an Interview by Auralgasms - December, 2003

Info
Website:	http://www.liquidelement-online.com/
Latest Release:	Water Clock
Download	So Pleasing

Northern Minnesota is probably best known for it's long, dark, icey winters. A world where there is a forest at every corner and a lake at every step . So when an album comes out with such beauty and inspiration from such an unexpected place you take notice.

Leo and Christina Alberti, better known as Liquid Element, have just released their debut cd "Water Clock" and reactions have been far reaching. Being described as shoegazer meets trip hop with a pop sensibility the debut album is getting played around the world in clubs, radio stations, cars and bedrooms.

Auralgasms had a chance to chat with Leo and Christina about the new cd, how it all began and their plans for the future.

How did you come up with the name Liquid Element?

I couldn't sleep one night and was up watching tv when I came across an infomercial wI couldn't sleep one night and was up watching tv when I came across an infomercial where somebody said the word Liquid. I realized what a beautiful word it is and how the word doesn't get used very often. I could relate it to the softer side of our music. I then came up with Element to be our harder side.here somebody said the word Liquid. I realized what a beautiful word it is and how the word doesn't get used very often. I could relate it to the softer side of our music. I then came up with Element to be our harder side

What kind of music were the two of you brought up on?

Our dad listened to a lot of 30s/40 music like Benny Goodman, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Perry Como and Frank Sinatra. Our mom was and still is a huge Beatles fan as well as a Who fan.

Do you find it difficult to have your sibling as your musical partner?What difficulties has that created for you in studio or on stage. How has it made your music more tightly knit?

Christina: I have never thought of us making music as being difficult. Of course, where would the world be if everyone thought the same and never had an opinion. Very boring. Leo and I have wanted to make music for a long time. We know how passionate each other is about it and has been for quit some time.

Leo: I think both of us having so many ideas on music, sometimes different, really helps to create great music instead of friction between us.

Christina, Describe your experience with Petula Clark. What advice did she give you?

Christina: I saw Petula Clark perform at a Garden Ball and got to give her flowers when she was done with her performance. Afterwards my family got invited to her hotel room where she let me sing for her. She had been impressed with my voice for only being seven and simply told my parents I shouldn't have voice lessons. That they would just take my natural sound away.

Leo, What sort of music did you begin experimenting with on the computer?

Leo: When I started to put together tracks on my own I was really influenced by Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto and putting together sounds to create music. I still have 15 minute epics laying around on cds that are very experimental. Nurse With Wound meets Brian Eno's ambient works with Jack Dangers type beats.

Leo, Would you even notice Tatu if they were 2 straight chicks?

Leo: *laughing* I can honestly say yes. Because I did notice them before I "NOTICED" them. A friend sent me two mp3s, one of "All The Things She Said" and one of their cover of the Smiths' track "How Soon Is Now?" which happens to be one of my top songs of all time. They could be bearded russians for all I care and I would still think they have some great pop songs, and I'm not ashamed. I would be very dishonest if I only named underground bands as my world, I try to have an open mind and ears.

What music does each of you like that the other hates?

Christina: I don't think there is music my brother listens to that I hate. It's more along the lines of him playing me a song that he thinks is the best thing and me saying, "it's ok".

What musical loves do you have in common?

Christina: Leo and I both love Portishead and have been to Lords of Acid shows together.

Leo: We also like Garbage and David Bowie and have seen Marilyn Manson a few times together as well.

What music are you really enjoying now?

Christina: All I can play lately is David Bowie's "Reality" CD. The first two songs off the cd are amazing.

Leo: I have been listening to Stellastarr and the new Client cd which features Sarah Blackwood from Dubstar.

Do you pattern yourself after any current or past groups? How do you look to for inspiration?

Christina: I don't try to follow a pattern. I just sing how I do and write about what comes to me. It seems like almost everything inspires me. Situations in my life, watching a movie,reading a book to many things to list.

Leo: I am just very inspired by anything that is creative. I can listen to a great song or watch a great movie and it will inspire me to just create.

Christina, What is a “water clock”?

Christina: Waterclock's are one of the simplest and oldest ways of keeping time. I had a conversation about them with a friend before I wrote the lyrics for Water Clock. I decided that there should be a word for past relationships that don't work out. So I split waterclock into Water Clock and created my own phrase for all of the people you have gone out with.

Christina, Does Epilepsy interfere with touring as a band? How does it affect you onstage?

Christina: We're not touring yet, but I have thought about this issue. Some things would be different such as: no flashing lights and because you get tired easily we probably wouldn't do a show every night. Having Epilepsy doesn't mean you're unable, it just means that you live your life a bit differently.

Would you describe your music as shoegazer, dreampop, ethereal, noise pop, or all of the above?

Christina: I have never heard the word dreampop. That is one of the cutest words ever. I'm not sure what we are as each song has a different feel. Most likely shoegazer since that can mean many things.

Leo: I think we are a little bit of everything and that is something I love about our music. We have had such a wide variety of fans listening to our music that only good things can come of that and will allow us to grow in the future

What are each of your favorite Liquid Element songs and why?

Christina: My favorite song is "Secret Agent", because I can completely imagine a sexy dark video for it.

Leo: My favorite track is Wickedly Deceiving. I really like the way the layers of tracks build up off each other

Who would you most like to work with (musically!)

Christina: Probably Shirley Manson, because she just seems like the type of girl I would want to adopt as my new best friend. And then rock out with her and have access to her cool clothes.

Leo: Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto, I think he is the most brilliant person working in electronic music today

Do you share songwriting duties? If so, how do each of your songs differ?

Christina: Leo writes all of the music and I write all of the lyrics

You seem to have a close relationship with your fans. Describe your fanbase and what they mean to you.

Christina: I just find people in general fascinating. And what band isn't going to love their fans? They mean a lot to me, because they support what we're doing and make each day a little nicer.

Leo: Our fans mean the world and then some to me. Having somebody you don't know listen to your music and react to it is really amazing. I know the impact music has had on my life and to be able to put something out there for others to listen to is exciting

How do you go about getting exposure for your music? Do you hit the message boards, tour, word of mouth, radio appearances? Do you like to have your music available for free download?

Christina: There are so many things a band can do to get exposure. We have bussiness cards, a street team, banners on sites,reviews,radio stations,anything we can do to promote we do it.

Leo: We love having our music out there for others to listen to any way that they can, whether that be mp3s or streaming media. I think if somebody really likes what they hear then they are going to go out and buy that album.

What is in your future plans?

Christina: We are going to do a re-mix album and some people will be coming in mixing various songs of ours. It will be the first time that I get to play around with the music and mix a song or two myself.

Leo: The remix album will be very exciting and we of course plan to create much more music in the future, right now we are just getting started.