Q & A WITH PROFESSOR PSYCHE

{Courtesy of Bronchintinis Records}


Q: Who are you?

A: Professor Psyche

Q: Where are you from?

A: Nanaimo, British Columbia

Q: How do you classify your music?

A: Alternative -- it started as an a'cappella project, but the new album branches out a bit.

Q: Your new album is named "Deserter." What inspired the title?

A: The lyrics to the chorus of "Chandeliers" read "when everything is lost, we desert the way we used to be -- scared to live." That's it basically.

Q: What is the storyline for Deserter?

A: Deserter picks up immediately where the first album left off. The first album ended with a glimmer of hope -- I finally realized just how unhealthy I was becoming, so I made a conscious decision to leave the woods and return home.

Deserter takes place entirely in the wilderness. I consider it to be an action-adventure album. The first few songs are about building momentum and getting prepared for something challenging. I pack up, burn everything I don't need, and head out during the early evening. The middle of the album is where the fear and desperation sets in, because I get completely lost and I run out of food. I consider giving up and going back to where I started, but I eventually decide that it's no use. The last section of the album is a bit more hopeful because the sun returns and I find a path that seems to be leading me in the right direction. Whereas the album's midsection deals with external confusion of being lost, the end of the album deals with the emotional confusion of approaching home and realizing that reintegrating into society will be a bigger challenge than anticipated.
So basically the themes of the album are loss of momentum, confusion, perseverance, and the thrill of living in the moment.

Q: What inspired the story and lyrics on the new album?

A: The last year of my life.

Q: What can we expect to hear on Deserter?

A: Lots of upbeat singles, surprise cameos by a djembe, electric guitar, 80's synth, and my sister making monkey sounds; also, you can expect drama, excitement, skreezles, 6 fade outs, and some wild vocal experimentation.

Q: The 4th track on the album is named "The Skreezle Emerges." What is a skreezle?

A: We all have a skreezle inside of us. It is basically a raw, animalistic spirit that takes over our bodies when we need it the most. On the album, it emerges the moment I get lost - it gives me fierceness and superhuman hunting skills. And yes, I'm laughing as I write this.

Q: What is your favourite song on Deserter?

A: I'm happy with how all of them turned out, but if I had to choose a favourite it would be Escapism.

Q: What song is the album's dark horse?

A: Running on Fumes.

Q: If Deserter was a Keanu Reeves movie, which one would it be?

A: The first R rated movie I ever saw in theatres was Speed - I loved it and still love it. But who can forget Johnny Mnemonic! haha! I miss the 90's.

Q: What else do you want listeners to know about Deserter?

A: I just want people to hear it.