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I'll be honest here, I heard about Vespertine through a photography colleague of mine, we were discussing photographers that we admired and looked up to, and I brought up Brian Ziff, a wonderful photographer that I've admired for a long time. My colleague grinned and asked if I had ever heard his music, and no, I hadn't... he e-mailed me a link later on that evening and I listened to Vespertine for the first time. I was hooked with the haunting vocals and lyrics and loved every moment of it, and was even more impressed when I found out that Brian Ziff is the one and only in the band, Vocalist, Pianist, Guitarist... Mastermind.

Naturally I had to e-mail him and ask him a few questions to pass along to you readers, and stupidly enough this was the most nervous I've ever been to click "send" on an e-mail. But I sucked it up for you guys, because you HAVE to know about this music. So without further ado, Vespertine.

"For the most part, my lyrics are an attempt to grasp the imagery I'm describing instrumentally. There are a couple songs in which there's a distinct narrative, but it's primarily esoteric."
- Brian Ziff: Vespertine

We like to start off each interview with introductions, so can you tell us who you are and what you do?

My name is Brian Cameron Ziff. I push buttons, and I am the destroyer of worlds. Or something.

Why did you start Vespertine? Was there a point in your life that compelled you to create music?

I think it was more or less born out of necessity. Though I had played music my whole life, I never wrote any. I started to hear music incessantly in my sleep a few years ago. In search of an outlet, I joined a sort of rock-based electroclash band as a front man, and after having one idea after another shot down on the basis that I have no musical credibility, I quit and started Vespertine as an outlet for my lame ideas.

You do everything in regards to the music, do you think it's more difficult to be all-in-one so to speak rather than a collaborative effort?

Not particularly. I find it much easier to play all the parts myself in recordings than it is to explain to other musicians how to play precisely what I hear in my head. I suppose that this nullifies the possibility of somebody bringing something new and beautiful to the table, but I'm rather stubborn and tend to throw in the towel when I'm forced to compromise. I'm sort of childish in that respect. It works for now, haha.

What influences you lyrically? Is there one specific lyric that means the most to you?

For the most part, my lyrics are an attempt to grasp the imagery I'm describing instrumentally. There are a couple songs in which there's a distinct narrative, but it's primarily esoteric. That sounds rather like I'm tooting my own horn, haha. The one lyric that seems to bear the most meaning to me is "show me all the flesh that you keep beneath your skin, and maybe in time i'll show you mine." It generally speaks to the notion that bearing one's soul for superficial returns is exhausting.

Being based out of Los Angeles, have you found it difficult to crack into the local scene?

I'm not sure there is a distinct scene in Los Angeles. It's very fickle. Actually, I have asserted that Los Angeles proper is the most difficult place to start a real band because this is a proverbial Mecca for musicians. Anybody with a bit of talent shows up with the expectation that they will be rich and famous, and they're very seldom apt to put in the work. There's more incentive to band together and tough it out elsewhere.

On your MySpace in your most recent blog post you wrote, "I feel like all of my frustrations and self-doubt, all of my struggle and all of my love, all the beauty I can possibly absorb, every drop of sweat and every salty tear have manifested into something absolutely terrifying." in regards to an experience you had during a practice session. Do you feel that that experience has effected you musically?

I think it has. There has been a marked increase in my creative output, and I seem to feel music more intensely than before. These episodes in which I become completely absorbed in what I am doing are becoming more frequent. It allows me to deliver music with specific intention--especially vocally. I'm banking on the possibility that the energetic wavelengths formed by my thoughts will in some way influence the recorded sound waves of my voice. I re-recorded all the vocals on my album after playing with this theory. I guess we'll see how it goes.

On your MySpace page, you say that you've been in studio recording a full length album, any word on that? How is it going?

It's coming along quite well, actually. Recording is, for the most part done--save for a few odd noises here and there. It's pretty much ready to mix.

What is one piece of advice that you wish you had been given at the beginning, that you would pass on now to other musicians?

Make music that you would listen to.

What are your ultimate goals for your music?

I want it all. F*ck yeah.

We at the Sound Faction strive to be five completely random girls, so we like to end off our interview with five random questions to end on a lighter note, so here goes.

If you could pass a law for the world, what would it be? Why?

I don't know if this is a "lighter note" sort of question, given the amount of atrocities committed on a daily basis under the guise of legality...so for the sake of keeping it light...how about a tax on people who can't chill the fuck out?

What is one fashion trend (male or female) that confuses you?

I never understood jeans under skirts. Fortunately, it's been a while since I've last seen this. I'm also confused by the fact that male fashion never changes, but that's a different story altogether. I mean--srsly--if a girl can't dress herself with the amount of options available to her, she should be slapped. Men's fashion is a suit with a tie if you're feeling formal, or jeans and graphic t-shirts if you're feeling casual. It's mind-numbing. In terms of clothing, I have vagina envy.

What is the first record that you ever purchased?

My first CDs were "Green Day - Dookie" and "The Offspring - Smash." I got them on the same day and listened to them repeated on my newly purchased portable CD player so many times that I went through something like 10 battery changes.

What is your least favourite dance craze?

I think that all dance crazes are tied for "least favourite" in my eyes. The last official "craze" i can recall is the Macarena. I wonder if there's an institute that monitors these sorts of things.

If you were a scented candle, what would you smell like?

Semen.

And finally, this is a spot for your own self-promotion, anything that you would like to add about yourself or your music?

No. I've gone far enough. =)

Thank you so much to Brian Ziff of Vespertine for taking time out to talk to us! And if you'd like to hear samples of the music, hit up his MySpace Page