1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
We are a three-piece band from Chicago that plays heavy and loud music. There are elements of post-metal, sludge and math-rock throughout the songs, but, really, we just play what we collectively like. We're all veterans of the midwest music scene and since forming in 2012 we've been working hard to kick ass live and record some cool songs.
2.So far you have released 2 demo's, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
The first release, Oxblood Siren, was intended to be a demo but while we were in the studio we realized that the quality was far above what we expected and decided on the spot to make it 'officially' an EP. Big time thank you to Shane Hochstetler of Howl Street Recordings for that - we love that place. The record is made up of the first round of songs we got to jam and write together.
The second EP, Oxblood Tides, is only different in that we had been writing and playing out together for longer. The more you play and write with each other, the more you pick up on what ideas suit each other's style. You also get better at being in the studio together, so the end product can often end up feeling a lot better even though it's the same guys in the same studio with the same equipment and the same budget.
In a lot of ways they combine to be one album. Well, one literal way in that we printed up CD's containing both. It seemed silly to print two different packages when both fit on one disc.
3.On the fb page you refer to your musical style as 'hipster doom', can you tell us a little bit more about that tag?
Ha! We adopted that after someone on reddit used that as an insult in reference to a video of ours. Most people never notice. Honestly we have no idea what "hipster" doom would sound like. We've got some "doom-y" parts, but those could just as easily be described as sludge or whatever. There are too many sub-categories in music...
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Most of the lyrics are pretty abstract. Some are meant to evoke a specific image, some are intentionally creepy and others are just what we felt like shouting about. For example, "Liars" has some political commentary about surveillance and corruption, but "Burned" is meant to create William Gibson-esque images. There is no edict within the band about taking a stance or literary references. We're just as likely to come up with an abstract concept-piece as we are to yell about injustice.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Snow Burial'?
We liked the imagery and it's not taken. That last bit is the hardest nut to crack.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our two favorite shows are probably our last one in Chicago with As Hell, Nonagon (both from Chicago) and Tyranny is Tyranny (Madison) followed by our last show in Milwaukee with Vega, Zebras and Northless. Great crowds, great bands. For our shows we commit to leaving every ounce of energy we can onstage. Never feels right if we walk off calm and collected. It's a conscious effort, but it's honest. None of us have ever been the type to stand still and shoegaze (even when playing shoegaze).
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Absolutely! We're playing Bobby McGee's in late february with a ton of other bands as part of The Metal Experience podcast's event and we're going to hit the road in April for several out-of-town dates throughout the midwest.
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Labels today are in a funny place. It's so much easier to demo, record and distribute these days that bands often need exposure/marketing more than anything else. A lot of that you can do yourself, but it seems like established labels can offer a lot help there. We're happy doing our own recording, finding art, printing merch, all that. Booking bigger and better shows and getting more ears would be great. Finding a label for us would really be one that could help out with that piece of it best.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?
Pretty great? We haven't had the chance to play anywhere but the midwest yet, but we've been in touch with folks all over the world via the internet who have offered nothing but nice words so far. Well, I guess there was that one redditor, but that's how the internet goes...
Overall everything has been pretty excellent.
10.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
This summer! We're going back into record our first "full length" at Howl Street in March. This time around we're planning on a Vinyl pressing which forces a certain amount of editing on song length and quantity.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
There are a TON of bands that we'd all list as influences, but the most obvious influences for me are probably Isis, Mastodon and the Melvins. Going further down that rabbit hole you can probably include Mogwai, Deftones, Neurosis, Rush, etc, but that can get cumbersome.
In the world of "heavy" I've been enamored with Generation of Vipers latest record. I've also been listening to a lot of the Meters and Chris Smither, neither of which are metal... Andrew's been listening to some Tidal Arms and Brandon's been digging some M83. Beyond that there are so many dope bands in Chicago that we get to see like Swan King, War Brides, and Electric Hawk.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
We all love to eat, cook and drink. There's been such an incredible amount of excellent food and great beer that's shown up over the last few years that it's amazing we haven't given ourselves cardiac disease. Chicago's fortunate to have so many great restaurants and immigrant neighborhoods where you can get an amazing variety of food. Add in the explosion of great breweries nearby and it's easy to get swept up in it all.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We're super excited to record and hit the road again. Thanks so much for the interview!
