I caught up with Scott Conner (a.k.a. Malefic) to talk about the recent resurrection of XASTHUR, future projects, influences and other stuff. Scott is an artist that I've been following for a long time now, if you aren't familiar with his music I strongly recommend you check it out. Cheers to Scott for this very nice exchange. Read on...
7:10:7 - Hello Scott, thanks for taking the time to answer this interview. First of all, how are you doing? To many of us poor humans it seems that 2015 was a terrible, depressing year, any thoughts on this? Scott Conner - Hello, thank you. Yes, I agree, even though some new, better and different things happened in 2015, it was personally the most tiring, difficult and worst year that was filled with a lot of losses. I know we all say every year was the worst one though, when's the last time most people had a decent year, was it before 2008?
You announced the return of Xasthur some 6 months ago, what have you been up to since then and have you recorded any new music? You also added other musicians to the line-up, is Xasthur now a "real" band? Yes sir, the music needed to change, but I returned to the name that I might as well have kept all long. I've been working on, writing and recording a new record "subject to change" for over a year now and in a lot of different places. Yes, Chris and Robert, the musicians I'm working with, have been part of the change, they've got some talents; they have a great idea and understanding of what kind of music is being played now. There are so many times when I realize that they get it, and then some, that in itself is impressive because most people don't. Yes, it'll have to be a real band, it doesn't matter if it consists of two, four or seven people. There is a lot more musically to do and to remember now, so I need to have some help for a change. You also played a live show at the Thirst For Light festival which to my knowledge was the first Xasthur concert, how was the whole experience? Was that a one time thing or will you start playing live on a regular basis? That was the first xasthur show, thirst for light. We enjoyed it very much. The people there who put on the festival actually wanted us there for what it is and where the music is at now. We got along great with everyone, there were a lot of people looking for something new or something else in their lives and when it came to music as well. I plan on having xasthur play shows more often, there were a couple shows after the Thirst for Light fest, but we don't want to over do it by playing too often. We'll go where we're wanted, if the music is wanted, we'll do it. It seems you decided to drop black metal altogether and that Xasthur will play only in acoustic form from now on, a continuation of the style you played in your "doomgrass" project Nocturnal Poisoning. What drove you to make such a risky move, considering Xasthur is a quite renowned name in black metal? Is this change in style definitive, or do you think that eventually you'll come back to black metal at some point? I could change my mind, find new ideas that'll probably contradict what I'm supposed to be doing or I could discover something new I thought I wouldn't do, but one thing I'm sure of, you have no idea how bored to death I am with listening to (black) metal and how pointless or meaningless I find it. So no, I won't be coming back to it. I just don't think of it as a very good medium for expressing anything, for reality, for thinking or for questioning anything. I don't think anyone can or will make their own mark in that one kind of music, it's not possible. It's been exhausted by me and by so many others, at least I stopped though. It was a risky move and I still feel the affects of it, I was always struggling with trying to make something new and different until I discovered a way to no longer struggle would be playing some other kind of music in another kind of way. Other music, using other tools to make something new is a way of keeping things different and new plus keeping the quality up. I had to be honest, if I'm better at making another kind of music besides metal, then I'm going to do it rather than making something sloppy and uninspired... even if that means losing a lot of listeners. Yeah, I'm making real songs lately and not just a couple parts that barley fit together, that's why I took the risk. The switch to acoustic is about doing MORE, saying more and giving more than I used to. If I wanted to do less, I would've gone the ambient software route. Can you share a few words on the next Xasthur album? What can we expect as far as music, lyrical themes, concept, etc? Do you think your new music will appeal to fans of your previous albums?
I think the new xasthur album will be more offensive, more technical and extreme than the last couple even. No, I'm not talking about metal, but it should appeal to people who used to listen to the older xasthur anyway. This is 'nice', pleasant, fucked up music, it's cruel and confrontational, harmonic and yet disharmonic. It's about parts of life and ourselves that we don't want to think about but taking a look at it until we make major changes. It's about slavery, freedom and poverty. Take a look at your bad situation and surroundings, if you become fed up then you might do something about it, then it all becomes a positive influence out of the negative. It's about you, me, someone else you know or no longer want to know, it's about sacrificing everything to be free. It's about who's been lying to you. It's about the truth, both in the world and in our heads, that in itself makes it all taboo. It's about painting a picture of what we see, inside ourselves, others and around us, it can be ugly, but its real. You know, the things that always make me an asshole. I refuse to believe I'm the only one noticing whatever I write about. I want to write about stories and experiences I've seen, not some ghost story. Ok that's enough and more than a few words I've shared. It's called subject to change, I'll leave it at that, I shouldn't have to interpret it all so much, but because of internet attention spans, I do. In the early days of Xasthur you were influenced by artists like Burzum, Manes, Ildjarn and Mutiilation. Do you still listen to those artists and how have your influences evolved over time? Feel free to share your current favorite bands/albums in any given genre. No I don't listen to any of that anymore, yeah I remember when I used to like that stuff, why I did not know. Most of the time when 'smells like teen spirit' is on the radio, people change the station, that's how I feel about black metal now. I don't want to sound like any influences. Everyone is under the influence and not influenced enough by what's in their minds. I want to relate to something more than just a cool logo, vampires, snow etc. As a person and as a musician, are you still as negative and reclusive as you used to be? Do you think that embracing negativity and pessimism can be too much to handle at some point? That can be too much to handle and also unrealistic, it didn't take me too far or where I wanted to be. Not everyone is an enemy or a piece of shit and some people can relate to each other, some choose to and others choose not to. I have been fortunate to have met some people I can be less reclusive with over the last couple years, so it's a change. Musically and personally, I'm looking for changes that are worth changing for and for the better. Music is what I've used to create my experiences, time to make them better ones than before by looking elsewhere or somewhere new. I'll be negative when I have to be... I don't always have to be. It's not something I've ever embraced, it's a reaction. Thank your for your time Scott, I'm very stoked to hear new music from you. Good luck for future endeavors... Any last words to end this interview? These were great questions, you are in the here and now and that's incredible. Thank you.
