THE CULT's ASTBURY, BORIS' ATSUO Discuss BXI Collaboration Project In New Video Interview

On Monday, September 6, BrooklynRocks conducted an interview with THE CULT frontman Ian Astbury and drummer/vocalist Atsuo of Japanese cult band BORIS about their newly released four-song collaboration EP, simply entitled "BXI". You can watch the chat below.

BXI will perform a full-length set for the first time tonight (Tuesday, September 7) at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Brooklyn, New York as part of a show with JESSE SYKES, SUNN O))) and BORIS.

"BXI" was tracked and mixed in Tokyo in late April and was made available in August via Southern Lord. It showcases the already unclassifiable rock of BORIS in an entirely new light, and shows a new side one of rock and roll's most notorious singers. The release features three new original tracks, as well as a cover of THE CULT's song "Rain", ethereally vocalized by BORIS guitarist Wata. Art and design for the release was commissioned to Stephen O'Malley (IDEOLOGIC.ORG, SUNNO))).

When asked how his involvement with BORIS came out, Astbury told CraveOnline.com in a recent interview, "It was kind of a long time in the making, I'd say about two years. I saw BORIS play about five years ago at the Knitting Factory in New York and seeing them perform was such a profound experience. I tried to get them to perform with THE CULT, I kept emailing their manager, but our schedules never matched up Eventually being a big fan of SUNN O))) I got to meet up with Stephen (O'Malley) and Greg (Anderson) at a performance and they kind of made the introduction to BORIS a lot quicker. The collaboration was something BORIS instigated knowing I was a big fan of them and their music. They sent me ten pieces of music and worked out when the best time for me to come out and do vocals. I had a long time to live with the music and become very familiar with it so I choose three pieces I liked and went to Tokyo to do vocals."

Regarding what was it about BORIS that drove him to want to work with them, Astbury said, "I was just struck by the commitment of what they do and the totality of their music. There's no sort of jocular joking around or high fiving or 'rock 'n' roll' (does it with a high voice) stuff, none of that. It's all about business very serious, it's fine art and Shakespearean in the scope. Very layered, very textured, the performances are incredibly committed. Every note they play, every sound the play is very serious."

"BXI" EP track listing:

01. Teeth and Claws
02. We are the Witches
03. Rain
04. Magickal Child