Pigeon Opinion Featuring an Interview with LAKESIDE X

"Factory Flowers" by Lakeside X is an intriguing song, which takes the Prague-based band down the darker path of industrial sounds, combining their characteristic synth-pop style with guitar-heavy sounds. The song, produced by Daniel Myer, emanates a sense of mechanical movement, which reflects themes of technological alienation and the steady erosion of humanity due to digitalization.

The production is dense and immersive, with multiple layers of synths juxtaposed against intense beats and powerful guitar riffs. However, there is a certain degree of humanity in the song, with the distinctive vocals of frontman Janne Marvannen making it possible to connect with the lyrics.

"Factory Flowers" is different from other songs released by Lakeside X due to the presence of both atmosphere and thematic message. While the sound of the song can be described as grim and menacing, it conveys an idea that humans will be deprived of their freedom in the future due to digitalization and the development of technology.

As the first song from the band's upcoming album, "Factory Flowers" presents a new direction in their sound, showing how their style has evolved.

Interview with LAKESIDE X

^> What themes or concepts inspired Lakeside X to create "Factory Flowers," and how does it reflect technological alienation?

Janne: I was thinking about it in a way that social networks and all the online worlds now are creating islands of cognitive bias among people who lack the defensive mechanisms against this artificial universe. People are living more and more online, giving willingly their personal data for free to technological giants without any control. This means that it is us who create this artificial prison for ourselves. We are feeding the fire of factory flowers. These flowers are not real, but we contribute to letting them grow and manipulate us.

^> How did working with producer Daniel Myer influence the sound and production choices on this track?

Daniel is an amazing musician, sound engineer and creative soul. Over the past decades he has become a legend on the German alternative dark and EBM electronic scene. He helpes us a lot in shaping the sound into something we’ve always wanted to create. He always pushes the boundaries and elevates our ideas on the upper level. On top of that, he always sticks to the original idea and purpose of the song, he never puts his ego up front. As a result, we get the song with undisputed Lakeside X mark, but with the sound and feel we would never achieve if it was just up to ourselves.

^> What role does Moimir Papalescu’s mastering play in shaping the industrial, guitar-laced aesthetic of the single?

Same as goes with Daniel in terms of production and mix goes with Moimir when it comes to mastering. He is a brilliant electronic musician himself and feels the song. He always approaches the song with his personal touch, yet with keeping the original author’s ideas in mind. If you want your song to get a real kick, you can be sure that Moimir is the right person.

^> How does the visual art from Adrian T. Bell complement or expand on the themes of the song?

Adrian is English musician, composer, painter and versatile artist living in Prague. We know each other for some time and respect ourselves as musicians and artists. Lately I found some of his ink paintings which really drew my attention and as I was in the middle of composing songs for the new album and the „technology“ versus „hand art“ quite touched me, I thought that could be some another level to add to our work and a really nice and mutual synergy. What we’ve done is that we took some of his crafted ink paintings (which are gorgeous themselves as they are) and made them move in the animation tool. The result is a stunning video that is an excellent mixture of human art and latest technology and it all creates another layer of the song’s theme.

^> In what ways does "Factory Flowers" differ sonically from Lakeside X’s previous albums?

It’s definitely darker, more industrial-type and heavier. The fact that we have a full fledged guitarist has clearly showed up on this new recording. The combination of cold and throbbing electro beat with the industrial percussion and sharp guitars is something that gives the song a unique edge.

^> How does your vocal style convey both fragility and intensity within this darker, industrial context?

The vocal is as it is. You cannot just happen to be someone else and push yourself into vocal positions in which you’re not at home. So the vocal is clearly mine, as fragile as it is. And combined with the heavy base and the pumping beat it kind of emphasises the opposition between the humanity and technology. I like it this way. It’s again clearly recognisable Lakeside X with a slightly different feel.

^> What elements from classic synth-pop are retained, and how are they blended with modern electronic and alternative guitar sounds?

I don’t think in boxes and categories. What we do is make music that we like and we take whatever genre, style or approach that suit the song and the actual mood the best. In the end, every band’s goal should be to obtain their unique sound and so is ours.

^> How has Lakeside X’s extensive live experience, including opening for Depeche Mode, influenced the energy and arrangement of this track?

In past two years we toured a lot, having played dozens and dozens of gigs all around Europe. That itself gives you a certain kind of confidence in what you are doing. Supporting Depeche Mode in front of nearly 40 thousand people was a defining moment, a dream come true and of course a huge experience for us. The more „live“ feel of the new song probably reflects that experience as well. We are far better live band that we have been ever before.

^> How does "Factory Flowers" set the tone for the forthcoming album due this fall?

I can tell at this point (when we’re somewhere in the middle of the process) that there are songs that will have a similar tone to this song but there also will be song which could feel (at least at first glance) completely different. But in general I can say that the new album will be definitely heavier, more industrial and darker than the previous one.

^> What are Lakeside X’s goals in exploring darker, more industrial textures in their evolving sound?

It is always a matter of the actual feeling, of what do want to do and where to go. At this point we feel that the occasions and the feelings go darker, heavier and more serious than ever before. The world goes through some really serious times and it all goes darker or even more sinister than ever before. The technology, algorithms and manipulation against the good will and humanity creates the atmosphere in which you tend to become more involved and worried about the future of the world in which our kids will grow up. All of this will reflect in our new songs.

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out LAKESIDE X on the Pigeon Opinion Playlist