Aksu Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

AKSU is a duet composed of my cousin Guillaume (guitar, effects, trumpet) and I (drums and percussion). The project was born at the end of 2011 in Brussels, Belgium. At this time Gui was studying architecture and he was working on some contemporary asian artists and architects. 

One day his teaching staff imposed him some sort of workshop exam and he didn't want to present a classical architectural project with model, plan, outlines etc. so he called me, and we decided to make something special. A sort of spatial exploration of the museum near to the architectural school. 

An exploration based on improvisation and feelings related with the place we were in.

At the very beginning AKSU was supposed to be an ephemeral project but after this 1st try we understood that we've created something we liked and we wanted to develop. 

2.Recently you have released a new album, can you tell us a little bit about the musical direction it has taken?

"The Way to Destroy and Create things/ Screenplay and Outline for an Unexpected Space" is our 1st full length album. The other recordings you can listen on our Bandcamp are some live recordings.

We have recorded it during one night in the same architectural museum where we played the first time. 

This album is also entirely improvised, we've only chosen what we wanted to maintain for the album. We wanted something loud but complex at the same time. A mix between fury, dark ambient and spontaneity.

3.A few years back you released 3 separete live ep's which where all recorded on the same night, what was the decision behind releasing them in 3 different installments than putting them on a full or double album?

Actually they are 3 different live recordings, recorded during 3 differents events in 3 differents locations. 

We would like to release them together in cassette. A box containing those 3 cassettes could be a nice object! If one day a label is interested we will make it.

4.What are some of the themes and concepts the band brings out with its music?

We don't have any particular concepts. Every time we play, the only goal is to make something special and the most spontaneous possible. We try most of the time to divert sleeping architecture and conventional live conditions to create an other reflection of space and sounds, to be connected together and with the place we are in. The process is the most important for us. Improvisation is the core of our actions. It reminds me a sentence by Genesis P-Orridge, I can't remember it exactly but it's something like: "The joy of real creativity comes from the exploration of the unexpected". 

5.Currently all of the music is instrumental, are you planning on using vocals in the future or do you choose to remain instrumental?

Our music is changing all the time. For exemple Gui was singing during our last show.. so yes I think we could use vocals at some point. Maybe in the next album, maybe not.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Aksu'?

Lots of meanings, lots of possibilities.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We are not playing lots of shows but we try to make something musically different each time. Our stage performances are short, various and intense. 

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Yes we really would like to tour but only if it's to play in special places, or at least not exclusively in classical shows venue. 

9.Currently is located in Belgium but all of the members are French, what was the decision behind moving to a different country?

We are both from south of France. We came to Belgium at first  because we decided to studying here. Gui just finish his architectural studies and I'm finishing mine but in History of Art. Belgium is a great country for music. Lots of great bands, great shows etc. we really like Brussels and Belgium.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your recordings by fans of underground music?

For the moment we have a very good feedback. Generally people find the album intriguing at first, then they really enter in it after 

a second listening. For the moment we have only positive feedbacks which is really rewarning for us, apprently we have made a good job!

11.Where do you see the band heading into music wise during the future

Don't know.. we will continue to record albums, find labels, trying to find great places to play..

12.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We have a lots of influences from the musical world like SWANS, Boris, John Cage, Glenn Branca, Peter Brötzmann, Max Roach, Genesis P-Orridge, KTL, Steve Noble, Deathspell Omega and lots of other metal bands. Electronica and classical stuff as well. 

We are also very influenced by architecture (especially by ruins, bunkers, brutalism etc.) and art (Joseph Beuys and Piranesi among others).

13. What are some of your interests outside of music?

Too much things.. Gui paint and draws a lot since this year, some beautiful and very detailed pieces. I'm currently finishing my studies so I don't have a lot of time to spend in museums and exhibitions but it's of course something we love to do.

14.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?

PEOPLE, don't hesitate to visit our pages and spread them everywhere!

thanks for this interview!

https://aksu.bandcamp.com/

Aksu/The Way To Destroy And Create Things/Screenplay And Outline For Unexpected Space/Paradgims Recordings/2013 CD Review

  This  is  the  final  review  of  a  recording  from  Aksu  which  continues  their  improv  mixture  of  black/doom  metal,  drone,  noise,  dark  ambient  and  free  jazz  with  the  album  being  called  "The Way To Destroy And Create Things/Screenplay And Outline For Unexpected Space '  which  was  released  by  Paradigms  Recordings.

  The  album  starts  out  with  drum  beats  which  have  a  tribal  feeling  to  them  and  after  awhile  doom  metal  style  guitars  are  added  into  the  music  and  after  awhile  drones  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  harsh  noise  sounds  and  saxophones  which  makes  the  music  have  a  more  brutal  sound  to  it.

