Hailing from Australia, CHIRON is churning out some of the best darkwave music in the world. In and around 1996, Michael Aliani (vocals) and Dino Molinaro (bass), left the band IKON with the hopes of creating a strong live act. To reach this goal, they collaborated with guitarist Shura B-2 (from the Austraila-based acoustic band B-2) and Vadim Belakhov (drummer for the band ANGELS OF DEATH) to create a sound comprised of menacinng bass, pounding drums, sleek guitars and flowing, yet sinister vocals. The result? Well, you decide. All I can say is that all Ikon fans will delight in what they hear...and their new album (and first full-length), "Eve", will surely become the standard by which all darkwave is defined (much like how THE CHAMELEONS' "The Script of The Bridge" set the standard for gloomy alternative). Michael and Dino join Dark Velvet to chat about CHIRON.
Dark Velvet: Just to clear the air a bit (and to put all rumors to rest), I'm going to start by asking why Michael and Dino left IKON. Do both of you still have contact with Chris McCarter? Are there hard feelings about the departure?
CHIRON: I left the IKON as I felt we where not developing together as a band. I thought that after "Flowers for the Gathering" that we should have done so much more, but really did nothing. We had reached a certain level and then everything just seemed to come to a sudden stop. I had big plans for Ikon and they didn't work out. I thought we should be playing live a lot more, but we where not. On a personal level, Chris and I where growing apart and it was time for me to leave the band and direct my musical energy elsewhere. I do not have any contact with Chris. Dino actually left the band about 12 after I did. He left IKON over musical differences.
Dark Velvet: While we are on the topic of the past, what is the musical background of Shura B-2 and Vadim? I know that Shura B-2 is from the group B-2 and Vadim is from the band ANGELS OF DEATH, but I don't know much about either group.
CHIRON: Shura studied music in Russia and played in several post punk bands with our other guitarist Leva before moving to Australia. We don't know much about the bands Vadim played in. We actually met Vadim through IKON gigs and became friends through this.
Dark Velvet: The new CD, "Eve", is by far one of the best I've heard this year. It reminds me much of the IKON album "In the Shadow of the Angel" (by far my favorite IKON release) and it seems to take off from where that album left off. Feel free to tell us more about "Eve" and what it's all about.
CHIRON: I must be honest I haven't listened to "In The Shadow of the Angel" for quite a while, though I was very happy with it's result. I think that prior to and during the recording of "In The Shadow of the Angel" we where rehearsing a lot, playing frequent gigs, and working closer together than on albums after this. In "Eve" this is very much the case. The songs developed over a long period of time, almost 18 months. When you develop songs over such a long period I think you feel more confident when you go into the studio to record it. On a personal level I have never been more confident about what I am doing, and know it come across in "Eve" and when we play live. We all knew what we had to do and consequently produced what we believe is a very good album.
Dark Velvet: Does the band have a favorite track on "Eve"? Is there a track (or tracks) that each members likes over the others?
CHIRON: We really don't have a favorite song off the album. Each song represents something completely different form the next - a different feeling or emotion adding to the album's diversity. It really depends on how we are feeling as to which song is our favorite.
Dark Velvet: While listening to "Eve", I found that the lyrics brought to mind many intriguing images and allusions. What inspires the lyrics of CHIRON?
CHIRON: The lyrics in CHIRON are all inspired by different things. Some of the lyrics are directly influenced by the music. The music in it self can be a very intense experience, evoking the emotions and influencing my lyrics. My lyrics are always written on a personal level. I try to express certain emotions, fears or dreams I have. I find it hard to express myself in normal relationships. I can express my emotions through music.
Dark Velvet: I must say that "Eve" is really hard to find here in the states. Several fine on-line CD shops have it listed, but when you call to order you find that it's on backorder. Can you help identify a good place for fans and to-be fans to find "Eve"?
CHIRON: We know that Energeia is negotiating with several distributors who have American links. The CD has actually just been released in Europe and negotiations are still under way for it's distribution in the U.S. It is just a matter of time before it is readily available.
Dark Velvet: On the website, the band is described as having a sound that is a mix of "psychedelia and 80's new wave to Avantguarde, new Romantics and modern symphonic influences." Can you site any specific artists that have helped define the CHIRON sound and vision?
CHIRON: This is a very difficult question to answer. All the members of CHIRON have very diverse musical tastes. The song writing process in CHIRON is a collective effort. We didn't have a specific style of music in mind when we started CHIRON. It all developed quite naturally. We didn't want to put limitations on our music. It is up to the listener to decide what the sound of CHIRON is. Every persons interpretation will be different.
Dark Velvet: Speaking of vision, does the band advocate any certain philosophy, lifestyle, or genre?
CHIRON: We don't abide by any particular philosophy or lifestyle. We believe in free choice to express ones self . I believe this is reflected in our music.
Dark Velvet: The band has categorized itself as darkwave. How does the band define the genre called darkwave and how does it apply to the music of CHIRON?
CHIRON: We believe the genre of darkwave music encompasses the feelings, emotions and dreams expressed in the music we create. As much as any band hates to categorise their music, it is inevitable we will be referred to a particular style. Darkwave is probably the closest.
Dark Velvet: Now a random personal question for Michael: A person's name is truly a unique identifier and I noticed that you have now switched your surname from Carrodus (the one you used while with Ikon) to Aliani. Is there a significance to this switch...any hidden meaning?
CHIRON: There is definitely no hidden meaning to the change in surname. I changed it purely for personal reasons. I changed it to my mother's surname to carry on her family name. I am not aware of any other Aliani's in Australia apart from my mother and grandmother. It is very important to carry the family name on for them.
Dark Velvet: What is the current vision for the band? What are the long-term and short-term goals?
CHIRON: We are hopeful our first album will be successful and well received, to give us a solid foundation to build on. We are going to record more material in the near future to release our second CD. We are continually writing new material for this. We would definitely like to tour outside Australia, it is just a matter of when. We hope we can establish ourselves to the level where we are able to tour outside Australia. We are satisfied with what we have achieved so far and happy with our first album. This is only the start, and we are all very aware there is much more work to done.
Dark Velvet: Any plans to tour the States?
CHIRON: We would come to the U.S tomorrow if we had half the chance. To tour the U.S and Europe is one of our main goals. We just have to wait and see how the first album goes. We see touring outside Australia as extremely important, to enable people to see what we do live. Recording albums is only a part of what we do. Playing live is possibly more important. The songs are always going to be different live, the interpretation and energy is far greater during a live performance.
Dark Velvet: I would like to thank each of you for making this interview happen. I wish the band all the best in the future and I do hope you'll stay in touch. Please feel free to give any final words...
CHIRON: Thank you for all your support and efforts to help bands in our position. Without organisations such as yourselves, we would find it very difficult to achieve the coverage you have provided. We consider magazines such as Dark Velvet the true supporters of underground music, and an essential means of keeping the scene alive. We hope we are able to come to the U.S. as soon as the opportunity arises.