Apache Beat is: Christina Aceto on synth, Philip Aceto on guitar and backing vocals, Ilirjana on lead vocals, Mike Dos Santos on bass + backing vocals, and Neil Westgate on drums and percussion.
The Beat plays the After the Jump Festival this Saturday at 6 pm on the main stage. They are prepared to wreck your brain.
Ilirjana took time out of her demanding rock star/editrix life to shoot some Apache Beat wisdom towards you people.
In as few words as possible, describe the Apache Beat manifesto for everyone?
Apache Beat want to make songs that dark, destructive and of course pretty.
Neu! What's its mean to you?
A great musical influence. It is obvious with our band name, no?
How did you (AB) start making music? Whats your personal role in the
creation of the music?
We started as Phil (guitarist) and myself (vocals) and slowly gathered
the other members to get the lineup we have now. My role? Well I
basically write vocal melody and lyrics. We generally write our own
parts, but sometimes share duties. Someone starts something and we
build from there. It would be no fun for us to have one person write
everything and no one else have any input. We all have a say in
everything. There is a reason why everyone is in the band and does
what they do.
You just got picked up by a few different labels...what is coming out
where and when? How has working with several different labels helped
or hindered what you are trying to do creatively?
It is amazing we have been approached by so many labels and we are
flattered. Having releases about to come out is certainly very cool.
But yeah it can hinder our writing a bit, as we are the ones having to
deal with all the little, annoying issues that arise.
In October and November we have Tropics and Blood Thrills coming out
as singles. Available on 7" and digital download. All over the world
on a billion labels. Ha. Not sure on the exacts but check our myspazz
for updates.
Have you played any particularly awesome shows?
A last show in Toronto was awesome. Canadians love to party.
What makes you mad about the New York music scene? What's most inspiring?
We don't really think about the New York music scene, too busy doing
our own thing. That being said, we do love a lot of the music coming
from New York. It is a good place to be, if you want to make music, as
there is so much good music being made, you have to work hard to be
heard.
What other bands/music are you listening to?
Oh we listen to a tonne of different music. Alot of old stuff and new
stuff like, off the top of my head; Studio, Deerhunter, No Age, Inouk,
Ipso Facto, Arctic Monkeys, Celebration, The Black Neon... I could go
on for a while. Five people means a lot of different tastes.
There are some remixes floating around, did you commission those? Who
is your dream remixer?
Yeah electronic acts seem to like us alot and approach us to do
remixes, which is great. We haven't really approached anyone about
doing one. Dream remixer? That is a hard one. I mean Superpitcher
wants to do a remix, which would be amazing. Eno? François K? Not
sure. Someone who is really good. Haha.
Age old question: Do you think its a faux pas when a DJ plays a band's
music when said band is in the house?
Nah. It is funny and bands pretend they are embarassed, but secretly,
they really love it.
We expect total destruction at the After the Jump Festival. Does AB
have anything special lined up to aid in the destruction?
Explosions. Big, fucking explosions. How does that sound?
ON FIRE!!!
Check out Missing Toof for a very synthy remix of Apache Beat's Tropics coming out soon on Playlouder.
