[Artist THE ΛNIX , let’s start. Ready?]
Ready.
[We know a little bit about you as the musician.Can you introduce yourself and give some
introduction to our audience in your music career?]
My name is Brandon Smith, from Los Angeles, CA. I’ve been experimenting with music for over
25 years, since around the age of 10. My first instrument was a keyboard and drum machine,
which is where my fascination for electronic music began.
I’ve gotten to travel the world playing music as The Anix and also with other acts such as
Apoptygma Berzerk from Norway and really developed a passion for making electronic music
sound “alive” and more humanized. I learned what bass tones, or kick drums sounded massive
in big concert halls or clubs, and adapt that to my recording techniques in the studio. I record,
write and produce all of my own music which gives me complete control over every detail and
element of my sound.
[Why you prefer to work on your own in the music industry now?]
For me, making music is just one small part of The Anix. I see The Anix as my own brand,
consisting of unique photography, graphic design, merchandise, technology, video and of course
music. Creating music gives me a connection to people around the world and helps for
them to understand my vision and futuristic aesthetic. It sets the stage for things I want to
accomplish with my brand in the future.
[What inspires you most in music?]
Most of my musical inspiration comes from memories of the 80’s and 90’s when I really enjoyed
music as a listener and not so much as an artist. Once you become an artist, your focus shifts
into the creative/critique side so much that you can easily lose the passion for listening to music
simply as an enjoyable hobby. I was always drawn to the more melancholic songs from bands
like The Smashing Pumpkins, The Prodigy, The Deftones, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Failure,
NIN etc.
In current time, I am more inspired by technology and the idea of the future. I surround myself
with equipment and everyday items which inspire me and feel like they are from the world I try
to envision. This helps me stay in the right mindset of creating art which feels new and
innovative. Current music I am inspired by is in the techno/deep house or electronic world such
as Moderat, Maceo Plex, Phon.0, Jon Hopkins, Gesaffelstein.
[What is "techwear" for you? Do you split the meaning to tech clothing and this "techwear" style
culture?]
I’ve been dressing in some form of “techwear” long before I knew what it was. I would go to
army/military stores and buy black riot gear pieces, leg holsters, vests, straps, and gloves just
because I thought it looked cool. I used to race bikes and motorcycles as a kid and always
loved wearing the gear, helmets, masks, armor etc. I think most guys that are into it were
inspired early on by some form of comic book or video game character which had a cool tech
look to them. Characters like Snake Eyes from GI Joe, Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid,
some of the Marvel and DC characters, Anime, Gundam etc. This personally shaped my vision
of clothing and what I liked to wear as it was a form of dressing up in costume in everyday life.
For me, techwear is functional clothing that serves multiple purposes, which can navigate you
through different terrain and weather. I like the idea of having one kit, which solves multiple
problems.
[Which brands do you personally wear? Why?]
Right now I am interested a lot in NikeLab’s AAE line and ACG collections. These are
reasonably priced and I modify a lot of it on my own with my sewing machine. I also like parts of
the Gyakusou collection due to the lightweight everyday usability and innovative material
selection. I also wear Undercover, ACW (A-Cold-Wall), Stone Island, and Acronym. Guerrilla
Group is doing some really cool things with accessories as well as AOKU.
[There is some rumor about the completion of NikeLab ACG line under Errolson's designing.
How do you feel about it?]
This is horrible news for me as it is one of the coolest mainstream collaborations to ever exist.
It brought high end techwear down to a price some of us can afford. The cost of an actual
Acronym jacket such as the J47TS-GT, it is over $2000, so limits the entry point for 99% of
consumers out there, making this NikeLab ACG product he designs feel like a bargain at $600.
There is still hope for more collaborations under the MMW range and further expansion of their
AAE collection.
[We saw some DIY-experiments you made with ACRNM x Vapormaxes. Any plans on your own
designed clothing in future?]
It’s been a goal of mine for 20 years to create a limited range of pieces to fill in areas where I
see a void. I plan to continue growing my brand which will lay the foundation for a few pieces I
am starting to design. My goal is not to start a clothing brand, but to create one or two custom
items to be sold as limited production, ultra high-quality merchandise for The Anix. These would
be completely bespoke designs, with cool stories and materials behind them. I have a
lightweight jacket already designed - I’m just looking for a partner to help bring it to life.
[What do you think about the mix of computer technologies and clothing? Like, adding some
gadgets to jackets and so on, is this an essential thing?]
