Music is the muse Issue One - The Interview edition | Page 12

Unveilling the secret.
An interview with Darrin Huss.
In the early ‘90s I was still at school and into Dark Wave/Electro music. I never considered
myself to be a Goth, as I still loved pop music and never felt the desire to paint my room black.
Purple, yes but never black. Still, I got into some of the bands, which were popular in the Indie
Clubs at the time. Bands like Wolfheim, Deine Lakaien or Project Pitchfork. And Psyche.
Of course, I was delighted to find out that Darin Huss, who provided the unmistakable vocals
from the start and these day is the mastermind behind everything Psyche, was a fan of Marc
Almond, especially his early ‘80s band Soft Cell as well. Psyche even covered Soft Cell’s
notorious song Sex Dwarf. I saw Darrin perform it live a few times and it was always great fun
to watch.
Songs like The Brain Collapses played while I was writing about Raoul’s past, his mental prob-
lems and stay in a psychiatric hospital. The darkness, paranoia and general feeling of disillu-
sionment that fill many Psyche songs provide a perfect soundtrack for Raoul’s adventures.
Did Rock & Roll really save your soul?
well as an electronic artist, I was/ am not really a fan of most Rock Music, but in terms of
Rock N Roll as an attitude of rebelliousness, I would say yes, most definitely. Being able to
shout, sing, dance, and express myself in music definitely saved my soul.
What was the first song you remember? First record you bought? First concert you
saw? First thing which made you want to be a musician?
A lot of questions… Probably the first song I truly remember was “We’ve Only Just Begun”
from the Carpenters. The first album I remember buying that really floored me was the debut
from the B-52’s and the singles “Money” by The Flying Lizards, and “Cars” by Gary Numan.
First concert is a little uncertain, I can’t remember if it was Canada’s Rough Trade, or Martha
And the Muffins, I pretty much wanted to be a musician since I was around 13, but what
made me want this is probably a combination of elements and feelings in my life, I think to
escape the foreboding concept of a normal life involving university degrees, and a job in the
workforce!
What is your favourite way to listen to music and why?
Speakers much more than headphones. It used to be the other way around when I was
younger, but now I find I like to be surrounded by music rather than having it trapped in my
head!
In your experience, has the music industry changed for the better or worse? Do you
think it is easier to create and distribute music today than it was in the past?
That’s a whole can of worms ever since the internet opened Pandora’s Box! I might miss the
old days, but to be honest I think it’s better now as it levels the playing field, and it’s obvi-
ously easy for any musician to get their music heard. Becoming popular or making a living
from it depends on how that can be developed for each individual, but there is certainly more
freedom of choice available today.
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