;
METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello Brittany. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us here at Metal Pulp And Paper. We appreciate it.
BRITTANY BINDRIM: It’s an honor to chat with you!
MPAP: So glad to be catching up with you, how is everything going?
BRITTANY: Things are going great, but it’s a bit of a whirlwind. We have been busy finalizing a new album and everything that comes along with that; finishing the mixes, creating videos, album artwork, and all the other fun stuff. We’re excited and it feels good to be back at it.
MPAP: Well get into more depth about your new song, "Carmena Saturna," here in a moment, but let’s first introduce everyone to your band I:Scintilla for those that haven’t heard of you just yet. Taken straight from Wikipedia, it reads: I:Scintilla is a post-industrial music band from Chicago, Illinois, currently consisting of Brittany Bindrim (vocals/lyrics), Jim Cookas(guitar/programming), Vincent Grech (drums), Dean Dunakin(Bass) and John Freriks (guitar). The band also formed in 2003, and soon after self-released their debut album, The Approach, in 2004. So, I guess the question is, the group started over 15 years ago, and things have changed over the years, is there anything else you care to add?
BRITTANY: First and foremost: our lineup changed a bit. Alongside myself, guitarist Jim Cookas, and drummer Vince Grech, joining us is bassist Dean Dunakin and guitarist Myles Arwine. Both are such talented musicians and great pals, so we are lucky to have them in the I:S clan. In addition to that, our sound has naturally evolved since 2004, as we have as musicians and humans, which you can certainly hear in the new album.
MPAP: After your Marrow 2 release in 2013, the band fell off the grid and went on a hiatus for a few years, correct?
BRITTANY: We did go on a bit of a break from the public eye. It was kind of necessary for all of us to recharge creatively and gain some perspective on where we wanted to go next musically.
MPAP: What was going on during that time in the band’s career, or perhaps in your life, that you had to step away from the music of I:Scintilla?
BRITTANY: Though we continued working on new music behind the scenes, all of us had a lot going on in our lives during those years. Marriage, career shifts, etc - it felt natural to take a step back for a moment. Jim and I had also formed a small tech consulting startup for a couple years and we had a lot on our plates. I began to delve deeper into art and started painting large scale murals and showing pieces in small galleries in Chicago.
MPAP: Were you still writing music behind the scenes at all, or did you step away from the I:Scintilla scene entirely?
BRITTANY: During those 4 years, we had never stopped writing songs and recording rough ideas that would eventually turn into fully formed tracks. Then, 2 years ago we started to take the band more seriously again. At first we honestly didn’t know what direction these songs would take us; we were unsure whether we were writing songs for a completely new project or the next I:Scintilla album. But soon enough as the collection of songs began to take shape, it took the form of Swayed, our new album to be released in September 21, 2018.
MPAP: Now fast forward those years later, and you finally break the silence with a new song and video called "Carmena Saturna." Not a bad way to start off 2018 and excite your fans correct?
BRITTANY: The feedback we’ve gotten so far has been really positive. We really hope that our fans dig it and there is much more to come.
MPAP: How did it feel to be back making and creating music again?
BRITTANY: It felt like coming home. We had changed our writing and recording approach on this album, which was refreshing. Most of our previous material was written by Jim and myself and usually started with the computer first. For Swayed, many of the songs were written with the band in a room together. One of us would either bring something to the table and riff off of that or we would write fluidly on the spot.
MPAP: Was there anything you had to dust off, or was it like you had never set the microphone down?
BRITTANY: Believe it or not, like I never set it down. It felt very natural. I think the rest of the guys felt the same.
MPAP: So, now that the brief hiatus is over, and I:Scintilla is back stronger than ever, let’s talk about your new song, "Carmena Saturna"? It’s about the ephemeral nature of relationships and memories, as well as the struggles to stay connected and grounded in the fast-paced chaos of modern society. The video that accompanies the song is also profound. You said you strived to capture the overwhelming feeling of disorientation and overstimulation that comes with being inundated with an endless flood of information and imagery that we are bombarded with daily through the social media, advertising, and other outlets. That is pretty deep, and of course, it affects us all in this technology-driven world?
BRITANNY: It absolutely affects us all. We’ve come so far so quickly with advancements in technology; how we navigate and experience the world and how we integrate social media into our daily lives. But I feel like this digital world we live in just appeared before us and evolved so fast before we really understood the effects it would have on us as whole. Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of the avalanche of information, imagery, advertising, and the dopamine rushes of social media validation. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, unbalanced, or disconnected.
MPAP: It seems like it’s getting worse as the days pass also. It’s almost like there’s a commercial within the commercial, something embedded in something that tries to draw you in. Do you find this to be true?
BRITTANY: Absolutely, it’s disorienting. To go on a bit of a tangent for a minute, to me it feels like we live with this weird dichotomy nowadays that is really about framing and how you choose to curate your world. Sometimes it feels like while we live in a culture that devalues art, music, literature… art forms that were often used to elevate consciousness and the human condition are now devalued or being used for marketing purposes. But at the same time, we can’t ignore all the incredible gifts that this era has given us. Look at all the fantastic music, fine art, film, podcasts, etc. that we have at our fingertips these days! While we often feel stuck behind the screens of our computers, we are also able to get out and discover new parts of the cities we live in by opening an app on our phones. It’s also easy for anyone to have their voices and ideas heard. Both beautiful and horrendous social / political movements see the light of day with the exposure of social media and other online outlets. I don’t know about you, but I feel like we are lucky to be living in this time where we are progressing and making huge steps forward in society, but there are consequences and resistance to moving forward so rapidly… and also a lot of annoying online ads and email forwards from your prejudiced uncle.
