JUDITH

Band Members: Christopher David (vocals), Damian James (bass), Brian Veit
(drums), Mark Wagner (guitar)

Bands Discography: Fohn (full-length CD) 1995, Sahara Seas (CD EP), 1997,
La Reveuse (full-length CD) 1998

Compilations that the band has been released on: Magic of the Place (Germany
1996), Sounds of the New Hope (Germany 1996), Black Box II (Spain 1997),
Blackout A.D.: Beyond the Ruins (USA 1998), Darkend/Kaleidoscope (UK 1998),
Hex Files III-The Goth Bible (Germany 1998), Sonic Seducer (Germany, not yet
released)

Bands Mail Address: Judith c/o The Lyre of Amphion P.O. Box 174, Murray
Hill Sta., NY, NY 10156

Interviewer: Gordon Taylor

Interviewee: Christopher David

Date: June 27, 1999

Your previous bands have been "Klopeck," "The Rogues" and "Requiem In White". Judith began in the mid 90's how did you all meet?

Christopher David: JUDITH began in 1995 when I first met Mark Wagner (guitarist) and we began working on music together. I had already put together enough songs for a full CD and was elated to find someone who was interested in playing them. The previous year, my former band, Requiem in White, and Mark's former band, Klopeck (more of a studio project), had both dissolved. Requiem in White had been together 10 years. In 1994, it became time for the band members to move on. Though Klopeck had not been together that long, Mark was also ready to try something new. We were lucky enough to find Damian James (bassist) and most recently, Brian Veit (drummer) when we were looking for people to complete the band. Both Damian and Brian had been in a band called the Rogues, mainly a Los Angeles-based rock band. JUDITH is the culmination of many of our musical ideas.

What instruments do you all play and are there any particular instrument you enjoy the most? (see top)

Christopher David: I happen to enjoy playing most instruments. Most of JUDITH dabbles in more than one instrument, thereby increasing the creative juices

What creative process do you go through when composing your music?

Christopher David: Many songs of JUDITH start by writing music to a libretto, a bit like creating a soundtrack to a film. Parts are then added as the story unfolds.

What inspires you when you write your music?

Christopher David: It is of course impossible to pinpoint what it is exactly that inspires you from day to day. Many JUDITH lyrics seem to center around 19th-century or early 20th-century literary or artistic themes. Songs may come from something read, a painting seen, a distant place visited. Above all, emotion has the ability to trigger something in the subconscious just waiting for the right moment to reveal itself in a creative form.

Are you influenced by any other bands and do you have any favorite bands
that you like listening to?

Christopher David: Between the four of us, there are many favorites ranging from early punk like the Sex Pistols and The Damned, all the way to modern classical composers such as Arvo P‰rt and Gorecki. I personally have a deep appreciation for David Bowie, T Rex , and the bands Bauhaus, Lords of the New Church, early Christian Death... (the list goes on). Classical music by composers such as Debussy, Bach, Chopin, Liszt and Gorecki is also some of my\ favorite.

Judith has been described as having a sound of chorused guitars, strong melodic baselines, tribal drums, emotive baritone vocals: is this how you would describe your music?

Christopher David: That description sums it up reasonably well. Our music ranges from rock to neo-classical so there may be many more nuances in between.

You have released the Albums Fˆhn in 1995, and your latest album La Reveuse in 1998 Why has there been a period of time between the two albums?

Christopher David: We did put out a 5-song EP, "Sahara Seas," in between the two full-lengths. This EP was released in July1997 to coincide with our appearance at the "Ascension of the Gods" festival in Bassiano, Italy. The only reason that so much time has elapsed between "Fˆhn" and "La Reveuse" (the second full-length) is that there is just not enough time in the day to complete everything necessary... Writing songs, recording, mixing and mastering all take such a long time. Since we did most of the work in my recording studio, I had time to be very careful and particular in the recording, mixing and mastering processes.

When you released Fohn how long did it take to produce and what was the response like?

Christopher David: Well, truth be told, "Fohn" was a work in progress for many years (many songs were written during my Requiem days). It was received quite well and helped to make the band known to those in the US and abroad.

How has the response been with la Reveuse?

Christopher David: La Reveuse has also been received very well, perhaps even better than the first work (but then, would we dare say anything else?) It is a more mature album, with expanded themes and variations, and with more acoustic,
neo-classical songs as well as the fully orchestrated "Autre Eventail." We are pleased with the way the music has progressed (as are most of our fans).

What was the inspiration behind La Reveuse?
Christopher David : Inspiration for this CD could have come from a number of diverse sources such as: seeing a sunset over Mt. Vesuvius in Italy's Naples Bay region, the life of Sebastian Melmoth, illustrations of Alphonse Mucha, Belgian and German Art Nouveau architecture, a walk in the park, a look out the window, a quiet Sunday, a favorite cafe...the list goes on.

