In 2023, Norwegian Adrian Borgia launched BRIDES, a project that moves between gothic rock, synthpop and darkwave. Combining very dark sounds, full of haunted reverb, with a seemingly ironic casualness, BRIDES is both sepulchral and cool and have alreavy released three albums. Don't go talking to him too much about goths or vampires, though - as you'll see in the interview below, outdated clichés have a hard time sticking to his skin. The artist talks to us about his work, the topics close to his heart and his latest album, Sandcastles (review), which you can listen to via the player below as you browse through his answers.
On bandcamp, you labelled your music "apocalypse pop" et you never use the word "gothic". It reminds me of Andrew Eldritch who pretends to hate being called "the G word".... which seems a pretty goth thing to me ! Is it only true gothics who refuse to be called "gothic"?
This was mostly intended as a joke at the expense of all these silly micro-genres that have popped up the last couple years. As for the G-word, the fact of the matter of is I listen to very little of what came out of that era and I don't relate much to it at all. It is also quite a small and niche corner of the music world, as a smaller artist you'll already have obstacles regarding reaching people and presenting yourself as something that's only for a small group of people will only add another obstacle and further limit your potential reach. I see no reason why someone's got to dress or look a certain way to enjoy a song I wrote.
I am absolutely not saying that you are goth... But, what is a "true goth"? Is it a good thing?
I wouldn't know. I know at one point the word gothic was used to denote that which challenged the status quo and their ideals, be that in architectural, literary or other ways, which I could get on board with as a general concept. But as far as boring music with buzzwords for lyrics I'd rather not be associated too closely.
You mentioned reptiles a few times in your music. What do you like about them ?
Reptiles of all sorts have a long, long history throughout culture and religion be that as a sexual symbol, a treasonous symbol or otherwise. I'm sure you're referring to the songs Some Kind Of Reptile and Real Reptile. The first is talking about retro-futurism, failed hope, conspiracy theories and suchlike while the latter is about sexual activities. In fact, the vast majority of my songs are about sex, politics or both at the same time. I have no problem being upfront about my ideals. I live in the same world as everyone else, I just happen to comment on the goings on of the world through the medium of music as opposed to Facebook comment thread.
Can art help to save the world?
No I don't think art alone can save the world as such. Art can perhaps make you aware of something you already knew in a slightly different way but I don't think someone's entire world view is gonna change for the better (or worse) just by hearing a song or seeing a painting.
Your music is very dark and yet you use a lot of irony.
If my music is dark it's only because I recognise the darker aspects of life. I write about the world as is and the world isn't always all smiles and rainbows but its important to recognize each end of the spectrum. There is indeed irony, humour and copious amounts of self-awareness involved. I know being in a band is a silly way to spend ones time and I know wearing leather pants in 30 degree Celsius is equally silly. It's about bring able to poke fun at yourself and having an awareness of your own absurdity.
Your music is always quite minimalist and lo-fi. What do you like in this kind of sobriety?
This is merely a byproduct of my skill or lack thereof in the production department. I've never set out to sound lo-fi. That said, I appreciate the human element of and in art of any kind so a little dirt never hurt me.
There's an interesting paradox in your work : Sandcastles evokes the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of things. You also release a lot of music almost all the time, as if you were afraid to be caught by time, or stuck in the past. And yet you talk about dinosaurs and there certainly is a nostalgic vibe in your music. What is your relationship with time?
The title of the album is indeed a nod to the passage of time and how nothing lasts forever, sometimes that's a good thing, such as in this case when I'm talking about the rise of fascism as the result of desperate old mens death rattles. I myself have always been quite aware of the fact that I'm not immortal so I try to spend my time here in ways that are productive and pleasing to me.
What did you find with Brides that you like so much and motivates you to spend so much time and energy with this project ?
Unrestrained devotion.
You live in Norway, a country often associated with extreme metal. Did this make it difficult for you to set up Brides and find gigs?
Not at all.
Are there other Norwegian gothic... sorry, "bands that sound a bit like Brides", that you could recommend?
I've been helping out the folks in Plastik Noir with a couple things lately, Kevin is a kindred a spirit for sure and while I've not spent as much time with his wife and second half of the band, Federica, I'm sure I'll say the same of her once I have. We'll be doing a show together at the end of August.
Which bride do you feel closest to ? The Bride of Frankenstein, the Bride of Chucky, the Corpse Bride ?
I'll be going with Elsa (the Bride of Frankenstein). There's some interesting feminist analysis writings on that movie. As someone who spent the first few years of life surrounded by doctors, surgeons and nurses I can relate to the medical angle of it all as well.
You like Nosferatu a lot. Have you seen the last one, by Robert Eggers? Are there any "recent" vampire films that you liked and want to talk about ?
I have not and based on what I've heard I'm in no hurry to see it. What drew me to the original and German expressionism as a whole appears to be missing in the new one as it is from the previous nonsense remake. I've never been big on vampires, the folk lore and the symbolic qualities of it all is more useful than the ocean of bad movies warping it all into something to adore. Jim Jarmusch did a funny one a few years ago, I liked that one [Only Lovers Left Alive - editor's note].
