Thee Psionic Assembly
Late in 2011 I formed Thee Psionic Assembly. I had been writing songs in an industrial black metal band called Cuntworm for nearly a decade. I was beginning to find my interest in music derivative of the whole rock formula (guitars, bass, drums, etc) waning. I realized I was caring more about the actual production of the songs I heard much more than the actual context of the music. I was much more interested in more experimental forms of music, dark ambient, martial industrial, neoclassical. So, I started writing music more in that vein. I realized it was a drastic departure from my band’s sound, so I chose to go at it alone, without any collaborators, and just write what I felt like writing. That’s how Thee Psionic Assembly came to be.
What song of yours is the one you like the most?
“misery frailty and futility” from the album In der dem Ungetüm den Verlies has always been a personal favorite of mine. It really hits the emotional cord I’ve constantly have tried to hit with my music.
How do you write your music?
I am obsessed with altering sound, I tend to write songs with hardware and software sequencers and then editing the sounds with loads of effects. My primary ‘instrument’ is a SP404 sampler. I sample EVERYTHING. Any sound or rhythm can be made into a melody with a sampler and a sequencer if used correctly.
What is music?
Anything and everything is music. From the sound of rain, the rustling of leaves in autumn, the clanging of machines in a factory… anything can be music.
What influences do you have?
Honestly, my biggest influence has been the later albums of the group Coil. They’re music is really hard to classify under a specific genre, and I think that’s why they influence me so much.
What´s the best experience you have had with your project?
I had an old friend of mine direct a couple of short films, and he asked me to score them. That was a great experience, something I’d really like to do more of in the future.
What plans do you have this year?
For years I have been interested in martial industrial music. In the upcoming year I’d really like to finally make a full fledged martial industrial album. I’ve toyed with the idea a little with my record In der dem Ungetüm den Verlies but nothing completely in that vein. That’s an itch I’ve always wanted to scratch and I think it’s about time I did so.
Mention something you don´t like about your project.
My last record, Tyranny of Faces, was something I wanted to do, but I don’t think it was as realized as it should have been. I’m proud of the album, but I feel I could’ve devoted more time on it. I was really trying to take my ambient style and make structured songs out of it.
Mention the biggest sacrifice you did for your project.
I think the biggest sacrifice I’ve really only ever had with this project was my dissolution from other bands and projects. Thee Psionic Assembly has always been me, and only me. Nothing against other musicians I have worked on, but I prefer to keep as only me. If anyone doesn’t like this music, it’s my fault and no one else’s. I am 100% to blame for the stuff I put out. Also, artistically I am in 100% control of the output of this project… so it has it’s pluses and minuses.
What band, music project or solist from your city do you like?
The town I live in is a dreadful place. I loathe it. There isn’t a music scene here at all, and if there is one it’s probably not something I’d be interested in.
If your project was a word, what would it be?
This is beyond cliché but if you could describe my music in one word, it would be “dark”. I’ve always had a tendency to write ‘dark’ music, and this project seems to be no exception
What´s your full name? Where were you when you answered the interview?
This is an interesting question, ironically. For a long time I have went by the pen name Demitri Allaxul. It has been more my name than the one I was given at birth. My parents named me Joshua, but that is not who I am. Never has been, never will be. So, in a way I solemnly believe my moniker chose me, and not the other way around.
I’ve been sitting here in my office as i type this. Hopefully it is a decent read.
