D/B 11+3 | interview with Araya

Posted on | December 22, 2009 | Michael Rosen | No Comments

11+3 is a section of Digital In Berlin dedicated to personal interviews with all the musicians and bands that have appeared in our Artist Features.
11+3araya
Each artist is asked 11 set questions and to contribute 3 “facts” which can be any statement from them on absolutely anything: their own views on politics, religion, the environment, sport…or just something they read in the paper or saw on TV. 11+3 is designed to give you an insight into the motivations and aspirations of the best creative minds in the world. This time with the Scottish musician Araya.

FACTS:

1: “ill brain editing” is an anagram of Digital In Berlin.
2: Animal doping jockeys should get off their high horses.
3: Move your right hand index finger round in a circle clockwise. Now try move your right foot round in a circle anti-clockwise at the same time. It can’t be done.

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
“I think it’s fair to say that the people around me are a huge inspiration. Im blessed to have many creative friends, who are very supportive and encouraging.”

2. How and when did you get into making music?
“I started writing electronic music when I was 13. My dad bought a computer with a simple midi programme on it, and I spent hours playing around on it, staying up all through the night playing with a 10 second loop; on a school night no less. I haven’t stopped since.”

3. What are your 5 favourite albums of all time?
“My taste changes all the time, but I do tend to always go back to a few albums.”

(In no particular order)
James Holden – The Idiots Are Winning / Radiohead – Kid A / Squarepusher – Go Plastic / Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue (that’s a new one to the list ) / Boards of Canada – Geogaddi

4. What do you associate with Berlin?
“Techno! Good techno!”

5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
“Edinburgh is a pretty amazing place, with lots of hidden destinations. But for me, climbing up Arthur’s Seat in the morning to watch the sun come up is always a winner.”

6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
“I’d like to think that I would still do something creative. I’m pretty fascinated with animation and 3d modelling so perhaps I might venture into that
area. As it stands though, I’m useless at visual art – so perhaps I could be an arts critic?”

7. What was the last record you bought?
“Plum – Different Skin. Incredible album.”

8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
“Bibio. His style, his voice, his guitar. Definitely Bibio.”

9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
“I don’t know which gig I’ve played best at, but I certainly had the most fun playing Benbecula Records showcase nights. Always a great crowd and exceptional music.”

10. How important is technology to your creative process?
“I’m fairly dependant on it. My creative process is hard-wired into my computer set up and my writing technique hasn’t changed in 10 years. That said, I still write a lot on the guitar or piano first, but the tunes don’t come about until they’re programmed in on the computer.”

11. Do you have siblings and are they proud or jealous of you?
“I’m fairly sure my sister thinks I just play computer games all the time. But she supports me in whatever I do.”

D/B Artist Feature: Araya | MySpace | Benbecula Records