MARIA: I think that we all still feel pretty good about the album, which is a feat in itself. Usually, with music one creates, there is always something in the songs that just drives you nuts, like maybe the drums were too loud, or you can't stand a keyboard line or something. But I think something really clicked with us during the creation and recording of "nv", and its a positive, satisfying feeling.

EVAN: I feel just as strongly about it as when we first did it. I think its our best work to date. At the same time I'm looking forward to new music.

SHAWN: I can't listen to it anymore. I really like a lot of things about it but some things I can't stand. I don't like the songs I used to. I guess its just a personal thing. I think we tried too hard in places, and it shows.

2) What kind of process did you go through with "nv"? Did you have any special concept for this album or was it a question of developing mainly while making music?

BATTERY: We knew that we wanted to create a literal "downward spiral" with this album: starting off with faster, beat and/or groove oriented songs ("Shame", "Electric Motor Burn"), working into the more "dreamy, slow" songs ("Deluge", "Dollhouse"), and finally degenerating into pure experimental pieces ("Distance Within", "Carry Over Heaven"). We worked the songs with this format in mind.

We came up with the album title a long time ago, back in 1992. We wanted to name the album after a computer virus. One virus that we used to get a lot was called "nVir". We took that name and simplified it to "nv". When writing songs for "nv", we tried to place the name to a specific song. The last song we wrote was "Envious", where things finally fit.

3) What do you consider the best track that you have done so far?

EVAN: "Uranium", because I like the way it moves, flows.

MARIA: On "nv", it would be "Dollhouse", because it was an emotional challenge. But we're working on some great songs for our next album that I love!

SHAWN: My answer is usually "The song I'm working on right now", but not to be a smart ass, I would say "Deluge" because it has a great sense of drama, Everything looks right with it.

4) Were you in any other bands before Battery? I think you started with a different line-up, correct? How did Battery get started and what was the initial inspiration?

BATTERY: Both Shawn and Evan worked with other bands in highschool and college, while Maria just listened to other bands before joining Battery. Battery started in Shawn and Evan's electronic music class in Bennington College, with their friend Stuart Scanlon. They played some East Coast shows and recorded a demo tape. Then Shawn and Evan moved to San Francisco. Stuart did not, and after being signed by COP Int'l, they decided to find a lead singer. They were looking for a female singer, to bring a different element to a male dominated genre of music. Maria showed up, and Battery was complete.

SHAWN: I was in a band when I was in junior high called "The Rippers". We were horrible. In high school, I started a band with two other guys called "Baby Faced Army" (punk). They went on to co-found Dance Hall Crashers. Then I did a lot of personal electronic music stuff.

EVAN: I was in about ten bands before Battery, too numerous to mention. I'm also presently in an experimental band called "Nux Vomica".

MARIA: I was never in any kind of band before Battery, but I've done some guest vocals for both Deathline Int'l and The Vampire Rodents since then.

5) Maria, how did you connect with these guys? Did you go through any musical/vocal training before joining Battery?

MARIA: Actually, the story of how I joined Battery is pretty funny. I took a semester of school in London in the winter of 1991. My room mate and I became good friends, and I would sometimes sing funny songs to her. She told me that her brother was in an industrial band looking for a female vocalist, and would I like to meet him? Of course, we were in London at the time, so I had to wait awhile. Back home many months later I'd practically forgotten all about it, when she called me out of the blue, saying that she was living with her brother in San Francisco and did I want to come meet him to find out about the band? It all just worked out after that.

No, I never had any vocal lessons before joining the band. After "Mutate", our second album, I did take some training to get over a bad case of stage fright and learn how to sing without straining my vocal cords.

6) When it comes to writing, do you prefer to work under some formula or is it just a spontaneous process? Do you work differently from each other?

BATTERY: Shawn and Evan work together creating the music, although they do sometimes start out sketches on their own. Maria generally gets the music sketches on tape and works on the songs while driving in her car. Once the bones of the song are in order, we work on it together. A lot of the time it is very tedious, but once in a while (and that's really the joy, isn't it?) it is pure magic.

Shawn writes things in a constructivist way, just putting things together. Then, later, he de-constructs it. And destroys everything. Evan works with a more intellectual method, preferring to have a concept before starting. Maria works unconsciously and is very neurotic (getting better).

