Featuring Matthew Willis of Splendor Projekt | Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl | 09-December 2008
Ruud: Thanks Matthew that you have found time to give answers to these questions, Tell me about your album Age of Love for the label Section44?
Matt: Well,thank you for having me! We’ve been working on it since around 2005.It has recently been completed and is now in the final stages of production for release.It seems to have an optimistic spirit and was not created to be a commercial success.It is more of a self fulfilling effort for me and Jean Michel’.But,one that has caught on somehow with others…That is really the cool unexpected part of it all which has been very gratifying.
Ruud: Can you give an introduction Splendor Projekt?
Matt: We are two individuals collaborating from opposite ends of the world, mutating into one musical life form.We are very different but, we have much in common musically.Jean Michel’ brings a unique voice to the music and I think I bring intelligent lyrics and poppy sounds. . Around 05’ ,Things started to take off. I met Jean Michel’ and I gave him some lyrics..When he sent me a vocal demo of “Age of Love”,I knew he was going to be the voice of our outfit. Jean Michel’ is the only voice for Splendor Projekt.I don’t think I would want to ever go on doing the band with another singer.If he decides somewhere in the future that he doesn’t want to do it anymore then,we’d just terminate the band and move on to other projects.I think…Because of our being in two different geographic locations,we have been reaching listeners in many parts of the world which I feel would not happen if we were simply an American act,or French for that matter… but, because we are both…We cover more ground perhaps.
Ruud: have you a full album Age of Love and the lyrical compositions what you can tell about the done work?
Matt: Yes,it is a complete LP and it will feature 9 songs that I wrote along with a cover song of Howard Jones “What is Love?” along with a bonus track from a guest vocalist named Annakin for a song that I wrote called “Starlet”.Some of our tracks will be featured in a few compilations out there,so look for them!!!
Ruud: Can you will tell a little about the main themes of the lyrics and tell a little about names of compositions?
Matt: All I can say really is that the lyrics are very dense and show a vulnerable side of me.There is no fascade… Just my innermost thoughts and feelings. Looking back,I think I really took an emotional risk in wearing my heart on my sleeve.The compositions are light and airy but do not necessarily conform themselves to other pop traditions…
Ruud: Why did you choose for Splendor Projekt as a band name?
Matt: In the late 90’s ,I began experimenting with synths and software.I began trying to learn the basic concepts of layering and mixing music.I wanted to create a project that would exemplify the end result of this experimentation.I wanted to initially call it “splendor” but, I decided to add the word “projekt” to the end of it.
Ruud: Is There anything else you want your audience to know about the upcoming album that I havent covered?
Matt: There has been a lot of emails from fans wanting to know when the album will be out. I ask for your patience in this process. We hope it proves to be worth the wait.
Ruud: Can you tell me of this album in comparison with the previous works?
Matt: Well, this is the first release for both of us some we don’t have anything else to base our previous works… You probably don’t want to even hear some of my previous work…LOL. Talk about major ear harassment…LOL.
What music are you listening to right now? What you're watching and reading as well?
Ruud: What are you listening to these days?... Reading?... Watching???
Matt: I am really into the new Keane album! It is great… Also, the new release from “Elegant Machinery” have been blasting on my i-pod a lot lately. As far as reading, I have a little daily meditation and reflection book that I have been reading. Everyday when I wake up, I read a small passage to help direct my thinking as I go into a new day. On TV, when time allows… I have been watching on my beloved Texas Longhorn college football team get cheated by the BCS voters…LOL.
I am a big fan of British Comedy. I like watching the old episodes of “Are you being Served?” and “Keeping Up Appearences” , or most recently “My Family”… which is also a brilliant British comedy.
Ruud: What you could tell about a modern condition of an EBM/ industrial scene?
I really don’t pay all that much attention nor do I place a lot of serious thought to the “Scene”. However, I will say there are a lot of cool ebm/indusatrial acts out there that are worthy of a listen. Imperative Reaction, Combichrist, and Assemblege23 are some that come to mind.
Ruud: In the near future? What to all of us should be expected from your new albums?
Matt: We have a remix album called “Splendid” in the works that will be released by Section 44 in ‘09 .
Other than that, We want to finish some of our other projects and take some time away. We will reconvene in the future and perhaps discuss how we will go about our future releases.
Ruud: What can you tell us about performances of Splendor Projekt? Or more of a studio project?
Matt: Right now, it is more of a studio project but, we do not rule out any performances in the future. It would be really cool for us meet some our fans in person.
Ruud: It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity that began as a hobby and has then turned to obsession… Well, any last words to your synth-pop fans? Any last words for www.ebm-industrial. nl
Matt: I want to thank you guys for your interest in Splendor Projekt and I thank you for all of your good questions. We want to send some love to our fans in the Netherlands… We love You!
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