song: axel f remix
song: mexico city (short)
i am robot and proud
by deceptikon
Name: Shaw-Han Liem
Age: 21
Birth place: Toronto, Canada
Currently living in: same
Occupation: student/designer
How long have you been writing music?
i think i have been writing songs since i was 12 or 13. they were all trash back then though.
What music or art influences you to write?
i am inspired by people who make music because they don't know how to stop.
What sort of songs were you writing at 12 or 13?
in the neighborhood where i grew up, all the kids played in bands so i was no different. i would think it's the same in a lot of places.
What got you interested in electronic music?
originally what got me interested was bands like LFO, Seefeel and Autechre; the warp cannon. And Bjork too. I realized that computer music could be as expressive and emotive as anything else.
In your music, it often sounds like you are using samples from some kind of kids toy keyboard. Is this true?
i try to use a lot of different things. anything i can find that sounds good, keyboards that i borrow or find places. I don't think that i'm trying to make the sounds themselves sound like 'toys', but i think there is definately something 'child like' in the songs. it's not entirely on purpose.
What eqiupment do you use?
lately i have been using older type synths like the juno and nice keyboards like the fender rhodes. i have yet to record a lot of these things though.
How do you play live?
playing live is always fun for me, and it tends to be pretty different from what i make at home. i'll try to use a songs as a tool and construct/deconstruct it. I also have my keyboard there so that i can play whatever parts come to mind.
How does your live setup compare to your studio?
when i'm making tracks at home, there is a lot more time for thought and for complicated arrangement. when playing live, i try to keep things simple, and leave room for improvisation.
Explain the meaning behind the name "I Am Robot and Proud".
There is no complicated explanation. "I Am Robot and Proud" was Astroboy's slogan.
Heh.. I guess I would know that if I ever saw Astroboy... Anyway, next question. Are you constantly fascinated with asian pop culture?
you mean because of the astroboy thing? not really, although when i was visiting japan i was really tempted to buy this extremely expensive astroboy wallet that said 'i am robot and proud' on it. at the time i thought it was a triumph of will not to buy it. but i kind of regret it now.
i don't think asian 'pop' culture is that different from what we have here. it is still dealing with and ignoring the same issues. i think there is a sense that in asia people tend to view things with a little less jadedness; and i think that is something that lets a lot of creative things get produced (both good and bad).
Actually, I didn't ask that question because you mentioned Astroboy. I had written it down earlier because it seems to me like your music is quite influenced by that culture. I'm going to take a guess that you are a Cornelius fan also, right?
i definately do think that some of the shibuya-rock stuff is good.. i like that they have no problems taking elements of mainstream pop and messing with them. whereas a western band might shy away from that.
Did you have some interesting experiences in Japan?
i did see some interesting things while i was visiting japan. probably the same things everyone who goes there would see. good record shops too. i went to a punk show in a place that was 3 stories below ground level, and saw an insane metal band. the sad thing is that there are no affordable venues to have shows there (in tokyo), so its hard for any kind of indie scene to start up. it's doubly sad because it seems as though the people there love to hear new sounds.
In what direction would you like to go with your music? Do you have any plans to release an album in the future?
right now i am finishing recording some songs for an album that will most likely be put out by 'catmobile' later on this year. after it comes out, there is stuff that i'm already working on; different instrumentations and structures that i want to try. i am also doing remix work and collaborations. a more guitar-ish electronic folk/pop band called the 'real number line' and i'm going to start working on a collaborative project with claire 'printed circuit' soon as well. there are plenty of robots around making noise.
Allright, thanks a lot for taking the time to do the interview. Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
thank you
i am robot and proud website