Interviews: BREATH

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

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

It’s a sort of honoring of what meditation has shown me, with our breath being a focal point of concentration when all the rest dissolves. I was listening to a lot of talks by Ram Dass at the time called Experiments in Truth, and he had some insights regarding breath that stayed with me.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We don’t necessarily focus too much on what genre we’re within. I think it’s a meaningful branch of music that Ian and I have bonded over since starting as a two-piece. Doom or Stoner Metal holds magnetism for us; our sound comes out through the lens of our lives, and there are disparate influences from Ravi Shankar to Holy Sons.

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

Ian and I have known each other since 8th grade. My best friend at the time had recruited us to create a band in high school, and we’ve gone on playing in bands as a rhythm section since.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Rob Wrong, The Kinks Justin Acevedo, G.I.S.M Ian Caton, Ween Steve O’Kelly, OM 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The intuition that you can build up from a meditation practice has helped me hear my inner voice more clearly. I’ve thought of our minds as a single flame from a candle. If the flame experiences turbulence in its surroundings it can go out or dim. When the flame is able to stay focused and calm it grows bright, and the wax it’s grounded in becomes clear. Then you can better understand where your roots are and what your voice is. Also long nights pouring over history documentaries, reading books about antediluvian culture, and the world’s shamanistic traditions. 

6. Where was your last gig?

We played at a local venue called Twilight Café and Bar in Portland, Oregon.

7. Where would you like to act?

I would really like to make it to Albuquerque, New Mexico, sometime. We have new friends there, and some great festivals.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Grails would be a dream to share the stage with.

9. Whom not?

We like to play with all sorts of bands.

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

Yes definitely. My humble advice would be to try to not be in your head and to focus on the moment. Have faith that it’s all in there behind the worry.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Grouper / Grails / Sir Richard Bishop / OM

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

We were playing a show in Bend, Oregon, and afterwards someone asked our keyboardist, Lauren, to autograph his forearm. He told us he was going to get it tattooed.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Complete gratitude for supporting our impulse to create. To be given someone’s time, whether listening or attending a show, is an honor we don’t take lightly.

14. What do you think of our site?

I love the inclusivity for the metal community that reaches across the globe. I appreciate these thoughtful interview questions and the opportunity to hear new music.

15. Something to add?

Thank you to Breathing the Core for having us. Please keep an eye out for us on Argonauta Records, where our next full-length album will be released. Our vision brings to life history’s distant wisps of vapor from the wide gulf of time. Creating a sonic forest clearing of calm beside thunderous white water. Thank you, -Steve