A: Hey, whatever works. Was your art background in computer based stuff, or more hands on mediums like paint?
E: Mainly paint and sculpture. I went to Cooper Union, where I did a lot of drawing. Now, I mostly just make marionettes.

A: Really?
E: Yeah, they’re macabre and scary puppets.

A: Do you sell them, or just do them for fun?
E: Just for myself. I actually only recently got comfortable admitting that I make them. I thought it was really embarrassing that a grown man would make dolls.

A: I think that’s pretty cool actually.
E: Thanks for saying so. I lived a large amount of my life as a hermit, so it was getting pretty scary in there (laughs). My wife and I are actually having a show together in November in Brooklyn. She makes music boxes.

A: I know a lot of artists either really embrace or shy away from computers…
E: Well, when I was in college computers were really just starting to come of age. Cooper Union has a very tactile approach.
A lot of crafts, textiles and art, and it’s all interrelated. It was only recently that I’ve attempted to get into computers at all. I like mistakes, bumps and things like that. I have a lot of respect for the computer, but I’m more apt to use an exacto knife (laughs). It’s great for layout, but I don’t know if you can actually make art in the digital domain.

A: With the new record in the can for so long, do you have a lot of fresh material?
E: Oh my god, we could record a new album tomorrow. We’ve been sitting around writing and waiting to find an outlet for it all.

A: Do you have a set number of records you plan to record with Ipecac?
E: As many as we want. I’m so happy to be associated with them. The business end of it is nothing, the contract is like a page long. The company we keep on their roster is amazing. I’m really proud of where we’re at and where we’re going.

Thanks to Erik for the lengthy interview, and to Sheila at Tag Team Media for all of her help. Obtanium by Skeleton Key is available now on Ipecac Recordings.