Cygnosic - I feel like a painter having an exhibition!

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14 Jun, 2009

Cygnosic - I feel like a painter having an exhibition!
No doubt about it, a fresh electronic breeze is blowing over Greece! More than ever before Greeks electronic bands are emerging from the electronic Olympus and the less I can say is that there's less to throw away. Most of them bring an original mix of Europen electronic standards merged with a very own touch. BLC Productions have just signed the solo-project CygnosiC. Georg Psaroudakis is a musician reminding to established names like In Strict Confidence and other Decoded Feedback, but who added his own mark on top. It resulted in the remarkable "A Deity In Pain", which for a debut album excels in maturity. We went for a virtual trip to Athens catching the man behind this new project. (By Stéphane Froidcoeur)

SL: Cygnosic is a quite recent project so tell us what incited you to start composing electronic music?

CC: My love for music. I have been always a musician so when I started searching and listening to this music genre, the need of composing this music came really naturally to me.

SL: What have been the bands you were listening to before you started Cygnosic?

CC: It's hard for me to determinate and name them since I am really open-minded when it comes to music. I listen to a variety of music genres and bands, whatever it sounds good and of quality to me.

SL: What do we have to imagine and/or understand by the name Cygnosic?

CC: In fact, there is a meaning behind this; years ago the original name was Psygnosis which in free translation means 'the knowledge of the soul' but later, I found out that I had to change it due to copyright reasons, so I decided to modify it to CygnosiC instead of changing it completely.

SL: What does this official debut-album "A Deity In Pain" mean to you?

CC: It's as important as every band's debut album. It's a quite critical moment and it has to be good enough to attract people's attention in order the band to endure in the future. At a personal level, I feel like a painter having an opening exhibition.

SL: How would you define the sound of Cygnosic?

CC: A mixture of old school mentality combined with modern sound.

SL: How did the writing process of this album happened and what do you keep in mind from this period?

CC: I have a really nice home studio at my home's basement here in Athens, where I did the pre-production. Once the tracks reached their best possible form, I transferred them to Lunatech Sounds Production & Recording studios located on Olympus mount that are specialised in this kind of music, where we re-worked on the existing material along with the producer Dimitris N. Douvras, until we reached the final result.

SL: What have been the main difficulties you experienced during the composition of "A Deity In Pain"?

CC: There are no difficulties while creating music, there shouldn't be. It just has to get out when the right time comes and that's when everything sounds as good as possible. I had no difficulties at all during the composition of this album, the only stressing thing for me was the final mixing/mastering process.

SL: What are the differences between your self-released album "In The Lag Of Time" and your official debut album "A Deity In Pain"?

CC: The first is in fact a home-made self released promo CD unlike the debut album, which was processed in a professional recording studio.

SL: Tell us a bit more about the spooky production of your vocals?

CC: More or less they are typical harsh vocals which adopt the European way of making such distorted vocals. I think they fit good enough on the album's aesthetics.

SL: When and how did you get in touch with BLC Productions and were there other labels you could have signed to?

CC: Last year I asked for a compilation contribution and BLC replied coming forward with a contract. Indeed, I was also in contact with other labels at that time, mostly from Germany and Sweden, however BLC was really enthusiastic about having me onboard, so I simply trusted my intuition as I knew few things about labels then. Now, I can actually say I made the right choice.

SL: What did you know from BLC Productions before you joined the label?

CC: A great industrial label with great bands. I feel really lucky that I released a debut album on BLC Productions; the sad truth is there are countless bands and most of them will never have the opportunity to make such steps even if they are quite talented, so I can be nothing but grateful. I will do my best not to let my label down.

SL: Who has been responsible for the artwork of your album and in which does it illustrate the sound of Cygnosic?

CC: The artwork was made by +D+, a close friend of mine whose work I adore. You can find a gallery of her works at fear_inside@myspace. Additional artwork and layout design has been done by George Prasinis who illustrates mostly for extreme metal bands. Samples of his work can be also found at grinpiece@myspace.

SL: I saw on your myspace profile that several other electronic bands from Greece belong to your friends. In which way do you all feel close and/or related with each other and what's your opinion about the Greek electronic scene?

