Interviews: Gates To The Morning


This is a new interview with the Black Metal/Post-Black Metal band Gates To The Morning from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or came out just like that?

The band's name is a play on the words “Gates of Morning” from Tolkien mythology. I changed the name up a bit for a couple reasons but it was directly inspired by that and other personal experiences I had that I was able to relate to the name. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Well, the irony is we cover a lot of different genres, and our new album “Walk Between Worlds” highlights our lighter and the more atmospheric side that we hinted at on certain moments from our debut “Return to Earth.” Ultimately we are a metal band but the beauty of metal is that it allows for a very eclectic sonic palette. It’s not uncommon for a metal band to sound like Enya and then sound like Morbid Angel on the next song or album, and I love that. I need to have that kind of freedom and Metal offers that.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The lineup for our upcoming album is different from our debut, but the band is, as of now, essentially a one-man project featuring a pool of session musicians, although things have become and will continue to get more collaborative over time. The musicians I do work with on my records and live band are all long-time friends that I have been playing music with since childhood so I know them well and love them all dearly.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

It was hard for us all to pick a favorite but we tried… (members featured “Walk Between Worlds”):

Sean - Led Zeppelin

MPMD - Mats/Morgan Band

Jon - Opeth or Alice in Chains (he couldn’t pick one)

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I hear music going on in my head at most times of the day, so there’s always something to work with. It’s a need to express. It’s a necessity otherwise I feel like I’m going to explode. There’s so much to say and words are so often painfully insufficient and music is capable of expressing what we couldn’t express otherwise.

6. Where was your last gig?

The bands most recent gig was in November 2019 at Backroom Studios in Rockaway, NJ. We had more gigs planned that was derailed by the lockdowns in March 2020. My own personal recent gig I played was last week at a bar in Nutley, NJ doing session work drumming for a cover band.

7. Where would you like to act?

I have become more and more intent on playing venues that have great sound and acoustic environments. I don’t mind sizing down and having a more intimate venue that really brings out the best sound. However, it would also be a total blast to play at Midgardsblot in Norway. It’s a festival I’ve been to before and it would be very cool to play there, it’s an amazing festival.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Open-minded individuals who live for music. Doesn't matter the stature of the band or even the genre, I love meeting all different types of people through music.

9. Whom not?

Any band or venue that has vaccine mandates or any sort of abhorrent shit like that. Unfortunately, I’m unable to play in Canada for the foreseeable dystopian future.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Absolutely, I’ve played countless gigs and still get nervous. I would hate it if I wasn’t a little nervous though, the only time I’m not nervous is when it’s a bad gig where no one is paying attention. Nervousness is just energy, and if you harness that energy you can use it to ignite your performance. Just be cool with being nervous, accept it, then rock and roll.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

All the stuff I listened to growing up: Classic Rock like Led Zeppelin, Yes, Bad Company. Jazz fusion like Mahavishnu or Chick Corea and straight-ahead Jazz like Art Blakey and Wayne Shorter. Of course metal, especially the gateway bands like Dimmu Borgir and Opeth, Iron Maiden, Celtic Frost, or the symphonic black metal bands like Emperor and Enslaved…The stuff you listen to when you are young sticks with you forever. With that being said I also love just about everything that came out of the 1990s. Some of its pure nostalgia but I think the 90s were possibly the best decade for music in so many different ways.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Well, this isn’t weird or strange at all but the first time I was asked to sign one of my CDs I was taken aback. It doesn’t happen often but I know some fans ask for that and it makes me feel super important like I’m signing autographs, so it’s great for my ego!

13. What do you think of your fans?

We don’t have a massive fanbase but the ones we do have are loyal and extremely supportive and I am incredibly grateful for that.

14. What do you think of our site?

Love it! Creative and unique, and you featured our first album on here as well!

15. Something to add?

After our upcoming sophomore effort “Walk Between Worlds” is released on July 22nd I will immediately start work on the next two albums that are already composed so keep an eye on our social media for all updates, we will have an abundance of music for the foreseeable future. Thanks for having us on the site!

No hay comentarios

Imágenes del tema: Aguru. Con la tecnología de Blogger.