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Opiates
Joint answers from electronic connoisseurs Opiates.
What motivates you to make music?
Billie: It’s hard to say these days. A stubborn and single-minded drive to continue for no apparent reason.
Robert: I’m not sure really, I think I just need to make music, it’s in my blood.
What three aspects or parts of your latest release (single or album) are you most proud of?
B: The Anatomy Of A Plastic Girl EP sounds have been mastered to sound lush and posh, and has served songs so well that we can’t keep listening. Songwriting wise it’s true Billie Ray Martin meets the perfect songwriting partner in Robert Solheim - I can let rip. Thirdly we are the carpenters of electro and we rule.
R: If you could make that four, I would say the four tracks on our forthcoming EP Anatomy of a plastic girl.
If time and money were no issue, how long do you think it would take you to make the perfect album?
B: 3 –4 months max. Everything above that is self-indulgent hippy stuff.
R: 6 months, if I had 6 months with no financial worries, it would be enough, but then there’s mixing and producing…
What do you enjoy doing away from music?
B: Watching TV.
R: Nature, beer and friends and love of course.
Which song or piece of music other than your own draws the strongest emotional response from you?
B: The Opiates named themselves after an album by Anywhen called: ‘The Opiates.’ A song on there called: ‘All That Numbs You’ is pretty strong stuff.
R: ‘World In My Eyes’ by Depeche Mode, ‘Black Water’ by Rain Three Crow, or anything by Davis Sylvian actually and then there’s Abbey Lincoln. This could go on forever…
Outside of recording and playing music, which part of the musician’s life do you find the most dull?
B: Waiting for the responses you deserve from inside of the music industry. More than dull.
R: I can’t think of one, except the other day I had to do a DJ mix at home, that was kind of boring as there were no people to interact with.
Which instrument do wish you could play and why?
B: Guitar. It’s the most beautiful and versatile instrument and I would want to play like Pops Staples and Teenie Hodges.
R: The piano like Shirley Horn, simply the most beautiful sound I know, almost.
Apart from music are there any other art forms you relate to?
B: Not really.
R: Yoga? Not really. I do enjoy all kinds of art though, nothing as relaxing as spending a couple of hours in an exhibition.
What role do you believe music plays in the world and how do you help to fulfill it?
B: It helps to make humans feel better momentarily. I guess that’s it.
R: I used to think it could save us from going under, now I think that each and every one of us is responsible so the music itself can save us. On the other hand, if I somehow was forbidden to make music, I would slowly go insane. So I guess my role is to keep myself sane.
With the rise of the internet fans are able to become closer to and know more about their artists. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
B: Fabulous. It’s opened up so many avenues that allow you to reach people without relying on labels, radio etc. It’s most rewarding and one wonders how one managed before.
R: I think it’s good, we are all just people but with different abilities. I myself am fan of several other artists.
How do you think music will be distributed, exchanged or sold in 5 years time?
B: Via downloads.
R: We are going back to vinyl. I find myself listening to and buying vinyls again and they just sound amazing. I also notice that I actually listen to the whole album, not just jump through the track as often happens with mp3’s and, I look at the cover and read whatever’s on it.
If you could rename your band, what would it be?
B: I wouldn’t but we were first going to be called: Hollywood Under The Knife, which is now the title of our album.
R: The Opiates is a pretty cool name, wouldn’t change that.
Looking back on the last century, which decade had the best music?
B: The 80’s and the 60’s.
R: All of them. As with all true art, I think that whatever was made reflected the moment.
In 10 years time, what will you be doing?
B: Own a vegetarian restaurant in Paris serving German sauerkraut and own a big flat with a roof terrace overlooking the roofs of Paris and the Eiffel tower.
R: Music and maybe having a vacation.
Please leave us with your favourite lyric, line of poetry, quote or phrase.
B: I wouldn’t join any club that would have me as a member.
Oscar Wilde.
Opiates new EP 'Anatomy Of A Plastic Girl' is released March 3rd.
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