Immaculate Machine-dom, Shala Bennett

Last Halloween, I was in Victoria B.C. when synchronicity struck me and I happened to be in the same bar as the band Immaculate Machine. I wasn’t expecting anything much but boy, was I in for a treat. Not only were they extremely talented and passionate about the music they were making but I was finding their lyrics very profound and totally on par with things that had been rushing through my mind. Then, they played a second set which was a David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust tribute that involved tight red vinyl pants, wigs, top hat, (cane and glitter) and more (oh la la!). Totally hooked, I bought their CD that night and started on my path of Immaculate Machine-dom. When Kathryn (synth, bass, vocals) emailed to say they were coming back to town, I knew that I had to offer up my soul to be able to delve deeper and so as share my treasures with everyone! So without further ado….Immaculate Machine.

n.b: this interview was filled with laughter from the get go.

Shala: Why did you guys decide to form a band? It’s been a pretty recent development, October 2002?
Kathryn Calder: It wasn’t October, was it?
S: That’s what is says on your website so it had to be true.
Brooke Gallupe: Well, if that’s what it says on the website.
Luke Kozlowski: Well, this incarnation formed then.
S: Were you guys in other bands together before?
B: Well, we’ve always been playing music and we’ve known each other forever so it seemed like a natural step.
S: How long have you known each other?
L: Brooke and I were in kindergarten together.
K: And I met them in high school
S: So the instruments you play in the band (Brooke, guitar; Luke, drums; Kathryn, synthesizer) are those the only instruments you play?
K: Well, no. But the instruments we play now kind of developed out of necessity. We auditioned other bands members, but they didn’t play as well as we thought we could. None of them played the drums as well as Luke. And I never used to play bass with my left hand but the guys asked me to try it on the synthesizer so….
S: A legend was born
B: We were scratching our heads after some of the weirdos that we saw at auditions
K: Some of them where really nice and sweet but they didn’t really fit with the band.
L: It’s pretty hard to break into when the band is already very good friends.
S: How does being such good friends impact how you resolve conflicts in the band? Assuming of course that you have issues that need resolving?
K: I think when you’re friends you’re nicer to each other; you wouldn’t want to say or do anything that would hurt the other person.
S: Kathryn, what’s it like touring with two fellows on the road? Do you ever miss the company of the ladies?
K: No….
S: Are they suitably lady like so you don’t care?
K: They’re pretty ladylike.
B: Luke’s got long hair
L: I’ve been known to wear dresses on occasion
B: Kathryn and Luke brush each other’s hair
L: We have pillow fights
S: So when you touring and what not, are you set upon by groupies?
B: No…
L: We’re all involved in long distance relationships so that wouldn’t really work. Not that has to stop anyone
S: Like who, tell me stories.
K: When there was this one woman who wouldn’t give us money [donations at a show] unless I was a lesbian.
S: So you told her you were, right?
K: Well, Luke was the one collecting the money, and he didn’t, no.
S: So Luke, here’s the question: Why do you take off your shirt? At every show? And it’s always after the first or second song so I know it can’t be cause you’re over heated.
L: Hey, did you not see me last night? I was dripping.
B: You weren’t that glistening.
L: Well, that was a preemptive move to take my shirt off before it got too hot. It’s strictly scientific.
S: Right, do you take your temperature before you take off your shirt?
B: Yeah, he has a thermometer up his asshole at every show
S: Ok, but seriously why do you do it?
L: Seriously. That’s the truth. It’s not for attention.
S: Why did you get a tattoo on your chest?
L: Cause shoulders seemed too typical, I wanted something more symmetrical
S: Does the eagle have a special significance for you?
L: It’s a crow, actually
S: Why a crow?
L: I love crows. I’ve been hearing their chatter since childhood.
S: Me too, they stalk me everywhere.
L: They tie into this whole other belief system.
S: Speaking of belief systems, is there a typical one you adhere to?
(headshakes all around)
L: I think we’re all pretty much agnostic.
S: I thought maybe you were all Christian or something cause you seem so wholesome and I could totally see you hanging out with an all ages crowd and it not being a problem. I’d totally bring my little four year old sister to see you
L: Bring your grandparents; I’ll take my shirt off for your grandparents.
S: Yeah, ok. Well, maybe not.
L: That’s kinda creepy.
S: But going back to the belief systems, your songs seem very progressive minded, how do your beliefs come into play? Or I guess a better question would be, how do you go about writing your songs?
B: We’re interested in politics and the environment and equality and emotions, so makes sense that we’d write songs about things that are important to us. It wouldn’t make sense for us to write Led Zeppelin type songs.
S: And do you see yourselves being musicians forever or do you have a back up plan?
L: Brooke’s gonna play in a blue’s band for the rest of his life. I’m interested in creative writing and exploring alternative religions and beliefs.
B: I feel pretty confident that things will work out for the best in the future, so I don’t really see the sense in worrying about it now. What comes, comes. I’m sure I’ll deal with it.
S: So what do you do when you’re not making music?
K: Nap. Play Scrabble.
S: Who’s the scrabble champion?
K: We’re all pretty well matched.
K: Brooke is definitely the more confident of his scrabble skills and the most vocal but I don’t know if he’s the champion.
S: Ahhh, is there much trash talking in your scrabbling?
B: Of course. Definitely.

And so the trash talking began. We went on to talk about the secret messages in their songs, what’s their criteria for choosing what songs they focus on and the power of sound waves to move matter and what we would do if we all had super sonic powers. All in all, it was a most enlightening and lovely time, hopefully for everyone involved.

Immaculate Machine will play on September 23 @ the Grassroots café.

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