Interview with Blaine Leslie Reininger (TUXEDOMOON): "When there is no sound, there is still light. When there is no light, there is still being"

What collaborations were / are the most interesting and important to You and why?

I enjoyed very much working with Vini Reilly from Durutti Column and meeting Tony Wilson from Factory Records. I enjoyed working with Richard Jobson, Cabaret Voltaire, Minimal Compact, Roger Eno. I particularly enjoyed working with Mikel Rouse, the New York minimal composer. Savage Republic, Georgio Valentino, so many. Too many.

What are the main ideas are behind Your music?

My music has always been a mirror of my inner life. I live in a multi-media culture so there has always been a multi-media and multi cultural side to what I have done.

Could You name Your favorite Your compositions / albums / collaborations?

My favorite album from Tuxedomoon is no doubt, Desire. The whole experience of recording in England in 1980 and the quality of the music we achieved is beyond compare.

My own record, Night Air, has been my most successful. I am enjoying my current work equally, especially the many pieces I have written for dance and theatre.

The newest Tuxedomoon record is our soundtrack for the documentary on the making of Blue Velvet called “Blue Velvet Revisited” which we did with an London group called Cult With No Name. This record has been getting good press and a lot of attention. It is very good.

The sound is magic. You‘ve proved it. But, what ends, when there‘s no sound?

When there is no sound, there is still light. When there is no light, there is still being.

What is and what is not a Sound Art?

Sound art is made of sound. That which is not composed of energy passing through air is no longer called sound. Art is mostly about pattern recognition.

What do You think about relations between the old art and computer art? Are they compatible?

Art is art. The tools used to realize it are irrelevant. Computers have empowered us in all aspects of our lives, especially our easy access to information of all sorts. This has expanded the horizons of art logarithmically.

What do You think about thousands of neofolk/industrial/ambient/tribal/electroacoustic/avangarde etc. bands/projects? Is it a kind of trend, o just a tendency forwards better music?

I think any flowering of culture is a good thing. The only problem is that society has not been allowed to evolve towards a way of supporting art financially. In order for artists to survive, some new models of support for artists must evolve.

What do You know about Lithuania? What Lithuanian and foreign musicians do You value most?

I know very little about Lithuania. I have never been there either. I would certainly like to visit some day.

What inspires You most?

I am most inspired by life, the universe and everything.

What are You working on right now?

Right now Tuxedomoon is preparing for our 2016 tour. We are playing our first LP, Half Mute in its entirety in 17 European cities.

What does the name Tuxedomoon means to You?

Tuxedomoon's meaning is from a secret and personal history. You are quite free to come up with your own meaning.