When we last saw Holy Fuck in New York City, the band took us by surprise. Having heard them numerous times, and attracted in part by their nifty name, their music drew us in like flies on stink. If you’ve ever seen these guys live, this analogy is only fitting, because a fly does not envision this stink how we perceive it, and its attraction is only natural – the same inclination I have towards the music of Holy Fuck. Borderline, their sound is a trance of rock and electronic music. Up to date, they are one of the best live electronic and percussion groups I have ever seen. Their instruments include excursions of makeshift items that are manipulated for their sound and output. From vocodors, stripped magnetic tapes, 35 mm film synchronizers to toy keyboards, their style relies heavily on physical infusions of instruments in an era where anything can be programmed into a laptop. Within their process, considerably,  Brian Borcherdt (keyboards, effects), Graham Walsh (keyboards, effects), Matt McQuaid (bass) and Matt Schulz (drums) are masters in making of a whole new genre and style of electronic music in their orchestral approach to a contemporary form of digital composition.  Beyond performance, the music of Holy Fuck is an experience and a journey in sound. Their latest album Latin is a great encapsulation to their musical testament.

Latin, the band’s third album since their formation in 2004 was released yesterday. The album, in sporadic fashion, follows the format of their title-track, “Latin America”. It is a non-stop excursion of swinging drums, bass and synths pumping irregularly as the group works up a symphony of multiple instruments. When we last checked, their sets included over twenty pieces of electronic equipment between the two mixers alone. This album sounds just as accurate with a multitude of instruments that require skill and coordination, even in a studio. But amazingly, these guys know their instruments and how to blend them in unison.

The driving beats on this album make for quite the experience as one makes their way around the city. In all its infusions, the band reaches a nice plateau that accomplishes a symphony in electronic sound. After hearing the Latin of Holy Fuck non-stop, there’s only one thing left, (and I know Brian Borcherdt will appreciate this), and that is to hear what it sounds like off a vinyl.

Listen to a couple tracks below and click through for an Interview with Brian Borcherdt of Holy Fuck and the Video for their track “Latin America”.

Holy Fuck – “Latin America”

Holy Fuck – “Red Lights”

How long have you guys been playing together?

This line up has been playing for 2 years.  But Holy Fuck has been slowly mutating since 2004.

How would you describe your music and What are the main elements?

I usually say it’s fun, noisy dance music.  I then feel the need to clarify that we have a real drummer and bass player and don’t use hifi electronics per-se.  It’s all a pile of junk: kid’s toys, guitar peddles and home made buttons.

Describe the process you take in making a track. You have an intensive regimen that seems very keen on technique, how do you come about the elements you use? What kinds of equipment are you using?

Usually we begin with a beat, something generated from a Casio or small battery operated keyboard.  We then spill our brains and sweat onto it. Just stir it all together, hopefully producing something energetic and cathartic.

Why did you choose to incorporate live instruments as a part of your set? In what ways does it add to what you’re making?

Both Matt Schulz and I started out by playing hardcore and metal.  Graham and I still nerd out together, playing guitar driven Sonic Youth-y stuff together. Matt, our bass player, had a weekly gig in Toronto playing gritty country until he found himself too busy with Holy Fuck.  So this is intuitive to us.  Getting on stage is all about doing something live.  It makes it fun and creative.  There’s no relying on pre-programmed stuff.  So it’s easier to truly be in the moment.  I think the audience feels that as well.  It’s interactive and always a bit different.

What are you currently working on? What do you have in store?

We are almost done our next record.  It took us a bit longer than we planned.  But we were pretty much on tour from January of 2008 till now.  So finding the time to work on a record was tough.

What tools and set are instrumental to your process?

For our recordings we don’t shy away from computers as a means of capturing our songs.  But we never use computers as the musical instrument.  We’ll use anything that you can strum or smash with your fist, things that won’t break if you man handle and hopefully won’t cost too much to replace.  Other than that there’s no rule to what we can use… preferably it’s something not necessarily derived as a professional musical instrument.  That way we have to really use our imaginations to get it sounding decent.

Holy fuck? How did decide on the name?

It’s a popular saying.

Where are you guys from and what is your musical background?

Both Matt McQuaid and I are from the East Coast of Canada.  I grew up in a small fishing town.  Matt Schulz is a New Yorker and Graham is a somewhat suburban Ontario kid.  We met through music, here in Toronto and on the road.  Like I said, we started out doing, pretty much, noisy guitar driven stuff.  We’re huge music fans but have no formal training.  So it’s all a learning process.

Where are some of your favorite venues to perform?

Some venues are a blast because they’re small with great staff. But then again, huge outdoor festivals can be fun.  New York, Austin, Montreal, Glasgow, Brighton, London, and anywhere warm with beaches and forests you can escape to are A-OK with us.

With your skills and attention to detail, I don’t imagine there isn’t a thing you guys couldn’t do with tunes, but If there were one thing you hope to do musically that you haven’t done yet, what would it be?

I’d like to get out of bed earlier, drink less, and record more.  We’ve spent so much time on the road that going home can be a bit of a lazy retreat for us.  But unfortunately that’s also the only time we have to record new material.  I want to have more to show for all of this madness. I like making records.

What’s your record (Latin) about?

Holy Fuck and is great for a make out party!

And there you have it…in HiFi-delity fashion, the words Holy Fuck just took on a whole new meaning. Check out the video for “Latin America” below.

Holy Fuck – “Latin America”