ZILLO: Instead of committing yourself to one musical direction, you combine electro, industrial, dark wave and gothic elements. Most listeners will be glad to see an artist who’s not limiting himself, while club promoters, festival organizers etc. often ask for either “electro”, “industrial” OR “gothic” bands. So far, has this decision been an advantage or disadvantage? Do you think that establishing the band would have been easier if you had limited yourself to one direction from the early days on?
ANDERS MANGA: Good question. Yes I’ve always been a misfit but I have to do what I do. I wouldn’t get any enjoyment out of being an imitator of another artist. I can’t write songs in a box under stipulations like that. It must suck to artists who have to think, “Well I can’t release this song because it sounds too dark” or “I can’t play that because it’s too electro”. Yes, I could pigeonhole myself and probably be more accepted but fuck that. That’s not being an artist, that’s being a tool. It’s a shame that everything has to fit into a label with some of these promoters. The scene would probably have a broader appeal if the business people and promoters would seek out and celebrate the unique. So many bands sound exactly the same now or you can hear their influences very obviously. I’m not saying I’m extremely unique or anything but I do pride myself in not sounding like everyone else.
ZILLO: You’ve been doing your stuff DIY for some years now. What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking care of everything (music, business, booking, distribution, promotion) yourself? I guess you still have a day job to do. How much time do you spend for the band?
