Exclusive Interview: Steve Vil of ELEKTRIKILL Dives Deep into 'Propaganarchy!' - A Bold Stand in the Industrial-Metal Realm

ELEKTRIKILL, under the enigmatic leadership of Steve Vil, stands as a beacon of innovation within the industrial-metal realm since its inception. The band, driven by Vil’s extensive experience in diverse musical settings, including his notable contributions to film and TV soundtracks, represents a convergence of raw energy and thought-provoking themes. Their latest album, ‘Propaganarchy!’, emerges as a bold statement against the backdrop of today’s tumultuous media landscape, embodying a unique blend of dissent and creativity. The genesis of this project underscores ELEKTRIKILL‘s commitment to defying musical conventions, crafting tracks that are as varied in their inspiration as they are in their execution. This approach not only distinguishes the band from their contemporaries but also sets the stage for a deeply engaging exploration of their creative process and artistic philosophy in the upcoming interview.

As we prepare to delve into our conversation with Steve Vil, the mastermind behind ELEKTRIKILL‘s gripping sound, anticipation builds for insights into the band’s latest work and their stance on the ever-evolving music industry. Vil’s reputation for balancing innovation with respect for the original essence of music hints at an intriguing discourse on the art of remixing and the challenges facing artists in today’s digital age. The band’s strategic approach to live performances and their forward-looking vision, including plans for future projects, promise to offer readers a comprehensive look into the mindset that drives ELEKTRIKILL. This interview is poised to not only peel back the layers of ‘Propaganarchy!’ but also to spotlight the creative force that propels the band forward, inviting readers to anticipate a conversation filled with revelations and reflections from one of the industrial-metal scene’s most compelling figures.

INFRARED MAG: Hello and thanks for answering our interview. Could you introduce the band to our readers with a brief background?

STEVE VIL: Sure! I’m Steve Vil and I pretty much am the band. I was in a few industrial-metal bands that didn’t work out, so I struck out on my own. I’ve also done soundtracks for film and TV.

INFRARED MAG: What was the inspiration behind the latest release, ‘Propaganarchy!‘?

STEVE VIL: The news has become highly politicized with no media outlets being genuinely impartial anymore. ‘Propaganarchy’ is a composite word made up of the words “propaganda” and “anarchy” and is meant to be a call to fight against disinformation.

INFRARED MAG: Are your songs created mostly the same way or does the process differ for different tracks?

STEVE VIL: It differs. Sometimes a whole song can be inspired by a sound on a synth. Sometimes I’ll get the words first or the melody line first. I like each song to have its own vibe and like to create little challenges for myself – can I write a good song with no chorus? Can I write a whole song that’s just one chord and keep it interesting all the way through? How about some math rock? I don’t ever want to be accused of my stuff being formulaic.

INFRARED MAG: What, in your opinion is the mark of a good remix?

STEVE VIL: Not losing the original song. So many remixers want to put their own stamp on a remix so heavily that the vibe of the original song is lost. It more or less becomes a cover of the song rather than a remix. So, remix with love and respect for the original.

INFRARED MAG: These days short-form videos and consistent content in variety are two of the biggest trends in music promotion. What do you see in the future of promotion?

STEVE VIL: Full frontal male nudity.

INFRARED MAG: What sets the latest album apart from previous work? Would you go back and do things differently on a previous album if you had the opportunity?

STEVE VIL: I had done a lot of soundtrack work prior to recording Monsters and so I really wanted that epic, film score vibe to be part of my music. After a while, though, it almost started to sound gimmicky, so I pulled back on it. That’s why Monsters has two distinct halves. For this album, I more or less abandoned that sound completely, with only the first song having that vibe. I wanted to go much, much harder and more experimental on this album. More noise and more samples. After I finished Propaganarchy! I really hated Monsters for a while. But that’s always the way, I guess – you hold your previous work up in judgment to your newer work.

INFRARED MAG: How important is storytelling in songs and videos to you?

STEVE VIL: That’s the most important thing to me. I can’t write personal songs. I feel too naked performing them. So, all of my songs are stories or about topics I find interesting. I can really only think of two songs I’ve written from personal experience. Videos are definitely an extension of that.

INFRARED MAG: Touring these days, it has been said is especially challenging for artists at least in terms of making a profit. What do you think it will take to turn that around and make it easier?

STEVE VIL: Support from the venues. Support from the record companies. Support from the fans. I want to tour but I’ve heard from friends who are big names in the industry that it’s almost impossible to make money on a tour. Most bands make their money from meet-and-greets now. The venues all take a percentage of merch sales and most of what bands get paid to perform goes into paying for travel.

INFRARED MAG: Do you have a vision for how the new material will be represented in a live show? Are the tracks selected for live shows picked for any particular reason? (theme/length/fan favorite/)

STEVE VIL: I have mid-tempo and gothier songs on my albums that I don’t play live. As much as I love songs like Requiem, I don’t play them live. If you’re going out to a club to dance, I’m not going to derail that energy with a slow song. I also train the songs together so there’s no break between them then I do them two at a time. I like to keep the energy going in a live situation.

INFRARED MAG: What have you planned for the forthcoming months?

STEVE VIL: Definitely getting back to doing live shows starting with two nights at The Wicked World’s Fair at the end of February. Later in the year, I’m planning to release a compilation album of soundtrack work I’ve done called (Mysterious Music) (Camera Shutter Clicking). It’s mostly horror movie music so it’s very dark. You’ll also hear embryonic versions of some of the songs that ended up on Monsters. I’m already working on the follow-up album to Propaganarchy! called The Scream. I’ll sleep when I’m dead!

Looking forward, ELEKTRIKILL, under Steve Vil’s leadership, is gearing up for an exciting phase, marked by a return to live performances and the anticipation of new projects that delve into the darker realms of music, including a compilation of Vil’s soundtrack work and the forthcoming album ‘The Scream’. Through ‘Propaganarchy!’ and its exploration of thematic depth and musical experimentation, ELEKTRIKILL has cemented its place in the industrial-metal landscape. The band, with Vil at the helm, remains a beacon of creativity and defiance, challenging the status quo and offering a compelling narrative that resonates with a growing fan base eager for music that dares to make a statement.