LAUDANUM Interview up...
http://www.myspace.com/laudanum18
1.For those of us just finding out about LAUDANUM give us the pre story to now.
Laudanum formed in 2004 after the short-lived “Brainbloodvolume” ended. Becky, myself, and Robert Collins (Artimus Pyle) continued to play together after that bands’ demise. In 2005 Robert moved to Milwaukee shortly after the recording of “The Apotheker”. We ended up taking a break for a little while, and then Greg Wilkinson joined the band shortly thereafter. Once Greg joined the band, we really took our time jamming, writing, and delving even deeper into the noise aspect that makes up our sound today. We played in that form until this year, when we began talking w/ Nathan Misterek about doing some guest vocals on an upcoming release. We jammed w/ Nathan soon after and realized there was something really interesting going on here. Nathan was interested in a more permanent gig, so we asked him to join Laudanum.
2. How did you come to work with 20buckspin?
Our good friends in Stormcrow asked us to do a split. They had already worked w/ Dave, so they approached him about the LP. We talked w/ him quite a bit during production of the “Sacred Death” split, and he eventually showed interest in working w/ us and Life is Abuse on “The Coronation”. We really lucked out working w/ Dave, 20 Buck Spin is one of the most amazing and consistent labels out there.
3. Your sound to me is a mix of Doom, Drone and Industrial sounds how did you come with such a strong love of bands like Jesu, Swans, Neurosis and Khanate . What it a long time coming this sound?
Yes, it has taken a while and I think it will always be a work in progress. Like the bands you mentioned, we don’t want to be tied down to a specific genre. We are all really into noise manipulation (field recordings, circuit bending, etc.) and heavy, dark music and we will follow that where ever it goes.
4. Does your early material differ much from " The Coronation " ?
Somewhat, I don’t think people realize “The Apotheker” was released in 2004. At that time we were a little faster, more sludge, and had just begun working w/ the noise elements. The label that released that record went out of business before we even got the CDs, so there never was a proper release or promotion. Those records have slowly trickled out for many years. I still see new reviews of that record all the time!
5. What is a live show like for LAUDANUM?
Obscene volume and the search for the elusive brown note.
6.Your Website is very creative http://www.laudanum.org/ is LAUDANUM a very visual band over all?
Yes we are. I do the art for the band and I think we all have a very specific idea of what our sound portrays. Nathan is a visual artist also and will probably do something for the band down the road. I would say we put thought into every visual aspect of the band including our live set-up.
7. Whats you thoughts on the modern digital age I know you have myspace page but are you for digital audio, internet radio, blogs and webzine formats?
I think it all has its place and I find it really interesting. As far as promotion and communication it seems to work great, but for creative endeavors we will always use analog.
8. If LAUDANUM was asked to explain there band and sound to someone that has never heard you before how would you do so?
That is a tough one…something like “massive blackened rhythm section, corrosive amrep guitar and unholy, tortured vocals, with a heavy spackle of atmospheric noise filling in the cracks???”
9. Is the oakland scene much different from the San Fran movement I remember many good sludge, crust and grind bands coming out of the bay area as well as Thrash Bands. I don't know many doomy bands from there minus Neurosis...?
One of my absolute favorites is Asunder…deep, depressing, funeral doom.
Some other local favorites are Stormcrow, Saros, Ludicra, Drain the Sky, and
Worm Oroboros.
10. It seems that as the economy fails and recessions hit, darker and more extreme music thrives would you agree?
That definitely makes sense to me.
11. The artwork on The Coronation is minimalist and creepy does the art play hand in hand with the themes on the release?
Yes, I painted it specifically for this release. The original oil is 48” x 48”. Most of the art we use in records, merchandise, and web images are done with the band in mind. Ideally, we want every aspect of the band to portray a cohesive message.
12. Where do you see the band moving with future releases are there more experimental or more extreme paths ahead or maybe both?
We have already been writing new music w/ Nathan and I would say the direction is more extreme in every way. Everyone is pushing themselves to take things to a different level and open to new experiments, I feel like anything goes right now and I look forward to see where that leads us
13. Thanks for the interview any closing thoughts here.
We will be touring the west coast from Nov 20-30 w/ Black Ganion from Japan. The official release of “The Coronation” CD on 20 Buck Spin is Aug 25, and the
2 x LP on Life is Abuse will follow soon after. Check our website for updates and to get on our mailing list. Laudanum.org. Thanks!
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