Android Lust - Who uses DAT anymore?

Out since late 2009 is Android Lust's "Resolution" box set. Originally released in 1997, this classic debut CD from the one woman electro act Android Lust has now been re-released as a limited edition 3CD box set. The boxset is limited to just 250 units and includes "Evolution", its companion remix CD from 1999, and a 3rd bonus disc of eleven rare and unreleased tracks ranging from the period 1994-2000. Both the original CDs from the now defunct Tinman label have long been out of print, and are finally seeing the light of day again as a release directly from Shikhee's own Synthellec Music. This ultra limited edition collector's set also comes with lots of exclusive goodies. Shikhee is currently working on her next studio album, which is roughly slated for a spring release, followed by an extended tour... Time for a chat with Shikhee who has been a Side-Line favourite since here very first release! (By Bernard Van Isacker) More info at www.androidlust.com .

SL: It has been years already that the "Resolution" album has been unavailable I guess most haven't even heard this material until now. Is it mostly older fans are new ones picking it up?

S: It seems to be a mix based on the feedback I've gotten so far. Lots of people who have come to know Android Lust from "Dividing" and "Devour" have picked it up as well as the old school fans.

SL: How was working back in time in 1994 when you recorded in your bedroom? I guess that with shifting economy and new recording possibilities we all move back to our bedroom... or not?

S: It's not so much that I recorded in my bedroom, but rather the limited means and experience I had to get done what I was trying to do. I had a 4 track cassette recorder, one keyboard and a guitar. I'd stripe one track to sync my MIDI keyboard, and bounce 2 of the tracks on to the 3rd, and then have 2 tracks free again. That's how the very early stuff was recorded.

SL: The whole set is quite exquisite, 3CDs, T-shirt, pin, ... Going through that older material, I suppose that you had some emotions going through you, can you describe how it felt creating this set?

S: I've been wanting to put out Resolution for a while, but I wanted to do it in a way that I, as a fan, would want it. The box set also includes a poster, a booklet with lyrics and photos from that era. The pewter pin is something very special. The design comes from body paint I used to wear at live shows. I had asked my friend Paul Komoda to paint me for one show, and it became a thing we did for a while. While it looked amazing it was just too time consuming to keep doing on a regular basis, and impossible to do on tour. This particular design came from body paint that went on my left shoulder for the CMJ 1998 show.

SL: The remix album that was released on Tinman Records also had some of the band signed to the label remixing you including I, Parasite, Cydonia and Crocodile Shop. Did it bring back good memories or not really?

It felt like a closure, and a feeling of shedding some weight that needed to go to clear space for the new. It was also good to actually go back and hear some of these early recordings and realize that yes, I have actually traveled a bit from there. The process of putting the material together felt like a closure on that chapter of my life. Mostly made me realize how much I've grown since then. A lot of memories yes. From my current perspective none of it seems bad.

SL: Apart from the companion remix CD from 1999, "Evolution", there is also a 3rd bonus disc of eleven rare and unreleased tracks ranging from the period 1994-2000. Was there a lot to be picked from?

S: There was a fair amount. A few tracks got discarded which will probably never get released. Some of the very early tracks included on the CD had to be digitally edited to get rid of DAT alignment noise. I had to borrow a DAT player from Bret because mine died long ago. Who uses DAT anymore?

Below is a video of the mastering of the bonus disc with Steve Berson of Total Sonic Media. Tracks shown here include "I Exist", "Where Angels Lie (Writhing)", "Cherished Agony (Last Drops)", "Suffer The Flesh (Escstaticus Insubstantia)", "Down", "Prisoner", "Sin (Demo)", "Used (Demo)", and "Burnt".

Get your CDs at the following eBay sites:
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SL: You run your very own label/publishing company Synthellec Music, did you bother to go for a distribution for the "Resolution" box set which is just limited to 250 units? Are do you handle as much as possible via your own webstore? I guess there is some distro via Projekt records or am I wrong?

S: I handle everything that comes through the AL webstore. The box set is a special item for AL fans that I am offering from my webstore almost exclusively. Projekt has taken a few, as well as Storming the Base.

SL: Who are the people behind Android Lust except for you anno 2010 ?

S: I am the sole writer and producer for Android Lust. For live shows, I am joined by Steve Kefalas on drums, James Light on guitar and keys, and Bret Calder on bass. Christopher Jon has played with AL for a long time but he's not been in the live line-up in the last 2 years as he's been focusing on his own project I, Parasite. He did however, program our light show for the 2008 tour. He also co-mixed the last album "Devour, Rise, and Take Flight" with me. For this new album, I've been incorporating the live musicians into several tracks. It's a new thing for Android Lust, and a lot of fun for me.


SL: Here's a social question as well. How do you look at all these social networks, lots of fiends but do they help to get more recognition and sales?

S: I don't have any direct stats to compare how sales would be if AL were not on these social networks. But it is important to have a presence on these sites. They provide a way to directly reach out to individual fans, which is pretty incredible compared to how it was even a few years ago. So for good or ill, social networking is a tool indie bands can't afford to ignore.

SL: In the past your tracks have been played on CBS, MTV, VH1, National Geographic Explorer and so on. Is that still something you look into actively? Any recent appearances?

S: Yes, licensing definitely helps fill in some of the void lost in direct music sales these days. I've had a track appear on the Navy NCIS soundtrack CD which came out earlier this year. I've also had songs appear in two indie horror films recently, "Sweatshop" and "The Sickness".

SL: Your videos are real jewels, I wonder how you get them financed...? Even lots of MTV rotating videos don't reach your level.

S: I've been lucky to have worked with people who are creative and resourceful. Both of my videos were directed by Dan Ouellette, the first one was also co-directed by Mark Larranaga. Everyone pulled a lot of strings, some worked for free, some called in favors, and lots of other things here and there to pull together these mini-films I am really proud of. Dan is also the set and costume designer for both videos. We worked many hours preparing and finalizing all the details before the shoot. We had two days shooting for both videos each. For me it was 7am to 10pm work days, and loved every minute of it! For some of the crew, even longer hours.

SL: When can we expect a new album? It has been 3 almost 4 years already since "Devour, Rise, and Take Flight".

S: It will be 4 years in February since Devour came out. I've been working on the new album for a good part of this year now. I started working on it in late 2007, but I spent a good amount of 2008 getting some personal stuff straightened out. I was able to delve in full speed on the new album earlier this year. I am planning on a Summer 2010 release. I have a name for it already, but I am still mulling it over so I am not ready to divulge it yet.

SL: And let's go political for the final question... You were born in Bangladesh, went to school in the UK to finally move to the USA. Ever regret moving to the US actually?

S: Everything that has happened to be made me who I am today, so no, I don't regret it. US has had its issues in the recent years, but this is my home now. I did consider moving to Canada after the 2004 elections though, but I hate the cold.