HAIL TSEZAR!
July 2003
To many, Jamie and Jan are probably better-known as the guitarist and drummer of the local alt-rock (Ira Losco-fronted) band Tiara. However, with Ira busy etching out a solo career (meaning that Tiara is basically on an indefinite pause) Jamie and Jan have been channelling their musical resourcefulness into other areas, namely this largely electronically charged project that goes by the Hellenic name of Tsezar. But what exactly, or better still, who, is Tsezar?
Originally, I am told, the name was Tsezar (Jamie) & Doxa (Jan), but something about that didn’t quite click and it was briskly trimmed down to Tsezar. The name (it’s Greek for Caesar in case you were guessing) has an aura about it, a kind of familiar feeling yet still somewhat unusual, which as I am to find out later, pretty much reflects the music produced by this duo. But Tsezar is not exactly the first electronic experience for either Jamie or Jan. In fact, Jamie has already worked on electronic music as part of the Soulful Impulse project, although he credits his father’s Tomita collection and Jan’s taste for eclectic electronica as an influence. In Jan’s case, the experience came mainly via the aural pleasures of listening to distinct works by the likes of Aphex Twin, Autechre and U-Ziq. It was when the two of them discovered their affinity for this exciting new breed of music that the seeds of what would become Tsezar were sown.
Both of them sound very excited about the music they are working on, and with good reason too. Having listened to their music, I can honestly say I was impressed. Refusing to stick to just one style, the variety of genres they draw from bears an important common factor – each song oozes an ambience of warmth and familiarity, even if you’ve only just heard it. This, to me at least, is essential. Not in a ‘great it’s gonna be popular’ kind of way, but because I like to feel connected to the music I listen to. Perhaps a particular exception at this point is Tsezar’s first recording, Horny Hot Robot. This slab of retro-pumped electropop is way more extrovert and blatantly infectious than the other tracks I’ve heard. If you haven’t heard it yet, it’s because local radios have yet to learn that there is more to pop music than just Girls Aloud, Busted and 50 Cent!
Working as a duo must feel different to being in a band, but Jamie insists that the process still feels the same. It is still a matter of composition, structure and most importantly, inspiration. There is of course less diversity of opinions, and naturally less arguments, but it can’t all be perfect, can it? I mean, there must be things you hate about each other. Jamie reacts smoothly, “Well, Jan can really be finicky and choosy, but that can be a good thing too I guess.” Indeed it can be, but what does the other half think of the issue. “There two aspects actually,” Jan tells me, “Jamie is simply too stubborn if it’s something I don’t agree with, or totally dedicated if it’s something I’m in favour of”. That’s the way to get out of a tricky question, I guess, which is why I find myself thinking both these guys could easily take up a career in politics…
Maybe not, as my next question – a particular favourite of mine actually – has them both scratching their heads. And I thought naming the best tune ever written is such a simple question too. “How can I possibly choose just one” Jamie complains. “I think I’ll pass” – that’s Jan. Oh, alright then – just name your favourite album! This, you may think, should be easier, but it still takes both of them a while to narrow it down, so I (again) allow the rules to be bent a little further. “Just name a few favourites”, I tell them, and a relieved Jamie quickly name checks The Beatles’ White Album and The Smiths’ Meat Is Murder as must-have titles. Pausing briefly to think, he adds the Boards Of Canada album track Happy Cycling to the list, probably to balance the equation. Interestingly, Jan’s choice puts The Orb’s Plateau next to U-Ziq’s Goodbye Goodbye and, perhaps, the strangest pick of the lot, Franco Battiato’s Da Oriente Ad Occidente. This handful of picks is actually enough for me to get an idea of where Tsezar, and more importantly, their influences, are coming from, even if there are no obvious pointers in the music they produce. And if there was any doubt to the diversity of their taste, their latest CD acquisitions vary from Massive Attack’s 100th Window, Aphex Twin’s Classics and Battiato’s Fetus to John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and Blur’s Think Tank!
In an attempt to throw them a bit off-course, I ask them to pick between Eiffel 65, Kylie Minogue and Las Ketchup, if all of these artistes offered Tsezar a support slot. “Kylie Minogue!”, they reply in unbelievably synchronized unison. “There is no question about it”, Jamie explains, “she is the only one with real talent, glamour and star quality”. I agree, although I suspect that behind it all, the issue of looks and legs probably also had something to do with it. There isn’t much time to ponder over it though, as the conversation quickly turns to the topic of remixes, and since this aspect is something of a newly acquired fashion locally, I ask if there is any Maltese band they’d like to do a remix for. “Of course”, is the answer, as I expected. Jamie actually sounds very keen on the idea, especially if the band is either Beangrowers or Lumiere. Jan’s preferred choice is to do a remix of a Shostakovich’s Nightmare track, and after hearing what he has in mind for such a ‘project’, I really do hope it does materialise – which is why I’m not divulging any more details of it just yet!
Looking at my watch, I realise that it is probably better to pop one last question to round up the ‘interview’, although ‘chat’ would be a more appropriate term, I suppose. “What has been the best moment of your musical career so far?” is my final request, and, going by Jamie’s instant grin, I’m guessing there are a few to go round. A brief pow-wow with Jan ensues – the final verdict is…the Tiara gigs in Gozo! According to Jamie, those gigs were the greatest, not necessarily (or just) for the band’s onstage performances, some of which he admits may in fact have been less than memorable, but essentially because it was a group of close friends having fun! Further to the Tiara gigs, however, I am sure that Tsezar’s debut live PA at the Beatrix Fashion Show last month must have been a major highlight. “Yes, that was an exciting gig to launch ourselves – many thanks to Charles and Ronald of Beatrix for the opportunity, by the way - but there is actually more in store!” More in this case, means live performances at cool hangouts like Juuls, the release of a low profile EP and a number of gigs which will include a full set of live hiphop featuring rapper Dizzy, so be on the lookout!
Recommended weblink: www.tsezar.com
