Interviews with Bands
“On a video call from Tucson, with her playful dog Kansas and a huge Visigoth poster in the background, Alicia Cordisco filled me in on what she’s been up to. A prolific metal guitarist and occasionally, singer, with plenty to say, she’s a joy to interview, speaking extemporaneously on her community within the metal scene, the joys of Manilla Road (“they’re the greatest band ever and I will accept no other option”), and the challenges of coming out and of living as a trans woman.”
“Below I’ve tried to compile the highlights of the amazing hour-and-a-half conversation I had with the guys. Though I tried to keep it focused, professional, and kid-friendly, I have failed. I know what you’re going to say, Steel, but it wasn’t my fault.”
Join Master of Muppets as he discusses many things with Tony Thomas of Dawn of Ouroboros.
As part of of our ongoing series on mental health awareness in metal, we sit down for a chat with Zach Randall of Northern Crown.
Join us for the second part of our look behind the bands themselves, into what the independent metal labels do to get music to your turntables.
“The more time I’ve spent reviewing stuff on this here blog, the more I’ve begun to take note of record labels, to the point now that certain labels generate certain expectations for an album. With that realization, I became more interested in labels, how they work and the people behind them.” Behind the music lies the work.
“Nobody likes being depressed, plain and simple. It inherently brings us somewhere cold, dark and painful, and conversations centered around the subject can often lead to similarly unpleasant destinations. As important and necessary as communication is, whether we’re struggling with mental distress or walkin’ on friggin’ sunshine, depression and anxiety are often able to plant themselves directly between the affected individual and their ability to effectively convey their struggles—and that sucks, yo.”
“When it comes to discussions about serious topics—religion, politics, mental illness — I have found many people prefer to steer clear. Occasionally that’s an appropriate stance. These are difficult and delicate subjects and sometimes the circumstances are just not right for them. But this isn’t one of those times. Today, I approach one particular subject, that of mental health awareness, frankly.”
“I have never had such a candid and comfortable conversation about this most miserable of subject matter with anyone before my discussion with Déhà, the mastermind behind Déhà and Slow, among others. It is my sincere hope that someone out there will read these words and feel the same level of support and understanding that I felt as they transpired, and it is all but certain that this will forever be the post that I am most proud and humbled to have contributed to this great Hall ov ours.”
“It seems that music holds a special place for many, like myself, who feel they can’t always safely express concerns about their own mental health. Music functions both as a creative outlet and as a method of processing what we feel, occasionally to the point that it heals. Furthermore, music offers a powerful community simply by existing, and metal, I believe, especially so. Therefore, Grymm, Master of Muppets and I reached out to a few artists whose product takes a hard look at mental health and its relationship with music. First up is an interview with ALN of Mizmor.”
