KORDAN: From Puerto Rico to Brooklyn

Photo by Lily Frances

Interview by BETINA BRANDI.

Sometimes I really get bored when I hear the same music or the same band all the time, I’m always searching for new music everywhere in this entire world.

I was searching for some graphic designer and I saw an image of this band, so I get on MySpace and research it, and I hear the first song of the DEMO Fantasy Nation, and well I just get in shock when I listen this magnificent song. It remainded me of the greatest bands of the British post punk and electro synth, so urban and so raw, so when I was asked to make a interview I just thought of this band and I asked them for an interview online, they were very nice to do it and people I introduce you to KORDAN.

Kordan is a Brooklyn band that mesh lush textures, pulsating beats, and somber melodies to project dreams of a holographic future.

1. What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?

Arthur: Hey Betina. We’re really glad to do this interview for your readers in Vancouver. The name “Kordan” comes directly from an old computer language called “Fortran”. We were looking for a name both ancient and futuristic, both male and female, eternal and androgynous. And hence appeared “Kordan”. Unfortunately, we later learned that “Kordan” is also the last name of a corrupt Iranian politician!

2. Can you talk a little bit about the band, like when did you form your band?, how many members are in the band, what they do and when did they decide to make the band? How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

Liz: We are three members: Arthur, Gabo and myself. Arthur is the lead singer and guitarist, Gabo plays the bass, and I do backup vocals and play the synth. We met in Puerto Rico, where we all grew up, attended college, and formed part of the underground music scene in San Juan. We’ve known each other for years.

3. Every band has influences; Who are your major influences? Can you talk about yours?

Liz: We get inspired by music that is beautiful, melodic and has a profound sense of feeling to it. Band albums like My Bloody Valentine (Loveless), Portishead (Third), Ladytron (Witching Hour), Blonde Redhead (23) etc.

Arthur: For me the pulsating feel of drum & bass, the dark, futuristic kind, and the lush guitars of Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine were a huge influence. Gabo’s musical background centers more around the underground garage and punk genres.

4. What genre of music do you consider your work to be?

Liz: A mesh of lush sounds underpinned by pulsating bass and beats. We love the fact that our music is difficult to classify, as one of our main goals is to create something alien and unique.

5. What inspired you to make music together?

Liz: We have similar tastes in music and art. We also share this urge to have an out of the ordinary life that transcends monotony.

6. Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

Liz: Arthur is the main writer. I’ve been working on some new song lyrics.

Arthur: Gabo and I have started to write and record new songs together. Also, Liz is helping me craft more electronica-type tracks for a future release. I guess we use themes as tools to achieve a deep emotion and imagery within the listener; the themes will change over time, but we’ll always try to achieve that life-affirming sense. For future releases we’re looking into the idea of a futuristic society with a mystical connection to the Earth achieved through psychedelics and technology. But our ideas change according to our personal transformations, so it’s difficult to forecast “the next Kordan theme”. We’ll see…

7. Could you briefly describe the music-making process?

Arthur: From time to time, one becomes possessed by a 5-second flash of an image with a particular emotion attached to it. For example, for our forthcoming album, The Longing, I was possessed by scenes of a cold, rainy, late night, meddling through a crowded street full of faded neon signs amidst an ocean of faces, struggling to meet up again with a loved one you haven’t seen in years. The scene begins with a galaxy of city lights coming into view from the horizon and it ends with them receding into the darkness. The scene looks like the futuristic street shots of Los Angeles in Blade Runner or descriptions of Chiba City in the novel Neuromancer. The emotion feels like hazy memories of unresolved love. Then I try to dress a scene like this with the music that would match it.

8. What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Liz: The need of more time and resources to fulfill what we truly want to create.

Arthur: Yes, currently we are limited to playing the typical shows of 5 to 6 songs on a plain stage. We envision in the future creating a multimedia live show that brings to life the imagery of our music and a pulsating, continuous set that turns a traditional rock venue into a dance club. We’ll get there over time.

9. Where have you performed? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Liz: We have performed all over New York City at venues like Webster Hall, Mercury Lounge, Public Assembly (it’s a long list). Currently we are arranging some shows and DJ gigs for the summer.

10. By the time, people buy a record for the design of the cover, who designs your covers and what is the interpretation you have of this?

Liz: We all share a vision of what we want the covers to look like and we design them ourselves.

11. What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

Arthur: The ultimate direction for Kordan is to weave together our live shows, music, photography, videos, the web, print media, and so forth into a singular universe. Playing clubs around the world wouldn’t hurt either!

Liz: We want to tour the world and share our music. If that comes with fame and fortune, we will take it too!

12. How can people gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD, do you have some following network stuff, like twitter or facebook where people can be in touch with the band?

Liz: We are available on most social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.

Arthur: The addresses for those sites are:
+ myspace.com/kordantv
+ facebook.com/kordantv
+ twitter.com/kordantv
+ kordan.tv (our official site/blog)

13. Any last words?

Thanks to everyone that writes to us via email, myspace, facebook, twitter, and so forth. We always try to take time out to write thoughtful replies. Your comments and support really mean a lot to us. We’re finally releasing our album The Longing through a record label in late Summer or early Fall of this year.

We will be touring and promoting this release throughout this year. We hope to meet you all at some point along the road!

This is everything about Kordan, please don’t excite to go and check up this band, I´m really recommend and thanks to Kordan again to be availed to made the interview.

THANKS GUY´S you are so nice musicians and people.

Cheers!
BETINA BRANDI.