1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
We just finished up our 3rd tour and hit some areas we’ve never hit before to a warm reaction mostly every night. Made a bunch of new friends and played with a lot of killer bands (check out Intercourse, Servant, A Film in Color, Blame God, Guts of the Oven, Sough, Fashion Week, Yashirta, Axis, Hollow Earth, LA-A… just to name a few). We’re getting started booking the next few months of local and statewide shows as well as our next run, which will probably be most southern/western regions we haven’t hit yet, most importantly trying to go to New Orleans. Tonight we are actually going to start writing for an EP we want to release early next year, time and money permitting.
2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The new record is a step in a more direct and bleak direction, where the first record was mostly heavy and all over the place. There is Nothing Left for Me Here is more focused on delivering intent. It is much deeper personally and politically, and given the circumstances around our personal lives and the political climate during the writing process, makes for an honest and cathartic experience.
3.This is your first album in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
Before our 1st record came out one of members (Devin) quit to focus on his main band (which later we found out was really because he was coming to terms with his sexuality and was dealing with everything that comes with that). A couple years later we asked him to join our other band that Danny (drums) and I came from, Remembering Never and eventually decided to do Ether again. We picked back up like there was no time in between and immediately started jamming on some new riffs and ideas and the record came together pretty quick.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
For the personal, mostly abandonment and being haunted by emotional ghosts, and on the political, the national takeovers of freedom by white people in fancy suits that decorate News stations, the dangers of the “normalization” of the western world, capitalism as a stifling agent… basically everything that is the opposite of Ted Nugent.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ether'?
I believe I thought of it when I used to watch Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas weekly. That’s really all. Once we started relying on delay pedals it made sense.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our stage performance is a very personal experience. We burn sage before or after every set and usually our backs are to the crowd, not in some kind of “fuck you” or disrespect, its really just the way we feel most comfortable. I have heard our shows are a bit overwhelming at times that often times take listeners to another place, and I can totally understand how someone could get lost in it all. As far as the best shows… We played Philly on New Years Eve and as soon as we went silent someone yelled “HOLY SHIT!”. That was up there. The shows where people are absorbed in the moment and you can tell are feeling it are the best shows for me. We aren’t a moshable band, and coming from a hardcore/punk scene its odd to gauge how people are taking it in, so if no one leaves the room they don’t hate it. If they aren’t on their phones they are digging it. If they are head banging or intently watching I think they are pretty into it.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
We plan on doing a lot of regional shows around Florida, and hitting the road again in winter.
8.The new album was released on 'Dead Truth Recordings', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
One of my best friends and I started the label to release the LP version of a Remembering Never record “God Save Us” and we’ve put out some cool bands, some bands that broke up immediately after a release, and my own bands stuff.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge metal?
I’ve only heard good things really. I understand its not for everyone, a lot of people don’t want to listen to really sad, really heavy music often, but that’s all we know how to do so we play to our strengths. There is a certain satisfaction when someone goes into detail about something we have done, whether it’s the record or a live show. We put a lot of work and a lot of ourselves into this and its much different than anything we’ve ever done. It feels good to get orders from Europe and Australia or people on the other side of the country asking us to play their town.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Probably more weird and more divisive. More of everything we already do. We don’t have a game plan or blueprint when we write, we just let it ride and usually it comes out cool. We haven’t thown anything out just yet.
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?
Currently I am watching a live Cave In concert, but I have been bumping a lot of Morris Day and the Time, Grief, Waylon Jennings, Joy Division, Ceremony, Beastmilk, King Woman, Josh Card and The Restless Souls, Morbid Angel, Coke Bust, Reversal of Man, Ghostface… all of us listen to a lot of different stuff, so I think all of it plays a part in what we bring to the table.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
I’m in school to be a history professor, particularly African American history, so that’s big for me. 3 (or 4) of us are vegan, Chippy is into wrestling, Devin likes VWs, Danny collects dead things, and Steffan likes being happy.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Watch the movie Earthlings.
Support marginalized people everywhere.