How long did it take to produce?

Christopher David: Some of the songs had already been rough tracks by the time Fohn was released. I speculate that in all, this CD took 2 1/2 years to write, polish and finish.

16. On your latest album La Reveuse, you have the vocals of Nancey Keegan-- how did she become involved with Judith. Are you planning on working with her on the next album? Does she assist in vocals when you play live, or do you use
a verity of female vocalists?

Christopher David: Nancy is a good friend. Since she is a stage actress, she doesn't have much time free. However, we had the pleasure of her vocal accompaniment for two of our live shows in NY this past year. She may do some singing on the next CD though it is too far ahead to know that for sure.

Many of your songs tell a story or a set of themes, what was the inspiration behind such compositions as Les Syphes, Voice, Indolence, I have seen To The End (Where late the Diadem Stood), As lovers Fall, When Sleep Fell, Platinum Walks, Autre Eventail, My Passage

Christopher David: All songs are quite different in theme and subject so it would be difficult to break each down to try to find the direct source of inspiration or idea which lies behind it. Let's just say that the songs we write do tend to have a symbolic, mystical quality. We would not want to hide anything from our listeners on purpose. If they listen closely, it is all there.

What have you got planned for the next album? Will it be similar to other albums?

Christopher David: It is too soon to tell how the next CD will turn out. We always hope our next work will be different because progression is good for the soul. Nobody likes to stagnate.

You have released the Maxi Cd Sahara Sea with the songs Sahara Seas and remixes... What are the difference between the recording of these songs and the original versions?

Christopher David: We had some fun with the remixes of Wing of Separation and Indolence--they are a little less serious, that is all.

One of your first overseas concert tours was in the UK-- how did this take place? You have toured other countries, which countries were they, and was there a particular country you enjoyed playing the most at?

Christopher David: Our favorite shows so far have been the London Sacrosanct Festival in August 1996, The Swiss Sanctuary Festival (which we headlined) in November 1996, and the Ascension of the Gods Festival in Italy in July1997. These
shows were on a much larger scale than most of the shows we've played so far back home in the U.S. Italy is always a favorite travel destination but we enjoyed all of these festivals. We are really looking forward to our first full-scale tour beginning in mid-July. "Blackout A.D.: Act I," will be a worldwide tour consisting of Neue Aesthetik Multimedia labelmates Faith and the Muse, JUDITH, and Element doing 40 + dates in the U.S. and Europe. Though Australia isn't on the itinerary this time around, we hope to play for you sometime soon.

What gigs did you not enjoy?

Christopher David: So far, we haven't had the displeasure of loathing one particular gig.

Is there anything special incorporated within your performances?

Christopher David: We try to keep the live set fresh and interesting with lights and decor to
enhance the themes inherent in the music.

When you have a performance what goes through your mind when you are on that stage. What is it that you feel? What sort of emotions do you go through
when the eyes of the audience are on you?

Christopher David: Performing live always gives one a feeling of elation, especially when the
audience seems truly connected to the music.

Christopher, you began Amphion Music-- what was the concept behind the
label?

Christopher David: Simply put, Amphion Music began as a label to promote JUDITH. My recording studio (which is not solely used for recording and mixing music for JUDITH of
course) is also called Amphion.

Christopher you became involved with Neue Asthetik Multimedia. When did this first happen and what is role at Neue Asthetik Multimedia?

Christopher David: William Faith and I have been friends for quite some time. He was interested in starting the label known as Neue Asthetik Multimedia and Steven Ashburn (of Ichor) and I were interested in working with him. As partners, the three of us officially formed the label in January, 1998.

Christopher you have been involved with producing/ and engineering what is it you enjoy about this, and do you produce for other bands?

Christopher David: I've always enjoyed being involved in all aspects of music, from writing to recording, mixing and producing. I've also done a lot of recording and production work in my studio for outside musicians and bands.

Are any of the members of Judith involved in side projects?

Christopher David: I assume you mean music-related side projects. I have gathered an ever-growing collection of solo songs over the years, some of which may be released as such in the near future. The other three members may occasionally play with other bands yet we all keep our main musical focus on JUDITH.

What are your future plans?

Christopher David: The upcoming tour is the biggest plan of the moment so the next four months will be quite busy. Upon our return, we plan to begin working on the next CD, to be released sometime in the year 2000.

Is there anything you would like to say to the readers out there?

Christopher David: Thanks for your interest! For updated information or inquiries on JUDITH, you may contact The Lyre of Amphion, P.O. Box 174, Murray Hill Sta., NY, NY,
10156, USA
e-mail amphion@aesthetik.com
www.aesthetik.com/amphion