Pretty Machine Gun

www.myspace.com/unternull (skyblog)
www.eyendesign.com (site web)

	V/A "Re:Connected.1" (2004-alfa-matrix)
	Unter Null Vs. Navicon Torture Technologies "NTT Fucks the Shit Out of Unter Null" (2003-Annihilvs)
	Unter Null "HBK Remix" (2002-Crunchpod Media)
	Unter Null "Neocide" (2002-Annihilvs Records)
	Unter Null "Tender Mercies" (2002-Annihilvs Records)
	Unter Null "Unter Null" (2001-Self-released)