How would you describe the musical chemistry in Envy?
It’s collective creation. Our guitarist, Nobu, comes up with the melody and riffs. We get together in the studio with everyone afterwards and make the track together. It’s a very time consuming process. If I was to describe our music, it would be passionate and silence, with music and words that coexist with light and dark.
What was the recording process behind Recitation like?
It took us a year and a half to make the music and about three weeks to record. Recording is a process we could do for a long time if we choose to but we like to do it in a short span and concentrate fully. Dubbing of the guitars takes the longest. We record each phrase separately. We’ve put in 13 separate guitar phrases in one song in the past. I think that’s what creates the nice chords for the melody.
What are some of the themes that you wanted to convey with the album?
We reflect the different weather seasons throughout the year. And we approach it with raw, emotionally charged music and lyrics.
Who comes up with the lengthy song titles?
I decide all the lyrics and text for the designs. I write the lyrics first and then decide on the title after it’s all finished.
And what are you inspired by when you name the tracks?
The song “Your Hand” is from a woman who was reading poetry and had beautiful hands.
What are Envy’s top 5 Desert Island songs?
Our guitarist Nobu said Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony or Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” Our bassist Manabu Nakagawa chooses S.O.B.’s “Leave Me Alone” or Boz Scagg’s “We’re All Alone.” I guess my choice would be Bjork’s “Pagan Poetry” and “Frosti.”
We enjoyed the intensity of your gig at Esplanade in 2008. What can we expect for your upcoming gig?
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the show. It was a lot of pressure for us to play in such a large venue. I remember our show feeling a bit incomplete. We prefer to do shows in 300 to 500 capacity venues. We’re definitely looking forward to this show coming up. We’ve been rehearsing a lot for it so I hope you guys will enjoy it.
Go ballistic with Envy on Jun 18, 8pm. The Substation, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535. $70 at the door.
