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Text: Maytina
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Photos: Zero State Reflex/H is for Hellgate
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Zero State Reflex is the solo project of David, guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist of Seattle's H is for Hellgate. David did an email interview with me in June/06.
Tell me about the recording process for In a Book of Spaces. Where / with who was it done?
David: I’ve been writing music for, (wow) 15 years? These songs were recorded over the years, with most or the ones on the upcoming album over the last 2.
I should let you know right off that I’ve done everything for almost all of these songs myself (except for one song where a friend sang and wrote the lyrics, and some of the instrumentation).
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By fate and direction I’ve always been into music. From a guitar at 15, to a Tascam portastudio 488MKII, to a PC, to software (Cakewalk/Soundforge) to a SHURE mic and various pedals, to drum loops and a Clavinova to current times. I realized pretty quick that I had a knack for recording, and have gotten pretty good despite not having a traditional studio with thousands of dollars in hi-tech gear. My career has been graphic design, my love has been music. I realized after some time that my music quality (after much trial and error and feedback from friends) was actually good and I could actually make the music sound like more than one person and/or professionally produced.
To answer your second question it was done in my room and mostly by myself. I know, not much Hollywood or name dropping but, real none the less. Technology has allowed those who haven’t been able to manifest a career in music time and resources to actually write and self-produce. Thank the holy one that Al Gore invented the internet! (haha) And much praise for software makers, and the people who saw a market for drum-loops.
I’ve had no classical training or audio engineering training really, so the development of my sound has come over time. As well as the way I record and how I achieve a balanced sound. I knew my style was starting to develop when people actually began to say they listened to my stuff like any other band. THAT is by far what has amazed me, for that’s all I could have hoped for.
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Promo plans for this disc?
David: The mastering is almost done, and I had planned to use CD-baby.com to put the album out. The also get your music onto iTunes which I hope will gain me a lot of exposure. Myspace has helped a lot.
Are you looking for label support? What are you looking for in a label?
David: For now I just want to get the album balanced and done. Currently I’m playing with H is for Hellgate in Seattle, and hope to form an actual Zero State Reflex band with more humans to promote the album and really take off. Frankly I would just be happy to have a label interested, but alas without a live band to promote that’s very difficult. I need to step up the foot work in contacting labels though.
How important is it to you to be hands on about all the non musical aspects of Zero State Reflex? (fliers, cd artwork, web design)
David: Just as important as the music. As said, I’m a graphic designer and can’t wait to do my own marketing/graphics. Being a designer has helped my music creation for I realized if I wanted a job in graphics I had to have the ability to understand the product of making customers happy. Music to me is no different. If I can maintain my own integrity and enjoy my songs that’s all I’m concerned with. I don’t want to build a chair I can’t even sit in myself, so to speak.
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David on being hands-on
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'If I can maintain my own integrity and enjoy my songs that’s all I’m concerned with. I don’t want to build a chair I can’t even sit in myself, so to speak.'
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Do you feel that you have any specific challenges or advantages being from/based in Seattle?
David: Hmmmm, Seattle is tough. Bands come in and out very quickly and gaining ground can be difficult if you can’t get the draw that a venue needs to make it worth booking you. It’s that getting past your “friends are your fans” phase. It just takes playing and having a good set.
Who are some of your favorite local bands to play shows with?
David: Unfortunately I can only speak from experience playing with H is for Hellgate, but Juhu Beach, Mouse Heart Factor, Open Choir Fire were outstanding. Clean set and good energy.
What are some of your favorite local venues to play?
David: I’d have to say the High Dive has been my favorite, they book good bands and the sound is awesome.
What do you hope to achieve with this band?
David: I want a sound all my own, which can be difficult in such a extremely diverse genre mix. Although I think I’ve achieved it thus far (although my dad to this day stills says I shouldn’t quit my day job, haha). And honestly I want to rock on stage. Have you heard of those people so 'enraptured' they speak in crazy tongues? Playing music and composing is the closest I’ve come to god/the source/buddha, whatever…
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What are you working on right now?
David: Working on the look and marketing for H is for Hellgate and the graphics for the album for Zero State Reflex.
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The Playlist
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David's Playlist
1. Ac Acoustics - Chinese Summer
2. Slow Bicycle - Mum
3. Forces - The Bad Plus
4. Sorrow - Flyleaf
5. Gong - Sigur Ros
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