Cybiont
A few words with Cybiont. Cybiont plays all instruments and makes all sounds.

Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself.
Cybiont: Cybiont is an earthling located in New Zealand that started to compose and record music in 2008.
In June 2009 the first album was released. A collection of 19 songs released under the title 'A Trilogy of Random Thoughts & Considerations'. In March 2010 the follow up 'Angels & Demons' was completed and released. Both albums are self-released and were recorded in Cybiont's own studio.

LB: How did you start out making music?
Cybiont: Music is everywhere. Everything’s got its own sound. Instruments, people, rocks and bugs.
There is just so much music around, and so many lyrics that needed to be sung... so there was no way to resist. After a year with to many sleepless nights, the decision to quit being an employee was made. This gave the necessary space to continue composing.

What really inspires me to make music are all those brave enough to bring something new into this world. The small man standing up for justice, the tiny voice that dare to speak the truth, and the ones - that against all odds - continue working for what they believe is right. They touch my heart, and often that comes out as music.

LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now?
Cybiont: I’ve been growing up on music all my life. It started with the post-punk era listening to bands such as Joy Division, Birthday Party, Nick Cave, Echo and the Bunnymen and so on. As the journey took me to America, I became fascinated by the freedom songs of Woody Guthrie, Carlos Mejia Godoy and others.

Later on I discovered opera and theatre music and believe that two pieces that profoundly changed my understanding of music are Carl Orff's ‘Carmina Burana’ and 'The Three Penny Opera” by Brecht/Weill. During the Africa years, rhythm, harmonies and collaboration became another important musical aspect.

In the last decade or so the liking for harder music was reinvigorated by more industrial music such as Nine Inch Nails, PSP and Einsturzende Neubauten.
Now living in New Zealand, the Maori haka and the nature brings new inspiration.

I have been listening to a lot of different music and believe they all have their say in Cybiont's music.
I find that life is a continuous journey of growing up. Some have told me it is time to “grow up”... guess I might be to old for that now...

LB: Tell us about your latest release.
Cybiont: 'Angels & Demons' is a collection of sixteen compositions. Most of them are a kind of personal exploration of sounds, lyrics and compositions.
The album demands that the listener pay attention. It is what I would call passionate, philosophical and intellectual music. It is for the heart, but also for your head. Each song is quite different, and I believe that the listeners are up for several surprises. It is a unique album. I am told that there is nothing else like it, at least not here in New Zealand.

LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows?
Cybiont: Cybiont has performed live. I believe that the only thing an audience can expect is the unexpected.

LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy?
Cybiont: I love making music. Music can move hearts and composing and playing as Cybiont certainly moves mine. In music you can break barriers and at least for a moment you can fly free! In 'real life' invisible barriers limit us. You can become whatever you want in music and grow as one with the sounds and words.

Composing and recording is also a big endeavor with the tendency of consuming your being... or maybe that is just my compulsive obsessive nature.

LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music?
Cybiont:
www.cybiont.co.nz
www.myspace.com/cybiont
http://indietorrent.org/cybiont
www.cybiont.bandcamp.com

www.emusic.com
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/angels-demons/id367120307
www.cdbaby.com/cybiont
http://www.amplifier.co.nz/artist/48355/cybiont.html