Hi! Can you tell me about DECLARED DEAD and your previous musical experiences?
Hi. Thanks for the opportunity. DECLARED DEAD is a culmination of previous music projects we've attempted in the past that kind of "went nowhere" and/or served us at the time (in developing our skills, insights, personal growth, etc.). To me, it doesn't matter that much what those projects/bands were (in the sense of listing them here) as our direct focus of intention is DECLARED DEAD only, now, and shall remain that way for the foreseeable years of our lives. Not that we, necessarily, can't or wouldn't participate in "side projects", potentially - but DECLARED DEAD is our "home", so to speak, and we plan on continuing to bring out it's "full potential" the best we can while we can.
Why did you choose your band name, how did you form, and what led you to play the genre(s) you do?
It was in the first half of 2014 that I got the idea to get an "old school death metal" type of project/band going, which - that style - only lasted for the first demo we put out in July of '14 (called "Subterranean Nightmare"), while the original line-up of the band fizzled out fast I recruited the members that have lasted since then to this day. These current members brought a lot of variation to the theme of DECLARED DEAD, which is partially why it's a little tough to categorize DECLARED DEAD in a particular "genre" (besides METAL in general!) as it contains a lot of "sub-genres", etc. Though, it can be said, that since I also enjoy many forms of METAL - it's all crept into my overall creative style (so, it can't be "blamed" on the other members fully - they only enhance my overarching proclivity!). I enjoy exploring and attempting to do things a little differently and hopefully offer something that hasn't quite been done before. I think we've succeeded here and there.
So, the band name came to me after many other names I sought were already taken. When I searched to see if DECLARED DEAD was being used as a band name, surprisingly - no! How could this be? I readily "snatched it up" and then later I realized how fitting the name is/was for us! As I mentioned we "killed off" quite a few music projects/bands in the past (hence we "declared them dead" - they were declared dead!) and we've been "resurrecting" or "reincarnating" our old riffs/song structures/ideas and "reanimating" them for DECLARED DEAD (along with "new ideas", as well). It's symbolic of life itself, it seems! And the METAL life more so! In the sense of when someone "declares us dead" (wants us destroyed in whatever fashion), what do Metalheads do? We rise up in our power and refuse to be snuffed out! True METAL and true being continues on! Persevering into eternity! :-)
Can you tell us about Necrodeist?
Sure. It's DECLARED DEAD's tenth full-length release (coinciding with our tenth year as a band!). It has ten songs on it, too! The subject matter seems a little more serious than some of our previous material - less "tongue in cheek", I guess. The lyrics within "Necrodeist" deal with elements of: "chaos magic", "extra-dimensional entities", "parapsychology", "quantum phenomenon", and "spiritual malaise". The music could be described as: "Atmospheric Progressive Blackened Death-Thrash". A brief summary of the concept of "Necrodeist" might be: "Consciousness expressing beyond the limits of flesh, utilizing the confinement within gross materiality as a tool of elevation. Duality in symbiosis leads to enlightenment."
What kind of feedback are you hoping to receive for your album?
Of course, I would love if people embrace it and enjoy it for what it is (open to interpretation). Appreciation is always appreciated. :-)
Do you plan to embark on a world tour in the future? Do you think touring the world is an option available to every band, or what does a band need to do to achieve this opportunity?
A world tour is very unlikely, sad to say. It might be an option for bands that are making their music a career and who either have tons of money of their own to spend on such things or they have a nice backing from a big enough label to help support such endeavors. I imagine you need managers to orchestrate the business aspect of it, too. If a band wants it enough and works diligently enough plus factoring in "fan support" (demand for the band!) and "right place, right time" scenarios - it's a possibility that can lead to a probability, I believe. That's not a current focus for DECLARED DEAD at the moment - as our mundane areas of life take precedence over "dreams of grandeur". :-) We look up to all the great bands that have been able to achieve this feat and are slightly envious of them - but we'll continue to offer what we can via the artistry side of the coin!
Do you believe in a heavy music scene without money?
