Interview with ukrainian darkwave / synth goth project GRAYSCALE  [by Vitaliy 'Stranger' Fedun]

Here is the interview with ukrainian dark wave/ synth goth project GRAYSCALE.

The popular dark wave/ synth goth project GRAYSCALE acts on Ukrainain Gothic stage for a long time. Plenty of interesting material have been created since the project began their performance. GRAYSCALE is actually a peculiar Ukrainian variation of In Strict Confidence band`s repertory, however it is also filled with elelments of classic dark new romantic electornic music sound like DEPECHE MODE, and also to all of these features is added the unique and abnormal vocal - divergent by its energy and specificity. The vocal sounds sufficiently calm and serene, with a grain of ethereal melancholy, although it sings quite devastated poetic and philosophic texts.

The Band`s leader, Alexander Gretchanik, is a bit mysterious personality. And probaly those peculiar features of his chahrcter are reflected in band`s music and lyrics which are filled with hiden sense and odd urban romantic phylosophy.

As concerns to the band`s creative process, it always have been unknown to anyone. That is to say that the band keeps beyond the mystical curtain and is not tend to uncover anything about itself. The first release of this project - the best in Ukraine among bands of this direction, in my opinion, was assigned to early spring of 2001 year. The single, according to preliminary rumpours, will be named "Frozen to the Core", and will include almost all "old" goth-electric hits as well as a pair of freshest tracks of GRAYSCALE. In view of such news, we decided to make an attempt to meet with Alexander and take an interview with him. How good is the result of this attempt, we left it for your discretion...

GRAYSCALE - the band leader Alexander Grechanik (A.G.)
Ukrainian Gothic Portal - chief editor Vitaliy Fedun (V. F.)

VF: Hello, Alexander. As far as I know, your band was founded in late 1997?
AG: Right, however I was hatching out the idea of creating such band long ago. (smiles)

VF: Alexander, beforehand, let me to ask you a question wich woul clarify many things to your fans: why did you choose the name "Grayscale"?
AG: Because this title means the grayscale photo. You know, the grayscale photo looks much harsher and much more relief. Well, because the colours often hide or smear the true meaning. So that I try to make such music which is as much real, true and sincere as the grayscale photography could be.

VF: By the way, how do you treat the band with a similiar title, which, if I am not mistaken, exists on mp3.com site?
AG: Yes, the situation with names becomes ridiculuous. Originally (before the middle of 1998) the band had another name - Shades of Gray. Until I found out that a band with the same name already exists in California. So we had to change our name. And now it proved to be that the present title cuases the same situation. Nevertheless our "namesakes" origin from California as well (smiles).

VF: Could you tell me, please, about your creative activity before you formed "GS", if it`s possible, `cause as far as I know you already had quite interesting projects?
AG: Yes, I have practiced with music for a long time, I played in number of bands with wide style scope. There is no sense to list them all, as it seems to me. However, just before had I created Grayscale, I played in gothic rock band (!! )- editors quote. )), so to say, my tribute to my long passion to artwork of Sisters Of Mercy. Maybe from those my old passion originate all those remarkable gothic elements in Grayscale`s music.

VF: Alexander, after we published on www.gothic.com.ua some material about you and your band, many of our visitors began to ask us the questions, and first of all how do you manage to make the music of so high quality and level, (as to my personal opinion, today GS is the best band in Ukraine which plays music in dark electro style, though this band created its own unique style - romantique indastrial/dark wave).
AG: Thanx a lot for so high appraisal of my artwork. But first of all I need to make a note that my art is not home-made work, but it is well organised studio production. Because the quality of various studio facility`s work (samplers, synthesizers, arrangements etc.), naturally effects on end-product`s sounding. The list of this facility is large, and it is permanently changed and updated.

VF: Still our readers and your fans have the opportunity to listen only 4 of your band`s songs, and yet they all look forward for your first release. When it would happen admittedly?
AG: In middle of December, probaly, as I intend to publish in our own efforts a 5-track MCD. It will have a title "Frozen to the Core". Of course, the visitors of gothic.com.ua will be informed about it in first turn. Yet I suggest them to listen our new demo song - I'm Alive.

VF: And what songs will be included on this MCD?
AG: Well, we`ll place there 3 mixes of our hit 'Believe', and also the songs 'Frozen to the Core' and 'I'm Alive'. The song 'Fairy Tale' will be included as bonus track.

VF: So when should we expect for a new album?
AG: I guess the time has not come yet to talk about it.

VF: Tell us, please, about the meaning of your songs. Many people write that your texts are mysterious, expressive and impress by their interanal mourning and etheral melancholy.
AG: The texts in all of my songs are my personal emotional experience, as I may say, they all are dedicated to the conflict between human`s inner and outer world. I would not say they are sad, so say there is still some place for hope :)

VF: Hm.. This is intersting, what qind of testes does have the man who leads the first such project in Ukraine, writng wonderful texts in perfect English (I mean your preferred music, books, movies...).
AG: Well, Im used to listen very wide variety of music, from Dead Can Dance / Arcana to Fear Factory / :Wumpscut:, and I listen to many of various music. Books - I love reading Lafcraft, Crouli, Stiven King, Bulgakov, Stiven King... Movies, well, it`s hard to remind all titles, but I love the films of Kronenberg, Linch, Fincher, Proyass, Barton. I try to pass trough my mind as much information as I can...

VF: Well, and what is your personal attitutde to Gothic?
AG: For me, gothic is more than simply a music, litearature, art etc. Gothic - is an estehic, this is unique view on this world, on life... But for me gothic is not permanent depression and suicidal intentions. Rather it`s taste of living despite all bad things we have in real world...

VF: And another standard question. What is your favourite band?
AG: Depeche Mode, of course. :)

VF: How do you get your thoughts when you`re writing your songs?
AG: I don`t know, really, it comes just itself. Maybe this is the thing that usually is called inspiration.

VF: And also, those enigmatic samples in your song Fairytale, where do they come from?
AG: I took them from the film "Face Off". Been teared out of the context, those sounds take on particular sense.

VF: What is your opinion about development of gothic and industrial in Ukraine?
AG: I believe, there is many talented crews and performers, including gothic-industrial subculture. And I would love to know that they all had enough potential and opportunities to bring their music to audience. This country has rich cultural traditions and potential, and it`s not expedient to limit our musical culture by concetrating only on "baggy trousers - stitch shirt" patriotism.

VF: What do you think of the Ukrainian Gothic Compilation?
AG: Well, this is remendous opportunity for many good bands to show themselves and marvelous opportunity for the audience to find out more about this layer of ukrainian musical stage.

VF: Which of Ukrainian bands do you like most of all?
AG: Komu Vniz, Skriabin...

VF: Thank you for your sincere answers, Alexander, I hope that we will soon have the opportunity to listen your new release....
AG: I hope so....(smiles)

VF: Have you a Good Luck, Alexander...
AG: Good night, Vitaliy...

Official band site:     www.gothic.com.ua/grayscale

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