Interface: the very word means making the unlike alike, the dissimilar similar. New York's Interface blends different elements of various electronic styles into its own brand of music, all with a melodic, emotional edge. Originally founded in 1993 by programmer/producer/vocalist Eric Eldredge, Interface has displayed a strong, diverse sound on its releases: The Artemis Complex (1999), Angels in Disguise (2002), and Beyond Humanity (2006). Interface's sound has ranged from aggressive industrial ("Frantic", "Metalstorm") to dance floor anthems ("Age of Computers", "Wasted Time"), soft ballads ("The Softest Blade" and "Labyrinth") and even ambient experimentalism during its career. Interface is prolific in the remix market, lending its name to top-level artists, and has been acclaimed by the electronic music press for its work and its energetic stage show.
Long Bio
Interface was founded by programmer/producer/vocalist Eric Eldredge in 1993, debuting with the EP Electronegativity Alpha. During tenure as keyboardist for the band Valve, Eric recorded a second EP called Interface 2 in 1995 that reflected an early techno influence. After Valve disbanded, the third EP Wideband in 1997 continued in the other band’s guitar-fueled vein, with Eric now performing much of the vocals. This was also the first time the band was a serious entity rather than a studio project, with the “inaugural” lineup being Eric and fellow Valve mates Joseph Destry (guitars/vocals) and Mike Cummings (drums). By the time Wideband Prime appeared in early 1998, this incarnation of the band dissolved, despite amassing a strong following due to their live shows and songwriting.
The first full-length album, The Artemis Complex, was finished in January 1999. It was almost completely produced by Eric himself, and offered definitive recordings of earlier material alongside new tracks and ambient interludes. The album’s raw, gritty sound owed to mid 90’s industrial and EBM. Songs like “Metalstorm” continued to play throughout NYC clubs, and attracted the attention of local label Tinman Records. The label quickly became the exclusive distributor of the self-release, moving through the entire pressing. The band then re-activated as a live show, with the new stage lineup being Eric on vocals, brother Evan Eldredge on keyboards and guitar, and Jon Billian on keyboards.
After a quiet 2001 that saw the band’s home base undergo major upgrades, Interface’s true breakthrough came in 2002 with Angels in Disguise. The first proper Tinman release, the sonic improvements were a key ingredient to the strong songwriting and optimistic tone, placing the band in the growing “futurepop” or “futuresynth” category. The opening track “Wasted Time” became an instant favorite of radio and club DJ’s everywhere, with “Temperature” and the title track also getting their fair share of play and becoming fan favorites. The band’s increased profile made for remix work done for bands like Ayria, Dubok, Neotek, and others. Although making little contribution to the two albums, Evan and Jon were named official band members in 2003 and the band began working in the studio as a trio. Tinman helped assemble a remix disc for “Wasted Time” as well as a bonus disc called Disguised as Angels. Due to complications with the label, neither saw the light of day and were offered as free downloads on the Interface website.
In 2004, Interface announced on the website that a new album was well underway in early stages. However, Tinman continued to suffer from financial difficulties, and shut down at the end of the year. Freed from its contract, the band continued to record the album and completed it in fall 2005. After spending the entire year in negotiations with various labels, Interface finally settled on Nilaihah Records, who released the third album in 2006. Entitled Beyond Humanity, it was released with a host of bonus tracks that featured remixes by Combichrist, Assemblage 23, Stromkern, and Imperative Reaction. Its more aggressive, cold tone accents the messages of songs like “Age of Computers”, “Beyond Human”, and “Faith in Nothing”. The album displays writing and production contributions from all three members. Interface took the stage yet again to support the album, playing alongside bands such as Ayria, Psyclon 9, Assemblage 23, and The Azoic, now branching out with tour dates in other cities more frequently. However, following a date with Diary of Dreams in July, Evan left the band to pursue other interests, leaving Eric and Jon as an official duo.
Interface is welcoming 2007 with a digital re-release of the now out of print Artemis Complex as well as a new e-single. Current plans call for a new album to commence in the late spring, with a potential date of winter 2008.