CVLT Nation Interviews Embers

Embers, from Oakland, California play atmospheric, crust influenced black metal. Embers new full length, “Shadows” is now available as a free download on their bandcamp page. I’ve been hooked since hearing their self released ‘Memoris in Aeterna’ released in 2007. Embers create a monolithic doom-laden nightmare soundscape that leaves a lasting impression.

Steve. There was absolutely no intention to start a “black metal” band or any other specific genre when Embers was formed. Of course with that said all of us have a history in the punk and crust scene with a great deal of metal influence as well. This history definitely informs the music.

The difference between Lesser of Two and Embers reflects a different approach to song writing as well as a desire to expand the range of emotion within the music.

Regarding the approach, Embers writes songs that explore, expound, emphasize, and serve the melody. This process led us to write songs that were less dense yet told more of a story. You can see Lesser of Two exploring this as time progressed, especially in our last album War Circus. Initially the approach we took with Lesser Of Two was to start with the rhythm and explore musical textures to add dynamism to the rhythm. We do this in Embers as well but it is not the dominant songwriting element.

Regarding the range of emotion, Lesser of Two was a band that focused on anger, frustration, despair, and harnessed an energy that was frantic to elicit a rush of adrenalin. This was an exploration of the extremes of the punk sensibility that I was coming from originally. Embers on the other hand is much more reflective and circumspect as we are individually in our lives. The anger is still there, but it is blended with other sentiments that reflect a wider range of feelings.

Kelly: I would agree with Steve and say it was not a conscious decision but one that evolved from an interest in developing a more ambient sound combined with an aggressive quality of feeling. The two elements merge nicely in atmospheric black metal and that is what some folks have labeled us. While everyone in the bend enjoys that style of music overall, I am personally an inspired enthusiast of the genre in a way that lends a great satisfaction to the musical path we are currently exploring.

CVLT. How do you write your songs, with constant transitions of heavy rhythmic buildup, to tense dark orchestral ambiance to epic doom. What is the inspiration both lyrically and musically?

Steve. Since I have stepped away from the microphone in Embers I can only speak to the music. The dynamics stem primarily from exploring variations and reinterpretations on musical themes. The song structures are otherwise relatively basic using a traditional verse-chorus-verse-bridge type structure. We try not to overwrite the songs, yet often it takes time to fully develop the ideas so the songs are not simplistic either. I’d be happy if there were one or two novel ideas in any of our songs that we could explore thoroughly. I try not to get to experimental because ideas start to get lost. Actually, I am constantly trying to deconstruct the songs to their most basic elements. You will often see me play two or three note melodies for entire sections of our songs. I’m always searching for the tonal essence of a concept.

Kelly: Steve wonderfully breaks down the cerebral process of our songwriting. I would say that while in our music, we strive create a strong emotional story line using the textured expression of harmonic interplay and counterpoint, we also work to incorporate the dynamics of tension and release that weaves in a narrative. I write most of the bands lyrics along with Timm and while in the past my lyrical content was more literal and political, Embers has inspired in me a more introspective approach to personal experience in regards to oppression, solitude, contemplation and death. While all of our song lyrics broach different themes, they all explore this arena of processing the heavier aspects of existence.

Timm: the process of writing music with Jerry, Steve and Kelly has a completely new and rewarding experience for me. all aspects sort of come from the heart for me, is raw emotion set to music.

CVLT. Your music has a feeling of bleak barren desolation at times. Do you think mankind is determined to have a disastrous fate?

Steve. I feel like we are living in the end times or possibly the end has already happened, and humanity doesn’t even realize it. I don’t mean this in any kind of religious way. It’s just an observation. The world as we know it is unsustainable and we are currently in a slow state of collapse. I actually find it beautiful. Like our music there is a lot of darkness to this perspective, but ultimately through destruction therein lies the hope of rebirth which is what I find inspiring in life. Of course humankind is determined to have a disastrous fate. Things are, and have been, pretty disastrous throughout much of the world for quite some time. I think humans will probably persevere through it all, and I hope that in the future humanity will become wise. Of course I also believe the opposite is very possible too. I’m not extremely concerned about the outcome, but I’m not rooting for the demise of humankind either. This video captures my feelings on the matter:

Kelly: Haha such a deep question. I am not a fatalist nor an idealist and will not pretend to have any notion as to what trends man’s pioneering spirit coupled with his competitive nature will create for the future of the species.

