JJ: Who does your artwork and photography--and what's the concept for your CD cover art about?

ILYA: Our artwork and website is done by Duane (guitar). The photos were taken by Chari Verespej while she was in school for photography. Duane saw the photo (before it was the cover of course) and felt it visually fit the sound of "Poise..." and ILYA. He presented it to the rest of the band and everyone liked it.

(coverfoto)

ILYA: The cover photo is very much open to interpretation...just like our music.
But one way we look at it is that it's very powerful, while still being gentle...which ties in with the title of the record.

JJ: How did you wind up in San Diego, or are all of you SD natives?

ILYA: All of us grew up in the San Diego area except Duane. He moved here in 1994 for his career as a professional skateboarder.

JJ: What is your work/studio ethic if any?

ILYA: Puntuality, accountability, respect, and HUMOR are our studio ethics.

JJ: What other modes of art would you say influence your work?

ILYA: Cinematography, photography, and literature.

JJ: Who are some of your favorite artists?

ILYA: We all have broad tastes in music, and they don't all overlap...so, we don't know if naming particular artists is fair to everyone in the band.

JJ: What's a 'dream collaboration for you--someone you have yet to work with but who you'd love to work with?

ILYA: There is probably only one person so far that we've discussed that would be a 'dream collaboration,' and that person is Nigel Godrich. For people who do not know him he's the producer that worked with Radiohead on their last three records...especially OK Computer.

But surely, we'll talk more about this subject before our next record.

JJ: How easy was it for you to find distribution for your music?

ILYA: Actually, as of now "Poise..." is self-released...so we have no distribution. We're "feeling" around to see what's best for ILYA. But so far, outlets like MP3.com have been a big help, as well as Better Looking Records (betterlookingrecords.com) for letting us sell the record on their site.

JJ: Thanks so much for allowing us this vantage point, this insight into your music. We wish you continued success.
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Nab a copy of "Poise is the Greater Architect" and support indie-thinkers, indie-expression, and indie music. Sonic, heart, mind, body, soul, spirit voyages are guaranteed. This music is illustrious. For every ugly eep, bleep, bop and boombip, there is a sweet, soft, gentle ooh, ah, and summery whisper to keep their sound at once edge, balanced and challenging.

VISIT ILYA'S OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE @:
http://www.ilyamusic.com

CHECK OUT AN EXCLUSIVE AUDIO INTERVIEW @
mp3.com/ilyarock

Thank you for your kind attention.