Aerial Ruin Interview is up ..

 Aerial ruin

http://www.aerialruin.com/ 

 

1. For those that have not hear the dark folk sounds on Aerial ruin . Tell us a bit about yourself.

Aerial Ruin is my mostly acoustic solo project which differs drastically from my thrash/death metal roots in Epidemic and the drug metal explorations of my second band Old Grandad. Aerial Ruin live shows are usually just me singing and playing acoustic guitar. The album "valleys of the earth" is similar but at times drifts into more overdub oriented recordings. While this is largely myself multi-tracked three of the songs on the album feature guitar accompaniments from Eric Peterson of Lost Goat and Night After Night.

2. You have come from a more metal and hardcore background. How did this stripped down acoustic style come to be?

I'd done some melodic singing in my band Old Grandad but wanted to see how my voice would sound in a quieter context while in some of my most introvert moments. I wrote the first couple of Aerial Ruin songs with clean electric guitar tones, no amps just a guitar plugged straight into a four track without any distortion. The songs came quickly and naturally after that and even more so when I got better recording gear and an acoustic guitar. Being a fan of the Syd Barrett solo albums and Mark Lanegan also inspired me to try writing minimalistic music without drums.

3. You come to release an album on Vendlus a very great indie label. It seem to happen fast were you in talks for while with them?

No it was quite quick. Aesop from Agalloch and Ludicra sent Joseph, the labels owner the album and he contacted me immediately. Soon after that he happened to be in Portland and we hung out, drank beer and got along great and decided it would be great to work together.

4. As a one man live event has it be hard to get across you larger crowds esp with this agalloch tour?

No, the Agalloch crowds especially on the east coast were very receptive and seemed to like my set and some of them already knew a little about Aerial Ruin since Agalloch tries to expose there fans to all there opening acts before the shows happen. Of course when playing quiet acoustic music in front of hundreds of people you are always going to hear some people talking in the audience but I felt that there were more people paying close attention than talking.

5. To me Aerial ruin has a lot in common with Steve von till solo material or Of the wand and the moon. Did these projects play any roles in your sound?

Not at all, I've heard a little of Steve Von Tills solo stuff but only briefly and after writing much of the early Aerial Ruin stuff. I've seen Neurosis live a few times and al ways enjoyed them but don't consider them an influence. I've never heard Of the wand and the moon but someone else compared me to them recently so I'm curious to see what they sound like. I'm also curious about other acoustic and atmospheric music out there.

6. Is there a theme on your debut? As it seem heathen and ritualistic in nature.

Yes, definitely a theme and ritualistic for sure. It's very personal on one hand but in a sense sub-personal. There is not really an attempt to form a narrative, its more stream of consciousness really. It's all inspired by experiences I had that felt very much like ego-death and the way I perceived the singed crimson harsh spiritual energy of the universe at that time and since then. The power and strange beauty that one can only see through the surrender of the self. A spiritual lament but also a tribute. There's a fine line between being completely wrapped up in yourself and losing yourself all together. It's falling off that edge that Aerial Ruin is largely inspired by. Of course that analysis is just one perspective. The power of music comes from the impact of listening and being moved by the music. If you are moved you have become part of the ritual and that goes beyond words, themes and analysis.

7. What's your thoughts on the current indie music world. Is it much harder to make any real connection in 2011 with all the digital items at hand?


It's harder to sell cds but for something like Aerial Ruin that is a new unknown project file sharing and the internet is helpful. I'd like people to buy my album especially since Anna Wilson did some great artwork for it but I want people to listen to it and I'd rather them download it than not hear it at all. As far as the scene goes I think it's great that the internet makes it easier for underground musicians to network and book DIY tours and such. I'm not too familiar with the indie-rock scene but I don't think you were referring to the genre.

8. Where do you want to take Aerial ruin musically and songwritting wise?

It will continue to evolve naturally but the inspiration will stay the same. Musically some of the newer material is more challenging, stretching me as a vocalist and a guitarist but other songs are very simple. In essence there will never be a need to re-invent Aerial Ruin, it is what is and what it always will be.

9. Are you a fan of digital media... mp3s, webzines, internet radio at all?

Yes definitely but it's still all very new to me having got my first computer only a couple of years ago. So much to explore but I feel a little overwhelmed by the 21st century sometimes but after a long period of not listening to much new music I'm enjoying discovering lots of great music now with the help of these things you mentioned.

