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Sinister Device Wicked Spins Radio Interview

” The theme revolves around the want to make sure an inner demon remains dead, the fear and torture of having the same problem arise over and over again causes a manic and psychotic want to put an end to it at all costs, even if I destroy myself in the process.”

By Phlis

Nathan Reiner is best known for his amazing work with the band Third Realm.  But a lately Nathan has been involved in another solo project of his. This time its with Sinister Device, a harsh industrial/EBM/aggrotech band which is devious, devilishly dark and macabre.  He has just released the album Torture Chamber with Sinister Device.  Wicked Spins Radio got chance to catch up with Nathan and talk to him about Sinister Device and here is how it went.

WSR – Thanks for giving Wicked Spins Radio this interview, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

Nathan – You’re welcome.  You started with the hardest question as it is difficult to speak about myself!  Most of your readers know me from my work with Third Realm; otherwise, I am just another man in the world trying to make sense of everything.

WSR – People know you for your excellent vocal talents with Third Realm, what sets Sinister Device apart from Third Realm?

Nathan – There is definitely an unhinged approach when I create for Sinister Device.  It is not as calculated as my creations for Third Realm.  Both are very genuine and are usually extensions of my deepest emotions, but Sinister Device leans a bit more towards the “I don’t care” sentiment.  Third Realm to me represents romance and hope, while Sinister Device is me fighting against the darkest challenges in my life.

WSR – You spent your birthday this year performing with Third Realm, was this out of choice and was it fun?

Nathan – It wasn’t planned that way, but without a doubt, it was a great time!

WSR – Aggrotech/industrial is the platform to air your inner demons that you have chosen for Sinister Device, why was this style suited to Sinister Device?

Nathan – I feel the intensity and aesthetic of that style matches what I feel and what I imagine when I create for this project.  I am a big fan of Survival-Horror video games; I imagine being lost in a demented haunted hospital reminiscent of Silent Hill when I brainstorm ideas.  Those eerie Industrial sounds and atmospheres are inspiring!

WSR – Both Sinister Device and Third Realm are your solo projects, though live with Third Realm you have other musicians join you.  What to you are the benefits of having both projects solo and how do you feel when other people play your music live, so they play it how you want it played and with the necessary emotion to which the music was created with?

Nathan – I never really thought about it as a beneficial approach, it’s mainly just the way it has always been.  Music for me is a personal escape; it wouldn’t really be the same if I was creating with others.  Then it would be some type of marketing enhancement, trying to fine tune songs rather than just something that is honest and extremely individualistic.  When I perform live with others, I am not strict at all.  I usually let everyone come up with additional parts that differ from the actual recordings; it gives our shows something new to look forward to.

WSR – How do you get your music out and market it, what outlets do you use to sell your music?

Nathan – Speaking of marketing, I mainly rely on the internet.  I know I can do a lot more to push my music, but it’s not really my style.  Sure, it is nice when people buy my music, but I don’t like to be like some bands, standing outside concerts trying to sell CD’s.  To each their own, nothing wrong with that.  I make it known that my albums have been released; they are available through most of the major online retailers (iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, etc).  I have a solid network of people that are contacted once I release something.  I kind of leave it at that though; I don’t make a thousand posts reminding people or announce I have CD’s available during live performances.

WSR – With the advent of the internet have you found it easier or harder to get your music and actually make money to help you create more music?
Nathan – I find it to be easier.  Major labels are mainly the ones that have suffered with the new onslaught of digital availability.  For smaller bands and artists, there is more of a personal interaction.  Even if your music is being shared or downloaded for free, it is still generating interest.  However, I would recommend buying songs directly from the artist because you don’t know for sure if you are getting the final studio quality tracks when you download them from a torrent site.  Some people like to rip songs from YouTube or other websites, which again, in most cases are not the final mixes or mastered versions.  In addition to that, you would be supporting future albums if you purchase the songs.

WSR – What do you feel is the darkest track on Torture Chamber and why is it so dark?

Nathan – I think “I Can’t Kill You Twice” can be considered the darkest track.  The theme revolves around the want to make sure an inner demon remains dead, the fear and torture of having the same problem arise over and over again causes a manic and psychotic want to put an end to it at all costs, even if I destroy myself in the process.

WSR – What type of music do you listen to most often and do you have a favourite band or musician?

Nathan – I’ve been listening to a lot of Dark Wave music lately.  In terms of having a favourite band, I don’t really have that fanatical mind-set anymore.  I started to appreciate genres as a whole, and while some artists create in a more eloquent way, I can’t exactly single one out and say they are my favourite.  I certainly respect Trent Reznor for all the inspiration he gave me over the years, the same with Peter Murphy.  Most recently, I’ve been deeply inspired by Neoclassical artists.  What inspires me doesn’t always translate into the style of music I choose to create for myself, and because of that, I think I retain a very open minded approach.

WSR – What was the main reason you decided to call Sinister Device as you did?

Nathan – It resonated with the theme I was going for.  The “Device” is the subconscious characters creating the sinister subject matter.

WSR – Is Torture Chamber the only thing we may see from Sinister Device or do you have more planned?

Nathan – Initially, I planned it to be a one-time thing, but I could easily see another full length album coming together in the next year or so.  It all depends on what’s going on in my life at the time.

WSR – If you were to influence future bands and musicians then how do you hope you influence them?

Nathan – I’d hope for them to remember that being genuine is the most important part of your mix.  There is not much originality left to be demonstrated within the Industrial scene from a musical point of view, but if you inject your personal experience into your creations, people will pick up on that and you will set yourself apart from the rest of the pack.

WSR – Thank you so much for giving Wicked Spins Radio this interview, is there anything you would like to add?

Nathan – You’re very welcome, I appreciate you putting this together.  I’d like to add that I will be releasing a new Third Realm album within the next couple of months or sooner entitled “Daydreams and Nightmares”, stay tuned for updates!

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http://www.last.fm/music/Sinister+Device