Celldweller - Interview [D1 Music]

Interview with electro-industrial man Klayton of Celldweller.

Valdyr: Tell us a little about yourself.
Klayton: I'd rather not. Like mom would say, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all..."

Valdyr: What inspired you to get involved with music?
Klayton: I would have to blame that on my grandfather. As a kid, I would find any excuse to get into his "Hi-Fi Room" where I would sit and listen to disco and orchestral music through headphones. The sound captivated my attention longer than any TV show or friend could.

Valdyr: How exactly did you start in music?
Klayton: Bought a drumset for a hundred dollars when I was 12. Had no idea what I was doing, but just watched, listened and learned until I figured it out.

Valdyr: Where did the name Celldweller come from?
Klayton: It's roots were derived from a few sources, but mainly is a metaphor for how I've lived my life both internally and externally. Spent most of my time alone, and into adolescence spent that alone time in my basement studio, reading manuals, making mistakes and learning from them.

Valdyr: What are some of your influences?
Klayton: Musically, it runs the gamut. These days I mostly listen to European based electronic music on the side of hard drum and bass and Goa/Psy trance. I don't restrict myself to particular styles that I do or don't like. If I like it, I like it. I do have to admit that I am utterly bored with most of what is being passed off as modern music on American radio and TV these days. Boring...

Valdyr: When I listen to your album, I'm very impressed with the way it flows and the overall design. Could you tell us a little about your "music theory" and how you put together your music?
Klayton: Thank you for the compliment, although I can't say it was completely preconceived. My plan when it comes to writing is to have no plan. I don't overthink the process or even try to make a whole disc cohesive deliberately. I tend to be a much more progressive writer than a commercial writer, so a song is an open palette to me that can go from death metal to disco if it works and flows within the context of the track.

Valdyr: If I opened up your CD player right now, what would I find?
Klayton: Frou Frou - Details, Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works (either disc), Divination – Akasha, Refused - Shape of Punk to Come, and The Faint – Danse Macabre.

Valdyr: If I opened up your fridge right now, what would I find?
Klayton: Moldy bread and Pepsi One.

Valdyr: When can we expect the next album?
Klayton: It's safe to say it should drop sometime before 2015.

Valdyr: Are there any plans for a tour?
Klayton: In the middle of one right now. Just got off a tour with Godhead and we are going back out in a week for the remainder of this year. We'll be playing from New York to California and back, so check the Official Celldweller site for dates (http://Celldweller.com)

Valdyr: Which do you find more fulfilling, playing live or working in the studio?
Klayton: Studio by far. I hate touring.

Valdyr: Tell us a little about the equipment you use.
Klayton: That would take awhile. It consists mostly of hardware and software, organic and electronic instruments and the main hub is my Mac which runs the whole show for me.

Valdyr: What's the most memorable moment you've had in your music career?
Klayton: I can't remember at the moment. I'm sure I must have had one though.

Valdyr: Is there any one message you'd like to give to your fans?
Klayton: No. I just know they are smart enough to get messages through lyrics and now from talking to me at shows. I jumped off the pedestal of trying to give anyone any sort of message for any reason. This is all open to interpretation.

Valdyr: What's your favorite song to perform?
Klayton: The 9 minute long version of "The Last Firstborn"

Valdyr: Do you have any personal/moral/religious/political/etc. opinions or thoughts that you'd like to share with the world?
Klayton: Absolutely not.

Valdyr: What are some of your future goals?
Klayton: Eat some good Tortellini Parmesan and watch my "Seven" DVD. Some time off to accomplish these goals would be nice...

Valdyr: How do you feel about the status of the music industry today?
Klayton: I'm better off not commenting on it because I don't have anything really nice to say. Like my mom told me "if you don’t have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all..." Thanks again, mom.

Valdyr: How would you describe your music to someone who had not yet heard it?
Klayton: I would probably hand them a 3 song promo we have or ask them to go the Celldweller site to listen for themselves. That is always the best way, let them decide for themselves whether or not they dig it.

Valdyr: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would you want to work with?
Klayton: David Fincher or Chris Cunningham.

Valdyr: Who have you worked with so far?
Klayton: A short list would contain members of Prong, Taproot, Foetus, Drown...

Valdyr: What was it like working with Fluffy Starr on your last album?
Klayton: An absolute pleasure. The beauty of technology is that we didn't even need to be in the same room to do it. I told her what my thoughts were for the track and the feel I was wanting and sent her the files which she imported into her computer. She laid the tracks and sent them back to me. She added a dimension to the CD that I absolutely wanted. Now, hopefully I can somehow con her into working with me again...

Valdyr: What would be your idea of an ideal tour?
Klayton: One that I don't have to participate in.

Valdyr: If you had to point to one song as being the most influential in your life, which one would you pick, and why?
Klayton: Hmmm, that would be nearly impossible. I can't accredit one single track or even one single album as the most influential because so many have influenced me. I do remember as a child, the first time I heard "Mr Roboto" I was transfixed by this robotic voice. When I found out later on in my adolescence that the vocal was created with a vocoder, I quickly began abusing my own tracks with vocoders...

Valdyr: What advice would you give to someone who was trying to "make it" in the entertainment industry?
Klayton: Do it yourself. Fuck sitting around and waiting for things to be handed to you on a plate. Unless mommy and daddy are rich, it's not going to happen without much personal sacrifice and dedication. Don't expect anyone to hold your hand or help you out based on the infinite benevolence in their hearts. Welcome to the real world, expect to take it in the ass and do everything in your power to prevent it. The best way to do that is to control whatever you can.

Valdyr: Which song or songs of yours do you have the most personal attatchment to, and why?
Klayton: Probably "The Last Firstborn". My reasons why are personal and probably not interesting to anyone else.

Valdyr: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
Klayton: Eating some good Tortellini Parmesan and watching my "Seven" DVD.

Valdyr: That's all the questions I had, is there anything else you'd like to say?
Klayton: Come see us when we're in your town. In fact, come see us if we're a few towns over, too. Visit the Official Celldweller site for any info you want or don't want. Thanks for the interview. If I'm lucky someone might even read it...
Valdyr: Thanks so much for your time!