by Paul Morin

an interivew with Karin Dreijer Andersson of Fever Ray

Fever Ray

As one half of the Swedish duo The Knife, Karin Dreijer Andersson probably didn’t have much time to sleep, much less to dream.  After receiving six Swedish Grammys, placing number one on Pitchfork’s Best Albums of 2006 list, and gaining a reputation as one of the most interesting live acts in the world, Karin and her brother Olof decided to take some time off.  In addition to having her second child, Karin began working on her own album, the self-titled Fever Ray.  Full of many of the same hypnotic haunting moods present on The Knief’s Silent Shout but with a quieter more minimal approach, Fever Ray seems to pull words and sounds from a dream (maybe Karin’s waking dream) to create a surrealist collage of light and darkness.  Being a bit more relaxed and reflective after the journey, Karin took time out to talk about inspiration and the act of creation.

When Silent Shout came out, you said you were moving away from the sound on Deep Cuts. Do you feel this album is a move away from your previous work in The Knife or a continuation of an aesthetic?

Karin: I don’t know. Maybe both, it must be some continuation.

I think Fever Ray has a lot of the elements of The Knife in it but it seems to be going in a different direction.  Was that intentional?

Karin: I didn’t think so much about the direction. When I started, I just wanted to try out ideas that I had been collecting during The Knife years and after that, with things that I couldn’t really do together with somebody else.  Hopefully it contains things that I haven’t done before but at the same time I started to play the guitar again which I did on the very first album as well.  It’s a little bit of everything.

Do you feel this is more of a personal album?  In the past, you have used masks as a metaphor and said that you think of your work as fiction rather than truth…

Karin: Yes, I think it is more personal because it’s only me involved in the songwriting process and most of the recording process also.  It’s more personal but at the same time I [still] work with fiction.  I don’t think when doing that, it doesn’t remove personal elements.  I think it can make them more clear and maybe maximize the expression in a way.

You were becoming a mother for the second time when making this album.  Has that affected your approach to the making of the music at all?

Karin: I think yes, definitely.  Maybe I write more about… I like to start from the inside more than I have done before.  Becoming a parent is a very big change in your life and it was also, at least for me, the first time I really started to understand what death is about – and life also.  So it was some kind of awaking that is very scary and a very important thing in your life.  It definitely affects your work.

A lot of your music seems to have a mystical or spiritual quality to it and especially on this album.  Are there influences outside of music that are inspiring you?

Karin: I feel a lot of feelings.  I think that during last year when I was going to be ready with the album I was very into Jim Jarmusch’s film Dead Man.  I think it contained a lot of elements that I wanted to use.  Things that I think were very important, like he perfectly described emotions and environments in the film that I feel connected to, and the kind of ideas that I try to work with in my music.  I discussed that feeling a lot with Andreas Nilsson, the director of the “If I Had a Heart” video.

Did you have an input in the “If I Had a Heart” video?

Karin: Yes.  We discussed the synopsis, and before he came up with an idea for the video, we talked a lot about references and what direction we wanted to do something in.  I said I was very into Dead Man.  I wanted it to be black and white at first and I wanted it to contain 19th century elements in it.  I wanted it to be set in another time/space.  We discussed a lot before.  Andreas is very fun to work with and we are both very open to discussions.

You had a strong visual element in your live shows with The Knife. Will that continue and how will that change with Fever Ray?

Karin: When you have been working with the music for a long time and being very isolated, that is the way I usually work, then I think it is fun and relieving to start with the visual part of the music afterwards.  I think with the live shows, if you have the possibilities (time-wise especially), it is great to work with the visual aspects of it.  Andreas Nilsson and I are already discussing it because we already have a few shows scheduled at the end of March.

I think that’s all I have. Is there anything you would like to add?

Karin: No I think that’s fine.

Thank you very much!

