Interview with Rik McLean of Mara's Torment
Interview by Rotwang
The interview that follows was was conducted via e-mail on August 3, 1998 with Rik McLean, known for his one-man ambient project Mara's Torment. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Mara's Torment has just released its debut album, entitled "Dreams Like Mine."
Rotwang: Why don't we start off by you telling us a bit about your your musical history?
Rik: I've been playing music seriously for about five years now, prior to this project I was primarily a guitar player in a few poppy goth projects. None of them ever panned out as much as I'd hoped, and so I decided to work as an individual...
Rotwang: Why did you choose the name "Mara's Torment" to describe your music?
Rik: I liked the idea of a conflict between ideas. The name Mara suggests a very beautiful image, something romantic. Torment, well, it's equally romantic, but it suggests pain, longing. I liked the way the two of them sounded together, despite the conflict of meaning. It's sort of like Romeo's Distress...
Rotwang: Is "Mara" a real person or just a metaphor?
Rik: Oh she's real alright, and she torments me to this day. As far as I know she doesn't know about this project, but if you're out there dear, I'll be happy to send you a CD if you send me back my Velvet Underground tape...
Rotwang: When you make music, what are you trying to do? (how's that for vague?)
Rik: I try very hard to create a landscape, using each sound as a shade to make a more intricate portrait. Failing that, I wanna rock you like a hurricane!
Rotwang: Why do you make your music?
Rik: Mmmmmm, it's like an exorcism for me. There are songs in my head, music that represents ideas and thoughts, torments, loves, everything, and it's all really an effort to get it out into the open and share it with others. I suppose it validates what goes on in my mind...
Rotwang: Moving a more technical question, what instruments and equipment do you you use?
Rik: I'm currently using a Roland JW 50 and an XP80. I find Roland stuff to be very user friendly, and I'm more than happy with their results.
Rotwang: How do you go about making a song?
Rik: Mmmm, that's a hard one! Oftentimes it starts with a thought that I pluck out of my head, maybe a representation of a moment. The first Mara's Torment song was an effort to capture a chance meeting with a very special person. So I would say that I ussually go in with something in mind to start with. Sometimes though things come out of their own accord, maybe the well of ideas is overflowing, and certain things splash out unexpectedly...
Rotwang: What is your inspiration for your music?
Rik: David Bowie's Berlin trilogy, and the sound of streetcars passing by my apartment...
I've always appreciated music that can take you to another place, songs that make you want to lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling, let the music just wash over you. That's what really inspires me, the possibility of having the same reaction for someone else that the songs I love do for me...
Rotwang: What do you listen to?
Rik: Ummmm, mostly just my own stuff. KIDDING! I listen to the expected Cure Siouxsie Sisters trinity. I worship David Bowie, the man is my idol. I quite enjoy Lycia, Barry Adamson, Cole Porter, Tricky, The Virgin Prunes, these are a few of the things in my CD player the last few days...
Rotwang: Who's face is that on the cover of your album?
Rik: Laughs, I have nooooo idea! The cover was done as a picture by Suzette Cooper, the most brilliantly talented photographer I have ever met, and the sweetest person in the world. She was kind enough to let me use it for the CD. I suppose I could ask her, to be honest I'm pretty sure I've met the model before, but well, that would ruin the mystique don't you think?
Rotwang: Tell us a bit about your album (now's the time to plug it, or discuss any interesting anecdotes).
Rik: The album was actually recorded in my bedroom on a DAT recorder that I had to get my freind Carrie to rent 'cause I don't have a driver's licence and I needed one as ID. Uh, what it means? I'd tell you but I don't want to spoil the ending for anybody that hasn't heard it yet...
Rotwang: What are your future plans for Mara's Torment?
Rik: Welllllll, I plan to distribute a sampler cassette at the Convergence Festival in Toronto in August. After that I'm working on a CD release for October, my fingers are still crossed. There are some other ideas, but I don't want to share them until they're finalized...
Rotwang: I guess this is the last one...any last things to to say or talk about?
Rik: I'd like to thank you for your interest in my work, and for all of the support you've given me, and for the chance to do this wonderful interview...
Rotwang: No, thank you...strong>