By: Chris Stead

Collide started with Statik and kaRIN meeting in an Industrial club in the mid nineties and has developed into an undeniable force in the Goth scene. With their trademark sound and five albums under their proverbial belt, Collide has become a trendsetting group that many now quote as being influential on their sound and performance. Statik and kaRIN have collaborated with members of Nine Inch Nails, Tool and Skinny Puppy and have contributed music to soundtracks for movies. As well, both Statik and kaRIN have worked with groups on other productions making them noteworthy across many fronts. kaRIN was kind enough to sit down with Gothic Angst Webzine and answer some questions amidst their busy schedule.

Gothic Angst Webzine (GAW) : When did Collide start Noiseplus Music?

kaRIN: It was somewhere around 2000, basically as soon as our commitments were up with our first record label, we decided to start our own label.

GAW: What influenced Collide to start Noiseplus Music?

kaRIN: We wanted to take control of our own art.

GAW: Are there any other artists on Noiseplus?

kaRIN: No, just us.

GAW: Are there plans to recruit more artists to Noiseplus?

kaRIN: We do not really want to release other artists. We just release ourselves as a way to get our own music out there. It is hard enough for us to find the time to do that. We do hope to put future collaboration work up there though.

GAW: Your last studio album was released in 2003. How has Collide changed musically over the past 3 years?

kaRIN: Who knows…it’s like being a human being…you are always changing and evolving…you just hope that it’s going in a good direction.

GAW: What can we expect artistically from your upcoming album?

kaRIN: I hope it will be good…we are trying to shake it up a little. You know, write good songs and do meaningful, powerful work that means something to people. We are always still trying to make music that we like ourselves. It’s definitely a challenge.

GAW: At what point are you currently, regarding the production of your new album?

kaRIN: We are half way into it, but we have been working on other side stuff, so that has slowed the process down a bit.

GAW: Is there a tentative release date for your new album?

kaRIN: We are hoping for early 2007.

GAW: I know that Collide is generally a two-person operation when in the studio. How was it working with a 6-piece band for the shows that were recorded?

kaRIN: It was great!! We lucked out to get some amazing people, who are also amazingly talented to play with us…so it really helps bring the music to life.

GAW: Were the musicians you had in the live performance people that you had worked with in the past or were they all fairly new to the music of Collide?

kaRIN: A bit of both. One of the guitar players Roger had played on previous Collide albums and the rest of the band we met while searching for live players.

GAW: Collide has been noted by several groups as being an influence and it seems that there are several groups now that are trying to make headway with strong and unique visuals to augment their performances. Do you think that the “Like The Hunted” DVD will encourage more of this?

kaRIN: I hope it inspires imagination for possibilities. Like in everything we do a lot of work went into it.

GAW: Understandably, “Like the Hunted” and “Live at the El Rey” are very recent releases so this may be a long-term question, but can we expect another live album or DVD from Collide some time in the future?

kaRIN: The live thing is always a mystery for us…even now. We are always focused on creating and the live thing is sort of a bonus…so if the time is right …it will happen.

Visit Collide online:

MySpace
Collide.net

Listen to Collide:

Crushed from “Live at the El Rey”
White Rabbit from “Live at the El Rey”
Predator from “Vortex”