In Greek mythology the call and singing of the Siren was thought to be so seductive that it could enchant anyone who heard it. A mysterious caller? With seductive, enchanting, beautiful sounds? If that does not remind anyone of Aquiliz and Jazzy Beat, then nothing does. Perhaps not surpisingly, this is the name of the new band of the illustrious duo. Siren's Call Soundsystem is back with a vengeance, and like the sirens of ancient history here to seduce and destroy.

Why did you guys come out of retirement?
Aquiliz: Because the music industry is still the same. Still the corrupt hellhole it was before. The focus has long since gone from the actual fucking music to overconcerned bullshittery about the so-called 'stars'.
Jazzy Beat: Just take a look at what's on tv, in the zines and on the web. Some pop sensation hasn't been seen for two weeks. Drama! Oh the fucking drama! And when her or she returns: Where were you? What did you do? Can we please receive your juices in our face, as we kneel down in mindless worship?
Aquiliz: We're still the same, returning to an industry that has not changed either. Last time we wanted to change the Cult of Bullshit, evolve it into a healthy industry. This time, we want to destroy it. Don't get us wrong, there are still acts out there that are simply and honestly in it for the music. We want to work with those people, we want to spread our and their honest, creative approach until it destroys the sick, old beast that's currently being called "music".

So, no questions on what food you like, what you guys have done during the 'retirement' and other inane questions?
Jazzy Beat: [Laughs] No, spare us!
Aquiliz: [Grinning] Such questions are irrelevant. I did this, Jazzy did that, we did some stuff together. Some producing, some spending time with loved ones. You know, the stuff normal people do.

Onwards to the present day then! Can we do know who the mysterious "Citizen Schnaps" is?
Jazzy Beat: The mysterious Citizen Schnaps is actually a girl whom we worked with since day one, Alice McManamyn also known by the pseudonym 'Morrigan'. For one thing, she did all the female vocals on the remix-EP's of Nocturnes and Dreamscapes.

What do the three of you have planned for the future?
Aquiliz: We are going to do an album in the near future. It's going to be more of a group effort than our previous releases. Perhaps some guest-vocals, but not as much as we used to do.
Jazzy Beat: We'll also have more contact in the studio with one another. For previous releases we worked in different studios or different set-ups in our own studio, only getting together for the mixing. This time, we'll go for a more coherent structure.
Aquiliz: As for other plans... Not that much. At some point, both before and after the release of said Planned Album we'll do a tour. Nothing too fancy, just small and mid-level venues. Far more intense while at the same time intimate than the big stadiums.
Jazzy Beat: Besides, most venues have great installations nowadays. There's no incentive to hit the big ones. Instead of one big gig, we'll do a couple of smaller ones.

At this point Jazzy Beat excuses himself and leaves the room. Aquiliz remarks that Jazzy and Morrigan had planned a session in the afternoon. He himself is visibly relaxed, cool even. Lounging in the comfortable couch of what he calls 'the Zen Zone' of the trio's Amsterdam studio. Aquiliz uses a copy of Vibe Magazine to catch crumbs of the joint he rolls, remarking that interviews like the one with Moquel are a perfect example of everything he hates in the industry.

But what about the artists themselves?
Aquiliz: [Silent for a while as he smokes the joint and thinks] No, I don't hate the artists themselves. You can't blame the victim for being victimized. Moquel, since that was the example, has a great voice and is undoubtedly a great guy. However... Some 'in the biz' are willfully going along with it, stimulating it, feeding off it like vampires. I just don't get it. Why do people want to read inane questions? Why would people want to see the mindless flattery? Why would people want to look at people, who are too rich for their own good, doing fucked up shit? Why do people worship these artists when there's nothing there to worship? It's a cult. A fucking cult.

Is there hope for the industry?
Aquiliz: Of course there is, and I'm not going to say it's me. We, 'cause I can speak for Jazzy and Morrigan too, don't have a Messiah Complex. There are always good things somewhere. Sometimes it's just an odyssey to find it.

Edited by user 01 April 2010 18:11:20(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified