Can you believe it, 20 years in the making and we're finally doing this interview! Well then, I won't beat about the bush. This has been one of the worst years of my life for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is I have systematically pissed everyone I have come into contact with off for one inexplicable thing or another. So it seems reasonable to assume that if you don't have a bone to pick with me already, the odds are you probably will before we finish here.Therefore, I think it's probably best that you guys just lay it on me now, and we can quickly move on.

So, are you mad that the interview we were supposed to do 2 years ago got put off to this past May and even then didn't get done? Mad about any of my reviews? Do I have bad breath? Did I accidentally run over a dog you knew? Are you simply put off that I'm alive? Would you like to run me over with your Cadillac? I know there must be something I've done, so please, let me have it, I know I deserve it.... All I ask is that you refrain from vulgarity and try to remain true to the standards of creative causticity that quality roasting is renown for.

Wow, an interview that I get license to roast the interviewer. This must be a first. Let's see...I actually felt really bad that you never received an advance copy of our last record, which I'll apologize again for. As far as a bone to pick, nothing comes to mind, but we'll see as the questions mount. Sorry about your bad year. I suppose it's coming to an end, though. Yay 2006!

Why all the guilt? Do you feel bad that you don't like our second album as much as the first? It's ok. I don't feel bad, why should you?

I got off pretty easy.... No, it wasn't a problem not getting the promo. I don't mind supporting the cause when I can. And Akina, it isn't guilt I feel it's depression. If you walked even a little while in my shoes this year you'd feel it too. Anyway, we're starting out OK, lets see where it leads....

I had told you two I had just attended a wedding, which brought up an interesting social paradox. Present of course was the obligatory DJ, playing the obligatory 70's classic rock, country and even rap thru a PA system that could reach 137 decibels and burst every eardrum within 30 feet while managing to sound like crap the entire time. (I had a slight case of tinnitus later that evening back in our B&B)

Anyway, the funny part is when he first started and nobody was drunk yet, nobody was dancing. Our daughter was in another part of the inn set aside for kids at this time. Later in the evening, as they got drunker, the dance floor got more and more packed. Eventually I went and rescued our kid who was bored to death and brought her down. Now the DJ had said he'd play anything you wanted, and Shannon (my kid) has been all worked up over the song "Happiest Days Of My Life" by My Favorite since she saw the vid on that new DVD comp I just got. (I was sure she knew the song beforehand anyway but apparently not) So I went to the car and got a disc with it on and asked him to play it.

I don't recall the crap that preceded it, but the minute My Favorite started, as if they knew innately even though piss stinking drunk, everyone vacated the floor but for like 4 people and my kid who was dancing her head off. Good music really is like poison to most people, it's simply amazing.

Shannon then asked if I'd ask him to play one of her other faves, "This Is I" by Darcy. I agreed to ask simply because that's really a C&W like song and I was curious how the hillbillies would react to it. Surely they'd stay for that, and by the time it got played everyone was dancing again. Alas, no change, and as soon as it started they completely vacated the floor this time. All I can say is we're alone, we're meant to be, and we should stop worrying about it. It's their loss I say. Have you two had similar experiences?

Weddings.. We never really had a reception like that, and I’m kind of glad. At least the DJ played what you wanted. I’ve attended two weddings in which the dj turned into a turntable natzi.

My sister got married about 7 years ago to my good friend. Beforehand, she picked out what kind of music she wanted (from a list). It was to be 80’s new wave hits, oldies, and then whatever we brought. Instead it was “celebrate good times” and “Proud Mary”. Really! - And he kept turning away our music. We had to have friends drive home to get CD’s and then he’d play like one track and go back to Whitney Houston. The same thing happened at my old college roommates wedding. It was filled with crap like Xtreme’s “More than words”. He actually shot down the groom when he asked him to play our stuff. Terrible.

Anyway, I’m glad you and Shannon had better DJ luck.

I know very little about you two, and most of that seems to be urban legend. Since you changed your website there's even less info about you, so lets start at the beginning. I was always under the impression the both of you were originally from Delaware, but I can only find references to you both starting in New York City. Which is it?

I've actually never been to Delaware. Ak and I met in Boston, but Kanda didn't really start playing shows until we moved to New York.

Delaware??

If your website is going to be vague and New Order-esque then don't be surprised how ill informed people get. I never got a promo and press sheet after all...... :^ )

I also vaguely remember reading something years ago about you both meeting at some Seal fan club I believe. (the artist, not the mammal) Was that a bunch of nonsense or actually true, and for the record are either of you fond of Seal? If it's not true and I'm mad or thinking of someone else, how did you both meet?

On our original website, we did state that we met at a Terrence Trent D'Arby fanclub. (Ed. Note: Yes, sorry, that's it) I won't tell you if that is fact or our lame idea of a joke, but let's just say I've got "Wishing Well" on 12" Vinyl.

My friend Ellen really likes Seal. Well, only his hit album- but I know she likes him because I was there when she bought the CD.

Am I correct in assuming the two of you were an "item" before the idea of a band formed, or instead like celebrities did you have a band first and then fall in love with your co-star? Is it a Brad Pitt thing Akina? I'm tempted to say something else but knowing my luck this year I'll stop right here....

I'd like to know what else you wanted to say. (Ed. Note: So would I but it was so long ago I forgot now) No, we weren't an item before starting the band. Getting to that point took a lot of trying on my part and quite a few rejections. However, Arland prevailed!

How can you not like Arland? Who doesn't like Arland?

Well, apparently you didn't at first, at least not that way. Glad to see you wouldn't take no for an answer Arland. Anyway, so then you got married in Vegas with Elvis. Do you have a picture to share?

We got married at the little white wedding chapel. Apparently a lot of celebrities got married there: Patty Duke, Michael Jordan, and recently Britney Spears. Elvis sang and the pastor got my name wrong. Stew and Jen from boyracer were there, looking mighty uncomfortable. Akina's old friend Aubrie and her Fiance were present. No family or other friends attended as it was pretty spur of the moment. We have pictures as well as a video. I suppose we could get you a picture. However, they are pretty embarrassing as I have a cut above my eye from an impromptu bachelor party a few days prior. It turned out to be a great night, complete with a helicopter ride over the city.

Akina and Rodney. 4-eva!

"Rodney, do you take Akina..." LOL One wonders how he got Akina right then.

So where did the idea of forming a band originate from? Were you both musically enabled from your youth? I wonder how it happens that people find each other and albums get made as a result. It is sort of odd actually.

Both Akina and I have played music for a long time. She studied violin since grade school and I played piano since the age of five. While growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan I played in number of bands, some good and some awful. After leaving high school early to have a year off spent drinking, playing shows and doing a variety of things I won't mention in this interview, I went to Boston for college. After learning how to record on a computer (with the help and mentoring of my roommate and mahogany member bobby pietrusko) I wanted to do a computer/live thing, but didn't have anyone to sing with me. I eventually asked akina to help out as I already had a show planned with Steward and only a few songs reasonably done. They were mostly total crap, but turned into half of "It's a good name for you" with a lot of help from bobby, andrew, and akina. It turns out that the show with steward got cancelled as he broke his collar bone (for the hundredth time). A few days after the show got cancelled, we left for New York and worked more with andrew and bobby.

It started out as something fun. I thought I was just helping Arland out with some recordings, but it turned out we became a band. We were really fortunate to have all the support from Stewart, who was willing to put our record out and Bobby and Andrew for the recording/production process.

Did you have a solid idea of what the band would sound like, or did it take some playing to find your own "niche"? Were you influenced by the sounds of any other bands of did you desire to be as original as possible? Aside from what sounds like some choice New Order sounding bass lines, I'd say you managed a fairly original sound which is a tough thing to do. (but as I said before, I approve of lifting the bass lines)

No, I did not have a solid idea of the sound at all. I only had an idea of what certain songs would sound like. Of course, we did rip off Peter Hook early on in Champions on Ice. Bobby and I really like his bass lines, who doesn't? The sound was shaped as we went along, by bobby, andrew, akina and I. Bobby and andrew were really key to making the first album sound like it does. So really...praise or blame them. The second album was done without them, but with a lot of help from James Nixon - another college friend, and a very knowledgeable guy.

There wasn't any intent to anything we did... It all came together, with a lot of help from Andrew Prinz and Bobby Pietrusko.

Was Kanda the first choice of name? I get the impression the word means something, and if so, could you translate? If one does a web search for it a lot of Oriental stuff comes up. Also, who's responsible for the album name and tag line 'It's a good name for you' which I assume relates to it as well.

It was just the file name for the first song, VPL - Two people's intials that were supposed to be on it "K" and "A". However, it is a place in Japan with a lot of used book stores. Akina would know more about exactly where it is. Akina and I chose the album names. There's a certain logic to the titles and they're derived from a single source. It's a secret (we really like woody allen).

Kanda was the only name we had. It's also a prefecture in Japan and a Japanese surname- so that will probably explain why you'll run into a lot Asian-related results when searching on the internet.

So then, how did it begin? Did you write a number of songs and then look for a label, or did you label shop with a few demos first? Did you get a lot of turn downs before 555 grabbed you? I wouldn't think so but I've come to know better. In fact, it seems the better the band is, the harder it can be. Labels seem to go out of their way to sign crap instead of good bands.

Well, it began by me seeing stewart anderson from boyracer do his Steward thing - which is totally sweet. It's just him with a guitar and a CD backing with samples and a whole bunch of noise. It was the best thing I had seen in years - too rad to put into words..SWEET! So, I got to talking with him after the show and he said he'd be back in Boston in a few weeks. While he was back he stayed with me and I gave him a cd with a really crappy version of "VPL" on it. He emailed awhile later and said that he'd like to do a 7" of it.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we're a really lucky band. As of yet, we haven't had to label shop. Nor have we booked any of our shows. People have been kind to us.

What I am most impressed with is you guys record at home do you not? Impressed because the quality is extraordinary. Bands recorded even just 12 years ago in studios rarely have the dynamics many kids like you achieve at home. Is it the modern equipment or do you have a gift?

Thank god for computers and friends that know how to record. We owe our friends big time for that. Ak and I can do an alright home recording job, but it definitely gets reworked by others (always at home).

Oh no. Our friends are the ones who are gifted (and have a bunch of modern equipment). Arland and I record on a budget- which makes for interesting sounds I suppose...

OK, so what's this whole Cadillac story? You toured with Boyracer, correct? Who came up with the idea, why did you choose a car like that, and what happened on that bizarre tour of the east, from the south to the north? Did you actually live in the car a lot? Was it a lark of youth, or in other words, would you even consider doing something like it again?

Oh man.. the Cadillac. The tour with boyracer was fantastic and we were so happy that they asked us to do it. Everyone got along really well. We were out from February to May. So, it was long. We played shows night after night and only got a hotel once while in upstate New York. We did sleep in the car in Canada after the Racers almost got killed in a late night drive across the Canadian Rockies. It was really scary. However, every other night we stayed at someone's house, usually on the floor. I can't say enough good things about that tour or how great Boyracer was to us. We drank a lot on that tour. Keeping up with stewart is a challenge that few can meet. Ak and I tried our best. I'm not sure if we could do that again and we promised the car that it wouldn't have to cross the country any more.

Touring is the best! Touring with Boyracer is the best-est.

What are your best, worst and funniest memories from that "tour".