CC: First of all, they are all friends of mine, I really value their work and appreciate their support. All of us involved in this type of music are led by our love for this kind of music and our hope to make it accessible to as much people as possible. The Greek electronic scene has become more solid than ever before and I feel things will get even better in the future. Hard work and focus on the goal is what it takes, everything in life are steps and goals. There are many good and worthy bands to listen to; I will indicatively mention Siva Six, Iambia, Preemptive Strike 0.1, Virgins OR Pigeons, Technolorgy and there are more.

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SL: In which way can we really speak about a Greek electronic scene with its own style and sound?

CC: Each band has its own style and sound and goes its own way in the music industry. However, most of the bands in the scene, with some single exceptions, are well connected as we are few and all involved in the scene. I spend much of my time talking about music and exchange opinions with them. I consider all bands here as a solid piece which represents Greece to the rest of the world with integrity on our work, modesty on our actions, quality in music and love for the subject.

SL: Back to your album now! What's the deeper meaning behind the title "A Deity In Pain" and in which way does this title reflect the lyrical themes and influences of Cygnosic?

CC: If you could see the original image of the album's artwork, you would actually see a very impressive and lusty woman which, despite the seeming beauty, in her true form inside is a very ugly creature. This is a weird idea that was running through my head; as most things in life, everything is not what it seems in first contact and, while us all being affected by this more or less, we try to draw the attention around us using stereotypes when there is nothing essential inside. In my case, I hope the essence of this album is its actual content and this is hopefully the enjoyable and qualitative music which is what the listener gets at the end. In their majority, the songs are about things worthy to stand and keep trying for.

SL: Do you feel like having a favourite subject you like to write about?

CC: There are many incentives besides the love for this music which make me write when I am composing a track. Most of them are related to strength and power in all levels; from physical strength to inner strength and their various forms as well as the knowledge and maturity to use them. In life, they are always connected with a mysterious mathematical way and make us move forward one step at a time.

SL: According to you, what are the advantages and restrictions of a solo-project?

CC: This is a coin with two sides. I can definitely have more control on what I do but, on the other hand, maybe more than one people can judge things, act more accurate and even share the time of the process. In the opposite case, bad chemistry or no chemistry at all between members could lead to a disaster. I feel things are ok the way they are now and in the future it could be that I welcome one or more members if the right people can be found.

SL: Are there some artists/musicians you would like to start a collaboration with? Who and why?

CC: Never thought of a specific or big act for collaboration. However, I feel I could collaborate with any artist easily if I stood the chance. As a starting band, I feel very lucky to have these few chances so far. If I am really worthy enough, things will come in time.

SL: Releasing your first official album is often like a dream that comes true. How does it feel to you and are there some aspects you would maybe have done a different way?

CC: As I said before, I feel like a painter having an exhibition. I really love every track on the album and I have spent countless hours listening to them. I feel things were done the best possible way and I am very satisfied from the final result and what the listener gets.

SL: What are the aspects/elements from this album you would for sure try to hold on and other improve on a next album?

CC: First of all, I will try to be original. That's the hardest part. Second thing is to improve the band at all levels, as a matter of fact I've already started working on this. Having a debut album released is like a dream that came true, but that's the first step. The hardest part is to stand out and endure in the future. For a small band, this means hard work and focus.

SL: What do you expect from this debut-album especially in times of economic - and musical crisis (think of illegal downloads, copying etc)?

CC: Times are hard, that's true. But music and bands will survive, no matter the situation. I hope to keep being able to offer my music to people, because it's inside of me and has to get out, it's as simple as that.

SL: What are the plans right now for Cygnosic?

CC: I am currently working hard to improve myself as a musician and the band while making new music.

SL: Any relevant information to conclude?

CC: I think there is nothing further to add at the moment since this interview was quite thorough. But I feel I have to thank you for your time and interest and I really hope we will speak again soon.

Band: www.cygnosic.gr / www.myspace.com/cygnosicmusic
Label: www.blcmusic.com / www.myspace.com/blc

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