-Ben
We are a three-piece band from Chicago that plays heavy and loud music. There are elements of post-metal, sludge and math-rock throughout the songs, but, really, we just play what we collectively like. We're all veterans of the midwest music scene and since forming in 2012 we've been working hard to kick ass live and record some cool songs.
2.So far you have released 2 demo's, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
The first release, Oxblood Siren, was intended to be a demo but while we were in the studio we realized that the quality was far above what we expected and decided on the spot to make it 'officially' an EP. Big time thank you to Shane Hochstetler of Howl Street Recordings for that - we love that place. The record is made up of the first round of songs we got to jam and write together.
The second EP, Oxblood Tides, is only different in that we had been writing and playing out together for longer. The more you play and write with each other, the more you pick up on what ideas suit each other's style. You also get better at being in the studio together, so the end product can often end up feeling a lot better even though it's the same guys in the same studio with the same equipment and the same budget.
In a lot of ways they combine to be one album. Well, one literal way in that we printed up CD's containing both. It seemed silly to print two different packages when both fit on one disc.
3.On the fb page you refer to your musical style as 'hipster doom', can you tell us a little bit more about that tag?
Ha! We adopted that after someone on reddit used that as an insult in reference to a video of ours. Most people never notice. Honestly we have no idea what "hipster" doom would sound like. We've got some "doom-y" parts, but those could just as easily be described as sludge or whatever. There are too many sub-categories in music...
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Most of the lyrics are pretty abstract. Some are meant to evoke a specific image, some are intentionally creepy and others are just what we felt like shouting about. For example, "Liars" has some political commentary about surveillance and corruption, but "Burned" is meant to create William Gibson-esque images. There is no edict within the band about taking a stance or literary references. We're just as likely to come up with an abstract concept-piece as we are to yell about injustice.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Snow Burial'?
We liked the imagery and it's not taken. That last bit is the hardest nut to crack.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our two favorite shows are probably our last one in Chicago with As Hell, Nonagon (both from Chicago) and Tyranny is Tyranny (Madison) followed by our last show in Milwaukee with Vega, Zebras and Northless. Great crowds, great bands. For our shows we commit to leaving every ounce of energy we can onstage. Never feels right if we walk off calm and collected. It's a conscious effort, but it's honest. None of us have ever been the type to stand still and shoegaze (even when playing shoegaze).
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Absolutely! We're playing Bobby McGee's in late february with a ton of other bands as part of The Metal Experience podcast's event and we're going to hit the road in April for several out-of-town dates throughout the midwest.
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Labels today are in a funny place. It's so much easier to demo, record and distribute these days that bands often need exposure/marketing more than anything else. A lot of that you can do yourself, but it seems like established labels can offer a lot help there. We're happy doing our own recording, finding art, printing merch, all that. Booking bigger and better shows and getting more ears would be great. Finding a label for us would really be one that could help out with that piece of it best.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?
Pretty great? We haven't had the chance to play anywhere but the midwest yet, but we've been in touch with folks all over the world via the internet who have offered nothing but nice words so far. Well, I guess there was that one redditor, but that's how the internet goes...
Overall everything has been pretty excellent.
10.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
This summer! We're going back into record our first "full length" at Howl Street in March. This time around we're planning on a Vinyl pressing which forces a certain amount of editing on song length and quantity.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
There are a TON of bands that we'd all list as influences, but the most obvious influences for me are probably Isis, Mastodon and the Melvins. Going further down that rabbit hole you can probably include Mogwai, Deftones, Neurosis, Rush, etc, but that can get cumbersome.
In the world of "heavy" I've been enamored with Generation of Vipers latest record. I've also been listening to a lot of the Meters and Chris Smither, neither of which are metal... Andrew's been listening to some Tidal Arms and Brandon's been digging some M83. Beyond that there are so many dope bands in Chicago that we get to see like Swan King, War Brides, and Electric Hawk.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
We all love to eat, cook and drink. There's been such an incredible amount of excellent food and great beer that's shown up over the last few years that it's amazing we haven't given ourselves cardiac disease. Chicago's fortunate to have so many great restaurants and immigrant neighborhoods where you can get an amazing variety of food. Add in the explosion of great breweries nearby and it's easy to get swept up in it all.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We're super excited to record and hit the road again. Thanks so much for the interview!
-Ben
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