Interface has been producing its own brand of electronic music since 1993, making it one of New York’s longest-lived underground electronic music acts. Founded by keyboardist, programmer, producer and primary vocalist Eric Eldredge, the band’s current lineup is rounded out by Jon Billian (keyboards/guitar), and Justin Parker (touring drummer).
After four total EP cassettes, Eric’s stint with the coldwave band Valve, and several lineup shifts throughout the remainder of the decade, Interface’s debut CD The Artemis Complex was completed in January 1999. A combination of new songs alongside definitive recordings of earlier material, it immediately won over critics and landed a distribution deal with Tinman Records. A sampling of industrial/EBM aesthetics of the time, it offered fan favorites such as “Metalstorm”, “The Softest Blade”, and “Frantic”. The band then formed into its longest-running lineup of Eric, his brother Evan Eldredge (guitar/keyboards), and Billian, making its name on the Internet (most notably the mp3.com website) and through an intense live show schedule.
After upgrading the band’s studio, Interface released its breakthrough album Angels in Disguise on Tinman in July 2002. The album’s songwriting and production won more acclaim from critics in various publications, with songs like “Wasted Time”, “Temperature”, “Ability”, and the title track becoming widely played. Following its release, the band began to once again play heavily to support the album. Tinman also helped assemble the Wasted Time and Disguised as Angels EP’s to further the band’s presence. However, the label underwent financial difficulties before either EP was released. The band would later post both as free downloads for a limited time in 2004.
Tinman closed its doors in 2005 just as Interface announced on the website that a new album was well underway. After a year of searching and negotiating with various labels, Interface eventually inked a deal with Nilaihah Records, a label based in Columbus, Ohio and owned by members of The Azoic. The next album, Beyond Humanity, came in March 2006 to another round of positive reviews. It immediately received play in both clubs and radio playlists on the strengths of songs like “Age of Computers”, “Faith in Nothing”, and “Nobody’s Hero”. The disc was released as the “Expanded Edition” with a host of bonus remixes attached. Once again the band took to the road to support it, this time reaching more cities than ever before. However the band’s touring schedule led Evan to leave the band that year to pursue other interests. Shortly afterward, the “Escape” EP came out as part of the “Fourplay Vol. 1” compilation.
After a series of high-profile remixes and compilation appearances, Interface returned to the studio once more in 2008. The first new material to come forth was in the form of the Destination Focus EP that October. Based on the song “Destination” being called a “triumph in future pop”, the band’s profile was elevated even further in dark electro circles. The band’s fourth album Visions Of Modern Life, released in February 2009, went on to become the band’s best seller to date. Highlights included “Destination” and “Body Flow”, the latter of which became a single in its own right a few months later. During this period, Interface also submitted the non-album track “Never Say Farewell” to the Electronic Saviors cancer research project. An anthem of optimism and solidarity, it helped Volume 1 sell thousands of copies while being one of the compilation’s most downloaded and streamed songs.
After another round of tour dates, festival appearances, and remix jobs, Interface then released their fifth album The Perfect World in September 2013. Accompanied by the singles “It Begins Today”, “Stateless”, and “Mirror Mirror”, the album was a dark, intense view at the pitfalls of success and fortune. In addition, they have contributed songs to several more compilations, including every ensuing Electronic Saviors volume, and continue to perform at clubs and festivals all over.
The band continues to write, record, and remix in its New York headquarters, with Eldredge and Billian maintaining as the band’s current incarnation.