Cynthia - There was a lot that inspired the song " You're In My Veins". Lyrically I drew from painful experiences I had had in my own life and having watched others close to me whether family or friend struggle with some of their own life challenges. I think it initially stemmed from a darker place and with the feeling that came about while watching others I love, fellows hurt in a way that I couldn't help. I felt powerless... yet hopeful in seeing others progress in their lives positively. Above all the expression "your in my veins" meant that they were with me always and that I understood and could relate having experienced those challenges myself. The challenges of moving through and finding your ground, the different and sometimes frightening paths you take along the way. A song of empathy.....
Erik - That song started out as a jam in our rehearsal space and we left it untouched for months. Then one day while taking the Red Line Metro train from Hollywood to downtown LA I put together the rough music outline
for the rest of the song on my laptop in Garage Band. Cynthia had done some singing and lyric writing on it so we had all the basic elements to work with and by the end of that train ride we had a song.
2. If you could be in any country, wearing something, eating something, with or without someone, doing something, thinking about something, what would be your ultimate dream?
Cynthia - If I could be in any country wearing something, eating something, ect... I would have to chose an old palazzo in
Venice Italy. I'd imagine myself eating a large bowl of exotic fruits in an Elsa Schiaparelli ensemble among family, loved ones and artists I admire and adore like
David Bowie,
Brian Eno, Damien Hirst, and many more discussing worldly and creative endeavors. Maybe painting and playing music in an old fashion mask and costume like makeup...sounds silly i know...
Erik - Spain,
Italy,
Greece, A glass of wine, Alone or with someone new, watching life go by...boring right?
Clive - Somewhere in southern India, searching for a Nadi Astrologer.
Milo - I would be in the south of France wearing a scarf and sunglasses, sitting at a cafe (with internet service of course) sipping espresso petting a stray (french) dog .
3. Are you going to be touring again?
Cynthia - We hope to be touring very soon... and its likely we will be.
Erik - Hopefully we'll be taking some road trips in the fall. We're still working out the details.
4. When is your next album due out or are just recording right now?
Cynthia - I'd say at the moment we're trying to cover many grounds, writing,
recording, playing, and all of the rest. Things are moving along at a quicker pace, but I'm not quite sure when we would be releasing an album. sooner than later....stay tuned
5. How did all of you meet & form the band?
Cynthia - Erik, Clive, and myself met years ago in my old loft space. We had
another guitarist at the time who had introduced Clive and I, and soon later Erik had joined in through a common friend. From that point the band had formed and then taken on many different incarnations leading us to present day with Erik on guitar and now lovely Milo on bass, our newest addition.
Erik - I was introduced to Cynthia and Clive through a mutual friend, Doug Ardito. He came over to my place with a four song CD she had recorded and I fell in love with her voice. Then of course I met her and was like "Wow", gorgeous! (doesn't hurt right?). Originally I played bass in the band but after a shift in the line up I switched over to guitar and keyboards.
Clive - It was very organic which is rare in Los Angeles!
6. I find it so hard to believe that Neuromance hasn't been signed yet! Has there ever been any propositions or offerings from a label(without being too specific) and maybe it just hasn't been the right deal? How do
other crappy groups get handed deals and you guys are still unsigned? I do not get it.
Cynthia - There are many great bands doing incredible things out there. It is definitely an odd time in music, but quite exciting as well because there are so many new facets and ways to share your music and art. Skies the limit. there have been different types of offers and propositions, but in the end I guess we just haven't found our home yet and we hope to find one that best suites our dream.
Erik - We've been very careful about who we affiliate with. Yes, there has been a great deal of interest but we want to do it right.
Clive - Things are definitely going in the signing direction....the sooner the better. As for other bands, your guess is as good as mine, maybe sexual favors.
7. If you weren't doing this, what do you think you would be doing?Cynthia - If i weren't doing this I'd have absolutely no idea what I'd be doing.
I truly can't see myself living my life any other way... music and the many different art forms are an extreme passion of mine....
Erik - Playing music, somehow, somewhere...