10. Is Aerial ruin your major focus now? Or do you have other project going on?

Yes its my only focus right now and I'm quite happy with that although it would be cool to start a new metal band at some point but if that happens I'll still be very active with Aerial Ruin. Before moving to Portland from San Francisco in 2009 I had a new band called Drift of a Curse with Max from Old Grandad, Chewy from Hammers of Misfortune and Chris from Floating Goat. We all enjoyed it and would pick up where we left off if there was ever time, hard with living far apart though, I've never collaborated via the internet, I like to jam with people in the same room. After I moving to Portland I played briefly in SubArachnoid Space which was an interesting new experience for me, however due to various reasons the band broke up and Melynda and Chris have started a new band under a different name.

11. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts place here..

Thanks very much for the interview and supporting underground music Clint. Keep an eye out for Aerial Ruin shows and tours.

New Reviews 4/16/2011 (Experimental Edition)

Conure- Strings, Locations-CD (Edgetone Records)

Experimental noise comes in all shapes and Sizes . With Conure we have Drones, Feedback Loops, Electro Noise and Waves of Pedal/ Effected power. Conure live is an event in itself an with his new album this is a warmer and harsher side then I've heard in a while. I miss this style of Harsher Drone Noise which labels like Groundfault, Truculent, RRRecords, Freak Animal use to infect us with. There is so much going then it mellows down to a static or rumble just to come back again to kick you in the teeth. Strings, Locations reminds me of bands like Sickness, Immaculate Grotesque and Goat to man a few.. Conure sound like its on the brink of total sonic failure and I could not be more proud to have this in my collection. Mark you have made me proud.. Get this release...

http://www.edgetonerecords.com

Conny Ochs- Raw Love Songs-CD (Exile on Mainstream)

So real singer/ songwriters are very rare to come by in 2011 but I'll tell you this mix folk, record, indie, punk and Americana all into a pot and you have Conny Ochs. As I hear Jeff Buckely, Neil Young with elements of Shudder to think, Low and even moments of Beatles and Mega City 4 in this album. Its a stripped down vocal , guitar, harmonica and simple percussion.. The blues side comes out as well in many of the track in a mellower Steve Winwood aka Traffic days.. I'm super impressed by much of what the Exile label releases. Its normally very indie heartfelt music with a very original edge.  Conny is a delicate and talented an artist I don't what else to say other then if you like stripped down folk/bluesy rock then run don't walk for this..

http://www.mainstreamrecords.de

USX- The Valley Path-CD (Neurot Recordings)

Neurot seems to have a style or sound around there recordings and this is a good thing not a bad one. This darker post rock/ post metal sound that add at hypnotic element to all they create. USX is something that in late 90/ early 00's would have been a event kind of release on Subpop, Matador, Touch and Go or even Constellation Records. It builds in its sonic resolve note by note , layer by layer. I can feel the emotion in every cord and beat that is given to us. Let us not forget this is a one song 38 minute event as well. Its very very heard to stay so cohesive on one track for 30 minutes not even to say keep it interesting and inventive which USX does with flying colors. Love the strings, twingy vocals and the the ebb and flow of the guitars and bass. It reminds me very much of Subarchanoid Space or a very cool band that is little know called Rein Sanction.. Check them out did two albums on Subpop... Its the kind of music that would make Greg Dulli an Mark Lannegan very proud that they continue to make music..  USX is as majestic and rootsy in all the project to the listen. This is a major album not to take lightly and years to come this will an album people still talk about... Hats off ...

http://neurotrecordings.com/

The Winchester Club- Negative Liberty-CD (Exile on Mainstream)

As I know nothing of this project I can just go on what I hear. So far avant/indie rock with a very heavy synth or electro element going on. As it builds and slowly it does so reminds me a lot of Mogwai or Circle in what they are striving to build. The guitars are getting louder but never to the point I would call it Hard rock or metal..  The Winchester Club had 2 guitars and bassists I'm reading so lets see where that takes us. Yes I would call this Post Rock or Avant Prog Rock it seems to fall under the two very interchangingly .. The guitars and bass play a major emotional role in why the songs are all presented. This band is all about the atmosphere in what they create that is blindly clear and it helps to like instrumental music . As they seems to be moving into Rachel or Slint elements of music even  The Shipping News.  Another fragile and mood changing release from Exile on Mainstream.. Two big thumbs up..

http://www.mainstreamrecords.de

Mark Deutrom- The Value of Decay-CD (Southern Lord)

Clearly one of the most twisted and kick ass albums I just stumbled on to thanks to the good people at Earsplit PR. I don't know the band Clown Alley at all but know him from being in Melvins and this album really has it all Neoclassic, ambient, avant, Heavy Noise rock and Hardcore and then trippy off kilter Doomy moments. I the last 3 tracks I've heard elements of The Fluid, Dead Kennedys, Melvins, Sabbath, Lustmord and Puissance. I almost want to say that mark is very akin to what Sebadoh used to do in they way the albums were all over the place musically but just simply kicked ass. I not going to go to over board on this review. Just get it listen and start worshipping at the altar of this mad genius..

