Q & A: Enon
by Lio | 00.00.0000

Enon, like many true artists live and breathe for the music that they create. Offering fans and newcomers alike with sounds that are freshly away from the mainstream tunes of modern radio, Enon are putting out amazing artistic records that kids are going apeshit over. So open your mind/ears and your hearts will follow.


Who are the band members and what do they play?
John: guitar/voice/bass/samples
Matt: drums/samples
Toko: bass/voice/keys/samples

How, when, and where did you guys form?
Enon began in 1998 when John recorded a 7-inch after moving to NYC from KY. He later enlisted the help of Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon (formerly of Skeleton Key) and put together a two week tour in early '99, followed by the immediate recording of their debut album (w/D Sardy) called Believo!. Just before the release of Believo in early 2000, Toko joined on bass and Matt took over for Steve on drums. Thus the new 4-piece Enon toured until the end of the year, followed by the recording of High Society. Etc. Etc. Etc.

What does Enon mean?
The name comes from a small town near Dayton, Ohio. The word "Enon" means all kinds of things, though, and we like it cause it's sorta ambiguous. It could mean anything or nothing.

Are any of you currently involved in any other bands/projects outside of your busy schedule with Enon?
Unfortunately, no. We are very busy with this, which is just fine, but occasionally I get the itch. I played with lots of people in Ohio before I moved because drummers aren't easy to come by (I guess), but since I moved here it's been non-stop action. Cool with me!

I may be completely wrong about this, but I think John used to play in one of my favorite bands, Brainiac. Did any of the rest of you play in any other projects before Enon?
Yeah, you're right. Brainiac ruled and John was in that group after the original guitarist Michele (who plays in the awesome Shesus) split. Toko was in the Lapse just before Enon, and I was in two groups: Let's Crash and Lab Partners, who are still going...

I see that you guys just toured Japan. Can you tell us what the crowd experience is like over there compared to here? Did you sing any songs in Japanese?
The crowds were just like anywhere. In some cities people party and in others they don't. Toko does sing a song on the new record in Japanese, but we don't play it cause we'd need a gamelan orchestra!

"In This City" is one of your hottest new songs, gaining a ton of attention throughout indie clubs due to your 12-inch remix album. Can you tell us something about what influenced that song?
Toko wrote that one....sorry! I suppose it's influenced by the city she lives in. It reminds me of the desperation of living here in NY. It's hard, but it's also really fun.

Is there any special way, out of the normal convention of recording/writing, that you guys come up with you songs?
We are influenced by many things... sometimes a noisy ceiling fan will inspire a song, or a zany Japanese video game, perhaps. NY is full of sound. When you stand in the Union Square subway station, it's obvious where groups like Mars or Sonic Youth have gotten some of their more abrasive ideas. Plus we get to travel a lot and that's inspiring as well.

Being around since 1998, have you seen a big difference in the change of attitude that people have toward new music?
No. People in general are still looking for the next big thing. Back then it was like, what's next? I figured rock music would become popular again, and sure as shit, it did a couple years later. You kind of look and see what music is suffering around you and it's probably gonna be on "the next big thing" list in SPIN next year. Occasionally you get a curve ball, like the Shins, who are so great....

Was it really hard in the beginning to get people to take notice of what you were doing?
I don't think so. We were lucky that people were sort of waiting for John to do something. People were receptive. I think it's much harder to get people to care once you aren't "the new thing" anymore, ya know?

On the back of your CDs, it says that you guys live in Brooklyn. Within the past three to five years Brooklyn neighbors have gained a ton of more popularity. Where it seemed that before people would avoid going out there. Has the changes over the years influenced you and/or your music in any way?
Surely it has, but not on the surface. We obviously don't follow trends. We try to exist out of time, which is a blessing and a curse. But we do live here, and Brooklyn can't help but influence you if you're in it. As far as a sound, though, not at all. Black Dice are here, and Blood on the Wall, and Les Savy Fav....We don't sound like any of these bands, and they don't sound like us. It's good. It may not seem like it to a music journalist in Indiana, but there is way more going on than would seem....and that stuff is just the rockin' stuff... what about all the hip-hop? or Antibalas?

What's your favorite type of environment to play in and why? Club, party, festival...
All are good for different reasons. Parties are cool, but you may have too much to drink and not have such a good show. Festivals are usually a pain, but the European ones are fun! They take care of you.

With your great number of releases, what do you feel is your favorite and why?
My favorite is a single we did for a Dayton label called Do Tell Records. It's so Dayton-core. It has a lot of songs on it. John and Toko would probably have different ones. We are about to release a 10-inch of gambling music (on Shake It records) that may be the next favorite.

Any plans for your next release?
The 10-inch I just mentioned, and hopefully an EP of some more rhythmic stuff recorded during Hocus Pocus that's really exciting to me. Maybe a singles comp... We'll see.