Taurus & Pisces

“The train of Inertia”

(interview in Rocktribune 87, translated from Dutch original)

The Dutch duo Taurus & Pisces delivered a wondrously beautiful debut CD called ‘Inertia’. Imagine Steven Wilson putting more effort in song writing with the atmosphere focussed No-Man and less boiling down the Blackfield songs, then somewhere in the middle you would find the music by Taurus (Peter Everts) & Pisces (Gert Bruins). ‘Inertia’ is a self organized product pointing out once more the collective deafness of major label talent scouts.

T&P: A lot of A&R managers have their left ear called ‘return’ and their right ear called ‘investment’. We’ve had disappointingly few reactions to our music from the music industry. We could benefit from that kind of interest in bringing us to the next level. We’re planning to perform our music in a multi medial setting in the near future. To realize this it is almost conditional to be picked up in order to have a professional infrastructure with some appropriate agreement on creative freedom and business wise responsibility.

On your website one can find all your songs on video, a quite ambitious idea. Did you order people to create these videos to accompany your music, much like Lasse Holle does almost all the Steven Wilson songs?

T&P: As far as the clips are concerned we decided tot use and rearrange existing material. As in music amazing things are happening in it with our music must be understood as a homage to these video artists. Besides, we can’t afford Lasse Holle.

Your songs are meticulously finished. Can you describe the process of composing?

T&P: In the way we work composing is foremost an associative process in which we throw  ideas at each other that anticipate to what the other one comes up with. What’s helpful to us is retreating ourselves somewhere in the woods, bringing only a few guitars, keyboards and some elementary recording devices. Mostly this results in capturing rudimentary material, as both lyrics and music are concerned. Contrary to most other productions in our approach the phases of arranging and composing aren’t strictly apart. It’s a dynamic and organic process in which every idea, provided it’s okay, can have it’s chance to the very last minute.

To me the lyrics of ‘Mirror Images’ are quite fascinating. Is reflecting about the past a common habit in your work?

T&P: The lyrics are mutually tied because they all deal with existential issues. It’s more than only the past; the connection with present and future is also relevant. ‘Mirror Images’ is one of the songs that were written in an earlier stage and deals about the father of one of us. The text is quite universal, we believe, as it will appeal to people, once grown up, reflecting on their own behaviour related to that of their fathers or other up bringers. The generation problem in a nutshell.

Are there any plans on touring with T&P.  Is a second album scheduled?

T&P: We’re busy bringing the band together. Rehearsing the material doesn’t make sense if there’s no perspective on performing. Our music has to be perceived in a multi medial setting and is not fitted for small bars or party like gatherings. It’s important for other musicians to engage that we have some gigs scheduled. Rehearsing is a means, not an end.

As far as a second album can be expected? This is only the beginning . . . . .