Fade Kainer - Batillus, Inswarm, Statiqbloom, Love is Nothing. I'm a live member of Jarboe, and I remix a lot of other people. My old band was Still Life Decay.

Birthplace and current place of residence

Born in Langen,Germany, live in Brooklyn NY

If you have specific collaborators, who are they?

I've collaborated with Lee Bartow in Love is Nothing, & NTT/Inswarm songs

What bands/projects are you currently in, and what is your history before these present groups musically/sonically?

I'm currently active in Batillus, Inswarm, Statiqbloom, and Love is Nothing, and a live member of Jarboe. I've been in Industrial, doom, and darkwave bands growing up in South Florida.

Have your music projects evolved since you first started? How?

Yes, Inswarm was a full band when it began, now it's just stripped down to two main people w/ a lot of electronics under the organic elements. Batillus was an instrumental band before I joined.

What are the main themes or topics for your work?

Spirituality / the lack of it / addiction / love / misanthropy/ hope / loss

Describe your music/art. How do you describe your music to people?

Depends on the project, but I like to think that the element that I bring to each project is similar, in that I bring a visually sonic element.

What music did you grow up listening to?

As a teenager I was into Sabbath, Entombed, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Tear Garden, Neurosis

What's the first song you remember listening to or that sticks in your mind?

Cat Stevens, I was 3yrs old.

What are you currently listening to that you're really into? How did you find out about it?

I've been listening to Lurker of Chalice, Yob & Wovenhand a lot lately.

Who are your influences in general, musically and artistically?

Skinny Puppy, Coil, Neubauten.

What got you into making harsh noise and/or ambient in the first place?

I got a cassette 4-track when I was 15 and I was really into hallucinogens, I would take records and run them through fx, and add drums on top and really try to make the most twisted music I could, mainly to entertain myself.

Are your sounds deliberately composed, is your work abstract, or a combination of both?

Both, I have a lot of thoughts about how I want things to sound, but a lot of the best stuff is accidental.

Do you rehearse or plan your performance in any way, either in your heads, on paper or in a studio, or do you just wing it when it comes to performing and recording?

Depends on the project, Statiqbloom is the only one that has pure improve elements.

Could you briefly describe you music-making process?

First trying to go to a place of no mind, then let creativity take over.

Where do you record?

In my rehearsal studio, my bedroom studio, or in a pro studio w/ some of my bands.

Do you have a home studio setup?

Yes.

Are you prolific? Are you constantly cranking out new stuff or does it take time to get it right and done?

I'm constantly working on something.

Who does your artwork?

Depends on the project, I do a lot of visual art as well, I paint.

Are your live performances structured in any way or are they freeform?

With the bands yes, with Statiqbloom no.

What can you tell me about your instruments? Who makes them/designs them?

I use and abuse a lot of stuff. I like stand alone units (synths, fx pedals, drum machines) I like to run things through a lot of things to process it, then sample it in the computer and then manipulate it more.

What made you choose the particular pedals/effects/instruments you have now?

The more they distort and destroy sounds the more I dig them.

Are you subject to any kind of brand loyalty or will you play with whatever you come across/what is available?

What ever sounds good.

Favorite distortion box? Favorite delay?

I like this Jekyll & Hyde overdrive /distortion a lot, but I like to distort things w/ signal overload into things.

Favorite piece of gear? my Waldorf microwave XT is nice.

Where have you performed?

All over the US , Europe, Japan.

What are your favorite and least favorite venues?

Anywhere that has a good PA, really its about the people, a good audience is what its about.

Most embarrassing experience? Most awesome?

I've had a few embarrassing moments, once i ripped my pants open on stage and had no underwear on, so I had to go behind the drummer and use gaffers tape to fix my pants, once in Marseilles, France, performing with Jarboe, the stage collapsed under me and I fell through it. Most awesome was playing to 10,000 people last year at Hellfest in France, and this year playing the Roadburn fest, sharing the stage w/ such awesome bands!

What other live performances or events are you involved in?

I compose music for a modern dance company called Launch Movement. You can see it here..I perform live w/ the dancers: http://tinyurl.com/2g5mrhp

Do you have a day job? What is it?

I do a lot of freelance work now, audio engineering, & production stuff like building sets

Have any hobbies like stamp collecting or knitting?

Music keeps me busy.

Do you play any other instruments besides the one you play in your bands?

I play drums, I used to play drums in bands when I was younger.

Do you collect anything or are you a minimalist?

I collect records,CDs and books.

What are you cooking tonight?

Pasta with pesto.

What did you eat today?

Oatmeal and fruit.

What's your favorite food of all time?

I had a fish dish in Guatemala, it was Mahi Mahi with sundried tomatoes and a macadamia nut crust..awesome!

Favorite drink?

Coffee.

If you had to eat one food 7 days in a row, what would it be?

Sushi.

If I came to your home and looked in your refrigerator, what would I find?

Cheese, fruit, almond milk, tortillas, half & half, coffee, peanut butter.

What was the last book you read?

Stillness Speaks by Ekhart Tolle.

Do you watch TV or listen to the radio at all? Any favorite shows or broadcasts?

I watch shows on Netflx, been watchin 30Rock

Where do you go to discover new sounds/music?

I get inspired to do music when I go look at art.

Been to any good shows lately?

Eyehategod, and the whole day at Roadburn was awsome. Yob, Goatsnake, Kylesa ..

Describe a day in the life of Fade Kainer.

Coffee first, meditation, then either go to work or work on music at home, then bike ride to rehearsal studio, band rehearsal , then maybe paint at night.

What does your family think of your art and do they support you? Do they have any idea what you do or what your project sounds like?

My family has always been supportive. Yes, my mom used to embarrass me by showing up to my gigs wearing my metal shirts.

Any advice for people who are starting out creating music/noise/art?

There is no right or wrong way in being creative, just do it

Can you tell me your upcoming shows, new recordings and projects?

I just finished an album with Batillus called "Furnace" It was recorded by Sanford Parker. We're looking for a label at the moment to release it. Batillus is playing at The Cakeshop on thurs July 15th in NYC

Any parting words or pearls of wisdom you'd like to share with whoever's reading this interview?

Try to get out of your own way when you are creating.

Batillus on myspace
Inswarm on myspace
Statiqbloom on myspace
Love is Nothing on myspace
Jarboe on myspace

Back to the index