Giving music back to the musicians.
MILK
As seen in Rolling Stone & Cashbox Magazine, MILK's album produced by Fran Ashcroft
As seen in Rolling Stone & Cashbox Magazine, MILK's album produced by Fran Ashcroft
Little Pleasures
(Rock)
(Rock)
Mikebos
(Rock)
(Rock)
Seeking Silence
(Rock)
(Rock)
The Phettz
(Alternative)
(Alternative)
Reaction 7
(Alternative)
(Alternative)
BODIES
(Rock)
(Rock)
Wednesday Oct 15, 2008
Milk | Interview
Los Angeles based alternative, indie rock band MILK is a delicious and filling music experience dabbling in the psychedelic vibe of the 1970s. Eric Marx, Maeva, Marc Wallace, Tim Lane Seaton and Philippe Mathys define their music as “Alternative Psychedelia” and have created a refreshing twist on an old classic melding the feel of the 70s with alternative rock pop. Their musical style comes about organically as they simply adopted the style of music they listen to and the style of music to which they relate.
The members of MILK pride themselves on having a loose, natural system of creating music. Songs come about naturally and the more natural the origin of the song the more likely it will be completed and recorded. As Marx says, “you don’t say to yourself: ‘okay, today I’m gonna write a standard.’ To me that would be the best way to come up with a big nothing.” In other words, forcing a song to come to fruition will inevitably fail but if a song has an authentic conception it will essentially write itself.
The band relishes their time spent in the recording studio because it is there that they truly receive the fruits of their labour. For most bands recording is a nightmare, but MILK can’t wait to get into the studio and take that line or melody stuck in someone’s head and give it life through the process of writing, recording, sampling and mixing. Recording is not a separate element from writing a song but is an integral part of the creative process.
For MILK playing music was not a conscious choice; they did not choose to be musicians because they wanted to live the lives of rock stars. Instead playing music was not a choice of any kind but an urge that could not be resisted. “You don’t really think why you wanna play music,” Marx reflects, “You have to play no matter what. Afterwards you put words on your desire.” Of course, there is a drastic difference between playing music for the love of music and trying to turn that love into a career. Even in pursuing your dream, Marx points out, you cannot focus on success because most of the time that intent longing to become famous will only lead to failure and bastardize the original desire to create and play music.
Despite MILK’s fondness for the recording studio, they spill out into the live music scene as often as possible. Nothing compares to the raw energy of a live show and MILK can’t get enough of the intoxicating rush from the crowd. Though venue size can often affect the mood of the band and there is a certain stigma attached to smaller venues, the members of MILK don’t feel the potentially poisonous negative energy. Marx especially can feel the magic of a live performance no matter the venue’s size, shape or location. The thrill of performing is intoxicating enough.
MILK has been heavily promoting their new album in Europe as their alternative psychedelic sound has been well received internationally and intercontinentally. Even Japan has shown a fantastic interest in the L.A. band buying up music from iTunes almost as fast as MILK can churn it out. For the time being, MILK has taken a hiatus from the touring scene and is working on a new album consisting of the same great sound with a few new twists including an incredible coagulation of acoustic elements.
Heather Holditch
Senior Editor
Aralie.com