  As  the  album  continues  the  music  gets  more  experimental  and  avant  garde  sounding  as  well  as  showing  a  great  amount  of  growth  from  their  live  recordings  and  the  guitars  also  bring  in  a  blues  feeling  during  certain  sections  of  the  recording and  as  time  goes  on  by  the  synths  bring  in  dark  ambient  and  psychedelic  sounds  which  also  adds  in  a  horror  film  soundtrack  feeling  to  the  recording.

  When  we  get  more  into  the  album  clean  playing  is  brought  into  the  music and  adds  a  good  amount  of  darkness  to  the  recording  while  the  music  sticks  to  mostly  a  heavier  direction  along  with  a  great  amount  of  distortion  and  experimental/psychedelic  effects.

  With  this  album  Aksu  show  a  lot  of growth  and  the  music  is  even  more  heavier  as  well  as having  more  structure  this  time  around  while  still  having  an  improv  feeling  and  there  is  a  good  amount  of  variety  on  this  recording  from  soft  experimental  sounds  to  heavy  doom  metal  riffing.

  Song  lyrics  are  all  absent  from  this  recording  with  the  music  being  all  instrumental,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  dark,  powerful  and  heavy  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Aksu  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  improv,  experimental  and  heavy  music,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Multiples"  "Mantra  1.3"  "The  House  That  Burns  Everyday"  and  "S- E".  8  out  of  10.

http://aksu.bandcamp.com/
  

Aksu/XXVII/X/Xl Act III/2011 EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  Aksu's  third  live  installment  which  continues  their  improv  mixture  of  black/doom  metal,  drone,  noise,  dark  ambient  and  free  jazz  with  the  ep  being  self  released  in  2011  and  called  "XXVII/II/X/XI  Act  III".

  The  ep  starts  out  with  amp  sounds  and  drones  along  with  drums  which  leads up  to  guitars  and  drum  solos  and  after  awhile  doom  metal  elements  are  brought  into  the  recording  along  with  a  small  amount  of  melody  before  bringing  in  harsh  noise  effects  and  they  experiment  a  good  amount  with  this  improv  jam  and  towards  the  end  there  are  some  brutal  blast  beats  coming  out  of  the  drums.

  Song  lyrics  are  absent  from  this  recording  with  all  of  the  music  being  instrumental,  while  the  production  it  has  a  dark,  raw,  heavy  and  live  feeling  to  it  with  the  improv  session  being  more  than  20  minutes  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Aksu  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  heavy,  experimental  improv  music,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  8  out  of  10.

https://aksu.bandcamp.com/

Aksu/XV/X/XI. Live Act II/2011 EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Aksu  which  continues  their  improv  mixture  of  black/doom  metal,  drone,  noise,  dark  ambient  and  free  jazz  of  the  previous  recording  but  with  more  song  structure  with  the  ep  being  self  released  in  2011  and  called  "XV/X/XI. Live Act II".

  The  ep  starts  off  with  harsh  noises  and  high  pitched  screams  before  adding  in  drums  and  heavy  doom  metal  guitars  which  also  bring  in  traces  of  black  metal  and  drone  as  well  as  all  of  the  songs  being  very  experimental  and  this  recording  also  has  a  more  metal  feeling  than  the  previous  one  that  was  reviewed  and  on  the  last  song  you  can  also  hear  a  small  amount  of  melody  being  utilized.

  Song  lyrics  for  the  most  part  are  absent  with  most  of  the  music  being  instrumental,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  heavy  sound  and  you  can  easily  tell  all  of  the  music  is  recorded  live.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Aksu  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  music  that  is  experimental  and  heavy,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  8  out  of  10.

https://aksu.bandcamp.com/ 

Aksu/XI/X/XL Act I/2011 EP Review

  Aksu  are  a  band  from  France  and  Belgium  that  plays  an  improv  mixture  of  black/doom  metal,  drone,  noise,  dark  ambient  and  free  jazz  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2011  ep  "XI.X/XL  Act  I".

  The  ep  starts  out  with  drums  and  clean  guitars  and  after  awhile  electric  guitars  are  added  into  the  music  which  also  leads  to  a  more  doomier direction  along  with  the  drums  becoming  more  aggressive  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  drones  and  harsh  noises  find  their  way  onto  the  recording  and  after  17  minutes  experimental  sound  effects  find  their  way  into  the  improv  jam  which  also  leads  up  to  psychedelic  style  guitar  leads  and  keyboard  sounds.

  Song  lyrics  are  absent  from  this  recording  with  all  of  the  musical  being  instrumental,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  heavy  sound  to  it  with  the  jam  session  being  over  22  minutes  long.

  In  my  opinion  Aksu  are  a  very  great  sounding  improv  mixture  of  black/doom  metal,  drone,  noise,  dark  ambient  and  free  jazz  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  8  out  of  10.

https://aksu.bandcamp.com/