Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with programmed masses
From Raleigh, NC, Programmed masses blends a mix of alternative & industrial rock…usually with a message along the way.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
[programmed masses] My earliest memory of music as a hobby or interest is from when I was a small kid who tagged along on my dad’s search for bootleg Elvis concert recordings. From there I got interested in bands like Kiss and then the grunge bands of the 90s. By the early 2000s, industrial-style music from Nine Inch Nails and Tool began to resonate with me, both in terms of the lyrics, as well as the music layers and hard rhythms. Industrial music is a bit of an acquired taste, similar to science fiction writing, which I also do. I’ve published 10 sci-fi/paranormal novels (www.markjanas.com) over the last 10 years, many themes of which also show up in programmed masses’ music.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
[programmed masses] I dabbled (with no training at all) on a simple Casio keyboard in high school, learning the keyboard parts to popular songs and coming up with my own simple compositions that I rarely shared. After college, when I could afford some better equipment, including a simple 4-track recorder and cheap bass, I started composing more complete songs without any particular goal or mission, other than for my own satisfaction.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
[programmed masses] programmed masses was put together during the early days of COVID, driven primarily by the need say a few things relative to state of domestic world affairs. Most of the songs have messages that go beyond the typical pop themes, although we’ve included a few more “fluffy” songs in our initial releases too.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
[programmed masses] I would describe the programmed masses sound as covering a spectrum between industrial pop and more “brooding” industrial music, similar to Nine Inch Nails or tool. Our initial release on Spotify earlier this year hedged more to the pop side. Upcoming releases might be considered a little darker and more message driven, particularly our next release, The Brink. https://on.soundcloud.com/DA7rXNbyP0r4tXjwra
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music? [programmed masses]
Ironically enough, the availability of the latest AI production tools have sent be back to basics in a sense. I’ve put more focus on basic song structure, melody, chord progressions, and the lyrical message as of late, rather than putting too much focus on creating complex musical layers at the outset. If the song has a strong foundation, I then can go back and create various mixes more easily to capture the desired mood.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
[programmed masses] Over the last couple of decades I’ve used everything from 4-track tape to ProTools, CakeWalk, & GarageBand to record and produce music. Some of the more recently available AI-based tools have added a new dimension to production and mixing capabilities. But, nothing beats a good ole fashioned acoustic 6-string for basic song building. That’s really the only essential tool in my process. The rest of it is all about style and production quality.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now? [programmed masses]
I think that depends on your definition of “indie”. So many of the “indies” that we typically think of are not truly independent. They are signed to labels and have millions of streams and successful tours. Indie in that sense is just a music subgenre. In terms of the true indies I’ve enjoyed a mix of techno & industrial songs and artists I’ve found on Soundcloud. There are too many to name. There’s a lot of untapped gold out there!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
[programmed masses] As I’ve become more disillusioned with the very broken American political system, the propaganda from all sides, and the illogical, extreme, and dangerous positions that have seemed to become more mainstream, I have found the need to “protest” in the form of song lyrics. That may be simply for my own therapy and benefit, but hopefully I can cause someone else to think. That doesn’t mean I want to influence any political opinions. I just want them to think through issues logically and not simply automatically accept their “tribe’s” position. That’s wishful thinking I suppose.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
[programmed masses] As mentioned, I hope I can prompt others to think more for themselves rather than following the crowd. I also hope to encourage others to listen more, talk less, and be open for real debate. That’s another tall order, but that goal is evident in our song lyrics, song titles, and even the band name.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
[programmed masses] What I love about music … at least relative to other creative projects such as science fiction writing, software building, or business …. is that the payoff is much quicker. Vision and concept can be brought to fruition much faster. A good song could come together in an hour or two. A good novel takes 3 to 6 months with consistent effort. A software product may take a year or two to be ready for production. There may not be a lesson there, but I’ve learned that if I’m craving that payoff, I need to pick up a guitar.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
[programmed masses] From a pure self-indulgent perspective, it would be fun to be an opener at Ozzfest, performing the hardest programmed masses’ tunes with a theatrical element a la KISS, Slipnot, Gwar, or even classic Genesis.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
[programmed masses] That’s a tough one, but if you make me pick one I’d have to go with Trent Reznor. He almost single-handedly made industrial music more mainstream and demonstrated that harder, industrial music could carry a meaningful message, as well as incorporate more melodies and different tempos. Contrast “Hurt” and “Closer” for example.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
(Website,Spotify, IG, links, also add a Youtube link that will appear below the interview) [programmed masses] See our links below. We have a lot of unpublished but completed music that will be rolled out in the coming months!