I think it’s a cool concept but it needs to be done in a way that does not add additional time or
effort to the user’s routine. I personally like things to be very quick, easy and comfortable when it
comes to my fit. I do not like the added weight of having things loaded up in my pockets, or
having a battery pack that I have to remember to charge, or cables to remember to bring with
me. I think once the technology improves and becomes smaller and lighter, it could make for
some interesting pieces.
I think what is more interesting is the next level of exosuiting, or small wearables to help assist
the user’s muscle function in daily work related routines. This is mainly used in hospitals or
industrial work now, but interesting to think about what could become of it in the future.
[In Russia we have such a complex and hard climate. Once, some guy at SuperFuture forum
said : "Russia is an original techwear country".
Which functions and technologies in clothing are personally important for you?]
I agree with you and think that Russia and Germany both have had an early sense of Techwear
based on the climate conditions being so harsh. If you look at a German or Russian soldier,
officer, or general worker, they are essentially wearing a tech-infused outfit which needs to
allow for mobility and function. These are the two areas I look for most aside from the aesthetic:
garments designed to allow the user to move freely and a functional benefit to carry my
essentials near my body so they aren’t at risk of falling out of a pocket, or flopping around
loosely.
[What do you think of mass-market consumption? Should the real tech clothing become more
accessible ? Will it be in future?]
Techwear is definitely becoming more mainstream due to some of the Hip Hop artists wearing it,
but I don’t think it will ever hit the mass market like other trends. Certain brands like Diesel and
G-Star have ventured into this territory for a very long time but I can’t imagine the dedicated
true tech brands mass producing the high-end stuff. Nike is definitely exposing the idea to the
masses, but in general, people in America are still too afraid to try something that might make
them look too different from the average person...and I am totally fine with that.
[Your latest Shadow_Movement album is about some character called Interchanger which exists
in cyberpunk dystopia future. What attracts you to sci-fi culture? Cells.]
I am attracted to the grungy, raw version of Sci-fi, like what you see in Blade Runner, because
this is the same mix of future/analog/human as I use in my music. I like the concept of the future
that feels real and achievable, not the super glossy spaceship and laser gun type of Sci-fi
generally depicted in most novels/movies. It has to be the right mix of tech, dirt, human and
robot for me to be interested. I like seeing a future concept hover car that is all scratched up,
with bumper stickers on it so it feels more real. My music mixes futuristic elements, with vintage
instruments, robotic and human voices, electronic and real drums...very similar approach.
Cells.
[How can you describe the tech future like in near 30 years in your own vision? What you would
like to see there? Cells.]
We have advanced so much in the last 30 years-faster than any time ever in the history of man,
so I think the next steps are to refine what has been created to integrate concepts into our daily
lives.
Right now there is some amazing tech out there, however it is intrusive and time consuming to
use. I would love to see a future where we can control/trigger commands with thoughts, rather
than a device, so it removes that additional step. I would love to see memory and skill data
importing for rapid learning (similar to the Matrix). I am excited for new textiles to see what we
can learn from NASA to adapt to our clothing. Also excited to see how or if music will change
and evolve with new instruments and software.
Cells.
[Our interpretation of TECHUNTER character is based on the vision which focused on the future
and when new technologies help you to develop yourself and the world around you.
How can you explain this character? Interlinked.]
TECHUNTER is essentially a central point for learning and discussing the future; seeing what is
currently available in our world that gives us a glimpse of what’s to come. Certain individuals
are comfortable not knowing what is out there, but TECHUNTER’s live and die to know what’s
next and how they can use technology to create something new. We share the common idea
that we wish to live in a world that is more advanced than everyone else.
Interlinked.
[In Russian social media VK you have a fan-group with about a thousand followers. Also, the
FiXT public page there have 2,5K+ followers. Do you plan any Russian performances in future?
Interlinked.]
I really admire what my fans in Russia have done and value their feedback on my music. Russia
is an absolute goal to play in, so when the time comes for touring, it will definitely be something
I look into. Touring overseas is extremely costly, so my current plan is to build my brand
stronger before looking into booking agents and potential shows.
Interlinked.
[Do you dream about electric sheeps? Interlinked.]
INTERLINKED
[Do you dream about being interlinked?]
INTERLINKED
[Have they left a place for you where you can dream? Interlinked.]
INTERLINKED
[Within cells interlinked.]
WITHIN CELLS INTERLINKED
[Why don't you say that three times?]
WITHIN CELLS INTERLINKED, WITHIN CELLS INTERLINKED, WITHIN CELLLLL5 1NT3RLINNNNKEDDDDdddd>>>>>>
...WE’RE DONE.
YOU ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BASELINE.