Android Lust

Interview #2 with one of the first artists I ever interviewed, an artist who finally puts that much needed feminine energy into the world of industrial. To bring us up to speed on the re-release of her latest CD, The Dividing, and the broad new horizons ahead, here is Shikhee. Hold on tight! Weeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Chain D.L.K.: It’s been a while since the last interview. How have you been doing, and how’s the weather in Jersey (a.k.a. the Soprano’s territory)?
Android Lust: Not much different than it is in New York where I now live. I am doing OK.

Chain D.L.K.: How are you feeling about the re-release and new distribution of “The Dividing” under Projekt Records?
Android Lust: Very Good. There’s a lot more working behind it this time around. Sam from Projekt and I are working hard to push it.

Chain D.L.K.: How did you bump into the Projekt label and get signed to them? Did it feel strange signing to it knowing it’s on the other side of the spectrum?
Android Lust: I met Sam at a club here in New York and we’ve been friends for a while. As far as which side of the spectrum, I assume you mean Projekt being known as a goth label and Android Lust as an industrial band. I don’t find that an issue at all. I see myself as an artist, not an industrial artist. There is a lot more to the spectrum than just goth and industrial.

Chain D.L.K.: Can we expect more tracks, B-Sides, or new versions of songs from the old version of “The Dividing”?
Android Lust: It’s the same CD, but the packaging is slightly different. This one has a booklet with lyrics.

Chain D.L.K.: The CD has a bit more of an organic feel to it this time around, versus the cold electronics of the first two CDs. What brought about that change?
Android Lust: People change and grow. You can’t do the same thing over and over again, or you’ll be bored to death. “The Dividing” seems to stir people in one extreme or the other. People either love it or hate it. Some reviews have been very positive while others were disappointed that it wasn’t a continuation of “Resolution”. You can’t please everybody.

Chain D.L.K.: Does it bring more of a natural feel to your live shows, or any other significant differences?
Android Lust: My shows have always been about performing live as much as possible. So in that regard, not much has changed.

Chain D.L.K.: The vocal distortion has also gone away on this one. Any plans to ever bring it back, or are you more comfortable singing all natural?
Android Lust: It’s still me out there pouring my guts out. Whether I am using distortion, delay, granular synthesis or nothing, is really dictated by what the song needs. These are just tools I use to emphasize a particular mood for a song. I think if you get attached to one particular sound too much, it can be a handicap.

Chain D.L.K.: Any new members to the group, or is it still just you?
Android Lust: Android Lust is my solo project. I don’t see any reason to change that.

Chain D.L.K.: Any side projects at the moment?
Android Lust: No.

Chain D.L.K.: So how did your most recent tour go, and what were some of the highlights of the tour?
Android Lust: We haven’t toured since October. We had set out to do the shows with Oneiroid Psychosis, but after the first show all their gear got stolen. That was awful. We did continue though. The highlight definitely was the Halloween show in Pittsburgh. It was one of the few all-ages shows we’ve played. The crowd was great and the sound at Club Laga is excellent.

Chain D.L.K.: Any plans on a new CD underway?
Android Lust: There’s a DVD underway. We don’t have a release date yet. We shot a video a few months ago. The editing is almost done.

Chain D.L.K.: With Android Lust opening the door for women in industrial, have you seen more and more women following in your footsteps?
Android Lust: I don’t really keep up with the scene, so I am afraid I couldn’t answer that.

Chain D.L.K.: Funny one before we go: OK, you’re stuck on an island and you have room for only one thing. You have Hugh Grant, a box of chocolates, a sandwich and a retarded pirate (my roommate’s ranting on about pirates so I thought I’d add that). Which one would you choose, and why?
Android Lust: Hugh Grant. It would be nice to have some help when I build the raft.

Chain D.L.K.: What can we expect from Android Lust in the future with it’s newfound kickass promotion and sound?
Android Lust: People will see a lot more of Android Lust whether they want to or not.

Chain D.L.K.: Anything else you’d like to add before we go (my roommate wants to know if you have any pirate jokes)?
Android Lust: Check out androidlust. com.

Chain D.L.K.: Thanks for your time and music. Take it easy!
Android Lust: Thanks.

[interviewed by Shaun Hamilton proofreading by Marc Urselli]