1. Hello Frederic. Firstly, I'd like to ask you about the moment when you decided to start a label. Was it just an impulse, or rather long-term process?

Frederic Arbour: The start of the label was more of an unfolding of circumstances than a planned process. Things first started with the release of the Instincts/Bustum split, which was also a co-release with Bustum press. I was not sure how the response from this would turn out so no real plan was conceived for what was to follow after this initial release. With this album many contacts were made through the Dark ambient and industrial scene and this album was also very well received, so from the contacts made and the interest with my work I had the idea to do a compilation but with a certain focus and different approach, having 5 dark ambient acts that would provide 2 tracks each and this became the Nord Ambient Alliance, which was also very well received. To me it’s basically at that point that the label really took shape and it’s artistic and musical direction were established and things just evolved from there.


2. Could you tell me few words about your first contacts with dark ambient music?

F.A.: My first contacts with Ambient music were through Jean-Michel Jarre’s Oxygene album, my father had this 8 tracks cassette that I was completely mesmerized by, this cassette was with me through most of my pre-teen years. Since then I always had an interest in experimental and underground music, in my teens and delved more into the metal/hardcore crossover to later discover Dead Can Dance, what a revelation… but the discovery of the Dark Ambient scene of the early 90’s came along with interest in Black Metal, with acts from World Serpent, CMI and so on. I had then really found “my home” and the music that I could really relate to.


3. Cyclic Law... Why such a name, and why every another release is another "cycle"?

F.A.: It mostly came from my interest and observation in life’s various “cycles”, changing and recurring seasons, daily and monthly solar and lunar cycles, birth, growth, decay and death etc… There seems, at least from an earthly point of view, to be an ever on going Cyclic Law of eternal return, yet theses cycles are also ever changing. And instead of giving a standard catalog number to each releases I saw fit to name each of them as cycles, the label can be seen as an entity and each releases perpetual cycles of growth and expansion of this entity.




4. It is obvious that if you want to release an album, first of all you have to like the music. But what are the non-musical conditions which have to be fulfilled when you are signing a contract with a project?

F.A.: Of course me liking the music and being able to support and “back up” an album is the first and most important aspect when I choose to consider releasing an album. Non musical conditions would have to be the concept behind the music, I like to see a project with a clear definition as to why or what he’s expressing and that also has to be something I can relate to, not just music for the sake of music as mostly seen in the experimental and electro acoustic genre but a more complete concept and vision. I feel most Dark ambient acts have this additional depth to their music and it’s something I really appreciate.


5. Are you aware of almost "cult" status of your label? Yet there is always place for improvement. What would you like to improve in first place?

F.A.: I realize the label has gotten a lot of respect and a dedicated following through the years, more than I ever even imagined and I’m quite grateful to all the acts on the label for making this a possibility. Things that can always be improved would be more in the management and promotional aspects of running a label, there’s always something to learn and this is something I really appreciate also.


6. Would you release an album with the music you like, but which completely doesn't fit to Cyclic Law profile (rock, metal etc.)?

F.A.: No, and that is why I recently established another division named Twilight Foundation, on which I’ll release various styles of music from acts I really like and want to support. From Doom to Black metal and Folk to Experimental. I want to keep Cyclic Law as it is, a very focused and specialized label for Dark Ambient and Industrial sonorities, Twilight Foundation will have a larger and more eclectic selection of acts. That way I’ll be able to satisfy my various interest in musical genres and keep things focused.


7. Cyclic Law is a Canadian label, but except your own projects you didn't release any other Canadian artist. There aren't any interesting projects in your country?

F.A.: There’s a few interesting acts here but none have really captured my interest so far but this will hopefully change with time… Yet I never saw Cyclic Law as a local label, I could live on an island in the pacific and things would still be the same. I contact or get contacted by acts I appreciate and want to support, regardless of they country of origin.


8. Is there any decision (related to Cyclic Law of course) you took in the past and today you especially regret?

F.A.: No there’s no real regrets, normal errors or misjudgments along the way but all were easily fixed there’s really nothing I regret.


