Tenebrion - Interview [D1 Music]

Interview with synth rockers Tenebrion.

Valdyr: Tell us a little about yourselves.
Greg: Hey I'm Greg! I’m an ex-computer nerd (yeah right) who transmits his otherworldly desires by way of the guitar and synths.
Bridget: I love fabrics, color, and shiny things that keep me entertained for hours! Aside from music, I'm pursuing interior and fashion design as an artistic expression.

Valdyr: You told me earlier that 'Tenebrion' means 'spirit of darkness'. What's your concept behind that?
Bridget: We've had several names prior before Tenebrion and it had this intangible ring to it that expressed what we were creating within our music.
Greg: Since Tenebrion means 'spirit of darkness', we have a certain reverence for Wicca. The relevance we have for our name is based upon an inherent contradiction. Let me explain that...whereas most people associate the term Lucifer with the Devil, Satan, etc., in Latin it really means 'light-bearer'. So our whole conceptualization has been based upon by the idea that the personal 'darkness' one feels is a great source of truth. Of course I'm probably ranting now, and in my philosophical mode, so yeah.

Valdyr: What inspired you to get involved with music?
Greg: Even from an early age my life revolved around music. Everything from listening to The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and even Jimi Hendrix before I was seven years old, to watching Kurt Cobain on T.V. when I was 11. Upon seeing Nirvana performing live I instantly started to obsess over playing the guitar. Around my high school days, I was more into the fading grunge scene left by Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins. Then around 17 I met Bridget who turned me onto the underground scene of industrial. I mean, of course before then I thought the only industrial acts were Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, etc., but when had my first taste of Velvet Acid Christ, Acumen Nation, and Assemblage 23, I was hooked! Before then (during high school) I had been really pulled into the thriving psychedelic trance and the U.K. drum + bass scenes, but that music always left me with wanting more emotion and a more lasting connection that only happens when there are actual bands.
Bridget: A drive started since pre-school where I would sing along with instrumental pieces, which allowed for my further exploration in this creative artform.

Valdyr: If I opened up your CD player right now, what would I find?
Bridget: I have such a widespread taste, so I'm always surprised by what I find in my collection. The Spice Girls will always be the shiznit!
Greg: About 10 or 15 CD's stacked in my little portable CD player! Everything ranging from Astral Projection to Kill Hannah, and maybe even a little Acumen Nation.

Valdyr: If I opened your fridge right now, what would I find?
Greg: Plenty of veggies and healthy stuff like that. I'm learning how to cook now and trying to avoid the freshman 15 that college is known for causing.

Valdyr: When can we expect the album?
Bridget: We have several songs that we haven't even played live yet so those are going to be fun. Most likely the songs for the E.P. will be based upon how the audience reacts to our new material.
Greg: Well for now we are concentrating on providing a 6 to 7 song E.P. sometime this spring. I'm sure it will contain one or two songs off our demo, but it will consist of mostly new material. There may be some surprises for some, because the songs we're writing now are incorporating more drum + bass and progressive trance influences but still maintaining that edge we're known for.

Valdyr: What's the most memorable moment you've had in your music career?
Bridget: The satisfaction after our live shows and how we are making a positive impact upon people and what we do as performers is greatly appreciated! Fan interaction and great open-minded audience responses as well all add to why I do this.
Greg: For now it would be when we recorded our demo last summer. We had a blast during the sessions and if it weren't for the recording, none of the doors would be opening. However we are playing the Congress Theatre in Chicago on the 21st in a Battle of the Bands competition, so that may soon become my favorite moment!

Valdyr: What's your favorite song to play?
Bridget: That would have to be "The Original". It was the first song that both Greg and I wrote while previously in another band. I feel more connected to the song as it is the "origin" of our history and it was the first song I wrote lyrics for.
Greg: Well we did a techno remix for our song called "The Original". We didn't take the music very seriously and it was literally done on accident. However we were able to mold the song by adding much more trance and progressive techno sounds that ended up being a great song to perform live! Since then we have fully embraced the technology that is offered to us by the way of better effects, complicated dance beats, and tons of throbbing/aggressive synth lines.

Valdyr: I know that you guys are friends with another D1 Band, No Fate. Tell us a bit about that.
Greg: Remember when K-Mart used to have those blue light specials? Well as Bridget and I were walking through the aisles, we just saw this cute, little band called DFR. But this band turned out to be much larger than we expected and turned out to be No Fate! But yeah, I went to high school with both Tom and Oscar so we've kept in touch since then. They're a band I have tons of respect for and they were one of the first people who really embraced our music.

Valdyr: What are some of your future goals?
Greg: World Domination.
Bridget: To over trample issues in my life and to solidify the connection of our live-line up by working within a more professional level. Including pushing as far as we can without compromising what we wanted from the beginning.

Valdyr: How do you feel about the status of the music industry today?
Greg: Karl Marx would be proud. I mean there is a revolution happening right now in practically every music scene that will completely change the way we view recorded music. It's also great to hear the music industry is finally able to recognize female fronted hard rock bands at the Grammy's, so I feel as if there's finally a breath of fresh air and that most of the industry will be able to give the respect and attention that our sound deserves.
Bridget: I think that the current industry is that music is supposed to be openly creative with a more emphasis placed upon individuality, whereas music today is considered much more of a need to satisfy what has been done before, artistically that is.

Valdyr: What do you think about D1's impact on the industry?
Bridget: It opens a great medium to immediately broaden new bands to establish their connection with a nationwide audience. It also allows upcoming bands by allowing connections that they wouldn't have otherwise.
Greg: It's great. I mean, after our shows I've met people from the message boards who are so honest and supportive to the non-discriminating D1 scene. Ultimately I predict D1 becoming much larger but still keeping that community-like vibe.

Valdyr: How did you guys find out about D1?
Greg: Well, we all are huge fans of Orgy and it was only a matter of time until we found out about D1.

Valdyr: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would you want to work with?
Bridget: Marilyn Manson. Not only because of our similar musical influences but also since we both push things to the limits of what is accepted.
Greg: Do you have an hour to spare? No, there are many people in this scene that I would love to work with, however if I had to pick just two then I would definitely select Jason Novak from Acumen Nation/DJ? and Acucrack and Klayton from Celldweller. I was lucky enough to speak a few words with Klayton when his band strolled through Chicago last week. All around a very cool person and I truly respect and love the work he has done.

Valdyr: That's all the questions I had, is there anything else you'd like to say?
Greg: Thanks for the interview and be sure to check out the latest news, shows, and mp3's at www.tenebrion.net!
Bridget: Go Kirby!