Today we spoke with Boston-based frontman and sole member of industrial rock outfit Cancer Killing Gemini, Eric Michael Cohen. Recorded entirely in-home, Cancer Killing Gemini's recently released debut album, entitled It Only Hurts When We Breathe is a tour de force combination of hard rock riffs, electronica programming and pop hooks.
Please enjoy the first single off of Cancer Killing Gemini's debut album: Prescription Drugs
Describe your most recent project:
Cancer Killing Gemini comes from the combination of influences.... Silversun Pickups + The Crystal Method.... Nirvana + Ministry.... Portishead + Tears For Fears. The record is part industrial, part downtempo, part electronica and part modern / grunge rock. Hopefully the songwriting and vocals tie these elements together. CKG is also a bit of a response to my previous project Kittymonkey, a female-fronted electronica group. Cancer Killing Gemini is decidedly more masculine.
On the new record It Only Hurts When We Breathe, I wanted to push my own boundaries in different directions, especially lyrically. “Prescription Drugs” is a journey through the side effects of anti-depressants / anti-psychotics, “Should I Tell You That You're Pretty” is the one-night-stand anthem, and “Christcontrol” explores a dysfunctional relationship with organized religion. Each song goes on its own journey, musically and lyrically.
How long have you been writing music?
I got a guitar and a 4-track cassette recorder when I was 14. My best friend bought a drum kit. We wrote a song called “Sterile Rabbits” in his basement... kind of stadium rock meets Ween. I've been writing and playing ever since.
How many different musicians appear on this project?
One.
Where do you perform most of your recordings? Describe the environment.
I put together a home studio to do this record. It's a big open room with very little in it besides music gear. Lots of room to wander around.
Can you describe your recording set-up? Do you use any Microphones? If so, what kind? Recording Software? Mixing Boards?
I've been using Logic (audio software for Mac) for a really long time. It's really deep and full of toys. All the drums are programmed samples. Guitars, bass and Rhodes (electric piano) were played live. Keyboard sounds came from a Kurzweil K2000 or softsynths. I monitored through a pair of NS10's hooked to a subwoofer. I only used one mic on the entire project.
Your recordings are quite clean. Do you have any training or background in audio engineering?
I worked at a great studio in Boston called Squid Hell. Recorded lots of rock, metal, ska, emo etc.. Learned how to use compressors there, learned how to listen.
Do you use physical instruments to get your 'industrial' sound or computer based sound, effects and/or loops? How much of your sound comes from the actual production value?
Most of the grooves are built from scratch using virtual drum machines and sample players – very few loops. The K2000 is a great keyboard for generating really gritty sounds. Logic has some amazing effects and I ran all kinds of tracks through their amp simulators including drums and keyboards. One of my favorite plugins is actually the audio units Multiband Compressor that came free with the Mac.
My approach to creating sounds is to use whatever works. If the guitar just isn't cutting it, move on to something else, like the Rhodes through a bass amp and a distortion box. If that isn't working, try a Moog patch through a delay. If that isn't working, maybe it's just a bad idea.
The first recording of the song “Butterfly” was a fast, post-punk version with just guitar, bass, drums and vocals. I took a break from it for a while and when I listened again, I hated it. So I threw out everything except the vocal track, rewrote the drum part in half-time, and the song took on a whole new life. I rerecorded guitars, keys and bass and the new version of the tune is one of my favorites on the record.
Are the effects preamped or applied after the recording is complete?
Vocals were tracked through a preamp, compressor and de-esser. All other effects were applied in Logic.
What tips would you give to first beginners looking to record all electronic music?
Write good songs, then worry about the sounds. I'd much rather listed to a bad recording of a great song then a great recording of a bad one.
When will it be available and where can fans purchase it?
There is a link at cancerkillinggemini.com where all the tunes from “It only hurts when we breathe” can be purchased right now. These are the final, mastered versions from the record. The record is also now available on iTunes and Amazon.
Check Back Tomorrow for Part 4 of The MicControl.com Interview Series: Recording In The Home. We Will Be Speaking With Acoustic Blues Guitarist Jeff Wyatt.
Be Sure To Check Out The Entire Recording In The Home Series!
Sun Cut Flat (Folk/ Roots Rock)
ESEMDEE (Electronic Instrumental Composer)
The MicControl.com interview series Recording In The Home will explore the equipment, techniques, tips, strategies and styles of in-home recording. Each day, Recording In The Home will feature the interview of a different artist (6 in total), all of whom write and record a different style of music, and whose recordings are of the utmost quality.