Karin: Thank you.

from the February Issue of Auxiliary Magazine

by Luke Copping

After several rounds of “road tour” theater screenings Repo! The Genetic Opera was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 20th.  Will Repo! The Genetic Opera prove to be a major cult classic?

film still

A Venetian style carnival at night, adorned in rich golds and blues, is a fine setting for any opera.  But it is the little details that set the scene here: the bags of organs hanging from the vendors’ stalls, a young man wearing a woman’s face, an opera diva with mechanical eyes, and enough human oddities to cast several Tod Browning films.  All this makes you realize that this might not be an opera in the classical sense of the word.

Based on the stage production of the same name by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, Repo! The Genetic Opera is a new fusion of rock opera and apocalyptic futurism. This production is a shocking, horror-tinged look at what might happen should our culture’s obsession with cosmetic surgery and artificial perfection continue to their extremes.  To quickly sum up the plot – a large biotech firm has perfected techniques for organ harvesting and transplanting and has made these advances available to the public, for a price.  Financing is available but should you fail to pay your debt then GeneTech will send one of their cadre of lethal surgeon/assassins after you to reclaim the company’s property.

Anothony Stewart Head plays Nathan, one of the Repo Men that GeneTech employs.  Nathan is a character possessed with an interesting juxtaposition of natures.  In one regard, Nathan is a doting father and doctor, haunted by the sins of his past and trying to raise his daughter in a less- than-friendly world, but he is also a monstrous and skilled assassin who enjoys his work with an almost ecstatic glee.  This role is a real showcase of Head’s talents.  He turns in one of the strongest performances in the film, both musically and theatrically, though those familiar with his previous role on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, or his career on stage, know that he is no stranger to musical theater.  Hopefully this role will prove that he is more capable of carrying an American film production as a lead rather than being relegated to supporting roles.

Other standout performances in the film are delivered by Sarah Brightman and Terrance Zdunich. Zdunich plays his role of Graverobber (one he has played in several incarnations of Repo! productions) with such cleverness and charisma that he is absolutely essential to the film as both a narrator and for his performances throughout the production. Of all the characters present in the film, his is perhaps the most memorable.

The set production and the costuming are aspects of the film that are true accomplishments. Lavish colors mix with the dull tones of stone, metal, and night to create the sort of world where things might have once been luxurious and plush, but the velvet drapes have rotted away to show the wall underneath. It seems that decay is at the heart of this film, both in plot and in aesthetics. The costuming mixes a certain operatic sensibility with a mix of futuristic haute couture and modern day fetish wear. Lace and ruffles are mixed liberally with leather and latex to create an anachronistically wonderful collection of looks.

Overall, the film has the potential to become a true cult classic.  While lacking much of the camp of masterpieces of the genre like Phantom of the Paradise or the Rocky Horror picture show, Repo! just might have what it takes to become the cult musical of choice of the future generations of film fans.  It mixes humor, style, edginess, and some genuinely well written songs like “Zydrate Anatomy” with a solid cast and great art direction.  This film is definitely worth checking out.

Zydrate Anatomy - film still

Fashion
The costuming in the film is notable in its own right.  Rorward thinking and an anachronistic blending of styles has created some great looks for the production.  Especially the costumes for the characters of Shilo and Blind Mag.  In fact I think Shilo’s wardrobe may end up inspiring a slew of imitators.  A mixture of high end vintage looks with forward thinking tailoring and modern materials has created a real fashion syntax for the film.  It’s far the from the silver lammé, or torn leather and rags of most post-apocalyptic visions, it seems as though they have followed the natural evolution of several current and past trends have created realistic and styling interpretations of what their future versions might be like.

Shilo - film still

Ogre
Skinny Puppy’s Ogre also makes an appearance in the film as Pavi Largo, one of the three decadent Largo children, he may be one of the more frightening images in the film.  Adorned in the skin of women’s faces over his own, he comes across as everyone surgical nightmare come true.  Ogre’s character possesses vain and feminine characteristics that make him quite surprising in his role.