Boy, I've seen lots of odd shit in my life but this music video is on a whole new level of weirdness and what-the-fuckness. Alright the song itself sucks donkey dick, but this may be one of the most genuinely freaky music videos ever made. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, mostly known for the first two Highlander films and his music video work with Duran Duran.
I interviewed the homie Josh Thorne and as usual, he was honest and outspoken in his answers. Be sure to check out Thorne's new masterpiece "Desolate"at his bandcamp page, it's a truly dark, mysterious and overall amazing record that defies categorization.
1 - What's up Thorne, how are you doing brother? It's been a year since the last interview you did for 7:10:7, how are things going in your life since then?
I'm quite all right, thank you. It's hard to believe it's been that long, but not surprising in the least. This past year has been a very turbulent and chaotic journey, but in the same breath, it's also been a year of awakening and enlightenment. It is, after all, naive to expect to move forward without some form of turmoil and strife haha.
2 - Your new album "Desolate" is very different from everything you've done in the past. You've most likely created a whole new genre here... There's lots of gothic vibes as well as shoegaze, ambient, metal and post-punk influences, and very emotional and poignant lyrics. Tell us a bit about the whole concept for the album and how you came up with this sound, specially coming from a hip-hop background?
First of all, thank you for the kind words in regard to Desolate. It's important to remember that I didn't actually come from a Hip Hop background. I was in Metal and Hardcore bands long before I ever even thought of trying to do Hip Hop as a serious thing.
The concept for Desolate all stems from a sort of life changing experience that happened late last July.
The events, which I recollect throughout every song but "Lost" all formed the foundation of not only what the EP would end up sounding like but the turn my life would end up taking as well. Musically, the whole thing came together quicker than anything I've ever written.
I had the entire EP written within a matter of days, because I had so much I needed to get out of my system. The lyrics, concepts, and ideas just sort of became this story I was able to tell in seven songs about the most emotionally destructive thing that's happened to me in my adult life.
3 - Some tracks like "Amor Exitium Est Mors Omnia Saecula" or "Lost" are so nihilistic and bleak they're downright scary. Then there's songs like "Porch Light" or the title track which are very melodic and emotional and there's a glimpse of light. What was your state of mind when you created these songs and would you say this is your most personal album yet?
It WAS the most personal thing I've ever recorded, but the next one has already trumped that in every regard. Desolate was a concept record.
From the beginning until the end, it tells the story of my personal, emotional, and spiritual undoing. The first song, "Whited Scion", almost acts as a mirror reflecting what has been and what is to come in the context of the story. "Porch Light" is one I look back on with fondness, because I just wanted to write a song that sounded like Tears For Fears. They're one of my favorite bands and when I heard Penacho's instrumental for that one, I knew I had my chance.
From the second song onward, you can hear each one become more despondent and melancholic until "Lost" kicks in. That song, in particular, is my affirmation of faith and I chose it to be the final song because it really sets the tone for what's to come on my next release. If you thought that song was frightening, let me assure you that it is just a mere glimpse into real fear when compared with some of the ones I've already composed for the follow-up.
4 - The vocals are also very diverse, there's clean vocals, some spoken word parts, and even black metal style harsh vocals. What pushed you to move away from rapping and expand your vocal style? Who are some of your favorite and most influential vocalists?
Well, as I said before, I didn't start out as a rapper. I did Hip Hop for two years, which is interesting since the whole thing started out as a joke that no one seemed to get. So, I attempted to be serious with it and try to put my own spin on things but there's only so much one can do within those confines. I knew before I even started writing Desolate that I was going to be changing my style up and all but abandoning Rap altogether.
It's not because I hate Hip Hop now or any of that shit, so much as it is me realizing that I'm not a rapper. My heart just wasn't in it anymore and hadn't been for a long time, so I just decided to try doing what I wanted to do instead of what other people thought I should do.
It's the first time I've ever actually sang melodically on a record that wasn't done as a backing track or something of that nature. That was the biggest thing to get used to. Put me behind a microphone and I can scream or say words that rhyme all day with no difficulty. Put me behind a microphone to actually sing and I turn into a nervous wreck.