Timm: I think mankind as a whole defiantly has the ability to destroy as well as prosper, though i see little to support prosperity these days.

CVLT. Are you releasing the new album ‘Shadows’ yourself? It’s unusual step having it as a ‘pay what you like’ download before it is officially released? What was the thinking behind it, do you have a DIY ethos to the workings of the band?

Steve. We made Shadows available in that manner to get our music out. In that way we hope that it will generate more interest in our music which will help get the attention of labels. We do not intend to release Shadows on our own, but we are willing to do that if we don’t find the right label to work with. Throughout my musical life everything I’ve done has been DIY. That said, I’m not sure if there is a distinct line these days between DIY and what used to be it’s antithesis which was signing to a major label. There seems to be a lot of in between to navigate which has it’s benefits and pitfalls. Currently I am open to working with a label and collaborating with others to deal with booking, promotion, and distribution. Of course I am happy to continue being DIY if we can’t find the right people to connect with.

Kelly: It seems to make sense as an independent project in a depressed economy to create a donation option for online music. The new medium in the music industry are downloads and we are striving to ride the crest of digital media. We will still put out a double LP with a download card available inside the packaging. While we hope to get some financial support for the physical release, we will always have a DIY ethos. At the end of the day, it’s the only way to live.

Timm: we are actively looking for a label to partner the release of Shadows with, our previous 2 albums were both self released and it doesn’t get more DIY than that.

CVLT. Oakland seems to have some of the heaviest bands from yourselves to Neurosis, Stormcrow, Asunder etc. What’s it like being a band in Oakland, gig wise, rehearsal spaces etc? Is it possible to make a living playing such heavy styled music there? Any other bands from there that you would recommend?

Steve. In Oakland there is a huge diversity of art and music which is a constant source of inspiration. Also, Oakland is a place where people tend to lay down roots so there is a history and sense of community within the various scenes here. At the same time Oakland in general is very dynamic. The trials and tribulations of life are constantly playing out on the streets here. Also, that same struggle affects being in a band. There are a lot of opportunities, but finding the time and making the space for your music is a struggle. Life in Oakland is fast paced and filled with diversions, and the cost of rent for practice studios and housing can be burdensome. That’s why I’ve turned to squatting as an alternative which is growing here in Oakland as it is in much of the country. (check out the film which I’m featured in called Shelter: A Squatumentary at http://www.killnormal.com/shelter/) I believe the grittiness of Oakland influences the feeling of much of the music coming from Oakland. The heaviness is a feeling that people live with, and it comes through in the music.

There are a lot of Oakland Bands I would recommend keeping an eye on. These are the heaviest and darkest ones that come to mind:

Hazzards Cure
Pigs
Vadr Vodu
Alaric
Vastum
Laudanum
Vulvalaard
Saviours
Somnolence
Hexe
One in the Chamber
Neurotoxicity
Headless Lizzy and Her Icebox Pussy

Kelly: We are certainly fortunate to live in an area that has such an inspirational array of musical pioneers in extreme underground music. I would not say one could really make a living from it however. Everyone I know that plays in bands, even if they are popular, has another source of income. There are great opportunities to play with great line ups locally and from around the world, rehearsal spaces are of course over priced along with everything else.
Great bands would include
Ludicra
Grayceon
Amber Asylum
Necrite

Timm: i feel pretty blessed to be doing this in Oakland, we have a pretty tight community and its very inviting in a sense of spaces to play, there are always a good group of exciting new bands. Hazards Cure, Pigs, Badr Vogu, and Vulvalard to name a few.

CVLT. What’s the next tour plans for Embers? Any last words or thoughts?

Steve. We currently have no plans. We are making some contacts to explore various ideas, but it’s all very tenuous at the moment. We are open to proposals from bookers and promoters, but we aren’t going to rush out to play anything we’re offered these days unless it’s something serious which will at least cover our transportation expenses. I have no last words or thoughts other than to thank you for reaching out to Embers and for your support.

Kelly: Embers wont be touring until next year and those plans are still up in the air. Thanks for your support in doing this interview and thanks to all the folks involved the perseverance of underground music everywhere!

Timm: No exact tour plans at the moment, possibly a self supported bicycle/band tour…

myspace.com/embers666 or embers.bandcamp.com/