Editor’s Note: It was a great conversation with Minneapolis, Minnesota’s own ZWAREMACHINE! ZWAREMACHINE recently returned back to the United States after having a run in Europe. He has released a single entitled “Smile That Killed A Country” with I Ya Toyah, and is on the “Code Blue” tour. Learn about ZWAREMACHINE as an artist in this interview with Madness To Creation. Fans can find ZWAREMACHINE at the following locations:
Madness To Creation: What are you currently jamming out to?
ZWAREMACHINE: I have been obsessed with Priest lately. They are Swedish synthwave band with a bit of darkness and better production than the majority of retro synthwave that is released. I think that heavy synth style mixed with industrial rhythms is possibility for the next Zwaremachine album.
Madness To Creation: One reason why we need to see Zwaremachine in concert!
ZWAREMACHINE: We approach the live show with the same Minimal Hypnotic style that is on the debut full length “Be A Light” and the custom visuals and stage presentation are in line with that.
Madness To Creation: What can fans expect from the “Smile That Killed A Country” single and “Code Blue” tour?
ZWAREMACHINE: We are calling it the Code Blue Tour. “Smile That Killed A Country” is the single that I wrote and produced as a bonus release for the tour dates. It was recorded as a duet with Ania(I Ya Toyah) and we perform it exclusively at these live dates and have it available at our bandcamp site as a download where fans can support the tour and artists. On this tour we are bringing you 2 bands from the Midwest US who are emerging in the electronic/industrial scene and you don’t want to miss these highly stylized sets full of unique energy!
Madness To Creation: Favorite thing about your recent European run!
ZWAREMACHINE: That was a fantastic trip! It was one of the goals I had for the band. It is a really different music culture over there and especially in the genres my band dwells in.Bringing Zwaremachine to Europe and playing the Downhill Festival in the Netherlands with Portion Control on the bill was my fave show. Along with meeting some great bands/friends/fans on those shows…I was also able to meet Dirk Ivens at that gig which was a highlight as his bands had influenced the early Zwaremachine sound and direction. It also opened up some connections and we will be returning in Sept. 2019 for the Liege New Wave Festival in Belgium.
Madness To Creation: One city you want to perform in that you haven’t yet.
ZWAREMACHINE: I am looking forward to more shows in Europe and hoping to get to London next year to meet and visit with UK friends and fans.
Madness To Creation: Take us into the song “Be A Light”, what’s the song talking about and most rewarding aspect about creating that song?
ZWAREMACHINE: That song is a rare moment of hope and encouragement for my lyrics. It became the album title early on and I wanted to say something to uplift in any time of darkness…”Out Fight/Out Man/ Out Dance/Be A Light like only you can!” is the chorus and can be a mantra for life or just letting loose on the dancefloor and being yourself. I feel like the rewarding part is when people listen, sing along or comment about this track because it sums up the album and idea that behind all the negative and harsh aspects of the world there can still be your own light to guide and shine.
Madness To Creation: What else would you like to add in regards to Zwaremachine?
ZWAREMACHINE: I love to perform live! After months of writing/recording the album and performing with various live band lineups I have I have figured out how to best present the songs on stage. In the studio I am able to record parts myself and edit the arrangements but it is was proving difficult to get band members to learn and execute the parts. In 2019 I began performing as duo with D-bot on bass/vocals and could not be happier about the edge and confidence that has given the live shows…he was a former member of Zwaremachine on synth and electronic percussion before rejoining recently and he is a great musician and friend so we have already discussed him being more involved in the sounds and writing for the next record which will be co-produced by Swedish music producer Henrik Johansson. The band will also be in Europe again before end of 2019 and looking for labels to release and distribute our Minimal Hypnotic Industrial Body Music over there.
Madness To Creation: Thank you for your time to interview with me for Madness To Creation!
ZWAREMACHINE: Thank you to Madness to Creation for taking time to support Zwaremachine independent music and #midwestindustrial Hope to see some of you on the Code Blue Tour and beyond!
