Q - About how long has Middleworld been playing together (including older line-ups)?
A - Since 1996, so about 9 years.

Q - What artists or types of music have influenced you guys in what you do today?
A - Well...definitely bands like Radiohead, Tool, the deftones...bands that have taken rock music in different directions. Many of us listen to jazz, hip-hop, R&B, math-metal, but as far as artists go...Salvador Dali, Renoir, Ansel Adams... We try to use a mish-mash of visual and auditory stimulation

Q - Now I understand your guys' new album is titled "Defiance vs. Circumstance", could you give me some background on how the title came about?
A - Well...the album is a very loosely based concept of sorts, the idea of looking at your life in the rear-view mirror, how you can see what you've done with your life at the end of it. "Defiance vs. Circumstance" was one of the ideas that carson, marc and victor hit upon to shape the idea of how we as people deal with what comes at us i.e. what you do with what you're given.

Q - I've heard the single from "Defiance vs. Circumstance", entitled "The Oracle", and it's an intense mix of rock and (what nearly nearly sounds like) rap, but somehow you guys manage to turn it into your own unique blend as opposed to generic rapcore. What made you guys decide this was going to be the single?
A - Actually, that song isn't going to be on the album anymore but, we released it as a single because it was probably something that a lot of people could get into.

Q - It took you guys a while to get this album onto the train tracks and rolling. How do you feel about this recording in comparison with your older works, and is there anything you'd like to share with us about the sessions that led to "Defiance vs. Circumstance"?
A - Well....first off...it didn't have to take this long. We ended up working with several engineers at the studio which hindered the process more than helping it. When you have lots of different minds involved, sometimes things don't pan out the way you want them to. but...we also wanted to do everything we could to make the album just how we wanted it. Unfortunately...due to some...er...engineering "errors" and our old, old bassist making some "errors" that didn't show up until later in the mixing process, we ended up with the last 5 months being a polishing session.

Q - According to the bio on your website (www.middleworld.net), you guys have gone through a bunch of line-up changes. How does this latest line-up differ from the older incarnations of the band and what do(es) the new member(s) bring to Middleworld?
A - Well...for starters this is the first bass player we've ever had who uses a pick primarily, but...other than that...kevin brings a great fresh attitude to the table and a willingness to try anything we throw at him. We've actually gone through about 5 bassists since the beginning, along with 3 guitarists, and 3 singers.

Q - What three words describe Middleworld's music best?
A - beautiful... visceral... cathartic.

Q - The "artwork" section on Middleworld's website is very interesting. Who are the artists in the band?
A - Marc and Victor. Marc does the more "graphic" stuff. Victor is concerned primarily with computer animation and digital video. We try to incorporate as much of it into a live setting as we can. We're working on playing to sequencing live and using a vid screen to project images.

Q - What's to be the next step in promoting "Defiance vs. Circumstance"?
A - Well, making the online rounds...booking big shows i.e. for our area that would be milwaukee/chicago/twin cities/st. louis, and getting a street team up and running so we can promote at other concerts, skate parks, movies and so forth.

Q - In the showdates section of your website, it says you guys have played with a variety of other bands including Mushroomhead, Lacuna Coil, and even the now fallen Primer 55. What was one of your favorite show memories that you'd be willing to share with us?
A - As far as bands go, alston and primer 55 were very kind to us. Best show attendance and "fun" wise was with Seether... big ass crowd, lots of energy, but Seether's tour manager did not like us too much. [He] Didn't want anyone talking to Seether...period. One of my favorite memories was playing at the rave in milwaukee, just cuz its a place with a lot of history and prestige, and we had a great show there with the band s.o.r.e. and as far as shows though... We've had a couple of good ones in our hometown here of Madison WI.

Q - Over the near ten years since Middleworld has emerged, how would you say the band has evolved?
A - Definitely gone in a more "musical" direction, and what i mean by that is we' ve really come to scrutinize every moment that we create. We don't let things just slide anymore, we like to have every moment (or silent moment) count.

Q - Any favorite albums in particular from 2004?
A - Well...the new Candiria was different. The new Meshuggah and the new Bjork were very inspiring. And as far as 2005 goes, the new Bright Eyes is pretty cool.

Q - Was it Kerry or Bush (or neither) last fall? ;)
A - Well, i know everyone voted for Kerry...as far as keeping it private...just say we voted for the person who deserved to win...

Q - Any final comments or shoutouts?
A - Well, i want people to know that we're REALLY stoked to have this thing out finally, we love it when people come to our shows and give us constructive criticism, and if you live in the Midwest and you're reading this...come check out our show February 25th at the Annex, 1206 Regent Street, in Madison WI, and thank you a ton for doing this interview.

No, thank you Matt. It was a pleasure doing business with you. I'd like to wish the best of luck to my friends in Middleworld!