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Elisabeth Esselink works out of a second hand CD shop in Amsterdam producing unique electronic pop music as Solex. To date Solex have released one album "Solex vs The Hitmeister" and toured the world, including a stint in the UK as support to Quickspace. With work on a second album, "Pick Up" underway, Re:mote Induction took a moment to have a chat with her.

Re:mote Induction : In an attempt to set a visual scene, anchor this in reality if you like, what time is it? First when you read this, second when you respond?

Solex: I read it as soon as you sent it.
Now it's three days later, nine o'clock at night, still sunny in warm Amsterdam. I didn't have time to answer quicker, cause I have to record some more stuff for a special occasion.

Re:mote Induction : As I understand it, your forthcoming single Randy Costanza, is about a comic book writer/artist you became interested in while touring America. Could you tell us a bit about the gentleman and in particular, what it was about this author that inspired you?

Solex: When we toured America the second time we played Pittsburgh, and when you tour America it's quite common to crash on peoples floors. We met Randy through one of the nice people from Matador. After the show we slept at Randy's floor. He is amazing,......and so is his floor !!!
He makes beautiful cartoons and posters and has got an uncommon sense of humour. He reminded me of a very young Woody Allen. He has a huge collection of "pictures taken when Randy was drunkdrivin' " , and my favourite title of one of his comics is: '5 minutes of your time, half a year of my life'.
The third time we toured the US we stayed again at his house. He got us totally drunk that night. He was the promotor for that night's show and his own band -the Letdowns- was supporting us.
He is also an exellent drummer. There is nothing Randy can't do.

Re:mote Induction : Are comic books something you were already interested in? If yes, what would you recommend reading, if no, is it a medium you think you may study further?

Solex: Not really......sorry

Re:mote Induction : Have you/would you ever consider producing your own comic book?

Solex: No, however the DIY artwork for Pick Up is a bit comics-like.

Re:mote Induction : With ­Solex vs. The Hitmeister", Solex has quite an identity. To what extent is this an alter ego and where, if at all, does she differ from yourself?

Solex: Solex is not really an alter ego. More of a constant factor I could hold on to during recording the hitmeister. Solex changes identity on the hitmeister in every song. I'm more of a constant/steady type.

As long as music has got balls of fire it's o.k.with me !!! To me Pink Floyd is boring music for the boring by the boring.

Re:mote Induction : How frequently do you write and how real is your subject matter?

Solex: We've been touring from March till December last year. I started recording right after we came back in Holland.
I can't write music while touring, not even the lyrics cause I write these after I got the music fixed.
Last week I sent the Pick Up master to the US, but I'm still recording.
There are still special projects going on. I have to make a leader for a new Music program on TV and some covers for a special occasion...

Re:mote Induction : Besides Randy Costanza are any of your other songs about real people?

Solex: Well the song about Randy is not really about Randy. I thought it was nice to honour him in a song. All my songs are 'autobiographical fiction'. Stuff that should happen or should have happened to me or my friends....pretty vague huh??

Re:mote Induction : What would you consider to be essential for day to day life?

Solex: Love........................no really!!!

Re:mote Induction : What is counter-productive?

Solex: Sex...........so I've read somewhere

Re:mote Induction : Prior to Solex, had you been involved in many other musical projects?

Solex: I was a singer in a noise band called Sonetic Vet. I was drummer in another band.

I always like the fact that it is very hard to predict were you gonna be five years from now. Suddenly you can call yourself a shrink. Suddenly you're a singer in a bossa nova-band. Suddenly you're a drummer. Suddenly you're the owner of a second hand CD shop. Suddenly you're an aerobic teacher. Suddenly you're Solex and you see your own record in a Japanese store.

Re:mote Induction : Have you any desire to collaborate with anyone in the future? At present, who do you feel is producing quality music?

Solex: Not really... I'm sort of happy on my own.
Quality is not a quality music should have. As long as music has got balls of fire it's o.k.with me !!!
Some people may think Pink Floyd is quality music. To me Pink Floyd is boring music for the boring by the boring.
I like the new Pavement...

Re:mote Induction : Assuming you indulge the movie industry, what was the last good film you saw or alternatively what, if you have one, is your favourite? What do you feel makes a good film?

Solex: I'm not a hardcore film fan. I like Rosemary's Baby and my fav movie is The Champ. You know, the boxing film with the little guy?? See...I'm a nitwit when it comes to movies.
Tears make a good film!!!

Re:mote Induction : What has touring meant for you?

Solex: An experience, to say the least. We've been to a lot of countries and met a lot of gross people.
Sometimes you sleep on floors or at cheap hotels. In some countries (I won't mention them ;) ) the food is an insult to humanity.
Sometimes you have to wake up at three in the morning.
But the funny thing is....all the bad memories fade away, cause we only take pictures of the nice moments....( who takes pictures at three in the morning???)
To be short,....I can't hardly wait to go on tour again.

Re:mote Induction : What has Solex done for you and what do you hope to achieve, either through Solex or otherwise, in the future?

Solex: I always like the fact that it is very hard to predict were you gonna be five years from now. Suddenly you can call yourself a shrink. Suddenly you're a singer in a bossa nova-band. Suddenly you're a drummer. Suddenly you're the owner of a second hand CD shop. Suddenly you're an aerobic teacher. Suddenly you're Solex and you see your own record in a Japanese store. That's what Solex has done for me. It kept my life unpredictable, and I like that.

Re:mote Induction : Any immediate plans?

Solex: How about a cigarette??

Re:mote Induction : Is there anything else you would like to add? Perhaps some topic you feel I have overlooked?

Solex: Food at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

Re:mote Induction : Finally, I'd like to thank you for your time and wish you all the best with your forthcoming album.

Solex: O.K. ,bye bye

Andrew
June 1999

More Information

Solex

new exclusive MP3 - new links - including label site and other interviews

Solex Vs The Hitmeister

re:mote induction review of this album

Solex live

re:mote induction review of Solex live.