We just finished up our 3rd tour and hit some areas we’ve never hit before to a warm reaction mostly every night. Made a bunch of new friends and played with a lot of killer bands (check out Intercourse, Servant, A Film in Color, Blame God, Guts of the Oven, Sough, Fashion Week, Yashirta, Axis, Hollow Earth, LA-A… just to name a few). We’re getting started booking the next few months of local and statewide shows as well as our next run, which will probably be most southern/western regions we haven’t hit yet, most importantly trying to go to New Orleans. Tonight we are actually going to start writing for an EP we want to release early next year, time and money permitting.
2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The new record is a step in a more direct and bleak direction, where the first record was mostly heavy and all over the place. There is Nothing Left for Me Here is more focused on delivering intent. It is much deeper personally and politically, and given the circumstances around our personal lives and the political climate during the writing process, makes for an honest and cathartic experience.
3.This is your first album in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
Before our 1st record came out one of members (Devin) quit to focus on his main band (which later we found out was really because he was coming to terms with his sexuality and was dealing with everything that comes with that). A couple years later we asked him to join our other band that Danny (drums) and I came from, Remembering Never and eventually decided to do Ether again. We picked back up like there was no time in between and immediately started jamming on some new riffs and ideas and the record came together pretty quick.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
For the personal, mostly abandonment and being haunted by emotional ghosts, and on the political, the national takeovers of freedom by white people in fancy suits that decorate News stations, the dangers of the “normalization” of the western world, capitalism as a stifling agent… basically everything that is the opposite of Ted Nugent.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ether'?
I believe I thought of it when I used to watch Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas weekly. That’s really all. Once we started relying on delay pedals it made sense.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our stage performance is a very personal experience. We burn sage before or after every set and usually our backs are to the crowd, not in some kind of “fuck you” or disrespect, its really just the way we feel most comfortable. I have heard our shows are a bit overwhelming at times that often times take listeners to another place, and I can totally understand how someone could get lost in it all. As far as the best shows… We played Philly on New Years Eve and as soon as we went silent someone yelled “HOLY SHIT!”. That was up there. The shows where people are absorbed in the moment and you can tell are feeling it are the best shows for me. We aren’t a moshable band, and coming from a hardcore/punk scene its odd to gauge how people are taking it in, so if no one leaves the room they don’t hate it. If they aren’t on their phones they are digging it. If they are head banging or intently watching I think they are pretty into it.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
We plan on doing a lot of regional shows around Florida, and hitting the road again in winter.
8.The new album was released on 'Dead Truth Recordings', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
One of my best friends and I started the label to release the LP version of a Remembering Never record “God Save Us” and we’ve put out some cool bands, some bands that broke up immediately after a release, and my own bands stuff.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge metal?
I’ve only heard good things really. I understand its not for everyone, a lot of people don’t want to listen to really sad, really heavy music often, but that’s all we know how to do so we play to our strengths. There is a certain satisfaction when someone goes into detail about something we have done, whether it’s the record or a live show. We put a lot of work and a lot of ourselves into this and its much different than anything we’ve ever done. It feels good to get orders from Europe and Australia or people on the other side of the country asking us to play their town.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Probably more weird and more divisive. More of everything we already do. We don’t have a game plan or blueprint when we write, we just let it ride and usually it comes out cool. We haven’t thown anything out just yet.
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?
Currently I am watching a live Cave In concert, but I have been bumping a lot of Morris Day and the Time, Grief, Waylon Jennings, Joy Division, Ceremony, Beastmilk, King Woman, Josh Card and The Restless Souls, Morbid Angel, Coke Bust, Reversal of Man, Ghostface… all of us listen to a lot of different stuff, so I think all of it plays a part in what we bring to the table.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
I’m in school to be a history professor, particularly African American history, so that’s big for me. 3 (or 4) of us are vegan, Chippy is into wrestling, Devin likes VWs, Danny collects dead things, and Steffan likes being happy.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Watch the movie Earthlings.
Support marginalized people everywhere.
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