1. Where did the name Axxa/Abraxas come from?

The name is a combination of two words/ ideas that I’ve come to associate with each other over time. Axxa is something that had some sort of significance to my father, although its meaning is somewhat mysterious. The last poem in a book of poetry that my siblings and I found that he wrote is titled ‘Axxa’. Abraxas is the idea of a God that contains both the light/dark or good/evil aspects of the world. I first heard the word in the book ‘Demian’ by Hermann Hesse, who is my favorite author. Most people assume it’s a reference to the Santana album ‘Abraxas’ however that’s not the case (although I do have that record).

2. What is your musical background? Have you played in other bands?

The last actual band I was in was a short-lived punk band I had in middle school. We had 1 or 2 practices and then the drummer tried to get us to change which instruments we were playing so that we could do a cover of ‘La Bamba’ by Ritchie Valens. We then kicked him out and never found another drummer. Other than that I’ve been recording under various names with various sounds since about 2007 and have been using Axxa/Abraxas since late 2010.

3. Tell us about RTA Art Collective.

This is my little tape label that I used to put out what would become the demos for this upcoming LP as well as recordings from my friends. Most of the stuff I put out on there tends to be more on the experimental side, mostly ambient/ drone/ electronic kinda stuff. I also use it as an outlet to share the visual art that I make. I’ve kind of been a little slow with updating the website but I intend to get back on it once I get all moved in up in Asheville, I’ve got a few new releases in the works.

4. The demo you send caught Katie’s eye immediately. Can you describe the packaging?

I had just sent some tapes to a few smaller labels but hadn’t heard anything from any of them. I had one blank cd and saw on the CT website that cd-rs were preferred so I decided I might as well send it. I took the cd and wrapped it in a screen print done on fabric themed around the album art for the tape called ‘Time Inside’ and included a slip of paper with track listings and contact info. I probably drew a few doodles or something somewhere too. It was my attempt to keep the aesthetic of the tape even though it was a CD-r.

5. You first met us the week of the festival so you got to meet ALL the bands and EVERYONE that works for the label. It was also your first time in New York. Did you have a great time?

I had a blast. Everyone was super cool and welcoming. I almost had too much fun.

6. Since you have only previously recorded at home, what was the experience like going into the studio with Jarvis?

I was definitely a little intimidated going into it but I was able to adjust pretty quickly. Jarvis was awesome and easy to work with and it was cool to have another perspective/ someone to bounce ideas off of. In some ways Jarvis pushed me to go beyond my comfort level and try a few things differently than I have done them in the past with some really good results. I definitely think the experience has made me a better musician.

7. Do you have any other music projects going on at the moment besides Axxa/Abraxas?

Every now and then I make more synth based experimental music under the moniker A.X., which is also the name I use for visual art. I’ve also been playing around with a few friends but we’ll just have to wait and see if that goes anywhere.

8. Who is your favorite poet or book of poetry and why?

Definitely Leonard Cohen. When I was a kid my dad was always debated who was the better songwriter, Dylan or Cohen. While I would go with Neil Young for best songwriter, I would definitely say Cohen is the best poet. I got a copy of his first book of poetry, titled ‘Let Us Compare Mythologies,’ over the summer and spent a lot of time sitting by the creek at the camp I was working at reading through it. The poem ‘Prayer for Messiah’ is a favorite of mine from that book.

9. The AXXA tattoo you have is amazing. When did you get it?

I got that in May of 2012. My older brother has it too, in the same spot. He’s actually had his longer than me by a year or two. It’s for our dad.

10. If this project was a painting what what painting would it be?

The Moment of Transition by Dali.