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British
Ewigkeit released the album “Conspiritus” by the end of August
this year. The album is an exploration of a variety of musical
styles, from techno over Pink Floyd to good old metal. Ewigkeit is
the solo-project of one James Fogarty. Powermetal.dk’s Thomas
Nielsen put a few questions to James.
Thomas:
James, since I received the promotional copy of ”Conspiritus”
a while back, it has enjoyed heavy rotation on my car stereo and
on the hi-fi because of its intriguing and
intelligent blend of pop, folk, techno, rock and metal. The
promotional material mentions both black metal and former KLF
members…what is this all about? What is your background? Has
Ewigkeit always been a one-man effort?
James:
Hi - yeah, Ewigkeit has always been just me (apart from some
aborted attempts at playing live with a "band") I
started out doing Death metal incorporating ambience, samples
& keyboards, which was inspired by a lot of early 90s Black
metal (I recorded a few Black Metal albums with other projects).
In 2003 I joined the newly formed "blacksmoke
organisation", which included James Cauty, who was the music
behind the KLF/Kfoundation and was also a former member of The Orb.
Thomas:
You seem to be fairly outspoken in terms of your political
opinions. It’s obvious, if not from the “Conspiritus” album,
then at least from your website, that you’re moving along
leftist lines. Are you politically active as well as a musician?
James: You
know, you are the first person to accuse me of being leftists - in
the past, ignorant morons have accused me of being right-wing (probably
because Ewigkeit is a german word - but then, that sounds like
they're being racist/xenophobic) I would say that I personally see
all politics as a tool by which to manipulate the mases - eft or
Right, they are both the hands of the same monster.
I would perhaps say that I am a humanist with a bias
towards an idealistic communal society (which will NEVER happen -
I am a cynic too ;-) ).
Thomas:
Do you see your music as a tool that can make people aware of some
of the wrong turns that we’re taking right now politically and
socially?
James: Well,
I have been asked this - basically, all I can say is that I fully
realise that a record released on an independant metal label isn't
going to change the world - but if it intrigues a few of the
listeners to investigate the horror of global conspiracy
themselves, then it may well change their "perception"
of the world as we know it, yes.
Thomas:
You live in Brighton on the south coast of England. It’s not
exactly the capitol of, well, any kind of music. Do you enjoy the
sight of the piers or is there a different story behind this?
James: I
was born here, and my roots are in this god-forsaken town. I
am pretty much stuck here. For
all it's bad points, I still love it here though. In past years,
Brighton ws mainly associated with the whole "big beat"
scene (Fat Boy Slim and all that crap), but more recently it has
be known for rock bands. Metal
is not really big down here, and anyway - I keep away from any
groups of people who are bonded by music/fashion baa.. baa...
Thomas:
This is your second release on the Earache label. How has the
collaboration been between you and the label?
James: Well,
whatever happens, I will always be writing and recording music for
Ewigkeit. If Earache
want to distribute that music and sell it, then that is great.
I have no aspirations to be a "rock star" like
members of some other bands on the label, and the music scene in
general.
Thomas:
Where is the fascinating sample used in the “Conspiritus”
track “Transcend the Senses” taken from? Who’s the man
behind the voice?
James: The
man behind the voice is his holiness Mahatma Ghandi.
It is a recital recorded in the 1920's - in the original,
he is talking about the existance of God.
In the "Transcend the senses" version, he is
talking about a global conspiracy and how to defeat it (passive
aggresion). Thank
heavens for the wonders of editing !!
Thomas:
Let’s play a wee association game. What do you think when I say…
George
Orwell?
James: Animal
Farm
Queensr˙che
– Operation: Mindcrime?
James: an
album I have never heard, nor was aware of till I read some
reviews of Conspiritus!
Pink
Floyd: The Wall?
James: Genius
George
W. Bush?
James:
Wanker
Thomas:
What’s your take on the British metal scene right now? Who
deserves credit in your view?
James: I
don't follow it - and when I say that, I really do truthfully mean
that every time I look at the magazines, I haven't heard of 50% of
the bands.
Thomas:
Six months on a deserted island – which five CD’s do you
regret that you didn’t bring along?
James: Black
Sabbath - "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", Pink Floyd - "Wish
you were here", KLF - Chill Out, Paul McKenna - "alleviate
Stress" & the soundtrack too "Pee Wee Herman's Big
Adventure"
Thomas:
Any famous final words?
James: These
are unlikley to be my last words, let alone famous !
I wil merely say that you should question why no
photographic evidence exists for a plane hitting the Pentagon on
the 11th of September 2001, and then follow the bread-trail all
the way back to 1776... And
then look at the state the world is in right now...
Learn
more about James and Ewigkeit from these websites:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/deathtomusic/ewigindex.htm
or www.earache.com
www.myspace.com/ewigkeit23
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