July Profile: Initialization String Website: http://initializationstring.com Contact: initstring@hotmail.com Audio: http://mp3.com/initstring

How did you guys get started?
In September of 97 we both met at a friend's house when I (Josh Meredith) played Aaron Anthony a tape of some music i made on my computer. Aaron who also had a background in graphics and computers was totally turned on by this and from there we exchanged cds, ideas and shared similar passions. We decided to start writing music together and since we both worked in tech support at the time we came up with the name Initialization String or Init String for short. From there we started collecting gear, drum machines, samplers, synths (especially analogs) and then we even moved into a house together with a studio and started making tracks.

Who inspires Initialization String musically and why?
Orbital because of their melodic compositions and they're badass live, Shpongle (Simon P) for his complex textures, production and spiritual vibes, Pleiadians aka Etnica because of their full on melodic intensity, Eat Static because of their non descript and versatile styles, Portishead because its sexy and smooth, Mu Ziq because its the craziest drum programming we've ever heard, Sub Olso for being the dopest dub band in Texas, DJ Shadow for his smooth melodic hip hop flavor and just simple things like the light shining through the trees can inspire music from us. There are sooo many more we could list on this question :)

How much have you changed musically since you started?
A lot has changed over the years. In the beginning we loved and liked so many different styles. Our live sets would go from breaks, to trance to drum and bass to downtempo and back around again. It was never preprogrammed we always loved to play what we felt the crowd needed at the time not to mention playing live is just plain fun! We started off playing at metal shows then went on to clubs, raves and even indi rock music festivals to SXSW etc. Our first LP "Glitzed" was so versatile in styles each song was totally different. From there we started to get really inspired by goa and psychedelic trance and took on a new direction. We then embraced our live hand drummer/producer Mike Hale into the group to add the earthy natural, tribal feel to our techy electronic sound. We started playing a lot more raves and clubs and came out with our newest LP "Feedback Loops" that was much more on the trance side of things blended with lots of breaks.

Now we have entered a new era with our live performances. Since we both have backgrounds in video, graphics and animation before we even started making electronic music we started using those old skills again to create synced up video and visuals that respond to the music along with our live performance making the entire environment more interactive. We think that visuals at an event should be apart of the music just like everything else there and finding the perfect blend between music and visual art can create something beautiful.

We also have started our new record label called "Subtle Distortion" records and we're self-releasing our first single, "Gelfling's Wonderland" on vinyl in September.

Name two of your favorite Tracks.
Aaron and I have different opinions on this but between both of us:
Midnight in a Perfect World - DJ Shadow
The Egg - Autechre

What do you think of the current state of the Dallas Scene?
I think the djs here are very good, but i wish there were more record labels and producers in the area so that more music could thrive more out of here. I've seen the Dallas scene have its ups and downs from "rave" scene as authorities try to stomp out our night life, but i think that for the most part the people here that are into this type of music are receptive and hopefully be open to change as this music and the culture following it evolves. I am however very glad to see that promoters here are not as dirty and shady as they were in the past. Most everyone doing parties and events now a days may have different tastes, but they're all working together for a common good cause. Dancing is a unifying and therapeutic thing to humanity. Its a privilege to have and i hope that most people see that, and not abuse dance culture as an excuse to use drugs.

When is your next gig?
July 3rd, 2001 at the Home Bar in Dallas, we'll be debuting our new live synced up visual performance.September 1st, 2001- Sainted Rhythms, at Pulse in Austin

Do you want to thank anyone?
Our Creator, my(Josh's) parents for all their support, Bob Moog, Dj Stereotype from KNON, David Green(UMP), Keith Elliot, Aeon & Nobody, AI Collective, Mike Hale, Derek Shull,WE Records, Zonk & Aaron(ATB),Blurr(Jordan), Don & Tony from One Ton records, Layne Tisdale with Lotus magazine, every single one of our friends who have supported us over the years and most of all, all the smiling faces and people dancing at our shows. :)