As many may or may not know, the life of an independent artist can be a struggle. To be a music artist in LA takes a special type of person and animal all together. Aesthetic Perfection puts in the work and has solid determination. AP is about to hit the road with a number of gigs from Germany to Chicago, be sure to catch him if you can…
Interview Meikee Magnetic
Where were you born and where are you now?
I’m a California boy through and through. I was born in Orange County, raised in the Inland Empire and cut my teeth in Hollywood. In my early 20’s I decided I wanted more out of life so I sold all of my worldly possessions and moved to Berlin. I thought it would only be a year or so but I ended up staying abroad for 7 years. I moved back to California in 2012 and have been living near Santa Monica ever since. All that time away couldn’t rid me of my awful California accent, though. However, I assure you I’m not as stupid as I sound.
To the new listener how would you describe your music?
I call my music Industrial Pop because that’s what it is. I try to take the melodic sensibilities of pop and fuse them with the raw emotional elements of industrial. Not only is it an honest representation of my musical tastes, seems embracing pop music has become pretty much the only shocking thing one can do in the underground these days. Lucky me.
Are there any other members are in this project?
Aesthetic Perfection has and forever will be a solo project. It’s a document of my life’s progression. Obviously, I work with a lot of talented artists and producers and photographers to help me realize that vision, but at the end of the day this is mine and mine alone.
What are the struggles and rewards for an independent artist in Los Angeles?
When I returned to LA I dedicated a lot of time to working the music scene to make connections. I (naively) believed my past successes would matter to people here. I was dealt a serious dose of reality because as it turns out, Aesthetic Perfection isn’t “hip” which meant no one cares. That’s the thing about this city: When you’re hot, everyone wants a piece of you, when you’re not, you might as well not exist. That experience was a blessing in disguise because it forced me to take full responsibility for myself and my success. I realized I had to make my art and my living independent of the entertainment industry at large. Since then, I’ve managed to surround myself with a wonderful group of like minded people who are dedicated to the DIY ethic and push the band to new heights. I’ve never been happier or more motivated.
Your new single EBB AND FLOW that came out February of 2018 is joined by an Industrial Pop version of N’Sync’s Bye Bye Bye. How did you come to choose this cover?
“Bye Bye Bye” is a wonderfully dark song backed in a bubblegum wrapper. I wanted to help demonstrate to people that a great song is a great song no matter how it’s packaged. This song was a really big deal to me when it came out and I hoped to share it with an audience that may have missed it the first time.
What can fans expect to hear and see on your upcoming tour?
People can expect the same thing from Aesthetic Perfection as always: A group of friends playing their hearts out simply for the love of doing it.
How did your collaboration with Nyxx come into play?
Like most good things in life, finding Nyxx was just a lucky coincidence. I’d spent years hunting for a female singer with no success. Then one morning I opened my email and I had a message from her asking if I’d be interested in collaborating. Her demos were great. She had a gig at the Viper Room a couple weeks down the road which I attended and I was astonished not only by her performance, but also by her motivation. Shockingly, it’s very difficult to find people who are both driven and and talented. I guess that’s why so few people are actually successful at this music thing. After that first meeting, well, the rest is history!
Where could one find you hanging out in LA?
You can usually find me at the LACMA checking out the newest art exhibitions, or biking to Santa Monica for a wine tasting. If I’m not doing that I’m enjoying a beer flight at Boneyard Bistro… otherwise, I’m hard at work in the studio trying to write the next great jam. Partying is a young man’s game. My heart’s just not in it anymore.
Future plans?
You know that quote wrongly attributed to Bukowski on all those stupid memes you see on Facebook? “Find what you love and let it kill you.” That’s my plan. Music is my entire existence. I have no hobbies. No other interests or passions. I will be doing this until death takes me.
What does Dark Beauty mean to you?
“Dark Beauty” is the beauty that’s hidden from most people. It’s the stuff that’s appeal isn’t immediate or profound. An old scar, a dilapidated farmhouse, someone singing a sad song out of tune. It’s the stuff of real life, not of that manufactured bullshit people try to tell us is appealing.
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/aestheticperfection
http://aesthetic-perfection.net/
