VERY busy with press stuff and tour preparations.
2. After four long years, there is a new AGALLOCH album coming out; that is for sure an underlying information for many fans. I believe that many of them really can not wait for the release, so I would like to ask you if you could somehow describe the core of the new album...? Just basically introduce what we can expect from the album, to entice us a little...
The album is a journey that begins in the woods by a river and ends at the ocean within the span of a day, a night, and the morning of the next day. Each song is a stop along the way. This journey is a very Pacific Northwest-centric due to the fact that such a journey is easily possible. We tried to capture the feeling, visual aesthetic, and essence of our home region in the music, the art, and production of the album.
3. Between "Ashes Against the Grain" and "Marrow of the Spirit", you i.a. released the "The White" EP, which showed the non-metal face of the band. Are any of these influences going to be apparent on the new album? Is the new album going to be more metal-based or is it going to be more varied and unpredictable?
Each album is the “center” of our pallet of sound. That is to say we bring together all of the aesthetics and musical textures into one massive piece. That is what our albums encompass. The EPs we release are often studies of a single aesthetic, approach or music style that would normally be one among many on a full length. This is all they are. Small indulgences for us.
4. By that I definitely did not mean, that the previous albums sound predictably and are overly listener-friendly. :) I am just wondering, how does the composing process go in AGALLOCH? Who is the one setting the structures of the compositions, who brings the main ideas etc...?
I create the main riffs, arrangement, and foundation of the songs. The rest of the guys then fill in their ideas and we layer everyone’s input into the fabric of the foundation as a group.
5. How would you compare the overall mood present in the band during composing and recording of the current album with the mood you felt during the process of creating the previous album? What were the differences? Where did you draw the inspiration from while putting the album together? I bet that you set your standards pretty high!
I try to get away from distractions; be it going into the woods with an acoustic guitar, renting a cabin on Mt Hood for a few days alone with just a couple guitars and my laptop, or sitting in my home studio in near darkness with all of our amps, pedals, guitars, and just make something by playing around with different gear. These are the methods I take to find inspiration.
6. Once again back to „The White“. What influenced you to record such magnificent piece of art?
Nature, cinema, Heathen aesthetics, and neo folk.
7. Back to the "Marrow of the Spirit". It is the first AGALLOCH full-length that your new drummer participated in, right? How do you personally feel about how he has been getting along in the band? You also have a few other guests partaking on the new album, am I right?
Aesop has the right personality to get along in this band. His drumming is much more loose and wild which is quite interesting to bring into our sound. A more “live” feeling. The other guests are simply people we invited to bring their talents to the album be it cello, piano, abstract percussion, Moog synths, etc.
8. Let us talk a bit about the lyrical side of "Marrow of the Spirit". How would you describe the lyrics of the new album to the listeners; what can they look forward to? Is the album conceptual or does it contain many unconnected thoughts?
I really prefer to not discuss my lyrics at length. They have tons of hidden meanings, a lot of personal reflection, and conclusions that only I will ever fully understand. The lyrics are conceptual but the album is not a linear “concept album” or anything like that. It is best that someone read the lyrics and find their own interpretation.
9. The artwork absolutely enchanted me. Who is the author of it and what feelings and impressions should it awaken in the listener?
A British fine arts painter, Mark Thompson, created the cover and back cover. His work fits the mood I had in mind for this record. I met him this past weekend at his gallery exhibit in Seattle in fact. Really great guy.
10. You already mentioned in your e-mail that you like the Czech Republic very much. What do you like about it? Which places have you visited in our country? And - how is the Czech Republic usually looked upon in the USA?
There is something about the Czech culture; the language, the architecture, the cinema, the food, the beer, the art, the history…everything about it appeals to me very, very much. I have visited Prague several times and have also explored many of the smaller towns out further in the East. The landscapes in upper Bohemia are beautiful. I love the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, the Devil’s wall, the Sedlec Ossuary, and many other places. I guess those are some of the more touristy places but I am always into seeing the more obscure places of interest of course. There is a small restaurant near the Ossuary that is one of my favorites in the world. I would like to find and visit the grave of František Vláčil next time I am over there. As for the US perception of the Czech Republic, a lot of people do not seem to know anything about it. I have met people who actually think the Sedlec Ossuary or "bone chapel" is a myth. People have said to me "that place doesn't exist" to which I have responded with; "fuck you, I've been there!" The more culturally aware in this country certainly find Prague to be a nice "romantic" and affordable place to visit. A lot of bands I know who have been there seem to like it.
11. Thanks a lot for your time, man. We really appreciate your willingness! All the best with your new album and take care.
Thank you for the interview. It was a pleasure.