Well, it seems that "money makes the world go 'round" in a sense ("financial modality" or whatever). So, if it was literally "no money" involved in the scene, I guess I could still believe in that scene because of memories of previous interactions with heavy music (I always have pieces of songs in my mind). If it were literally "no money" for an extended amount of time where all electrical equipment failed and nobody could replace it (how dystopian are we talking?), there's always some way of creating heavy music, it would just be in a different way (if only banging sticks on garbage cans and dumpsters while fashioning tire inserts and rivets into deadly new instruments - giving "trash metal" REAL meaning!). It seems unfathomable that creativity of such a thing could diminish to nonexistence once it has been so prevalent. The spirit that embraces and calls forth "heavy music" could never be squelched fully! It's really a form of resonance (kind of like those who enjoy loud engines on motorbikes or thunderstorms). Our souls would draw it forth one way or another!
If we're talking "reduced cash flow", only - then, of course, I believe in a heavy music scene. We can still scrape up what we can to serve a fine dish o' Metal au gratin and each share it with "the community" akin to a "pot luck" (don't forget the "stoner jokes", too!).
What are your thoughts on online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free, and if so, why?
Up and to this point, DECLARED DEAD has always just given our music away for free. It's kind of been a "glorified hobby" of sorts. We weren't aiming to make it our careers or anything. So, the more people who can have access to it the better, in our opinion. Though, we aren't against some "tips/gratuities", etc., for our hard artistic work! But now that we are working with a very capable label - it would be better if those who enjoy our new album support the label and the band by purchasing the CD, at least (so, that we - DECLARED DEAD - might have the auspicious opportunity to release more CDs of new material on said label in "the future").
I feel online sharing is "wonderful" in the sense of being able to hear lots of music and making choices on what one likes and doesn't like. But I do feel it is important to support the bands you really like by purchasing their merchandise/music, etc. I, definitely, do that!
Who are your musical influences? Did you ever imagine your band could become as famous as your favorites?
Oh! There's just so many! I'll try to keep it brief, however. Some main ones that come to mind, for myself - personally - would be Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel, Jeff Waters of Annihilator, Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick of Testament, Erik Rutan of Hate Eternal, Vito Bratta formerly of White Lion, Mike Howe (R.I.P. - what a tragedy) formerly of Metal Church, Sean Killian of Vio-lence, Eric "A.K." Knutson of Flotsam and Jetsam, Glen Benton of Deicide, and Chuck Schuldiner of Death. That should do it, I guess - to get a flavor. If I were to list bands in general - it could fill up a whole page, I'm sure. :-)
As for our band being as famous as our favorites - we've not even "scratched the surface" (to use a clichéd phrase) in that regard. But - hopefully - we're "carving our little niche" somewhere!
Have you received formal music education? Do you think it's an important factor?
No formal music education, here. I took a couple music theory classes in my teens but it might as well have been a cooking class or something (with all the "measurements" and mathematics involved, etc.). I believe I'm more of a so-called "right hemisphere brain" type of person (abstract/intuitive, etc.), so "theory" doesn't really appeal to me nor pretty much work for my mind! I, definitely, don't think it's an important factor. Maybe, if one considers themselves a "true musician" - it would be important. I, however, consider myself just "musically inclined". Haha.
How do you balance your music with other obligations such as family, job, etc.?
There's always time for "what's important" as long as that time is organized and adapted properly. We tend to do a lot of "weekend warrior" scenarios. Get as much done during the work week and then work even harder on the music on the weekend! :-)
How do you deal with mistakes during a performance? Do you get nervous before a performance or competition?
We don't play a lot of shows - so there's that... :-D We did record a live show (called "Kicking the Bucket - Live!") that's available to download and there's some "mistakes" on it but I - personally - don't mind it that much (it adds to the concept of the album title!). It was just for fun. Though, in the studio, I tend to be very demanding on what's going to be made into an official release. "Happy accidents" are okay but not "shanks" and undeliberate "sloppy playing", etc.! As for nervousness - it was quite nerve-wracking for that live album, at first, but then I just tried to get into my own personal realm/space, so the nervousness eased off, luckily!
What's next for your band? Thank you!
Ideas for a follow-up to "Necrodeist" are already swirling - so, we'll get to work on one or two more DECLARED DEAD releases, soon. There's actually two album ideas that are kind of competing for dominance... Haha. Maybe, we'll work on both and see which hits the finish line first?! Thank YOU for the interest!