I understand you are in the midst of recording a new album.  Can you tell me a little about it?  Any new direction being taken on this one?  Do you have a title for it yet?  What label will it be on?
Yes, the album is progressing pretty well, just waiting for the violin parts!  It's a very upbeat album this time and there's a very rhythmic element to this one - more a progression from the remix album then the jeopardy maze.  Not sure about the label yet, I'm keeping options open.  And the title I will keep to myself for a little while longer...

Did you enjoy your experience at Convergence 6 in Seattle?  Did you get a chance to explore the city at all?
Yes, we had a few days in Seattle and again later in the year on our US tour.  I like the city, it has a lot going on it seems.  Convergence was fun...a big party...we had a good time...!

It seems like you've toured quite a bit, especially compared to a lot of electronic-based acts.  What do you enjoy best about playing live?
We've had phases of touring a lot.  I enjoy the difference of the studio and the road.  Live can be a very intense experience, both on and off stage...the sights and sounds and people.  It's also such a good way to promote your work.

Can you tell me a little about some of the more memorable cities you've had a chance to visit on your travels?
There's so many, sometimes we see so little of them.  I don't know... it's the experience that is important and that can be anywhere.  The best shows are not always in the most memorable cities!

Did you enjoy putting together the remix album?  What inspired you to do that in the first place?
Everyone does one don't they!  I actually got interested after I'd been asked to remix some other artists, Die Form in particular, and wanted to hear what people would do with my work.  I enjoyed that project.  I took a couple of years and compiled almost 2 albums worth of remixes, which I cut down to the one album.  Had to disappoint some remixers when they weren't included...  I think it's a good album.

Haven't' heard it yet, but the tracklisting of Keepsakes and Reflections looks really interesting.  Was that a release you wanted to put together for a while or something that the label came up with?  What inspired the covers of "Kill the Poor," "Underpass" and "Cannibal Song"?
Well, in the past I probably spent too much time doing special tracks for compilations, etc.  (I tend to focus my energy on the new album now...)  So, I knew I had a good album's worth of rare material that would be good to compile and release.  The covers were generally suggested by the labels; they were doing tribute albums or whatever.  I often turn those down but I've done those 3 tracks over the years.

When you are writing a song, do the different vocal, drum, bass and guitar parts come to you at once or do you build them up as you are recording the songs?
I work on a complete album, maybe 10 to 12 songs, over a couple of years, moving from one to another all the time, gradually sculpting each into shape.  All the parts then develop or mutate with time.  It feels right to me working like this, goes back to my art student days.  I don't write songs in a traditional way...

How much time do you spend creating sounds or samples versus writing the melodies and arranging the songs?
All songs start with abstract sounds and atmospheres and then rhythms/melodies/lyrics are born out of them, gradually evolving...a lot like life I guess.  So I would say the time is equal at the end of the process.

What are some of the things that motivate you and keep you going from day to day?
Alcohol, love and sex, and a sometimes misguided optimism!!!

Looking back, the last time I talked to you, you mentioned a project called Halogen that you were working on.  Did you ever record or tour with Halogen?
No, I didn't.  We worked on some ideas but I got far too busy touring and working on new material.  One or two ideas got reworked for the new album.  I never seem to have enough time for side projects.  However, saying that, I'm working on a project with my keyboard player Simon called "Skink."  It's a more Aphex Twin/Autechre feel...

What were the highlights of 2001 for you?
My son Jordan was born, although I split with his mother so it was a difficult year.  2002 is going to be better!

How did you celebrate New Year's?
At home with friends...a quiet one!

You seem like a very forward-looking person, but I was wondering if you ever get nostalgic for the 70s or 80s?
I know some people that always look back at say, school days or their early band days, and I don't.  I enjoy all the time I have, some more than other.  I look back sometimes and that's nice but I look forward as much and try to live in now.

This is kind of a loaded question, but could you tell me a bit about your spiritual beliefs?
I believe in "god," a part of all of us that we need to be more in touch with.  Music helps sometimes, art and philosophy helps...religions try to help.  Often they miss the point.  Everyone is "god" if they let themselves be.

Okay , last time around I asked you for some short thoughts on different Attrition albums.  This time I'd like some thoughts on some more open-ended subjects:

- Television
I don't have one!  Doesn't mean I never watch one, but I'm addicted to enough already!

- Fetishism
I have a strange fascination for it.  I'm not really involved but I'm trying to figure it out.  It varies from the absurd to the beautiful.

 - Capitalism
It has a place.  Unfortunately, that place is rather too big in this world.

- Computers
Like a lot of things, I love and hate them.  Useful tools.

- Love
A little piece of "god."

- Kraftwerk
That German band?  I love them.

On your web-site, it mentions that you do some teaching.  Can you tell me a bit about how you got into that and how it is going?
For the last 7 years, I've been teaching music technology and music business at a local college a few days a week.  It's OK, I enjoy it sometimes.  The students are fine.  I did regret losing free time for working on my own music but it has freed me to create anything I like and not have to rely on my music for a living, which is important.

Final words?
OK, thanks for the interview.  I recommend anyone to check our web site for all the upcoming and past news or get on our mailing list.  I look forward to returning to the US when we tour with the new album...