As far as vocal influences go, my favorite singer is still my friend Pat Carter. He's the reason I picked up a microphone in the first place when I was a teenager, and his influence is ever-present in anything I've done. The same goes for Jon Nodtveidt. He always gets so much credit (deservedly so) for his guitar playing, but I always LOVED his vocals in Dissection just as much. Some of his screams still send chills up and down my spine to this day. I draw influence from many different singers, but at the end of the day, I can only do what I'm capable of and hope it sounds ok haha.
5 - Do you consider yourself as a satanist? Please share your views and experiences with satanism and the occult. Are you more into the spiritual or the philosophical side of it?
It's interesting, because like most people in this part of the world, I was raised devoutly Christian. Growing up, I did everything in my power to convince myself that I was a Christian, that those values were mine, and that by doing this, I could be exactly what my family hoped I would be.
There was always this feeling though, this feeling deep inside of me that I wasn't meant to be that person. I had a real crisis of faith when I was in my early 20's where I chose not to believe in anything and then went back to trying to be a Christian, but I just felt emptiness everywhere I turned. In that emptiness, I heard a voice that offered me another option and I've been listening to and following that voice ever since.
I believe in and follow the adversarial, chaotic, opposing force that has been given many names throughout the ages. It is profoundly spiritual for me, but philosophical in terms of how I view the world and everything in it. That being said, it's something deeply personal for me as well and I choose not to share much about it, outside of what I say in my music.
Those who walk the same path will understand. Sometimes, silence is more powerful than all the words in the dictionary.
6 - Music and drugs have gone hand in hand more often than not. I think that drugs can sometimes enhance both listening and creating music. What are your thoughts on this? Are you into drugs at all, and which ones?
I was really into painkillers, to the point where it turned into a nasty little habit. I've been clean from those since 2012. I also used to enjoy weed, but it stopped being enjoyable for me and I haven't smoked it in over a year now.
I realize I'm in a small minority in that last statement, but I totally understand why people love to smoke and I fully support legalizing it. Personally, it's just not something that interests me. I think drugs influencing great music relies more on a person's body chemistry and how they react to the drugs than the drugs themselves.
I know plenty of people who could smoke a bowl and write a monolithic epic of a song as a result of that, but I also know people who could smoke a bowl and just come up with pure nonsense on their guitar. It varies.
7 - Last time we talked about how the rap scene is becoming more and more trendy and lame. So far this year I haven't heard any good hip-hop besides the latest Juicy J mixtape... There's an overwhelming amount of fake pussy ass bullshit that passes as "hip hop" these days . Do you think there's any hope at all for real hip hop in this day and age? Do you give a fuck at all, or would you rather just listen to old Mobb Deep and Bone Thugs N Harmony albums?
At this point, I'd rather stick with the classics. I will say Freddie Gibbs is my favorite rapper since 2Pac passed away, Scarface's new album was a monster, and Gucci Mane will probably drop something sick when he gets out of the pen. FREE GUWOP!
Oh, and also, the last Earl Sweatshirt LP really REALLY impressed me. That was such a dark, unnerving listen from start to finish. I respect that dude because he legitimately does not seem to care what people think of him.
8 - What are your favorite albums in 2015 so far? 90% of music sucks ass nowadays but luckily there's still some good stuff out there. Personally I have to go with the last Gehenna, Prurient, and Hangman's Chair albums.
Gehenna's last one is devastating, and I'm looking forward to the forthcoming LP with great interest. The new Prurient is a good call too. Dominick is a true artist and in his field, a double album is almost unheard of. He did it though, and he created a masterpiece in the process.
My favorite album of the year is the new My Dying Bride. They've been one of my favorite bands since I was a teenager, and Feel The Misery is everything I've wanted from a My Dying Bride album since 2003.
Another record that really flew under the radar for a lot of people this year is the debut LP from my Arizonan brothers, Sovereign. It's called Nailing Shut The Sacrosanct Orifice and if you haven't heard it, go look it up right now. It's the best American Black Metal album to come along in many, many years and those dudes are the best people too. Real recognize real.
9 - I've read on your facebook page that you're already working on a new album. At this point it seems that you're not the kind of dude to do the same thing twice, what's the new stuff gonna sound like? Do you already have a specific concept for it?
The new stuff is probably the most damaging, hurtful music I've ever written. I don't think people are prepared for the next one. There's not really a concept, so much as an outpouring of so much that I've held in for years. It's called Laudate Reverentia and I'm hoping to have it out early next year at the latest.
10 - To wrap things up I'll ask a personal question: What is 218 and what does that number mean to you?
218 is the current through which the adversarial light of darkness flows into our world. There is no more meaningful, holy, or powerful number to me.
11 - Thanks for the interview Josh, keep the good music coming bruh! Best of luck in your upcoming projects, take care brother!
I was at this show and it kicked ass. Be sure to check out the new Hangman's Chair album "This Is Not Supposed To Be Positive" out on Music Fear Satan records, don't sleep on this amazing band!
