USX Appalachia, aka U.s Christmas, created a very wicked album called The Valley Path, out now via Neurot Recordings. It’s a piece of music that has become a part of my daily life. This album has so many special qualities, one being that it will totally ground you. So when Nate Hall from USX Appalachia said he would be down for an interview, I was like, it’s fucking on! Today, CVLT Nation is super stoked to bring you closer to a band that is on constant rotation in our H.Q. So after the jump, check out a mind-bending interview with Nate Hall of USX Appalachia .
What up USX…what’s happening with you today?
I have been skateboarding today, something I haven’t done much in the last 10 years. But I have felt the urge a lot lately. Just rolling around, some wallrides, transitions. And I just watched the documentary about John Cardiel, called Epicly Later’d. Highly recommended, Cardiel is the man.
The Valley Path is an awesome record, what was your creative approach?
I had the foundation of it planned out, the words and chords. When we started playing it together we made it flow real well, everyone contributed ideas and tied it all together. Then when we had it recorded Megan went in and put a lot of string and vocal layers on it, Travis added some organ, Tony Wyioming added some percussion sounds. Travis mixed it, then Vince mastered it. It was as easy as breathing.
What role do you think that your environment plays in the way you approach making music & your lyrical content?
It plays a big part, especially with RTITN and The Valley Path. The natural world is a great source of inspiration for music, always has been if you look back. So many sounds, rhythms, tones just floating around if you listen. And I have never seen any place to match the beauty here in western NC, and I try to capture the visual feel of the place. Hard to explain that, but it is true.
You were raised on land where lots of history was made, good & bad – do you ever feel the spirits of the land communicating with you?
I think so, but I don’t know if it is the land itself. I think a lot of energy comes from people who have passed on. When we were working on Eat The Low Dogs I remember writing all the words to Uktena all at once on Halloween night, and I felt pretty creeped out. Uktena is from Cherokee folklore and at that time I was spending time with some people from that culture. This one girl told me about a thing that she was told lives in creeks and rivers and will steal your soul and leave the shell of your body to walk around for a day or two. She was unhappy and actually wanted this to happen, but it never did and she seemed disappointed. The Cherokees also seemed to think that their traditional land, which I live on, contains a lot of spiritual energy from their culture. I believe them. I definitely think there is a consciousness to energy, and lots of things manifest themselves in human beings.
Your music has this organic & ethereal quality to it…where do you think that this comes from?
I think it comes from our genuine dedication to projecting energy through music.
If there was one animal that represented the sound of your music, what animal would it be & why?
I would say dogs, because they are torn between instinct and modern human society.
As teenagers, what was the musical vibration that rocked your inner nation & made you realize you would make music?
Neil Young, Nirvana, Fugazi, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees. Once I heard that stuff I never looked back.
USX’s music is very powerful & emotive – how does this translate when you are performing live?
I think our live shows are even more emotive and powerful, because it is all happening right then.
USX possesses a shamatic & meditative energy at times, where do you think this comes from?
Well, I think we all enjoy the cathartic feeling that we get when we play music together. And I think we all give everything we have when we play. There is a lot of energy, lots of volume, lots of electricity and impact. It is powerful stuff and I can’t quite explain the feeling it gives me. So maybe that is it.
What have been some of your greatest joys about being in this band & being on the road?
The Brooklyn Masonic Temple shows with Mastodon and Neurosis, Roadburn, The Baroness/Earthless tour, the Nine Toe Tour with Weedeater, and playing two nights in SF with Neurosis, the COC reunion shows– just to name some high points. We have done so many shows that are total lifemakers. And we have been able to do everything on our terms. Very fulfilling.
What is your outlook on these four things & what effect do they have in what you create: feedback, drone,space & repetition?
Those are major elements of our sound. They have been very good to us.
When it’s all said & done, what mark on music do you want to have?
Tinnitus.
What’s one question that never been asked about your band & what is the answer?
Q – Can you please turn it down a little?
A – No.
Photos by Joh Moreno
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