7) Music, literature, movies... what influences you most? Or is it just daily life? Any driving forces that keep you motivated? What kind of message are you trying to get across?

EVAN: Literature, yes! Neal Stephenson, Edgar Allen Poe. Music influences are there all the time in one way or another. It can't be helped. Ravel, Martin Gore, Flood, Brian Eno, etc. I try to take a lot of inspiration from our surroundings: what we are doing, where and why we are doing things - also "what will be if...".

SHAWN: Music: 80's, 80's, 80's. I am a card carrying member of the '80's Preservation Society. I listen to a lot of music, too much probably, but a hell of a lot. I am influenced by everyone from Mahler to Depeche Mode. I am trying to portray a personal image. I consider it my chosen right to defend electronic music from the cold, unthinking, careless masses.

MARIA: My lyrics are internally motivated. I sing abstractions of emotion and experience. Love and hate are the best motivation, and scandal. I want my songs to reach people emotionally and personally. As far as musical influences, I agree with the boys but will add in Annie Lennox, Sinead O'Connor and Kate Bush. Literature: everything from Anais Nin to Greek mythology.

8) Are you currently writing new material? What can we expect from Battery in the future? I've heard that your future plans include a CD-ROM. Could you add more details to this?

BATTERY: Funny you should ask... we are answering these questions while in the studio working on our next EP (Tentatively entitled "Disorder"). We are planning to add an interactive track to "Disorder". It will have a handful of stand alone music videos with sound and music that doesn't appear on the audio version of the CD, as well as videos to a few of the tracks on the CD. There will also be liner notes, illuminated lyrics and other press stuff like logos, pictures, press kits, etc.

9) Would you care to give us some info on your collection of equipment.

BATTERY: The studio is always growing and changing. The instruments are just tools, but there are a few pieces that inspire... here's a complete list.

Synthesizers: Kawai K-4, Korg Wavestation A/D, Yamaha TX-802, DX-7, Prophet VS, Juno-106, Casio CZ-101, Roland SH-101.
Samplers: 3 Emax's, Roland S-303, Akai S3000i.
Other things: ADAT, 3 Quadraverb GT's, Midiverb 2, SPX-90, Yamaha WX-7, Roland Octa-pad, and a Neumann mic.
Last but not least: Macintosh Quadra 660AV, with Performer 5.2 (sequencer) and Alchemy (sample editor).

10) About your videos, are they done by yourselves? What tools have been used for assembling? We haven't seen them yet, what are they about?

BATTERY: The "Go" video was entirely done on the Mac. Small Quicktime movies were digitized and manipulated in Premiere, then plotted back to tape at broadcast resolution. We then did a little synching and additional effects using a "Harry" system. The "Go" video is a digital manipulation of Maria singing, sometimes taking over and rendering her beyond recognition. It is sort of a ghost in the machine processing images of us.

11) Since you are signed by a German/American label, have you ever thought of doing some gigging in Europe as well? By the way, how did you get in contact with COP? Did you get replies from other labels?

BATTERY: Yes, we have thought of playing in Europe, and we are planning on doing so in the Spring of '96. We were going to tour in October '95, but things didn't happen.

Our relationship with COP happened by fate. Christian Petke went to one of our shows and, in order to get a free tape, he told us that he liked the music. After listening to us, he decided to take a chance and sign us to his newly forming label. He likes to say we were the first and only band at the time to accept his offer. We had some interest from other labels, but stayed with COP.

12) How do you get along with other COP bands? Are there any other projects you are participating in?

BATTERY: We get along with Deathline really well. All three of us have done guest work on their CD's. Shawn spends a lot of time in Deathline. Evan is in an improvisational noise group called "Nux Vomica". Both do work on CD Roms and games. Maria has been doing guest vocals for "The Vampire Rodents".

13) Is Battery a full time job for you or is it more of a hobby?

MARIA: Battery is a full time hobby. I have a day job and a sickeningly domestic life, but Battery is my true love, my major creative outlet. It would be great if Battery could be a full time job! Hopefully, some day...

SHAWN: Battery is my therapy. It is my everything. It is not a job, it is my work. It is not a hobby. I pay taxes on this stuff!

EVAN: Battery is my other full time hobby.

14) Close it the way you like!

Thank you for the interview! We were all very impressed with your magazine/book. Quite an accomplishment. We hope to see you all very soon!

Windows '95 = Macintosh '89!