AN INTERVIEW WITH ANALOG DANCE - Stranger Minds Album

London based DIY electronic/dark wave project Analog Dance has released his first album 'Stranger Minds'.

This artist operates with a newly shimmering ‘80s-influenced sound, a direction that finds its uttermost destination in sonic paradoxes and the "future-past" juxtaposition. 'Stranger Minds' blooms into retro technicolor and obscure synth notes locked in a metaphorical time machine – it's an elegantly understated soundscape.

I normally use the term “minimal wave” to describe the barbed-wire sound of decades-old DIY electronic music. This old-new aesthetic was at its peak in the 2000s, but projects like Analog Dance are actual proof that this reign carries on unabated, and the genre’s versatility continues to evolve and flourish.

Although many tracks in this album are mood pieces, they are artfully warped and they distinctly showcase an underground cinematic flair. The overall emotional palette is intimate, yet claustrophobic and anaesthetised.

I've been asking Jonny (Analog Dance) some questions regarding his sonic identity and the making of this album.

- What made you want to start producing music and this project specifically?

I started producing music when I was a 10-year-old boy with a super old audio interface that my father gave me. At that time, everyone put it in my head that in order to achieve a professional sound-wise result, you should have to work with the access to an extremely expensive recording studio. I never paid much attention to them and little by little I learned to project my ideas through different recording softwares.

This project specifically was born from wanting to create and express my alter-ego. It's based and created on emotions that I never quite understood how to express exclusively with words. I thought it was a good idea to combine it with music, specifically the type that, without the need for vocal lines, makes them come to life. In my case, the synth revolution in the 70s/80s. Melancholy, romance, pain, unknown emotions, euphoria, and a cloudy nostalgia.

- The DIY concept is something you put emphasis on. It’s true that nowadays producing music has become way more accessible than in the past - not just financially speaking, but the complex matrix that is the internet has made it approachable to everyone, regardless of social status or funds. Do you believe that as a contemporary artist, keeping it “in house” as much as you can is the way to go?

Yes, I'm a firm believer in a DIY approach to music. From learning to play various instruments to composing and producing my own songs, I've always strived for artistic autonomy. My experiences in various bands further reinforced this philosophy.

Accessibility has undoubtedly increased in the music industry, making it easier for artists to reach a global audience. While there are potential drawbacks, I believe the overall trend is positive.

The key to success, in my opinion, lies in embracing your passions and letting your emotions guide your music. True artistry doesn't require external validation or expensive tools.

- How did you come up with the name “Analog dance”? Does it refer to the use of analog synths or is it a metaphorical vintage image re-imagined through a futuristic lens?

I became fascinated with analog equipment, from synthesizers and guitar pedals to cameras. The tactile experience and unique sound of analog formats captivated me.

Synths have a powerful ability to evoke emotion and inspire movement. They've been a source of joy for me and many others. This fascination led me to explore the concept of an alter-ego and ultimately to the creation of 'Analog Dance'.

- Before I even get to your newly released album, I want to to touch base on 'Vanished', your single. It was on my list of best dark wave tracks back in 2023, and I think many of us assumed it would be on the album. Surprise surprise, it’s not! Was it ever supposed to be? Or did you conceive Stranger Minds as an entirely different entity and concept?

'Vanished,' was a trial run to gauge public reaction and explore the emotional impact of releasing a song that took nearly two years to complete. Personal challenges during the creative process ultimately shaped the track's final form.

I chose to release 'Vanished' as a standalone single to allow myself the opportunity to take the album in a more challenging and personally rewarding direction.

- Vanished is a pretty contrasting song. It’s the juxtaposition of pain and pleasure, and simultaneously the link between the two. Your whole music production seems to revolve around the marriage of opposites and its paradoxes. Is it a reflection of the world we live in, or a reflection of yourself?

You're absolutely right. 'Vanished' is a track steeped in emotional complexity and sonic paradoxes. It reflects the contradictions of our world, at least the one I inhabit, and delves into the deeper recesses of my own psyche.

I wanted the track to be open to interpretation, allowing listeners to connect with it on a personal level and experience their own unique emotions. My goal was to evoke feelings without requiring explicit explanations.

- What are your biggest influences when making music?

That's a challenging question, as my musical tastes are quite eclectic. Over the years, I've explored a wide range of genres and artists.

Some of the bands that have significantly influenced my musical journey include The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Sonic Youth, Cold Cave, Clan of Xymox, Depeche Mode, The Sound, Black Marble, Soda Stereo, Soft Kill, Twin Tribes, IST IST, She Past Away, Boy Harsher, RIKI, SAFE MIND, and countless others

I'm probably forgetting very important bands and projects, these questions leave my mind almost blank.

- Stranger Minds is filled with low end obscure choruses, looping segments, and reverb drenched instrumentations. This composition and production choice almost projects a bionic/cyborg-like detachment, but it doesn’t chip away at the introspective nature of your songs. Would you say that this balance/off-balance aspect is one of the emotional keys to experiencing your music?

While heavily influenced by my musical inspirations, I strived for a unique sound identity in 'Stranger Minds.' I combined analog elements like guitars and vocals with electronic soundscapes and atmospheric reverb to create a distinctive sonic palette that reflects the album's emotional depth.

- Are you an artist of the “future past”? And is it possible to feel nostalgic of the future? Good luck with this one.

It's a fascinating question. I believe there's a profound connection between the past and the future, though the exact nature of that relationship remains somewhat elusive. This mystery often sparks inspiration for my songs.

- I’ve noticed that most of the song titles in your new album seem to have a recurring theme or “mood”. Lost, Echo, Melancholy, Digital tears, Nostalgia, Drowning and so on…What would you say is the connecting link between them all (if there is one)?

Yes, I wanted 'Stranger Minds' to be a conceptual album. Each song explores a different emotional landscape, delving into both personal and universal experiences. It's a journey through uncharted territories of the mind, where emotions and sensations intertwine to create a unique sonic tapestry.

- Would you describe your song writing as non-linear? Do you tend to favour open meanings and a wider sense of perception over closed and specific narratives? The evocative over the particular.

I aim for my music to be open-ended and evocative. Rather than dictating specific interpretations, I want listeners to connect with the songs on a personal level and experience their own unique emotions. The concept of the 'unknown' plays a significant role in this approach.

- Your productions are very particular from a technical point of you. They are sharp, crisp, futuristic, and quite focused. A crossover between Mareux and TR/ST. Would you say those 2 artists impacted you and your music?

I really think that TR/ST and Mareux are two incredible projects that I have listened to a lot a few years ago, they have surely impacted me when it comes to producing in one way or another, I don't know if they are pillars when it comes to making decisions to achieve my sound, but yes, I always pay attention.

- Your music is heavily influenced by emotions of euphoria and alienation. Where were you emotionally when you were recording this album?

This is a great one. And yes, when creating and producing the album I was in an extremely emotional, new and traumatic moment, unknown situations that I had never experienced with a person who encouraged and helped me to be able to release it despite all the horror movie that I was living without realizing it. The songs were scattered on my computer's hard drive for quite some time.

- Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with? And are there any collaborations on the horizon?

Many of my dream collaborations involve artists who are sadly no longer with us. However, if given the opportunity, I'd love to work with Luis and Joel from Twin Tribes. They're incredibly talented musicians, amazing humans and their music has always inspired me.

- Do you have any live gigs planned in these next months?

I'm currently undergoing a period of personal and creative growth. While I'm taking a break from performing live, I'm actively working on new music. I'm open to future collaborations and performance opportunities.

That is great to hear about the new music! Thank you so much again for your time and see you at your next London gig.