Most of the East Coast shows were great: Boston, New York, North Carolina, D.C., etc. The upper midwest was cool as well, especially Ohio. The first night of the tour was in Athens, GA. Our car made it all the way down from Michigan and died after the show. Luckily some great people, Ian and Jimmy took us in and let us stay until our car was fixed. We then rejoined the tour in North Carolina (unfortunately missing some awesome florida shows). One of the best nights was followed by one of the worst. We made a 17 hour drive to Edmonton, Canada and were greeted by this great crew of kids. They fed us plenty of beer, set up a great show, and even got an after hours lock down in a bar for us. I woke up on a hardwood floor having spent no money to have a great night. The next night we played in Calgary, got heckled by a fat drunk townie who stole stew's beer, had to sit in the parking lot watching ladies of the night make their rounds, found chewing gum in the pizza, and then made that life threatening trek across the Canadian Rockies. It sucked.

Williamsburg, VA was rad!! We played at a little coffee shop on the campus of William & Mary... Before the show, we were all tired, wet, and cold. Honestly, we weren't that psyched to be playing. The place ended up being packed. That must have been the best show we played (at the time)- as far as I can remember. We sold lots of stuff and got to sleep on a real bed for the first time on tour. It's not really an exciting story, I know... Sorry. But that was my favorite on that tour. There's a bunch of funnies that happened on tour... It'd take too much time and probably wouldn't be as entertaining if I tried to re-tell any of it.

Do you still own the car? If not, what became of it?

We do still own the car. We both look funny driving it.

I've been told that when I'm driving, people aren't able to see me- as the steering wheel blocks my face. In my defense, the driver's seat sorta sags. It's been broken in over the years by Arland's dad.

So after all this, you decide to go to Portland for vacation. What prompted this, and what caused you to turn a vacation into permanency? Isn't Portlands tourism slogan "It's not as rainy and dreary here as you think it is."

Being in portland during the summer time is the best. Winter is...soggy. However, we have some friends here and more have moved out. It's a great city.

We like it here.

So you then bought the home that graces the cover of your new album. I know Kanda money didn't buy that, so what do you guys actually do to make moolah?

Yeah! We couldn't buy anything with Kanda royalty checks! Good god. I work at a Youth Philharmonic, doing office stuff. It's a great job. Really great people work there and the kids are so good - better than I have ever dreamed of being.

Man, you're pretty presumptuous- and pretty right. Kanda checks are not rolling in. I've been working as a waitress for a while. I may be getting a new job. I'm not going to get into it- I don't want to jinx myself.

No presuming, I know the scene and I know virtually everyone involved in it loses money, let alone making any, so it was not a slight at you but just a sad fact. By the way, good luck in the job hunt.

Is it deliberate, kismet, happy chance or common for Portland that you have a cherry tree in your yard?

It's actually some other sort of tree, which is common here. The most common feature of the yard is the rose bushes, which are a huge a pain to take care of - so we don't.

Our neighbor's tree? Or ours?

I can't tell from the picture (at left) who's yard it is in, I assumed yours, and it looks like a cherry tree.

And did your "sweet ass" Border Collie Jackson come before or after? Does this make you dog people or do you have a cat as well?

We got him right after buying the house. Yes, I am a dog person, but have had cats in the past. If I had to choose a team - dog all the way.

I've never had a dog until now. During college, I had a cat named Miffy, who still lives in Boston with my old roommate. He was my first pet. I like to equate him to Marlon Brando. He was a dashing young kitty (Brando, circa A Street Car Named Desire)- until he got older... Once I left for New York, he turned into the Godfather.

For the record I'm on the cat team. Dogs require too much of a commitment and they can't purr.

Now I'm going to be completely anti PC, because I am anyway, and out of curiosity ask a question. We Occidentals when we get food cravings often go for Oriental food (which was backed up by this weekends Parade magazine) so my question is Akina, is there a particular food Orientals get cravings for? Lamb gyros and Uzo, swedish meatballs and lingon berries? I ask because I only seem to see Orientals in Oriental restaurants.I can't recall seeing them in Italian places for example...

Oh, yes, Arland, you can answer too....what do you crave?

Spanish food, Japanese food, Mexican food, and Rueben sandwiches. I love sandwiches and a good Rueben is the king of all sandwiches. Monte Cristos are good for brunch, though.

