HIDDEN SANCTUARY MAGAZINE
Nilaihah Records continues to be a musical force to reckon
with. This is most decidedly apparent with the recent label
signing of the band Blind Faith and Envy. While there have
been any number of female fronted electronic outfits as of
late, Blind Faith and Envy delivers the smooth, sweet vocals
of Charlene April along with the unique hybrid tones crafted
by Daniel Guenther.
The Charming Factor is a debut that offers a little for
everyone without being dull, cliché or monotonous.
Musically, the electronic essence is presented as a
wonderfully creative painter's palette, adding touches,
tones and nuances in all the right places.
KM- Does the name of the band "Blind
Faith and Envy" hold any particular meaning for you?
Charlene: Our band name came from some old lyrics I
had written. We liked the line Blind Faith and Envy so much
that it just kinda stuck with us. No particular meaning
behind it, people can make their own interpretation of it.
KM- Daniel, you have stated that you
had strong ties to musical projects, what were some of those
projects? How do you feel they have helped you evolve into
the songwriter you are today?
Daniel: I was in a couple of death metal bands where
I played guitar in one band and bass in the other. It
doesn’t have much influence on what I write today. Since I
didn’t write much music in those bands, I started writing on
my own. Blind Faith and Envy has allowed me to experiment
with songwriting.
KM- Originally from the metal scene,
how did you discover the industrial scene which included
such bands as "NIN" and "FLA"?
Daniel: Several years ago a friend of mine had a
friend (who was homeless) and happened to look like Trent
Reznor, and he constantly played NIN and Ministry. His
favorite CD being NIN “Broken.” For me it was like metal
music but I was able to understand the vocals. So electronic
music really grew on me from there.
KM- In 99', what circumstances led to
the chance encounter between you and Charlene?
Daniel: We were at the same place at the same time, a
bar/restaurant in Illinois. Charlene was with a friend and I
was with my friends and we all just started talking. Our
first conversation was about bands and music. We had so much
in common that a relationship grew from there. We went to
the same high school but graduated a year apart. We didn’t
know of one another in High School.
KM- Charlene, in the beginning what
did you do to better yourself as a vocalist?
Charlene: Practice. A lot of practice. It was a
matter of trying to find my voice- it took some time to
develop. I actually feel like I have recently found a
“style.” Like anything else- the more you do it, the better
you get. It means singing everyday, which is easy for me
because I love to sing, I always have a song in my head!
KM- Over the years you have listened
to many artists, who are some of your favorites? Who would
you say left the biggest impression on you to become a
singer?
Charlene: Dave Gahan has made the biggest impression
on me. Not only is he a great singer, but he’s also a great
performer. I noticed how important it is to have a nice tone
of voice, he has that (and it doesn’t hurt that he’s awesome
to look at)!
KM- You have placed "Depeche Mode" and
"NIN" on a musical pedestal. What is it about these artists
that you feel they can do no wrong?
Charlene: They encompass everything that we feel is
important to be a successful band. Most of their songs are
very catchy. If a melody sticks with you when the song is
done, usually it means you have internalized it and made it
in a sense your own. Everyone perceives music differently,
people like what they like because they can identify with it
in some way. When the listener feels a connection to a song,
a special (usually anonymous) relationship is formed between
the artist and the listener, it’s really kind of spiritual
if you think about it.
KM- What made you decide to move from
Chicago to Wisconsin?
Daniel: Cheaper rent! Living in Illinois is expensive
and over populated. It doesn’t hurt to live right between
Milwaukee and Chicago.
KM- You both have day jobs, are they
music related? If not, what do you do?
Charlene: I work for a social service agency. Daniel
works in retail. Helps to supplement our addiction to music
and songwriting for now!
KM- In 03', how were you able to gain
the attention of the indie label "Nilaihah Records"?
Charlene: We sent her 3 demo tracks hoping she might
take a listen. A couple weeks later she called us with some
questions and things took off from there. She sent us a
contract and agreed to release our album.
KM- Daniel, how do you feel that by
being on a label will help open many doors for you?
Daniel: Being on Nilaihah gives us a chance to gain
new fans in several different genres. It’s also cool to have
our CD in Best Buy.
Charlene: I think our music has potential to tap into
several different genres without being pigeon-holed as “synth-pop.”
Nilaihah has the ability to tap into the electro-based music
market, this helps to create new opportunities that we may
not have had with a self-release.
KM- Your debut cd "The Charming
Factor" is out now on "Nilaihah Records". How many years has
this cd been in the making?
Daniel: It took about a year and a half of constant
writing and producing.
KM- One of your goals for "The
Charming Factor" is to have your up and coming audience tap
into their feelings. Are there any other intentions you
would like to see happen for this release?
Charlene: I am hoping that people are able to relate
to my lyrics, which also are my personal feelings on
situations and/or relationships. If even a few people feel
moved by what I have to say then I am happy!
KM- On this release there is an
instrumental track called "Texture", it was written for and
dedicated to "Mrs. Bachmann". Who was this person? If so,
did she have any musical influence on "Blind Faith and Envy"
as a band?
Daniel: I wrote the song as a gift for Charlene’s
Mom. We thought it would be cool to put the song on the
album with a special dedication to her.
Charlene: Our parents have been really supportive in
our musical plight thus far. Family/friends can create
obstacles for musicians that are difficult to overcome. When
there is a lack of support it’s easy for a musician’s
confidence to be shattered and thus dreams may never become
reality. There has been like this undercurrent of support
that seems to grow a little everyday, it makes us try even
harder.
KM- Charlene, what would you consider
to be a major inspiration for your lyrics on "The Charming
Factor"?
Charlene: Daniel’s music and the thoughts and
feelings I get when I listen to a song he’s written creates
mass inspiration in me. I try to say things in such a way
that other people may not have realized on their own. Sort
of a fresh way of looking at a situation.
KM- If "Blind Faith and Envy" was
asked to do a "NIN" song, what song would you cover and why?
Daniel: Trent recorded a pop song in 1988 called
“Maybe Just Once” off of the “Purest Feeling” demos. NIN
music is so good that there’s not much room for improvement.
This song could be very cool done in our style.
KM- Has "Blind Faith and Envy" had the
opportunity to perform either locally or in the vicinity in
support of "The Charming Factor"?
Charlene: We have played a few shows locally a couple
of years ago. We do have plans to play live in the future,
we are working out those details. In the meantime our
priority is to keep songwriting.
KM- What can one expect from a "Blind
Faith and Envy" show? Is it just the two of you or would you
acquire additional musicians on stage?
Charlene: Well, there’s just the two of us right now,
however we love the idea of adding more people to create a
very entertaining stage show.
KM- Does "Blind Faith and Envy" have a
tentative blueprint for the upcoming summer months?
Daniel: We will be writing new songs and we will be
working hard to promote “The Charming Factor”.
Interview: Blind Faith and Envy by Kim Mercil
Introduction by Mike Ventarola (www.hiddensanctuary.com)