Interview with Kin Za Za by Eric Mezia

Eric: How and when did Kin Za Za start?

Jozy: Tentatively in November 1998.

Eric: The sound of Kin Za Za has a unique flavour. It sounds like it comes from a mysterious planet populated by Techno-Monks who are in love with nature. A fusion of incompatible things?

Dimi: Thank you! We do our bit in the search for extraterrestrial romanticism by using every tool available to us: computers, acoustic instruments, meditation, sampling, vegetarian diets, yoga, Sufi- dancing, painting, drinking, and reading. We hope that Kin Za Za is here to bring back a sense of classical beauty with modern sensibilities that is soothing and yet sophisticated.

Eric: It seems like you use a lot of layering in your arrangements. Acoustic instruments, computer editing, sampling and huge vocal harmonies. Why is that?

Jozy: Our harmonies are very special in the sense that they allow us to experiment with multiple layers of sound endlessly without making our songs sound crowded and complex. Moreover, in the same time this approach gives our music those extra dimensions, which make people discover new things every time they listen to the album.

Eric: You were heavily involved in the design of your Album. Is it to give it a personal touch?

Dimi: The basic visual concept of this CD was born a long time ago; we just needed someone who could give us a fresh perspective and additional input. We do not like the mass-produced cheap cds. Therefore, we decided to introduce a bit of story into it and esoteric imagery, so people feel they own a secret book from Atlantis. We are in love with details and hidden meanings sonically and visually. We did everything we could to make it more special. In addition, there is a lot more to come for the next album.

Eric: How would you describe Kin Za Za to someone who has never heard this type of music?

Dimi: A romance-filled cosmic dream - sometimes elevating, sometimes soothing and nostalgic... classically composed, very texturised, unobtrusive sub bass, sampled and live drums!

Eric: You both had independent careers performing all over the world for years, and for a number of TV productions, dance theatres, film scoring, etc. Did you think you would end up in the duo called Kin Za Za?

Jozy: Somehow, yes… When we first played together, it was obvious that musically it felt complete.

Eric: Kin Za Za seems to have this classic, European sound with additional aspects of folk, Celtic, trip-pop and some other electronic presence in the mix...describe your compositional intentions with
Kin Za Za.

Dimi: The first step for Kin Za Za was always to start out with a very solid musical idea, which could be performed in a duo and then to spice it up with all sorts of sampling and electronic sounds. So an acoustically complete song is used as a platform for subtle sampling experimentation.

Eric: What kind of label is Sense Records and do you own it?

Dimi: Sense Records is much more then a record label. It is a film production, DVD production, video editing, artistic management and sound recording studio. Kin Za Za owns 50% of Sense Records.

Eric: Your thoughts on the current music scene.

Dimi: I have pockets full of HMV gift certificates and I go to the record shops on an almost weekly basis yet I have not been able to buy anything in a very long time. Cheap productions, cheap design, over hyped "artists". We listen to a wide variety of styles and are interested in music not limited by fashion.

Eric: Your recordings have a strange mix of analogue warmth and digital purity to them. What are your thoughts on digital vs. analogue recording?

Dimi: All our processing is analogue and all our editing, mixing and mastering is digital. We love the harmonic overtones of tube equipment as a front end to help counter balance digital sterility.

Eric: How involved are you with www.kinzaza.com?

Jozy: We supply photography, video stills, artwork, some of the texts and we supervise the look of the website. We are planning to build French, Spanish and Russian websites with different content and different styles.

Dimi: It is our window into the rest of the music world; we are planning to embrace it much more in the future.

Eric: Hints for the future albums from Kin Za Za...

Dimi: First, we want to re-release "Number One in Shambala" on DVD with 13 videos (all shot on 35mm), E.P.K. and a feature film inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Jozy: In addition, our next album will be recorded and filmed for DVD from the ground up.

Dimi: We have already finalised the songs, film scripts and visual conception for the next album.

2002. Eric Mezia