Yeah, I guess them Orientals really do dig their Oriental foods. I've got to say I do. Italian food in Japan is actually quite good- and very popular. I know you prefaced this question by saying you're being anti-PC, but damn! I can't speak for all Asians.

Why not? You know what your family does and surely you must know what other Japanese do. Coming from a Polish family I can say how Polaks eat.... (A LOT) They also have a penchant for coffee that is probably only surpassed by the Finns which fortuantely I do not share as I detest coffee.

Arland I agree, if made correctly the Reuben is king. We have a German place here that makes a great one. Not as good as it was 20 years ago but still the best. As for the Monte Cristo I ordered one once not knowing exactly what it was. When it arrived I was disgusted and appalled. Only Homer Simpson would bread and deep fry a sandwich. I won't be ordering another of them again.

Enough frivolity. I would like to say that you both deserve the highest praise for your work, especially your debut. One can never figure why some things bleed into public earshot, like what the Postal Service debut has enjoyed, but your debut is every bit as good if not better and certainly deserved the same kind of notice. Why it didn't really get it I don't know, but that doesn't detract from it. It's one of the best records of the past 15 years. I even had you send me the lyrics and I was going to post them with the interview that didn't happen 2 years ago, but the page is still up, so for everyone, here they are. By the way, why the hell didn't it ever come out on vinyl?

Whoa, thank you for the huge compliment. I think we drained 555's bank account enough with the 7". Vinyl is pretty spendy. However, well worth it in my eyes. It's too bad it didn't come out on vinyl.

Thanks! That has got to be the nicest thing anyone's ever said about kanda.

Well, it's true, it's a brilliant record on every level. Screw the island disc crap, if I've got seconds to get out of the house and am pushing cd's into a shoebox before I run for my life, your's is definetly one of the first to make it in. (although in fairness the swedish shelf probably gets swiped in first...)

Anyway, speaking of the lyrics, I hadn't realized back then until you sent them to me that a number of the songs are a little bit filthy, such as Turtle: "Arland - I'll knock on walls, cuz I know that you'll be there.When evening falls, you're in your underwear.... Akina - I'll hop on board when you implore. I'll take the floor when you want more." All to a sixties beach blanket guitar line. It's brilliant, filthy stuff.

By the way, was that auto-biographical Akina? (Pretty much clears up the reason why he married her anyway....)

That song is about our friend and an old roommate in Boston. All of our friends know about this..all true- word for word, almost. I'll let akina explain.

What do you mean "why he married her anyway"? No, it's not autobiographical. I'm not sure if I want to say any more than it's about people we know.

Ok, here we go, took three quarters of the way in to set one of them off...... In the first place how am I supposed to know who it's about? You're singing it, so that's why I asked. In the second, if it was about you then the "implication" is obvious because what guy would let a girl get away who ..... well, I'm not going to say any more now. I think we all get it and if we don't that's just as well too.

Anyway, back to the debut. Was the lack of it going big anyplace a reason you hopped labels for album number 2, or was it for convenience or other reasons?

Well, we would have stayed with 555, but stew closed shop and Lindsey Baker from boptart asked us right away. He was a fan of 555 and knew that it was no more. So, we got an email from him asking and eventually the album came out. Lindsey is a great guy and easy to work with.

Lindsey is awesome, unless you're a toilet.

OK.... I won't even ask...

Now, when I lied to you again and said I'd be back to you a week ago with this, I did however spend my time this past week listening to your new album a few times. With all my pre-conceived notions now fast asleep and bored with it all, I did find I liked it more than I had originally. I DID like it originally, but I found I liked it even more. Still, much of what I said in the review does hold true. The debut was very eclectic and all over the place yet somehow it all seemed to fit together. The new one is more cohesive and the songs good, yet to my ear seems somehow disjointed as a whole. Did you do anything deliberately different this time around?

