other 10 Neurotics interviews Gothic Lifestyle #3 Germany | December 2009 Our track "Sailor Boy" is on the covermount CD. | This interview was with the same writer who conducted the Sonic Seducer Interview. These are additional questions answered on October 4. Puchase the issue (in German) here. Q:    When you started working with the new band members did everything fit perfectly together or were there any personal differences you first had to clarify? Sam: I think things worked surprisingly well. Each of the band members brought their talents, to spread across my ideas, and this was wonderful. I think the biggest thing for me was making the characters clear to my vocalists. Sometimes they didn't quite get the motivations behind the words I had written. This makes sense for these stories. Sometimes we had to get to the bottom of the characters, so they could be portrayed properly. Q: Can you give us an example. Sam: Sure, "Tell Me You've Taken Another." Athan though the character should be angry or dejected, because his wife was with other men. We talked it through and I realized we were seeing it from different perspectives. No, No! The character loves his wife being with other men - that is what turns him on! ; ) Q:    Please tell something about the booklet of the album. How did all the artwork and photographs evolve?  Sam: I knew that I wanted to make videos for this album, so I started shooting photos, to get into the flow of thinking about images and how I would represent my songs. For the cover, I was looking at ways to express the submissive dynamic, but keeping it sensual. I did not want to create the obvious image you often see when D/s relationships are portrayed, you know: somebody being flogged or what have you. So I created an image that I personally found sexy. The D/s dynamic is about somebody giving of themselves to another. There is vulnerability in the images. That's hot!  Q:    Do you think in our era of downloads that the creation of such an expensive and carefully created booklet is worth all the efforts? Sam: Well, as an artist it is always worth the effort. I love creating an exquisite piece of art. I hope the beautiful booklet will make the physical object more desirable to people. It is great to release 10 Neurotics on Trisol, a label that also enjoys a really nicely packaged album.   Q:   What was the last thing which really annoyed you in music business? Sam: Yeah, this relates to your last question. You might ask "What's the point in making such a fancy cd, everyone is going to download the album illegally anyway!" And that is a sad but valid argument. Everyday, I get updates about new torrents giving my music away or illegal Russian sites selling my songs for 15¢ and keeping the money for themselves. It makes me want to throw up my hands and shout, "I give up." I don't really know how artists are going to survive, in the coming years.  I just posted this on my facebook page: Let me suggest a scenario...... I am interested in eating a Pizza. I go to the local Italian place, order a Pizza, eat it. if I like it, maybe I will come back "next time" and buy one........ Why is it that only with art do people think this kind of logic is acceptable? (and when I say "logic" I mean "thievery") I am not greedy. I do not create art to get rich. However my son enjoys eating veggie chicken nuggets and he likes when the house is warm enough for us to take off our coats. How do "fans" of music expect artists to survive? I guess people just don't care. Perhaps they would steal everything if they could? I am not usually negative in my life, but this is a matter that I have not come up with a solution for.   Q:  Ok. Something fun, now. To which vice are you addicted? Sam: None, really. Boring answer, I know. I don't really believe in vice, anyway. I think you should do whatever you enjoy, as long as nobody gets hurt (unless they want to get hurt, of course). Q:   But some would say that vice is the central focus in 10 Neurotics? Sam: I just googled 'vice,' to read the exact definition. The word is about "evil & immoral behavoir." So no, I don't think vice is the focus here. There is no judgement coming from me about what these people are doing. I do not think it is evil or wrong to enjoy expressing yourself sexually. To push your interests to the edge and discover what is there for you. Their exploration could give them a breakthrough to live their life more fully. Q:    You would see something good coming out of this? Sam: Any sort of intense experience can be theraputic, it can be eye-opening. I know I come away from these sorts of experience with a heightened awareness of myself and my truths. Q:   Ok, so where would you place yourself in this oversexed world. Are you settled with your desires or still searching for the next kick? Sam: I have never been one to look for the next thrill to top the last one. I think I am in touch with my desires, these days. I have thought about it and researched and I am more aware of the things that I enjoy. As far as where I place myself in this oversexed world..... I am a sensualist, I am light-hearted, I enjoy people and experiences. I will admit I was raised with all the regular beliefs of relationships, monogamy, marriage, etc. I believed and lived that way for a long time. Now, I can step back and say, "Really? Is that the way things are intended to be?" I think there are other ways we can live our life, that can be more honest and rewarding. Thanks for the interview. I am excited by the possibility of playing shows in Germany soon, meeting new friends, having new experiences. See you soon.