9. Can you make a living of running a label?

F.A.: Not at the moment, I still work part time in various jobs and also offer Audio Mastering services in my studio.


10. From geographical point of view, there is pretty long distance between you and most of the artists you cooperate with. I know we're living in Internet age, and world is a global village, but isn't it a problem anyway?

F.A.: It’s never been a problem except the fact I really miss seeing most of the artists on the label that have become through out the years very good friends of mine. But everything can be taken care of through e-mails, phone etc… I also go to Europe a few times a year to meet up with some of the artist for concerts or vacation so, so far things have worked out without any difficulties.


11. What is your opinion about vinyls? You didn't release any album on vinyl, while it's pretty popular in industrial/ambient circles.

F.A.: I did release one vinyl, the Sophia “Deconstruction of the world” was first release as a gatefold LP with poster. I really like the vinyl format but my concern is in the cost of shipping these… Canadian postal fees are very high and shipping an LP to Europe for example costs more that the actual sales price of the LP… so I decided to not press vinyl anymore due to this reason.




12. Who was first - Frederic Arbour, musician or Frederic Arbour, label owner?

F.A.: I’ve been a musician long before being a label owner. I started in my pre-teens as an organ player and in my early teens as a drummer in various grindcore / speedcore acts, I then started experimenting with electronic music in the late 90’s and in the past years started playing guitar also.


13. Maybe it's a little embarassing question, but how do you see Visions when compare it to other Cyclic Law artists. Do you feel better than them, equal, or you think you have still a lot to learn?

F.A.: I for sure do not see myself as better than anyone on the label, what I appreciate is that we each have our own sound and concept. I still learn and grow as a musician for sure and that’s what is interesting in being a musician., new ideas and ways of working with sounds always come up.


14. Could you tell me about your musical inspirations?

F.A.: My inspirations are numerous but for many years my spiritual quest and insights have been my most important source of inspiration and reason for making music. Both are now closely entwined, the musical and spiritual, and have become one in recent years.


15. Visions also inspired by outer space. If there would be a possibility to go in some unexplored regions of galaxy, which felling would win - Curiosity or rather fear of the unknown?

F.A.: Curiosity would definitely win over. Being able to explore the vast confines of space would for sure be a very welcomed experience.


16. In Visions vision, space is full of emptiness, loneliness etc. So I suppose you don't believe there are other intelligent forms of life somewhere out there?

F.A.: No one can have a definite answer about this, until proof of the opposite I keep open the possibility of other life forms in this vast universe.


17. What is your opinion about playing live by dark ambient artists? Don't you think that it's quite impossible to create proper atmosphere in crowded club and such gigs are rather social than spiritual events or experiences?

F.A.: I personally like to play live, it’s a very good way of not only exposing the music but to also bring it to a higher level, the intensity, sound level and proper atmosphere of a well organized gig is to me a very interesting way of actually creating a highly spiritual and communal experience with everyone attending the concert. The result always varies depending on the venue but to me is always a very interesting moment.


18. What are the best dark ambient and non dark ambient albums you heard in 2007 so far?

F.A.: Hum… there’s a few that stand out but I’d have to put Tholen and Sinke Dus as some of the best Dark Ambient I’ve heard this year, also the Inade “Colliding Dimensions” boxset is a wonder, the Fjernlys album as well as the last Combative Alignment album. Non Dark Ambient would be Murcof, Canaan, Towards Darkness and David Galas.


19. Is there any primary goal you'd like to achieve with Cyclic Law and with Visions?

F.A.: I feel I’ve actually surpassed any goals I could have had. All I can now wish for is that things can keep growing and going as they have for the past years.


20. As we know, other Cyclic law releases will be Tholen and Sinke Dus albums. Could you introduce in few words their music?

F.A.: Tholen has a more space inspired concept, a very well crafted and unique approach to dark ambient. Sinke Dus could be compared to the work of Kammarheit, very immersive and contemplative form of Dark Ambient, a definite favorite of mine.


21. Thank you Frederic for your time. If you would like to say something more, you can do it here.

Well I thank you for this interview and for your interest and support.



Stark



More information can be found at::

www.cycliclaw.com
www.twilight-foundation.com