We definitely had a different approach and wanted (I know you'll hate this) to shy away from the very 80's sound of the first record. I agree, it does sound a little more disjointed - which I like and don't like depending on the day.

We knew we couldn't make the same kind of album again. We really didn't want to either. Maybe it's the sophomore slump.

It's not a slump. The first was SO good, topping it would be impossible. In light of it's shadow you did well with the second. And aside from the New Order like bits I don't really hear you as an 80's clone band nor do I "hate" the new sound. You pulled off the bass lines as I said quite well and leaving them out was certainly missed, but aside from that I think your core sound is on the new one as much as the first. It's the continuity that bothers me most I think, and at that it's not as much as you to think it bothers me. It got a fairly decent rating after all.

So then, what is your songwriting process? Does it happen when it happens, or do you sit down to do it like work? Also, what comes first, melody or lyrics?

We both sit around with the computer and instruments. It kinda just happens. Sometimes drums first, usually for me one melody and a lyric come first.

Each song, for me, has been different. But in general, melody comes first.

Since you've moved you have not played live as much, or am I mistaken? Do you miss this aspect or not? I would kill to see you guys live.

Yeah, not as much. We played a great show after living here for 6 months. It was with the States Rights Records Crew (the blow, YACHT, parenthetical girls). It was really nice to get to play with them. The other really fun time was the weekend we spent playing with Of Montreal and IQU. They're both fantastic bands. However, akina and I shy away from playing shows that often. I think one of the last shows was a poorly attended bar in Seattle, with a bad sound system- a totally discouraging show. We had to drown our sorrows in Jameson that night. So, we've taken a little hiatus from shows.

Shows can be fun, but we've pretty much decided we like recording better. We're taking a break from playing shows to work on new stuff.

Do you have any long term goals for the band, or will you just keep doing it until it isn't fun anymore?

The latter. We have a lot of things we'd like to do - all centered around recording more.

I can't think that far ahead. There are no expectations for kanda.

IS it still fun? I would imagine when you can do it almost DIY the biggest obstacle is finding a label willing to put it out?

Well, it is still fun in a different way. As far as labels go. Hmm. We may just start our own. It's something ak and I have wanted to do, even before meeting each other. Something else to blow our money on.

We've talked about starting a label. It's always been an idea that's been floating around. We'll see. Hopefully it wouldn't be out of necessity. My favorite music is made mostly by our friends. I'd love the opportunity to put out their music.

Any info or scoops about album number 3 you'd care to pass along?

I have no clue. There may be a few projects in the interim. I'll let you know, and I won't go through a promo guy to do it this time!

Projects!

Do people offer to buy you guys breakfast a lot? (not a bad deal really...) I can't believe that line never appeared in a commercial or movie.

Let's see, last breakfast was in Seattle. It was a home cooked thing - very good. We've gotten some good breakfasts in.

Not really... I've never been a traditional breakfast kind of person. Since I've met Arland though, I've begun to appreciate it more. I like eggs.

If I were to buy you breakfast, what would you both order?

I'd go traditional: French toast and bacon with lots of coffee. I like when the salty hits the sweet.

It depends on my mood. A definite is coffee. And potato is usually involved.

OK, I am stepping over the line again but I have to know. Now you guys are a lot younger than I am, and times are not like they once were, but Arland, if I had your surname growing up it would have meant no end of tortue and teasing. Did you go thru any of that growing up, Mr. Nicewander?

I guess meanwander. That's pretty unclever. My parent's first house was across the street form the Nywanders (something like that). We always got each other's mail. Not that it was a common style of name where I lived. Most people in my neighborhood were Dutch so everyone one had Vander, Dyke, Housema, Van, etc in their name. The "V" section of the telephone book was quite a few pages long.

I could probably keep rambling but my interviews get too long as it is, and I am short of time this month anyway, so we'll end it here. I want to thank you both for your time, and for the music which has a very special place in my heart. You guys rock.

Thanks for doing this. It is much appreciated. I hope we did an OK job.

Thank you!