Brazilian electro sensation Junior from kFactor was kind enough to take a break from skateboarding and hanging out with his family and friends to answer a few questions about life, music, giant frogs and everything in between.

I was just flipping through a few hundred pictures from the Dark EBM Souls Festival. I saw some great photos of you as kFactor. The crowd looked really into the music. How was it sharing the stage with Vomito Negro, Jihad, Fïx8:Sëd8, The Opposer Divine, Tri-State & KIFOTH? Tell us a little about Klegg and Ish as well.

Junior: Fantastic, just fantastic! So much diversity, so many important people and fantastic artists. I felt 'ugly duck', as we say in Brazil. The crowd was amazing, the energy, they sang every song with me. I was very happy. And DEBMS crew is just wonderful, always ready to help us with everything.

Doctor Sane from Fïx8:Sëd8 had quite the outfit on. Do you have insight this mythical vigilante look?

Junior: Pretty cool, pretty cool! He has a big stage presence and I love this guy. I think it does not fit me; I am very 'oldschool' to use it.

A few months back, there was an EBM summit in your hometown. Tell us about your time hanging with James Mendez and friends. What did you guys do? Did you play any shows in Brazil? Record music? Were there any encounters with Jaguars or poisonous frogs?

Junior: Wow! There were thirty days with James; we had a big party at my house. Some friends came and we played live, two days later we flew to Argentina and spent a few days with great friends. We played in a bar. It was very cool! When we returned to Brazil we spent the next two weeks skateboarding. James is very good at skateboarding. We talked about music, skateboarding, work and everything. We did not make any music together, maybe next time. James is a lucky guy. He just saw some giant lizards, a big snake and heard several giant frogs, but only heard. For sure, James is a fantastic person, a big friend, on my top.

Tell us a little about where you live and how you stay connected to the scene beyond social media living in such a remote area of Brazil?

Junior: Well, I live in a very small town on the coast of São Paulo in southwestern Brazil. I live a simple life of surfing and skateboarding. Actually I get out of the scene, just picked up something here and there.

Last summer you released your debut double CD on Electro Aggression Records. The reviews were very positive. What motivates kFactor to write music? What influenced you during the time you worked on 'Ghastly Monolith'? Ultimately who or what drew you into this dark world of electronic music?

Junior: In the early 80s I was at a friend's house, and I stumbled on the early work of Ministry and Skinny Puppy. I thought, Wow, just Wow! How, and when can I start to do this? It was so clear to me this was possible, and I wanted to do the same, but something went wrong along the way and I do what I do today. It's not so bad.

I follow my way to write new songs in a simple way. I just go to my synth, my laptop, pizza, and coffee, and so begins.

What do think of Electro Aggression Records going into the toy market with roster action figures? How cool would a kFactor action figure be?

Junior: I think it would be a strange action figure, a mixture of dark with something sharp and perhaps something soft, maybe. A dangerous type of toy for sure, with warnings about the age group that can use it. You need to be a big boy/girl to play with this.

What can you tell us about the next kFactor musical offering? Will there be any drastic beard and mustache alterations for the next release?

Junior: Well, now I'm starting to make a braid with my beard, you know. This is a new important step; this will influence my new songs. I have over two-hundred-and-thirty demos, but don't want to use them. I want everything to be new. There is a new kFactor, and it’s still dark and heavy.

What is a typical day like in Junior Kfactor's world? Work? Play? Leisure? Nature? Hobbies? Movies, TV? Etc.? Also, I heard you have a problem with giant frogs inhabiting your backyard? How are you handling this?

Junior: I have a very simple life. In the morning I take care of my six year old daughter, cook lunch and take her to the school. Then I'll surf or skate, then come home and work a bit. Actually I work one or two hours a day, that's all. In the late afternoon, I'll pick up my daughter at school and my wife comes home from work. We have a typical family dinner. In the midst of all this, I spend hours and hours online, Facebook, gore sites, Netflix, these kind of simple things.

Ah! The neighborhood where I live is nicknamed "Frog Village". I have a big yard with grass and plants. So when rains, dozens of these guys appear here.

Besides making music, you have quite a resume of video production. You have taken over the video production for EAR that was occupied by the legendary Ralph Ernesto. Ralph is a household name in the EBM landscape and beyond with his video creating skills. He has made hundreds of videos as a fan for every act you can think of. He's slowed down, and now you are creating the videos. Tell us about that process.

Junior: Well, one day Nader asked me if I knew someone to make the new video to EAR. Ralph Ernesto was busy at the time. I said, "Years ago I worked at a video production company, I'm still rusty, but gradually I'm coming to the game". I really like this area. I'm an amateur, for sure, but I think the end result is good.

Often I don't have enough time to make the video as I want, but I still have fun doing it.

Any plans to collaborate with the East Side Capybaras? They seem to have a great respect for you. Perhaps a song dedicated to their loyalty is in order? They were the architects of the Jaguar capitulation when the jaguars tried to take the power and rule the rainforest. Also, have you seen Mr. Miller of late? He has been laying low. I wonder when and where he will surface again. I heard you would like Terminal State and Tri-State to invade Brazil for a once in a lifetime open air festival in the jungle? Will this happen?

Junior: I have no plans, but they may appear. They are welcome, always. I haven't had any luck in meeting Mr. Miller. It's a shame. I expect he will appear soon?

Yes, there is a small festival, two or three times a year in the northeast of the country. It's really far away from where I live (sex hours flying). Brazil is a big country you know. The guys that run the festival always ask me about the EAR bands and if someone wants to come play. Let's make it happen soon.

I asked the Astma guys this question, so I'll ask you as well. Is Nader a pain in the ass to work with?

Junior: Yes, a pain in the ass, but in a good way. He's always pushing us; he is a fun and smart guy. Nader has an acid imagination and that's very good. Every day we talked a little (or a lot) and it's always great fun. I can say that he is a great friend of mine.

For more information on kFactor please check out our detailed review of Ghastly Monolith and all of its dark pleasures.

kFactor

Mar 2016

EBM, Dark Electro