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night mail - 1991

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Somewhere in Europe interviewed

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How and where did SIE start? 

In the mid-seventies we lost interest in rock music and we started going to lots of gigs of improvised music in obscure clubs in London. The freedom and spontaneity of the performances inspired us and we began making improvised music ourselves which we recorded on an old reel to reel tape recorder. Punk got us interested in rock again. We became involved with a band called The Sleep. David managed them and did publicity and organized gigs. Andrea then formed a band called Basic Essentials. David managed them, did their publicity etc. and he also wrote lyrics for some of their songs. Two cassette 'singles' were issued and they generated record company interest. The band started recording a new cassette but they split up before it was finished. We didn't start SIE immediately; instead we started to produce Certain Gestures art 'zine. SIE emerged gradually after we bought a four track recorder and started experimenting with different musical formats. 

What is the thinking behind the music you create? 

We are primarily interested in producing pieces which reflect or evoke a mood or atmosphere. To achieve this, we use found sound, noise, repetition and, occasionally, conventional melodies. We are particularly interested in the reuse of existing material in order to subvert the listener's expectations and knowledge Also, we occasionally take an existing song and strip it down and reassemble it. We identify with the European avant-garde art tradition (Futurism, Dada, The Situationists, Mail Art etc.) rather than with the Anglo-American record industry. We like using cassettes rather than vinyl because it is a cheap and reliable medium - "if you don't like the music, wipe it and reuse the cassette!" 

What is the significance of the eye that often appears on your work? 

The eye is David's. The eye has been used as a symbol since the days of ancient Egypt and has been used by many different cultures and races including the Christians and the Celts. The eye has been used as a symbol of the deity, as a symbol for the sun-god and the moon-god. As such, it is said to confer on the wearer the qualities of the god; strength, vigour, good health etc. Also, it offers protection from harm. It is also symbolic of knowledge, enlightenment etc. We chose it as a symbol because of its universality and because we think it is both simple and potent.

What has influenced and shaped your work? 

It is very difficult to list all the artists, film makers, writers etc. who we like and/or have been influenced by because, over the years, there have been dozens. The following represent some of the ones we still find interesting; Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Raymond Chandler, Marguerite Duras, Alain Robbe-Grillet, Kenneth Anger, Luis Bunuel, Stephen Dwoskin, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Federico Fellini, Derek Jarman, David Lynch, John Waters, Joseph Beuys, Gilbert and George, Kurt Schwitters, Andy Warhol. We have been influenced or stimulated by very many groups and performers. Again, it is impossible to give a complete list, but the following are some of the ones we still find interesting; Marc Almond, AMM, Coil, Current 93, Holgar Czukay, Death in June, Brian Eno, Basil Kirchin, Kraftwerk, Joni Mitchell, Music Improvisation Company, Nurse With Wound, Talking Heads, Velvet Underground, Yello. 

What are your plans for the future? 

At the moment we are working on our fourth cassette which we hope will be out this autumn. 

Contact Somewhere in Europe through These Silences, 55 Perowne Street, Aldershot, Hampshire GUll 3JR, England. 

Releases; 
Somewhere in Europe (1986) 7 track C24 cassette 
Dark Days (1988) 8 track C26 cassette 
Know Your Enemy (1990) 10 track C30 cassette 
SIE also appear on the following compilation cassettes; 
Smile Smile Smile Smile (Canada, 1985) 
Mail Art Manifest (Norway, 1987) 
Leiv Traumas (France, 1989) 
Dreams From Within (Britain, 1989) 
Moto Perpetuo (Italy 1989) 
Partners in Music (Italy, 1989) 
Neither Good Nor Evil (Germany, 1990) 
Goodbye Forever Annie Wilkes (Italy, 1990) 
Mjolnir (Germany, 1990) 
Iberico (Portugal, 1990) 
Eat Yor Pets (Germany, 1990) 
Shake THe Foundations (Britain, 1991)

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