Ogre and Anothony Stewart Head - film still

from the February Issue of Auxiliary Magazine

by Vanity Kills

beauty picks just in time for Valentine’s Day

Lime Crime Magic Dust and Glitter

To some, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with single people everywhere ranting on their blogs about the invalidity of the holiday.  These disgruntled bloggers argue that it was invented by greedy greeting card companies as a ploy to sell the holiday’s related goods.  I prefer to focus on the bloody origins of the celebration by pointing out that the whole shebang ALLEGEDLY started when a priest named Valentine wedded young couples against Emperor Claudius II’s will.  Claudius II believed that unmarried men made better soldiers and in his rage, had Valentine beheaded.  Take the wimpiness out of out of February 14th by stocking your vanity with darkly decadent must-haves then wipe the floor with sappy pastels and that drugstore perfume your brother gifted you with out of pity.  Let this Hallmark holiday be filled with bold, in-your-face sanguine inspired shades and luscious olfactory delights.  Leave the self loathing and pining over the ex to the unfashionable.

RED EYESHADOWS
Magic Dust and Glitter – Lime Crime
available at www.limecrimemakeup.com . $12 each
Do you long for show-stopping eyes that induces a cardiac arrest in every man that crosses your path?  If so, then gently pat some loose, true red pigment, such as Lime Crime Magic Dust in Siren across your entire eyelid from lash-line to crease using a brush with a rounded/tapered edge (239 eye shading brush by MAC is always a good choice).  For a double shot of daring, apply a healthy layer of Lime Crime Transilvania Glitter over the red pigment.  Talk about a to- die-for gaze!

RED LASHES
Deep Blood Red Mascara – Bloody Mary
available at www.dearbloodymary.com . $10
Slightly squeamish about renting all your eyelid real estate to such a loud shade?  Flirt with red without fully committing to the whole over-the-top shadow experience by sprucing up your lashes with two coats of blood red mascara.  Try Deep Blood Red Mascara by Bloody Mary.

RED LIPS
Lipstick in Russian Red – MAC
available at www.maccosmetics.com . $14
Terminally dateless?  Pour out your sorrows to your Robert Smith poster as you curl up in bed with a nice glass of red wine accompanied by The Cure’s Disintegration playing in the background.  Even if your only make out partner is none other than the 24×36 inch image of Mr. Smith that hangs on the wall, you’ll still want to leave only the most exquisite crimson lip imprints.  This means that nothing other than MAC Lipstick in Russian Red will do.

RED NAILS
Valentine’s Day Manicure – Sally Hansen and Sephora
available at www.sallyhansen.com and www.sephora.com
Just because Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year shouldn’t stop your fingers from feeling festive Monday through Friday.  What’s this I hear?  You’re bound by the chains of corporate slavery you say?  Slightly bend the rules of business casual without overtly offending dress code by sprucing up your basic office lady French manicure.  Start off with your usual pre-manicure prep work, such as soaking your hands in warm water for 5 minutes, removing any traces of prior excess nail color with nail polish remover, and filing your nails into an oval shape.  Never forget to apply a base coat. This extends the life of your chosen color.  Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base & Top Coat never fails to please.  Now for the fun stuff!  Apply two coats of a rich red shade, such as Sephora by OPI Nail Colour in Personal Shopper.  Following your color coat, paint a half moon shape on the tips using a black glitter-infused nail polish.  Sephora by OPI Nail Colour in Never Enough Shoes will do the job exquisitely. Fix any blunders and color spills with the help of a nail polish remover pen such as Sephora Brand Nail Polish Corrector Pen.  Finish off by applying a layer of topcoat to ensure that all your hard work doesn’t start chipping by day two.  Lastly, make no apologies for your gutsy style choices.  The natural look and safe neutrals are for the weak!

MARSHMALLOW
Flavored Body Powder in Marshmallow – Urban Decay
available at www.sephora.com . $26
Dinner date?  Take a cue from Front 242’s played out hit “Headhunter”. “One – you lock the target, two – you bait the line, three – you slowly spread the net, and four – you catch the Man” Do the baiting by dusting your neck, bare shoulders, and any other place you’d like him to take a bite out of with Urban Decay Flavored Body Powder in Marshmallow.  The shimmer will catch his eye, the yummy scent will draw him in closer, and when you divulge the information that the powder indeed tastes just like marshmallows, there will be sampling involved.  This delightful lure also comes with an adorable leopard print puff.

