crophones, it really just focusses on warming up my voice and learning better control. I think all the gear in the world is not a replacement for having discipline with your craft. Have your influences, both musical and not musical changed much since the start of Panic Lift? We noticed that two of the tracks on“Split”are said to be homages to the legends that inspired you. I try to always keep my ears to the ground and see what’s currently popular.But I don’t think I listen to many newbands.I certainly appreciate a good production,or a great voice but I think I more or less stick to the same bands that influencedme starting out.In that sense,I always want to seewhat tricks newbands are using and incorporate that into what I do, but as far as being a fan - I think I understand now why my parents listened only to music from there generation. I find myself gravitating towards records that were put out in the 90s or the 2000s. I don’t think any new music is better or worse, but there is a comfort in the music I grewup listening to that I prefer. What makes a good remix? Who do you think are the most skilled remixers today? Maybe I ambiased,but I have been blessed with bands and producers giving me absolutely fabulous remixes. I wish I knew more producers outside of my colleagues but I’ve been so focused on these EPsI haven’t listened to much else. I will say, for the next EP there will be remixes from Assemblage 23, and Kalcyfr.Obviously,Tom needs no introduction, he’s a legend and his remixes are always amazing.I was introduced to Kalcyfr from mybuddiesMechanicalVein andMoris Blak.It’s a great industrial bass project and his production is some of the best newmaterial I’ve heard. I’m happy to showcase him a bit on this release. What’s the strangest or funniest accident that’s every happened to you during a live show? Too many to count. I don’t think a lot of my shows ever go smoothly. I think the biggest mistake that ever happened during a show,luckily no one ever noticed.We played a set at Aftermath Festival in Toronto.At this point,we were on tour with Aesthetic Perfection and Surgyn and we rolled into the festival for one night to do our sets.For this tour,we had a dedicated sound engineer so we left our backing tracks up at the board and he would start them every night. Somehow, instead of queuing up the set in playlist order, I must have handed him the computer with files just playing in file alphabetical order from the hard drive,which means on stage we had no idea what song we’d be playing next. Luckily, I knew the songs wouldn’t repeat which would have been completely embarrassing but we got through the whole 40 minute set on our toes! The best part is that complete show is on youtube! If you look closely you can see us look at each other laughing in between songs. Has the pandemic influenced your music and lyrics, maybe mental health? What’s some good that’s come out of it for you? It’s been rough.I had actuallynot planned on releasing anynew Panic Lift for a very long time before that Pandemic started. However, when we first had that ‘lockdown’ it really started to affect my mental health in a bad way. I used to work on these songs as an outlet to keepme occupied.In a way,the pandemic is what forcedme to focus on Panic Lift again,I guess that’s the strange messed up consolation prize in all this. Do you think there is much need for bandmanagement or labels these days or does it just depend on the needs of the artist and the market? This is a long and complex issue. But I feel,Yes.There is absolutely a need for labels.I could not have gotten the eyes on me that I have without being associated with a label. Signing to a label,especiallyone that is credible in the scene gives a validity to what you are doing. Many labels also have audiences that are“built in”in a way,so people will buy your product since it is associated with a label. That is different than the actual physical mechanics of releasing music.You can absolutely do that without a label.But then you are just putting it out,and no one knows its there. I’mblessed because I spent a decade ofmy career on verywellregarded labels,andmy fanbase followedme to be an independent artist.I don’t think I would have the following I dowithout first having been associated with a label. Other than the themed series,what doyou hope for Panic Lift in the comingmonths? We have 2 shows planned. Once in Salem MA, for the Darq events on October 9th. I’ve been wanting to play Salem during Halloween month for a very long time so it’s a show I couldn’t sayno to.Next springwe return toDarkSideOfCon,to play that festival.We’ve done it 3 times now and have a good relationshipwith that crew.It’s always a lovelyexperience and I’mlooking forward to see allmy friends after this long shut down.After I’m done releasing this music, which in total will be 10 songs and 10 remixes. I will probably take another break. It’s nice not having anything planned, it makes it all the more exciting when I get inspired to come back to it. (Read more on wwww.peek-a-boo-magazine.be) For more information: facebook.com/paniclift / paniclift.bandcamp.com/ WilliamZIMMERMAN -a-boo-magazine.be
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