Below, you can read our interview with artist Positronic, check out his website and social media platforms, and listen to his album New Life. Check out our full music review of New Life, HERE.
Q: How long have you been a musician? Has electronic music always been your primary genre?
A: I started making music at about 13 when I got my first little Casio mini keyboard. I started making music seriously when I joined my first band called, “FOUNDATION” at 16 years old (1988, about 32 years ago).
Q: You’re from Corona, CA. Has the competitive Southern California music scene had an impact on your performance or music style?
A: It’s hard to get gigs here since the electronic scene is kind of underground. I’ve only been doing music seriously again for about 2 years and haven’t played live yet. I do have an upcoming show (date not decided yet because of the Covid pandemic) with a few other synth bands including, “Anything Box” at the Garden Grove Amphitheater which should take place this fall.
Q: You write, program, and perform all of Positronic’s music yourself. Do you find it challenging to be a “one-man-band” or liberating to have full control of your music?
A: I don’t find it difficult. I love having all control over the music. It is very liberating. Most collaborations in my past, have ended because other musicians always gravitate towards the downbeat, minor-keyed, somber side of music which is just not me. I love that I can make the music that I want to make and have this outlet to fully express myself. I have friends that will play keyboards live on stage with me but as far as the studio work goes, it’s all me. Sometimes it is a bit hard with all of the responsibility on me but I have a friend that I call my “Producer” that gives me feedback and keeps me on the “straight and narrow”.
Q: You’ve told us your name stands for “Positive-Electronic” music, but you’ve also mentioned that “New Life” was recorded during a challenging time in your life. Was it difficult to balance these contrasting themes on the album?
A: Not at all. If you listen to the message of the songs/album, you’ll hear the general theme that although times might be hard, never give up, keep putting your best foot forward and don’t give up. For me, writing the album was therapy. The album is very “real”.
Q: How long did “New Life” take to record? What was the process like?
A: It took about 3 months to write and record. With the Covid pandemic, I had a lot of time on my hands at home. So, I used it to write the album. As I said, I was going through a rough time in life, and writing the album was my outlet. I wrote, programmed, and recorded it in my home studio.
Q: Are there any messages you hope your listeners take away from the album?
A: Just what I said above. No matter what you’re going through, you can’t let it bring you down. Never give up on love.
Q: Perhaps in some unspecified amount of time, your musical career explodes in the best of ways…what does that look like for you?
A: The New Life album does well on the radio, online streaming services, maybe I get picked up by a major label, I can quit my job and do music full time. Touring and more albums in the future.
Q: You get to collaborate with anyone of your choosing. Who is it?
A: Mr. Vincent Clark of Erasure.
Q: Your favorite album of all time? (Yup, you gotta choose one.)
A: That’s easy, “Black Celebration” from Depeche Mode. “Violator” from Depeche would be a close second.
Q: Your favorite song of all time? (Again, only one!)
A: “But Not Tonight” from Depeche Mode’s “Black Celebration” album. It’s been my all-time favorite song since I was about 14 years old.
Q: What would you like fans to know about you that they’re most likely unaware of?
A: That I’m just a regular guy. I’m a family man, father of 5 children that l absolutely adore. And that I love music, always have. It’s a part of me and unstoppable. Something that is part of my DNA. It’s as natural for me as breathing and something I feel I have to do but also is a privilege to do. To be able to express myself and have other people appreciate it is a real joy. I love my fans and only want to bring some joy to their lives. I appreciate every single one of them. Couldn’t do it without them.
Q: Any shout-outs you wanna make?
A: To my friends, Brady Kerr (my unofficial producer), Eric C. Powell for all of his help, Claude S. of Anything Box, and to the Synth-pop community (Jimm K., Marss, Steven, Darwin McD) and all of the Indie radio stations and DJ’s – Thank you for playing my music!
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Just that I’m very happy to release this new album and hope that the fans enjoy it. Thank you for giving it a listen! 😊
(Want to be interviewed by The Ark of Music? Click HERE.)