MPAP: I saw a picture on Facebook where the word ‘Facebook’ was written out in cocaine, and a person was getting ready to snort it. It’s crazy how addicted one can become wrapped up in the social media?
BRITTANY: I remember seeing that series! I think we all have that friend who is so wrapped up in their phone when you are spending time with them; the one that uses social media to an excessive amount where it is impeding on their relationships and causing actual consequences. Which then I think by definition it is an addition.
MPAP: Makes you wonder what it’s going to be like in five, ten, or twenty years from now?
BRITTANY: I’m super curious! Probably bowing down to our robot overlords?
MPAP: Going back to "Carmena Saturna," you also directed the video, correct? How was that, and had you previously done something like this before?
BRITTANY: This was my music video directorial debut. I had done some video editing here and there in the past. It has always been something I wanted to get deeper into. Working on the music video for ‘Carmena’ felt like the perfect time to give it a whirl. The inspiration for the video that was part vintage futurism, part social media imagery overload, and part existential crisis. I worked with a talented videographer Jay Patterson show shot the band footage as well as my longtime friend Emily Gualdoni who is an amazing photographer and creative force; both really helped make the video a reality.
MPAP: Will this become something you’ll do again?
BRITTANY: Well…you will have your answer June 22. Wink, wink.
MPAP: "Carmena Saturna" is the first taste of new music from your long-awaited new album Swayed? And it will be the first album with all new material since 2010s Dying & Falling? What else can you tell us about it? What can your fans expect from Swayed?
BRITTANY: We are really proud of Swayed and how far we have come as a band. We really do believe this is our strongest record to date. This was our first time working with producer Greg Panciera (Sylvia Massy, Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails, Dave Bianco). Not only was it rewarding and refreshing to work with him, we could not be happier with the results. We also recorded acoustic drums, bass, and guitar at Shirk Studios, which really helps give the album a fuller sound.
MPAP: When new fans, and of course your long-time die-hard fans, hear more of your new songs, what are you hoping they walk away with? What do you want them to feel?
BRITTANY: We have most certainly evolved and matured as a band and this album is a reflection of that. Swayed favors organic instrumentation versus our more programmed sound of our past. You’ll hear fuzzy guitars, intricate synthesizer work, and catchy melodies. You’ll find fast-paced, high energy tracks, as well as slower and more introspective songs. We just hope that people will love the new songs as much as we do.
MPAP: And it’s rumored to be out in late September, on the Alfa Matrix label, whom you’ve been a part of that family since 2006 when you released Havestar? They’ve been significant to you over the years, haven’t they?
BRITTANY: Swayed will be released through the Alfa Matrix on September 21, 2018. The album features 10 new tracks and will also be available as a 19-track special edition release. Alfa Matrix played a huge role in helping us get to where we are today, and for that we are so thankful for their work over the years.
MPAP: Let’s try this on for size, how would you compare the first I:Scintilla release, The Approach, to Swayed?
BRITTANY: We look back on the The Approach fondly. It certainly has a naive, freshly formed sound that can only be found on a band’s first release. We were pretty inexperienced babies when we wrote those songs, which is part of their charm. But Swayed is a different beast. You will hear much more intricate instrumentation, more inspired and mature songwriting, and our best sounding record to date.
MPAP: Like mentioned earlier, your band has been around for 15 years, with of course some lineup changes here and there, and even at one point, you changed your signature style of metal electronica sound to delving into the acoustic side of things?
BRITTANY: We have always loved playing our songs acoustically, so we thought we’d share a few of our favorite unplugged jams on the EP Marrow 1. Playing the songs stripped down is a really fun change of pace from our typical live show. It’s more laidback and spontaneous. It’s fun to throw in covers here and there that we normally would not perform with our full lineup. We will continue performing unplugged sets including our older songs as well as a some of the new tracks.
MPAP: Before we wrap this up, will there be a tour after the release? Do you have anything you can mention that might be happening yet?
BRITTANY: We don’t have any tours planned as of yet, but in the near future we are booking some release shows in the Midwest. We would absolutely love to tour this year, so we’re hoping we can make this happen with the right tour mates.
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Brittany, for being a part of this interview. We look forward to what I:Scintilla does to finish out 2018 and beyond.
BRITTANY: Thank you so much! It was a pleasure.
MPAP: Any last words you’d like to say for everyone out there reading this?
BRITTANY: One last thing I would like to mention: We just launched a charity remix contest for "Carmena Saturna". Remixers can download the stems from the track and get all the rules at: http://iscintilla.com/remix. The deadline for remixes is July 9 and the winning track will be featured as the b-side to our upcoming single. All income generated from sales of the contest will be donated to the Darkest Before Dawn. They are fantastic charity doing great things for those in the nightlife industry who are struggling with issues of mental health, safety, or support. It’s a great cause, so we really hope you consider getting involved and stay tuned for the finalists on July 13!
FIND/FOLLOW/LISTEN
I:SCINTILLA
HERE:
©metalpulpandpaper