http://southernlord.com/

Graviton- Massless-CD (Translation Loss)

Ahh more droning and hypnotic post metal from yet another label that seems to impress with quality never quantity something I very much respect. I will say someone has a huge love of Russian Circles and Jesu and I can not be more pleased by these elements either. Massive open ended riffs with a jazzy /prog element and those verbed out dual or multi layered vocals.  The do have an Low element to them as well as well as Devin Townsend .. I so very taken by Graviton as they are not trying to be Godspeed your black emperor, Isis or Neurosis . They are making Massless all there own and for that one thing you deserve to be brought to head of the class and its the songs and elements of creativity that keeps you there... The vocals has a very surf rock or 60's rock vibe to them too maybe I'm nuts.  I hear th beach boy and jan and dean harmonies there.. Oh well you get the point more goodies for your listening pleasure.

http://www.translationloss.com/

3 New Reviews @ Absolute Zero Media 4/10/2011

Finnr's Cane-Wanderlust-CD (Prophecy Productions)

Ethereal Post Black metal is something over the years has inspired me greatly and Finnr's Cane is in that vein very much so. If you like bands like Dorenreich, Alcest , A Forest of Stars and The Vision Bleak also on Prophecy you will be very pleased . The acoustic, dark metallic over tones, atmospheres  its all on a grandious level and style. The remind alot of what Mayhem, DHG, Code, Wolves in the Throne room , Azrael  do when then go much more experimental. There is again a very otherwordly quality to all of this and it helps the production is wide open and not compressed like many modern recordings. The Acoustic guitars, Cello and strings really make this something special were the cross the genre's with bands like Tenhi, Antimatter and what Duncan Patterson is doing with Ion.. I can see why there on Prophecy they have the regal touch that all the proper Prophecy bands have. Check it out without delay...

http://www.prophecyproductions.de

The Axis of Perdition- Tenements-CD (Code 666)

Black and Death metal seem to have a cross roads and its always seems to be in a more tech manner and with this band they love to add the elements of Voivod and Aryeon  for the Spacial, Futuristic Prog element mix into all of this . If Manes mixed with Red Harvest it would almost sound like this to me. I know that two odd projects to mix but this is a very odd band to begin with as they actually to mix Black, Death, Prog, Thrash and Sci Fi into one song and then turn the blender on full speed ahead. If you have never heard The Axis of Perdition then you are clearly missing out . The touches of electronic and grinding  madness just help to make it all the more interesting to dissect and delv into for many many listens. Another in long line of great Avant Metal under takings for Code666.

http://www.code666.net/

AERIAL RUIN- Valleys of the Earth-CD ( Vendlus Records)

So what we have here is all that is good in Acoustic / Acoustic Folk Rock acts. If your a fan of Steve Von Till (Solo), Neil Young in Harvest Moon period and the Folk music like Tenhi, Anthony and the Johnsons and Of the Wand and the Moon. There is a sadness here with the delicate sounds of just an Acoustic guitar, vocals and simple effects. Yes some will think this is far to minimalist but then again this kind of release was never meant for them to begin with. If your a heathen and are looking of music to get back to nature or to your roots of the old world with then AERIAL RUIN is the ultimate that could be on my list for such. There is soon much talent here from just one simple man doing what you can clearly hear that he loves doing. This is risk for Vendlus but a very good one at that.  I would also say if you have heard  Hexvessel this would be for your enjoyment at well. Valleys of the Earth is a very cleansing album on many many level...

http://vendlus.com/

WOLVSERPENT interview is up @ AZM 4/7/2011

Wolvserpent

http://wolvserpent.com/

1. Tell the world a brief history of this new Duo of Droning Post Metal

Ritualistic sounds..

BG: While we prefer the terms funeral drone, blackened doom or dark adult

contemporary. That'll work ;) Wolvserpent is the duo of Blake Green and Brittany McConnell. We have been playing together for 9-11 years. Existing under the moniker Wolvserpent for a much shorter period of time. We are from Idaho USA.

2. Blood Seed your new Album is just two long tracks . Was this more a live

ritual put to CD or did you work it out in studio to make it as is?

BG: Blood Seed was written and performed live several times before we recorded

and pressed this on LP. We tried to make it as true to its live performance as we

could with the resources we had.

