Strix Artist Hollow Branches Interview is up

Hollow Branches

1. So its been a few years since Anchored in Sleep and the new album in 2012. The last was in 2009... What has Hollow Branches been doing?

Anchored in Sleep came out around December 2009, and Okanagana Waves came out just over two years later in January 2012. It's been longer than we would have liked, but that's how it goes when you're an independent artist footing all expenses. For our part, Marius and I finished tracking the music and vocals by July 2010 at his studio in Norway. Unfortunately it took some time to find a replacement for Jason, which we eventually did in Mathew Kennedy from Phideaux. He finished tracking bass around mid-2011 at which point Marius started the mixing process. The CDs should be arriving from press any day now.

2. I see you have a new bassist and are no longer working with Jason from Agalloch/Nothing. Was Jason never a full time member?

No, Jason was never a full time member. He has a lot of commitments, and we were lucky to have him help us out on four Strix Records releases between Hollow Branches and Indelible.

3. The new album Okanagana Waves seems to have much in common with the sounds Ulver and Tenhi are creating. This album has a more Post Rock/ Folk element then the last as well. Where did the new sound come from?

On Anchored in Sleep and Words are Fire the writing was shared 50/50. This time Marius wrote all of the music, so I've asked him to answer this question.

I haven't really listened much to Tenhi, so that must be coincidental, or we might have the same inspirational sources? As for Ulver, we are both fans of their music, but I prefer the newer material, especially Shadows of the Sun, which is pretty far from Okanagana Waves musically, but pretty close thematically. Although I feel the themes on Okanagana Waves are taken down to a more direct and personal level.

While writing for Okanagana Waves much of the inspiration came from various Neofolk acts. I was also listening a lot to Änglagård and other prog bands at the time which can explain why the album at times mix up the two genres, and also why there are some hints of Scandinavian folk there.

4. Will Hollow Branches be performing or touring for Okanagana Waves?

Not at this time. Marius lives in Norway, I live on the west coast of the US, while Mathew lives on the east coast. We'd need a drummer, and about a years worth of rehearsal before we got anywhere near the stage.

5. You seem to be very into the digital age with the use of Last.fm, Bandcamp , Facebook etc. Do you feel the physical format for album is close to over?

I think for some people it certainly is (and in some cases never existed.) Many of the people I work with, for example, have never purchased a CD, record, cassette, etc. The idea is completely foreign to them because they were born at a different time.

I still purchase albums that I enjoy, but I nearly always preview a record before doing so. I completely respect other people's desire to do the same. Stream or download our album, and if you like it, throw a couple of dollars our way. For the collectors, we also have CDs. If you want high quality MP3s of Okanagana Waves and for one reason or another don't have any money to spend on music, send me an email and I'll give you a link to download our album. Music should be shared.

6. How did you come to create Strix Records which seems to be a digital label with limited physical album releases? http://www.strixrecords.com

Creating Strix Records has allowed us to release our music on our own timeline, without having to worry about a labels release dates. To give you an example, Marius' first band, Formloff, recently recorded their second album. When I say recently, I mean well over a year ago. The album was mixed, mastered, and the artwork was complete when Eisenwald agreed to release it. Unfortunately there were several releases scheduled to come out beforehand. It's not the fault of the label or the band, but as you know, labels rarely have just one artist to promote.

7.Robert you were working in few other projects are they still going on or is Hollow Branches the main focus these days?

Marius and I are both working on the next Hollow Branches album at this time. It's still early in the writing process, but I can tell you the next album will have a bit more rock. We're also finishing the recording of the next Indelible album, which Marius will begin mixing soon.

We also have the Self Spiller album coming out soon on Vendlus Records. Self Spiller is Jason's new(ish) side project which evolved out of Especially Likely Sloth. The band is made up of Jason, Marius and myself, along with Mirai and Dr. Mikannibal from Sigh, Andy Winter, Rob Kleiner, Zweizz, Don Anderson, and a bunch of other contributors. Outside of all of that, Marius is also involved in the black metal band, Formloff, and creates experimental ambient sounds under the Sjøli monicker.

8. Will we be seeing any videos for the new album again? Okanagana Waves seems to work very well for video formats?

We have talked about it, but we don't have the time or money to create a video at this time. Personally, I have an even greater desire to score a short film instead of creating a video for a song. We both have experience scoring, whether it be for software, which I have done, or commercials and student films, as Marius has done. Putting music to pictures is a lot more fun than putting images to sound.

9. What are your thoughts on the indie music scene in 2012? Do you see digital music as the new tape trading and webzines the new mouthpiece for the underground?

There are many great bands, both independent and on bigger labels. I don't like to focus on indie vs. major, but on what pleases me.

Similarities exist between digital culture and tape trading, but there was a permanence with tape trading and physical zines that just doesn't exist in the digital era. There is essentially no effort in downloading an album, so if you listen to 20 seconds and don't like what you're hearing it's pretty easy to just delete it from your computer/iPod. Our albums are for people that can get past their initial reactions and invest a bit of time listening, looking at the artwork, and reading through the lyrics. That's why every release since "Anchored in Sleep" has come with a digital booklet; to lend a little bit of permanence to a format that is easily discarded.

10. Are there any running themes on Okanagana Waves?

There are a lot of references to nature, skepticism, anxiety, and memory on Okanagana Waves. Because I have a terrible time sleeping through the night, my relationship with the morning is complicated, so many of my references to the sun and sleep are not very cheerful. The first, fourth, and final tracks on the album are about time, and the impermanence of life, the universe and everything.

11. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here?

Thanks for reading. You can stream and purchase Strix Records releases at http://hollowbranches.bandcamp.com/ orhttp://indeliblenor.bandcamp.com/