We chatted to Austin, Texas based alt rock duo PRIMAL STATIC, see how we got on....
PRIMAL STATIC are an alternative rock/blues/electro duo who hail from Austin, Texas.
Their music seduces with the soulful essence of blues, and fearlessly rocks with trance rhythms and beats. Song writer/singer/guitarist G.T. sings and plays without reservation, dripping with raw emotion. His exquisitely thought provoking lyrics are second to none. Keyboardist/bassist Houfei brings up the rhythm section with her elastic soulful bass and wonderful classically trained keyboard playing. The band uses innovative trance beats to round out their incredibly unique sound sculpture.
We caught up with them to chat about their musical upbringings, dream producers and lineups and what they’d be if they weren’t musicians, here’s how we got on….
Great to meet you! Please introduce yourself to our readers!
Both: We are G.T. and HouFei of Primal Static, an Electro Rock/Blues band from Austin, TX.
How long have you been playing?
HouFei: Both of us are lifetime musicians. G.T. started on the drums when he was about 5 when his neighbor gave him a drum set. He then quickly moved onto guitar, which allowed his songwriting to soar! I started playing piano at the age of 4. Yeah, my mom made me, but I fell in love with music, head over heels, as a teen.
Do you remember the record that made you want to pick up an instrument?
HF: didn't work like that for me. As far back as I can remember, I played the piano.
G.T.: same with me, the whole street where I grew up was filled with music of all descriptions, just bands, and music everywhere. Across the street was a music teacher who taught all day long, so this richness of sound just came right over. It was right from the cradle for me.
Given the choice, who is your dream producer?
HouFei: That would be G.T., who has been producing for us. We are very fortunate that way. G.T. is the songwriter for Primal Static. He has a clear vision of what he wants the songs to sound and knows how to achieve what he wants. Growing up around a recording engineer, G.T. had the rare opportunity of watching a lot of artists record, learned much about what to do and what not to do.
If you had to pick your dream line up, who would it feature?
G.T.: If you are talking about the band line up, we're living it! It's a rare chemistry, and I'm grateful. You don't find the caliber of musicianship that HouFei has often. If you are asking about a show line up, then Robert Johnson, Bach, and Bishop Briggs.
When was the last time a piece of art shocked you, and what was it?
G.T.: Most recently, it was Marc Chagall. I have these posters, all of Marc Chagall, in my room right now. The other day, dreaming awake, all the vibrant colors just floated off, danced and filled the space. Amazing!
Can you pick out a song that has a different meaning to you now opposed to when you first wrote it?
G.T.: Oh wow. They all do! I mean they're ever changing dramas. But to answer your question I'd say Pushing Daisies( https://soundcloud.com/primal-static/pushing-daisies ), it's such a dark song, and it makes me think of people marginalized in society and how we're all connected even in disconnect.
When it comes to playing live, do you find it easy to get lost in the moment or do you become very self-aware?
HouFei: We both love playing live! There is no experience quite like it in life. One is wholly immersed in the sound and the energy that flows between the performers and the audience. It's beyond words!
G.T.: It's both transcendent and cathartic. It's controlled positive energy and losing one's ego to that greater wholeness. There's a lot of goodness and love flowing from us.
Could you envision yourself working in a different artistic medium, and if so, what would it be?
HouFei: G.T. is a fantastic writer of poetry and stories, which one can get a taste of in lyrics. He does fantastic drawings as well. However, he was born to be a musician. Put aside his ability as a guitarist and singer. G.T. has that precious gift with melody and harmony. These you can't get through studying. I honestly can't imagine either of us working in a different field. Being a musician is all consuming!
G.T.: Yeah I do write a ton of poems which one hopes the lyrics are as well. HouFei is a pure musician through and through, yet she is a gifted cartoonist.
Pick two out of four; if you had to select a film, an album, a piece of art or a book that had an impact on you, what were they?
HouFei: Movie Pan's Labyrinth comes to mind. Such a mixed experience of fantastic beauty and pain. I have always read, so it's hard to think of any one book, cos they all leave a mark somewhere and become part of you. However, I would say that "Sophie's Choice" left a deep imprint.
G.T.: Ingmar Bergman's films have deeply affected me, especially Fanny and Alexander, which is like a tale within a tale, just miraculous. His storytelling and use of color are peerless. The Shoes Of Dead Comrades: this Poem by Jackie Kay is magnificent, and shows how poetry can express things that prose never can. Its an homage to her father, at least that's how I read it.
We’d like to thank G.T. and HouFei for sparing the time to chat to us and we wish them every success in the future. You can keep up to date with them at the following sites;