CANDY
Conversation Hearts Cologne – Demeter Fragrance Library
available at www.sephora.com . $20
Conversely, some things that are actually deemed fit for human consumption should never be literally ingested.  I firmly believe that the risks of wolfing down some Valentine’s Day candy greatly outweigh the benefits.  I really wonder about some of this stuff!  For example, I don’t actually know anyone who enjoys the taste of conversation hearts.  Most people feel that they  taste faintly reminiscent of chalk and aren’t overly enthused to receive them as a token of affection.  That’s why some confections are best administered in a spray form.  Enter Demeter Fragrance Library and savor sweet aromas without the ashen aftertaste! These perfumers captured the essence of the popular Valentine’s Day icon and bottled it up with flirty scents, such as Be My Valentine, which contains notes of peach skin, strawberry leaf, caramelized sugar, and ylang-ylang; Call Me  leaves you smelling like lemon zest, jasmine, honeysuckle, water lotus, and white rose; Love Me is a bouquet of orange, lemon, bergamot, peach, white rose, ylang ylang, subtle skin musk, and soft vanilla.  I guarantee that it’s a tenfold more appealing to your boyfriend than the real thing.

CHOCOLATE
Chocolate Scented Shower Gel Trio – Philosophy
available at www.philosophy.com . $30
Alas, who needs to wait around until some boy decides that we’re special enough to be given a box of chocolates?  Treat the most important person in your life (yourself!) with a sinfully sweet chocolate scented shower gel trio by Philosophy.  It doubles as a shower gel and shampoo and comes in three mouth-watering aromas: white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate.

If that doesn’t get you in the V-Day spirit then rent some low budget horror flicks from the 80s and watch young couples get slaughtered in the midst of a makeout session.  Getting sloshed on some chocolate martinis is a fine accompaniment because if you still get depressed this time of year, nothing says holiday cheer like a combo of vodka, chocolate, and gory movies!

from the February Issue of Auxiliary Magazine

Welcome to the second issue of Auxiliary Magazine!  We’ve made it past the one-hit-wonder stage.  When we first started out on this issue our idea was to make an issue about beating the winter blahs.  Located in the northeastern US, we get a lot of snow this time of year and the February and March months are a generally a slow, dark, and depressing time.  As we were putting together this issue I began to see that this theme had indeed woven itself into the issue, yet it had also developed into something more.  There are straight forward articles like a guide to throwing your own winter luau; articles and features on Valentine’s day, love, and giving; and a fashion editorial called “Bright” focusing on neon colors.  But I could see there was more to it.  In a time of economic depression in the US a lot of people are feeling frustrated and giving up hope.  Though some are holding on to hope and light. This issue we have an editorial on moving to urban centers and how that can boost economic growth and help build a stronger city through community and culture.  We have a feature on Potential Life Studios, a unique gallery in Rochester that is surviving despite everything.  And perhaps the most insightful were our interviews this issue.  In the Fever Ray interview, Karin sighted the understanding and creativity that comes from family and being a mother.  Dan and Smith of Babyland continually bring up survival and DIY throughout the interview, and pointed out that people are beginning to realize they need to do things in the scene to keep it alive and are starting up all sorts of new projects. So the theme to this issue, “brightness in the dark” seemed to take on a life of its own and surface in more ways than we had planned.  In addition, you will also find a new photographer for one of our editorials, Studio X, and a much expanded music section.  We hope that you are finding a way to keep positive and get through the dark months.  Hopefully Auxiliary can aid you in this task.  Enjoy, and as always, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Link

from the February Issue of Auxiliary Magazine

Issue 2 : February 09 is now online!  It features neon fashion for some brightness in the middle of the dark months, a beauty editorial for your paramour, an interview with electric junk punk band Babyland, an interview with Karin Dreijer Andersson of The Knife about her new project Fever Ray, and much much more.  You can download it HERE for free.  Print copies will be available in about a week.  Enjoy!

- Jennifer