Blazing Minds

Ever popular than ever I’m proud to bring you the third in my series of “Who’s the Band” and this week I bring you an interview with The Unravelling, so I’m going to stop rambling on and get on with the interview..

Q: So how did you come upon the name of your band? Is it the first name you chose?
A: Gus: I think Steve had this vision of an unravelling abyss in mind that really inspired him so we mulled it over on my balcony one winter evening until the name became ours.

Steve: Layered and multiple meanings have always interested me. I like when people gain a face value understanding of something when it has a completely different meaning for me. It becomes an individual interpretation. The Unravelling can be the collective or the personal, destructive like an implosion or simply shedding a layer of skin or revealing a secret. It also takes on a different context after hearing the music and words.

Gus and myself had a few discussions about this and other potential names and we thought this would suit us best now and in the future. We had a list of potentials, but to say them now would kind of be like an alternate ending or deleted scenes, wouldn’t it?

Q: Introduce each member and instrument played or role in the band?
A: Gus: As it stands I specialize in guitars, but for this album I was at the helm of composing duties so I got to play the bass and synths and also dabble in drum programming. I felt a bit like the Wizard of Oz behind the scenes tinkering away and making a racket trying to scare away the little children.

Steve: I write the lyrics and do all the vocal parts for The Unravelling. I try to write parts that will take the music in another direction by either complimenting it or making it more intense.

Q: So what genre of music would you say you are in and who are your major influences?
A: Gus: I would call our breed of music “Dark Progressive Rock” because it’s heavy at times but also very melodic and diverse. I like hills and valleys in my listening experience – since too much of one style nullifies its effects on the listener.
In terms of major influences I must cite the following: Tool, NIN, Dead Can Dance, Arcana, Nox Arcana, Opeth, Behemoth, Mirrorthrone, Acid Bath, Filter and Soundgarden. You can tell from some of the latter ones that I was a child of the 90s and the grunge movement that emerged from this scene but since then I’ve definitely built on that foundation and tried very hard to reach out and experience many more styles of music from varying regions of the world.

Steve: I think that’s a good assessment. It’s all in the meat. I feel it’s original music but I’m not one to coin strange terms as far as style to emphasize that (“psycho gothic prog core?”). My vocal influences range from Lisa Gerrard, Mike Patton, Nivek Ogre, Maynard James Keenan, Max Calvera, Layne Staley, PJ Harvey and Thom Yorke to Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley, and Trent Reznor, among many others of course. It’s listening to female vocalists that has probably contributed to my style the most. I never wanted to sound like anyone in particular, so a melting pot of influences has definitely helped shape my style. I also get vocal influence from film (The Dark Knight for example).

Q: How long has your band been performing/producing music? What inspired to to produce your style of music?
A: Gus: I’ve known Steve for about a year and a half now – we met by chance one evening at an underground vigil held to commemorate the the 159th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s passing. it’s interesting the characters that one encounters at these clandestine Calgary events.

Steve: Quoth the raven “nevermore”.

Q: Are you signed to a record label (Indie or major)?
A: Gus: No label just yet – everything has been by our own doing.

Q: Where can people find your music? Do you have an official website?
A: Gus: http://www.theunravellingmusic.com/

Q: Have your ever performed live? If so where and to how many?
A: Gus: No live performances to date. We’re in the process of rehearsing the material with our new drummer and then polishing it off once the bassist steps forth.

Q: Who writes/produces the music and/or lyrics to your tracks?
A: Gus: I take care of the music – Steve is in charge of the lyrics and vocals.

Q: How would you describe your music-making process?
A: Gus: It’s pretty interesting actually. First I chose the drums that sounded appealing to play guitar on. Then came either the bass lines or the main guitar riffs, transitions and changes came next for sure. I certainly don’t sing but I still try to create canvasses that would be appealing for a vocalist to step in and finalize the visions.

Steve: As things develop the process will be more of a melting pot. Writing with a live drummer will be very different from writing with drum programming to get the initial takes. Gus and I don’t really care so much who writes what, as long as we’re both happy with the product.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
A: Gus: In terms of challenges I know that our genre of music in itself will be a like it or hate it scenario. Most people these days don’t want to experience something dark or intelligent. They seem to prefer rubbing their genitals on each other to the pulsing bass rhythms and auto-tuned vocals of pretty people. But then again, who am I to think that Britney Spears or The Pussycat Dolls aren’t talented, musical geniuses?

Steve: I can’t afford to see any challenges. I believe we will prevail.

Q: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
A: Gus: I’m seeking an outlet for our art where hopefully we can inspire people to feel empowered and able to take on challenges they would have previously avoided. All of us have so much potential within ourselves, but life seems to get in the way and make us passive, rat-racing sheep. I envision an experience where we could collectively step out of the box once and for all and really live, feel exhilarated and acknowledge the rush of adrenalin though our veins telling us that we’re alive.

Steve: Gus gave a beautiful answer. That’s exactly what I want as well. People don’t have to be frightened sheep. They can do whatever the hell it is they are supposed to do on this earth, and only they know what that is.

Q: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
A: Gus: If you’re in it for the sex, drugs and rock and roll – good luck. In this day and age bands are a dime a dozen and everyone wants to be a rock star. I’d recommend getting some skills in an area besides your instrument to increase your chances of making it. Learn to record, learn about live sound, learn about designing a set or a stage, incorporating theatrics into your show to make it interesting for the audience. In other words – go out there and and create the show that you wish you could attend. That way you will start carving out your own path on the musical landscape and actually being an individual instead of all the clones we see everyday lining up for their 15 minutes of fame before their pre-ordained obscurity engulfs them for the next hot piece of ass on the scene.

Steve: Don’t put the word ‘August’ in your name. Try to avoid getting the same haircut and wearing jeans not meant/fitted for your gender. Please don’t choreograph jumps or other timed faux energetic moves. Please be honest. Try to be original and don’t copy your favorite singer.

Q: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
A: Gus: I’d like to thank my wife for her unfaltering support and encouragement throughout the years. She wrangled me back from the edges of insanity when drugs threatened to take my mind away. But thats the benefit of a good partner in life. they’re the ones willing to look you in the eye and tell you to stop acting like a motherfucker…. and you actually listen.

Steve: Yes, Emma Hatcher was helping us in many ways through a lot of the recording process, and it really got us through the year – ending up with a successful album. My other thank you’s will be listed on the album. For a lot of them, I listed them as inspirations (in the previous question) and the others are personal. A lot of people have helped me this past year and it hasn’t gone unnoticed!

Q: Any last words?
A: Gus; thanks so much for taking some time out to check “The Unravelling”. We never forget those who’ve helped us out along the way.
Steve: Thanks Karen. Keep up the excellent work with both Remergence and Blazing Minds!

Cheers!

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Tags: artist interviews, band interviews, Progressive Rock, The Unravelling

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