Modern Error talk new album - exclusive interview

UK rockers Modern Error just dropped their first album, Victim of a Modern Age, so we caught up with Kel Pinchin, multi-instrumentalist and producer of Modern Error. Victim of a Modern Age is atmospheric, experimental and without a doubt, unique - check out our full review here.

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Hey Modern Error, welcome to your first APU interview - how are you guys feeling?

Hey, not too bad at all! Very glad to be here. Album came out on Friday and the amount of love and respect it has received so far has really left me a little taken back by it all.

You have just released your second album, Victim of a Modern Age, via Rude Records - how long has it been in the works?

It’s actually the first album we have ever released. ‘Lost In The Noise’ was more of a compilation EP consisting of a collection of tracks we released as A and B sides that we compiled onto one final physical release. 

Victim Of A Modern Age technically started in 2019 whilst me and Zak discussed an idea for our first album. We wanted to create something really unique, and that almost abolishes what we had done previously, that was a statement on how we didn’t want to do a standard debut but that also made a great impression for a first album. We always liked playing with things in two, and almost playing them off each other, and this album is just an extension of that in a bigger and grander concept. 

For Modern Error newcomers, how would you describe your sound?

Modern Error is a continued exploration in sound. I would say VOAMA is a blend and battle between electronics and the rock band format. And between the two Oeuvres in the record, you’ll be able to see how the sound has almost progressed through making the album and leaves you with where the band is at sonically. 

What’s the story behind the band name?

We had been making lists of names like every band starts of doing. We always knew what we wanted the name to suggest. I always love a line from Clockwork Orange that really stayed with me, and made a note of it ‘… another victim of modern age’. That line says a lot, and so when it came to naming the project it was an adaptation of that as ‘Modern Error’. And of course, the album ended up as more of a close reference, as it just made sense when coming to title the record, almost acting as a self titled idea without it being boring. 

How does a Modern Error writing session usually go?

Really difficult to say as it really has been dependant on the song. But will start with an idea or concept, and then a discussion as to where the possibilities can go. And this can go on for hours/days where we explore avenues. This has been extremely time consuming but it's just how it has been. Let’s take "The Truest Blue" for example, it started with exploring a sequencer, and was one of the first things I ever did on a modular synth. This sat on the shelf for a few weeks before we got to developing it. Upon completion, this song almost became the benchmark sound for the second half of the record, and was fittingly wrote about being your truest form and entering a new world. 

There’s a marked transition between the first half of the album and the second half, what does this portray?

VOAMA is a double album concept in a single album format. Each work we do, we call it an ‘Oeuvre’ to catalogue it. So in this single release there is two. The first Oeuvre is looking at the world we live in, where the second is a reflection upon that in a different space. 

Who are your main musical influences?

This is incredibly vast. I personally listen to a lot of music, as I get a little bored of containing myself within one genre. I always look to the greats for inspiration, like Bowie and Prince for example, as their lives, values and catalogues of work are so admirable. For this record I would say the biggest influences were Nine Inch Nails, 30 Seconds To Mars, Depeche Mode and Health.

What was your first ever gig?

Mine and Zaks first ever show to watch was Red Hot Chilli Peppers, live in Hyde park. Which was insanely huge to go to at like 9 or 10. Our first ever show playing as Modern Error, was supporting Loathe and Holding Absence on their very special ‘This Is As One’ tour, where they hand picked their supports. 

Any plans for a tour on the horizon?

We will be announcing some touring plans very shortly that we are very excited about.

Is there anything else you want to say to our readers?

Victim Of A Modern Age is out now. As it is a Product Of Modern Error, it needs to be consumed properly, and with introspection. Listen to the album front to back uninterrupted, and let it invoke questions within yourself.