Graven Image

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Graven Image was founded by Allen Singleton (vocals) and Lorin Richards (keys). They are described as being "Gothic with Industrial overtones," making their music a pure electro tug-of-war between beautifully somber Gothic atmospheres and Industrial beats and rhythms. Refraining from the typical usage of guitar and live percussion, Graven Image aren't afraid to experiment within their music. Lorin and Allen were cool enough to answer a few questions for us, and here is what they had to say:

In_Faction: Your music has roots in both Gothic and Industrial. Did either genre influence you more than the other, and what have been some of your other influences?
Lorin Richards: We have more of an Industrial influence. Industrial is about more of the physical energy, whereas Gothic seems to convey more of the emotional. Our lyrics have been influenced at times by the bands, The Church and The Cure. In songwriting: Skinny Puppy and Front 242 come to mind. Overall: Einsturzende Neubauten, Peter Gabriel, New Order, and Depeche Mode. We keep our minds open to alot of different electronic music, and I think that reflects on our creativeness.

IF: Your first album, Black Lung Cathedral, is entirely electronic. Is this a strict preference, or will future work be integrated with "live" instruments?
LR: Technology comes first, I mean, where is Utopia? Utopia is real, but unresolved. Utopia is a place where technology and the human race exist in harmony. No war, no suffering, no loss. Everything will be right there in front of us. Utopia will will achieve success through building from the restrictions we hold ourselves to. There will come a day when technology will overcome, and Utopia will exist in time before the hour. I believe we are and the world is, moving toward this, recycling.

IF: Graven Image was originally founded by Allen and yourself, when Dann and Mark later completed the band. Was it a challenge to integrate new members into the songwriting process? Does the process evolve continually, or do you have a more defined set of roles for each member?
LR: No, it was a timely process, whatever it seemed the time restraints allowed, each one of us given the opportunity to add as much as they like.

IF: You've stated that although the focus of the music is not intended to fall on the vocals, the lyrics do contain strong emotional content. How are the lyrics derived, and is one particular member responsible for the writing, or is it a collaboration?
LR: The lyrics are derived through emotions from experiences, or to keep the balance of the song. It's a shared process in writing the lyrics, at one end Allen or Dann may bring forth their lyrics and Mark and I could add to that. At the other end, one of us may write lyrics that we all agree to. We have not set just one lyric writer.

IF: Are you planning on doing any remix work forother artists in the future, and are there any in particular that you would enjoy remixing?
LR: We do have some artists interested, and you will hear more about this as it progresses. We would like to remix anything we respect or feel some enjoyment from.

IF: Are "live" instruments ever a part of your live shows, and what sort of things do you include in live performances to keep them interesting?
LR: We must be guided through technology to fulfill it. We have the very best engineers and they are the ones that make the show stand out. We are very visual, but this is secondary to the sound.

IF: When and where are your upcoming tours?
LR: Touring is under construction. We would like to get our sound to as many cities as possible. Any promoters may contact Mark Singleton by E-mail at: lassen@ameritech.net for requests.

Jevan Records
P.O. Box 29519
Parma, Ohio 44129
Fax (216) 886-6234.
Comments and/or questions may be e-mailed to jevan101@aol.com.
Lorin can be contacted at: lorin@bge.net
or: www.lorinrichards.com/ordering