Interviews: Aetere

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Doom Metal band Aetere from France. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

A: I wanted to give our band a name that mirrored the celestial and untouchable. At the time, I was reading Eliphas Levi, and I recall seeing the illustration of his kabbalistic tree of life and thinking about the ether, of what's above. That's how I recall finding the name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

A: With my previous band, we used to play stoner/rock, but I've always listened to different kinds of music from the other band members; my tastes had always leaned towards metal. So I decided to follow my instincts and play this genre.

J: Nothing was really planned. We wanted to play something heavy, we started to jam,  and from some bass riffs, the rest came naturally

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

A: Yes. We both used to live in Bordeaux, and both our bands were from Bordeaux. We have a lot of friends in common, and the scene at the time was pretty good and close.

J: Yes! We have known each other for a long time & our other bands used to rehearse at the same place! And as Alice said, at that time it was pretty cool musically wise, & we used to be a good team of friends playing music.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

A: Too many. But the one that has been between my favorites the longest is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

J: Difficult question, as I’m a huge music fan. But with the time going on, I would say Joy Division.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

A: Pain.

J: Usually inspiration comes while I’m in the rehearsal place, totally focused on music & start playing with the instruments.

6. Where was your last gig?

A: We've never played live yet; this is our first record. We wrote it 9 or 8 years ago, and then we both moved from Bordeaux, and Aetere went dormant for a while. Meanwhile, I created Ailise Blake, and Johan was busy with Lacustre and Year of NoLight. Last year, we decided that it was finally time to wake up the project again, and so here we are.

7. Where would you like to act?

A: Festival-wise, I'd like to play at "Rock in Bourlon" cause i love their prog each year. Country-wise, Australia.

J: New countries, I’ve never been before, like Japan / South America, or Australia.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

A: Slowdive.

J: I don’t know, some friends' band?

9. Whom not?

J: A band I don’t like & there are too many! But yes, to do a feature, I really think there’s a need to have a connection between both projects. Hence, that’s why I prefer to know them beforehand.

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

A: I've never suffered from stage fright before. With my previous band, JCSatan, we used to play on really big stages, and I never had a problem. Now I get really anxious thinking about playing alone with Ailise Blake. But with Aetere, it will probably be different because the anxiety is shared in a way, and Johan is very chill. To beat it, I use meditation. It works for me.

J: I used to have it at the beginning of Year of No Light, but now it’s gone. I’m much more stressed playing alone with Lacustre, as I have to deal with everything at the same time alone.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

A: Warning the riffs, My Bloody Valentine, the heavy distortions.

J: Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, and heavier bands like Buried at Sea / Neurosis or Old Man Gloom for their huge sound.

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

A: Once I had to sign a guy's tit.

J: Sign in the head of a bald guy or the belly of a girl.Really strange. And I also don’t understand people asking to sign on their record covers, as we ruin them doing so.

13. What do you think of your fans?

A: I really appreciate everyone who likes what we do. All my music is very personal to me, and when people like it, it makes me feel closer to everyone. I also think that all of them are lowkey sad people like me.

J: Really appreciate it. It’s really cool to have people supporting what you are doing.

14. What do you think of our site?

A: It's great, there are so many releases you upload constantly, and a lot of new stuff to discover.

15. Something to add?

A&J: Thanks a lot for your interest. It's cool that you guys give space to newer, unknown bands like ours. https://aetere.bandcamp.com/track/galea

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