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CVLT Nation Interviews
DEAFHEAVEN

All Photos by Matthew Grant Anson

San Francisco’s Deafheaven has eluded obnoxious genre trapping since their inception, doing so with a towering hybrid of sound. Second full-length, Sunbather is nothing short of an achievement, blurring lines between black metal and shoegaze, post-rock and screamo. Crafting these disparate wholes into a greater work, it is clear Deafheaven is an ambitious entity. With the overwhelming response Sunbather has received, vocalist George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy found time to shed light on their work, inspiration, shows and future.

CVLT: How did the recording of Sunbather differ from Roads to Judah? Did the reputation the band garnered have an impact on the recording?

DFHVN: We were definitely much more nervous going in. Not necessarily because Roads had gained some recognition, but because we had a desire to fully out-do ourselves.

CVLT: On the grounds of scope, Sunbather belittles Roads to Judah, however they also come off as pieces of a greater whole. From an evolutionary and aesthetic standpoint, where do the two albums differ and where are they alike?

DFHVN: We took the same motivation as we had for Roads but heightened it as better musicians with a clearer, most constructed idea of what we wanted to accomplish. The aesthetics are similar, but more thought out and intelligently executed this time around.

CVLT: The artwork of Sunbather is the antithesis of typical grim, wintry imagery of black metal with its sunset hues and ribbon strands. Was this an apathetic response to metal reactionaries or even a response at all?

DFHVN: It is a move that is often misconstrued as a response to “typical” black metal imagery. I’m a fan of various types of art and simply do not want to be confined to one style. We have plenty of imagery that reflects darker themes. I simply did not find it fitting with this release.

CVLT: When someone hears a Deafheaven record, particularly Sunbather, is there anything you’d like them to uniformly glean from the listen?

DFHVN: I can only hope that it draws out some sort of emotional response. It is the key reason for the music we make.

CVLT: In contrast to woodland fascinations, Deafheaven appears drawn to urban woes. What about living in a metropolis like San Francisco influences the lyrical content and the compositions as a whole?

DFHVN: The city has a great influence on us as it affects how we live our lives as a whole. Our finances, our struggles, our relationships, etc. It would not make sense to refer to any other lifestyle.

CVLT: From Mogwai to Weakling to Envy, there is a seemingly endless channeling of influence into Deafheaven’s sound. Of these myriad inspirations, what albums have moved Deafheaven to this current point the most?

DFHVN: Honestly, that’s too difficult to answer. We do have our major influences…some of which you’ve pointed out. But we listen to music constantly and I feel as though every act that we enjoy plays a part in our influence.

CVLT: There is a delicate edge to the band’s lyricism that evokes vibrant images and potent emotion. Are there any particular writings, poems and philosophies that find their way into the music?

DFHVN: I try and read as often as I can. I probably don’t read as often as I should. There are various authors that do influence me. Particular pieces? Maybe on a subconscious level.

CVLT: Considering the preceding hype, the double show at the Echoplex with Boris and Ides of Gemini seemed to be an event concert. Considering the availability of Sunbather within days of the shows, how do you think fans having heard the album affected the reception?

DFHVN: I’m extremely surprised and have been overwhelmed as just how well the response from fans have been. We are all very appreciative of the love we’ve been shown so far.

CVLT: Your first headlining North American tour is fast approaching. Considering the band’s recent momentum, the turnout can be expected to be avid and huge. As a band, has it ever been imagined Deafheaven would be as far-reaching as it has become?

DFHVN: We just continue to do as much as we can with the time that we have. I’m grateful for how far Deafheaven has taken us, but there is much more room to grow. Any time fans come out to enjoy the show, regardless of the show’s size, is a success to me.

CVLT: At this point, what plans and projects does the band have for the rest of 2013 and beyond?

DFHVN: Only to tour as much as possible. Hopefully other musical opportunities will arise as well, but time can only tell.