Clive - I'm a licensed acupuncturist so I would probably do that.
Milo - I would be doing this.
8. What does your family think of your career choice in music?
Cynthia - I think my family for the most part has been very supportive and loving in the choice I've made. They have filled their lives with creativity and business in those different fields. At the end of the day I think they want what most parents want for their children, a life of happiness, health, and wealth in every regard. They still view me as the "big dreamer"
Erik - My mother has always been very supportive of my choices and she's always been there to help out when needed ($$$) Thanks Mom!
Clive - My family has always been supportive and at the same time concerned with the lack of financial security within the life of a musician.
9. What is your favorite song to perform live and why?
Cynthia -I'd say my favorite song to perform live would either be "Lower Eastside Boy" or "Under the Gun" because the groove, lyrics, and
music evokes a natural desire to move and dance...they're fun...at least for me.
Erik - I like "Lower Eastside Boy" and "Boots" 'cause they're fun to dance to! "Face Of Temptation" is getting to me as well.
Clive - Transit Station because it makes me feel like I'm moving.....
Milo - I love playing "Lower Eastside Boy " because it makes Cynthia smile when she sings it and "Face of Temptation " Just because its such a great song
10. Who's on heavy rotation on your ipod right now?Cynthia - It's hard to say who is heavy on rotation at the moment. I make a
lot of playlists consisting of anything new that I've found and love mixed in with all my classic favorites. Currently Blonde Redhead, Spoon, The Techniques, The Stranglers, Bauhaus,
Brigitte Bardot, and the Science of Sleep soundtrack.
Erik - Red Bone,
Arcade Fire, Emotions, Mark Ronson,
Depeche Mode, Fergie, Chic, all kinds of stuff...
Clive - Dr. Dre
Milo - Arvo Part
11. Who's the new bassist?
Cynthia - Our new bassist is Milo De Cruz. He's a real talent with an
impeccable fashion sense and has played with many greats. We're lucky
to have him!
Milo - He seems a bit off....
12. Cynthia- You are also an artist, when did you start painting and who is one of your influences? Where can we look at your art?
Cynthia - I started writing and painting very young. I'd say some of my
influences are
Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Salvador Dali,
Egon Schiele, Francis Bacon, Banksy and the list goes on. I also find
a lot of my inspiration in films whether old or new... Man Ray, Hans Richter, Len Lye, Oscar Fischinger, Wong Kar Wai, Michelangelo Antonioni , Fellini, and on and on again. You can see some of my artwork at
www.cynthiamittweg.com but a lot of those paintings are old, i haven't updated the site in some time... maybe some day.....
13. Did any of you go to school for music?
Cynthia - I studied piano and vocals with a teacher privately for a while and actually still do see someone for vocal lessons. I've been fortunate enough to have had wonderful musicians in my life teach me a great deal and of course your able to absorb a lot just through experiencing. Being in a band and diving in... all of the challenges that have helped develop my craft.
Erik - Some of us have studied a little bit here and there.
Clive - I went to The Berklee College of Music in Boston for 2 years until I was offered to join The Bogmen and then I was with them for about 7 or 8 years.
14. Whats the first record/cassette/cd you remember buying?
Cynthia - I don't really remember what the first record I purchased was...
all seems a bit blurry, but I'd imagine it was something like Depeche Mode or
Duran Duran.
Erik - The first one I remember was an old Prince record that my dad gave me, the one with "I wanna Be Your Lover" on it.
Clive - Blondes Have More FUN-Rod Stewart
Milo - The Ramones / Gaba Gaba Hey
15. Have you been any any other bands before Neuromance?
Cynthia - I haven't been in any band other than Neuromance, but before we
got together I had pursued more of a solo type career and didn't enjoy it very much.
Erik - Yes, one in LA and a couple back east.
Clive - I was in The Bogmen
Milo - Are there any other bands ?
16. What does Neuromance mean?
Cynthia - Neuromance was inspired by a
William Gibson book called
Neuromancer . The idea behind it was . "a new romance" and "neurologically
romancing".