3. Being a Duo is it hard to create the tracks live?

BG: At this point we have had a descent amount of practice so it is not particularly

difficult. It is still work however. I notice if I start to think the songs are easy then I

stop paying attention and shit hits the fan.

BMc: It is always a challenge to not be able to play several instruments at the same

time. Modern technology has helped us out a lot with that. Along with these

challenges, this restriction keeps us from going over the top- we can maintain the space that adds so much to the music.

4. How did Wolvserpent come to sign with 20 Buckspin?

BG: 20 Buck Spin was on a short list of labels we sent our demos to. They showed

interest in working with us so we pursued the relationship from there. They have since been a great supporter in this effort.

5. Your website is very minimalist and well done are you happy with the

outcome of http://wolvserpent.com/

BG: Thank you. Glad you appreciate it. We are not web designers or particularly web

savvy in general so it took a lot of work.

My goal is to make the site as simple and to the point as possible. Mainly

dedicated to the music we create and a place to purchase that music. Eventually

to be used to get away from outside social networking type sites or third party

download sites.

I used blog type host and am not particularly happy with it. It is

difficult and or impossible to add “buy now” buttons or stream music and offer

download codes. I didn't know at the time that this site would not suit our needs.

So there is still work to be done to fully realize the vision.

6. Is there a theme behind Bloodseed?

BG: Yes several. We prefer, however, to have the music and imagery lead the

listener to their own conclusions

7. I'm very curious as Boise ID doesnt seem the hotbed of music what is

the scene like there and do you feel being from there has added a element

other bands don't have?

BG: I would imagine Boise is like any other US town of this size. It is not a hotbed

of music but there are talented people here pursuing music to the best of their

abilities and resources. Struggling day by day to make it work. There is no scene,

there is only what you do. To me that is one advantage of this cultural isolation.

Not to say there aren’t draw backs. It is hard to say if this environment has added

an element that others do not have. That would be the hope for lots of artists

though right?....that their voices are unique in a sea of voices. At this point in my

life I don't know if it matters regardless, it is what it is. That is, us doing our best

to be true to ourselves.

8. Your live shows from photos seems very cathartic and occult do you

use Heathen elements live to gave a feeling to the performance?? 

BG: We try the best we can to create a certain atmosphere, to assist ourselves and our audience in escaping the immediate situation....and to create a new one. For the most part we perform in less than ideal situations, often bars or smoky clubs.

The music we are performing is not always suited to this environment. The use of Heathen elements and Volume help dispel unwanted aspects of a given situation. Any visuals we would use for live performance are there to improve the strength of the music and help all who are there to listen fall deeper into the sounds.

9. Is there a deeper meaning behind the artwork of Bloodseed as its a very

haunting cover indeed?

BG: Yes but as with the music it is also meant to be interpreted. Unique to each

listener. There should be an element of mystery in our artwork and music as

there is with the occult. Or anything that is describing something beyond our ability

to completely understand. This is part of what we try to express. Something that

is larger than us and beyond our understanding. Telling a story that tells itself.

The idea that we are the pages and the music is the author, not the other way

around. The story is the same but told in a different way to each reader. And of

course that metal shit is rad.

10. Do you feel the digital age is helping or hurting the Underground Indie

band in 2011?

BG:Honestly I have no idea. I have noticed that people often download the albums

instead of purchasing the record. Which makes artists’ ability to release records more challenging. Everyone seems to be losing money, labels in general are struggling. People who have been making a living with music for years are no longer able to do so...or at the least it has become an even bigger challenge.

I am not convinced that the benefits of the web out weigh the drawbacks within the realm of music and arts. I am sure we have all heard the arguments for both sides. But I am undecided on my conclusion. 

I do have to give respect to the people that purchase releases by musicians they like (especially in the underground, or on a diy level). I think it is a very cool gesture.

11. What can we expect from future material on the next release?

BG: Our other projects Mezektet and Aelter will have albums out very soon on our

private imprint Wolvserpent Records. Wolvserpent will be releasing Gathering

Strengths and Blood Seed on a 2xCD in May via Crucial Blast. Beyond that we

are working out some older material for release in late 2011 or 2012 and have

plans for a second Mezektet and third Aelter at some point in the near future.

You know....if the USA hasnt sunk into another great depression.

12. did the material under the name Pussygut sound anything

like Wolvserpent?

BG: They are different stylistically album-to-album but it sounds like the same people made it. Whether Wolvserpent will continue to follow this trend is likely but

undetermined.

13. thank you for the time any closing thoughts here...

BG: Thanks for the questions. Thanks to our true fans for their support.

Rotting Christ Video Interview with Sakis 3/31/2011