Scott Kelly has nothing to prove. As a founder and main songwriter of one of the most critically-acclaimed experimental metal acts of the past two decades, Neurosis, his path was set.
With his reach extending through Neurosis alter-egos Tribes of Neurot, Blood and Times and, most recently, doom supergroup Shrinebuilder – a whole generation of heavy musicians wanting to step into new realms of consciousness owe a debt to this man.
Yet he is unsatisfied. Over 10 years ago, he stripped himself back to only an acoustic guitar and the sound of his haunting tongue to bare all as a solo artist.
On the eve of the release of his third solo LP, The Forgiven Ghost In Me, he has once again transformed himself. CVLT Nation talked with the singer and songwriter earlier this year about the upcoming release…
CVLT: It’s been more than two years now since the release of The Wake. Do you still feel fulfilled, both personally and musically, through the album?
Kelly: “I do; I feel really good about that record. It’s pretty stark, which is what I wanted to do and it’s accurate to what I do live. I just recorded a new solo record, which builds on that instrumentalisation. Just because I was in the mood to do something different.
“I recorded it back in December with Noah, the keyboardist from Neurosis, at his mum’s house. He engineered and produced it. And he also played on it, adding extra guitars and keys. I also brought in a few other guys from the band to do stuff, but I’m not really sure how it all went.”
CVLT: Touching on your forthcoming third LP, what can listeners expect?
Kelly: “This new record is somewhere between my first two albums, with more of a band sound to it. The music, for the most part, is very organic sounding. I also knew what to expect from the people I collaborated with, because I have worked with them before. Which helps, it keeps it simple. I just gave them the songs and they wrote their own parts. I really don’t like to be the guy who’s telling everyone what to do, unless it’s something I really don’t like. In general, if I’m working with someone, I let them express themselves as they see fit.”
CVLT: How has the new material served as the ‘next step’ in your journey as a solo artist?
Kelly: “I think I am still a little too close to it to know. With all the different sounds going on, I think it lends itself to a broader emotional feel. At least, I kinda hope so. But everyone can judge for themselves.”
CVLT: Were there any different concepts you explored on this release?
Kelly: “It’s strange; it’s the first time I’ve ever written love songs. In most senses, they are kinda bittersweet. But it’s really the firs time in my life I’ve been in love and feel equally love by someone else. It has had a big impact on me, just as a human being. Of course, that comes through my music.
“As usual, my reflections on life are not the humorous. I have a good sense of humour, I have just never been able to let it come through my music. Sometime I wish I could. I also deal a lot with my past experiences, the leftovers in my life. Thankfully now I can also look to some of my triumphs of my heart and the love of my family and kids too.”
CVLT: You’ve always been very vocal about your ‘legacy’ as a musician being of the utmost importance. How do you think your solo path adds to this?
Kelly: “Hopefully favourably. I guess I want my solo material to reflect who I am and for it to be something that can stand on its own. It has been extremely difficult for me to write it. It’s definitely not something I am super at ease with doing, although I’ve gotten better at it over time. This was something that was not my first and most natural way to express myself. But it’s a way I’ve discovered that I wanted to express myself.”
CVLT: How does this compare to what you’ve done with namesake outfit Neurosis?
Kelly: “Neurosis is something that comes pretty naturally. It’s a different process when you’re talking about a band. We’ve known each other for a long time. So when we work together, we know what to expect from each other. And we do our work for the love of it, not for the money or the fame – any of that. It has always been for the music, you know?
“This is obviously the same for both projects. But basically everything comes from Neurosis; it all starts there. Without Neurosis, there is no solo songs. The foundation that was laid with Neurosis, the way we conduct ourselves and handle our business – all transfers directly to my solo material as well.”
CVLT: Jumping between Neurosis, Shrinebuilder and your solo shows – can it be difficult to snap between the different performing mentalities?
Kelly: “Honestly, I keep my preparation private because it’s deeply personal. There is no real trick to it, it’s something you kinda learn and adapt to over time. The music I do, whether it’s with Neurosis or solo, is emotionally very open and could potentially put you in a position where you’re overly exposed. You have to protect yourself and get yourself in the frame of mind where you can focus and get through whatever obstacles are in front of you.
“Neurosis is a more outward, thrusting state of mind. Whereas solo has much more of a quiet hypnosis to it. They both have a certain meditation to them, but one definitely has more of an edge than the other. I learnt to get in the right frame of mind because circumstances see that I actually don’t get as much time as I would like to compose myself as I’m usually playing in a bar that has no back stage. I have to gather myself and go. It is what it is, they say, you just deal with it.”
CVLT: You are in the throes of writing the next Neurosis offering. When do you expect this to be released?
Kelly: “We’re pretty much done and should have it finished by the end of March, recording and everything. Hoping for release this September or October.
CVLT: It has also been over two years since Shrinebuilder’s self-titled opus surfaced. When can we expect something fresh on that front?
Kelly: “We’ve got a lot of material written, unfortunately we never end up being able to get in the same room at the same time. As soon as we figure out that part, we’ll be recording a new record. Right now, I’m still waiting for that to happen.”
Scott Kelly will release two solo albums in 2012. Songs of Town Van Zandt will see Steve Von Till and Wino join his side once again, with the influence of fellow Neurosis bandmates felt on The Ghost Forgiven In Me. To find out more, visit the Neurot Recordings site.
Johnny Mark
April 23, 2012 at 3:16 pm
always great to see Scott speaking