Conjurer, Earth Moves, Armed For Apocalypse: A Trio of Sonic Devastation
It’s no secret that CONJURER are becoming one of the biggest forces in modern metal. Mire was absolutely adored across the board and 2019 has seen the band go from strength to strength. The same can be said for EARTH MOVES and ARMED FOR APOCALYPSE. For EARTH MOVES, their cross-pollinating sound is winning the band a ton of plaudits and with their new album, Human Intricacy, on the horizon, the future is bright for this promising band. Across the pond, ARMED FOR APOCALYPSE are making some enormous noise and their brand of sonic devastation is simply superb. Joining together for a tour package of epic proportions, the trio spent October of this year laying audio siege to venues across mainland Europe and the UK. Having wrapped up their conquering run, which included a show with absolutely demolished Manchester, we pitched the three bands against each other, so read on for a joint interview from three driving forces in today’s generation of metal!
Questions by EARTH MOVES; answered by Conor Marshall, CONJURER:
Who is band dad and can you describe their parenting style in three words?
Conor: Probably Brady annoyingly, considering how much of a mug he is. But he manages the band and so is the guy to tell us all where to be and when. His parenting style would probably be “Dad by default”.
Is there any advice you wish you could give your past selves? Musical or otherwise.
Conor: These are always tough, because of the whole thing of “what you’ve done has put you where you are.” But I would say I’d probably tell past CONJURER to work on the business side sooner. Everything with us is still very much music first, but we’re way more aware now that we’re also effectively a clothing brand etc. So have only recently started taking a more active interest in running that stuff properly.
You’ve spent a lot of time on the road over the past few years. Any top tips for staying sane and healthy on tour? (If indeed you have)
Conor: It’s taken us different tours of all shapes and sizes to figure this out, but it’s doing the little things consistently, count your merch, run your errands, don’t leave shit till last minute and stress yourselves out. Healthy is the toughest one because fast food is so much easier at 2am after the show, but eat healthy when you can, you’d be surprised how much you can miss salad.
You’ve got £10 to spend in a service station of your choice. Where are you and what do you buy?
Conor: I’m going to Buccees and I’m buying Beaver Nuggets or some stupid but amazing merch.
Questions by CONJURER; answered by ARMED FOR APOCALYPSE:
How does it feel to have someone do your sound back at you but better? Part 2: how have you let us get away with this?
Everyone knows sequels are never as good as the originals. One will live on forever, while the other is forgotten in time. Follow up: How does it feel to play We Fell From the Bottom and The Road Will End in your set every night?
What’s your approach to touring and music in general? How do you guys have the energy and willpower to play as many shows as you do? What drives you personally?
For the record, that’s three questions but here goes: Especially in the last couple years, we’ve wanted to be on the road playing rather than just be home working. Music gives us a sense of purpose and an opportunity to do that! Our thought is if we just stay home and play locally, than we won’t get too far.
What is POP and how can bands apply it to their own lives?
Power Of Positivity is being grateful for everything you have, not complaining about what you don’t have and making the best out of every single moment and every single day. And that’s the short version! “1 or 1,000”, play every show or what it is you do in life, like its your last.
How do you find touring in the UK compared to the States? What do UK bands need to know before coming over?
It’s really not a whole lot different, to be honest. The biggest thing is touring in the UK isn’t as taxing as touring in the US. The drives are a lot shorter and it makes it easier on our wallets and our bodies. If you drove from Bournemouth to Edinburgh, it’s 8 hours. That is a normal daily drive on tour where we’re from on the west coast.
Why is heavy music so good?
Playing heavy music is therapeutic in a way for all of us. Anything in our lives that frustrates us or angers us or saddens us can be focused into the energy we release on stage. The community of hardcore and metal has helped shape who we are as people in our own lives as well. And it’s fucking fun as hell too!
Questions by ARMED FOR APOCALYPSE; answered by EARTH MOVES
Is there a riff or part in your live set that you absolutely regret writing because it’s too hard to play?
Jordan: I pushed myself when writing for this album to try a few different styles with my vocal including some clean parts. The first track Falling Away from the Ground can be tricky live as once the vocal starts it’s all go from there and with a mix of clean and screamed parts I have to manage my breathing properly! I think I forget I’m getting older!
Is there a part that gets you excited every single time you play it?
Sam: There’s a section in Other Voices, Other Rooms from the new record with a really short blast section, followed by a big half time which is really satisfying to play. The end of Pia Mater is probably a highlight for all of us too, hoping to get every head in the room moving for that one!
When most bands start they have a vision of who and what they want to sound like. Was that true in your case, and more importantly how has that vision changed and evolved since inception? Are there any influences old or new that may surprise people?
Sam: It was an interesting beginning because the band formed around a set of songs which were almost fully formed. I would say the initial influences were predominantly ‘blackgaze’ and screamo, bands like LANTLOS and DEAFHEAVEN. Over time I’d say the vision has widened a little, but we always to try keep things as organic and dynamic as possible. I really, really love classical music and sometimes wonder if that feeds into our sound. Our band name is actually taken from an opera…!
You have a chance to play with any five bands on this planet. Who are they?
DEFTONES, SLOWDIVE, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, LA DISPUTE, SYSTEM OF A DOWN. Someone book that festival line up now!
How do you like your heavy music? Fast and trashy or slow and doomy? Which one is heavier and why? And no saying “both” even if you like both! You must have a preference.
Sam: Absolutely love both, but slow and doomy for me is the one in terms of heaviness. I usually find I have a deeper emotional connection with those kind of bands, and find having a little cry watching someone like AMENRA a ‘heavier’ experience than thrash or punk.
You probably have to share some tight sleeping quarters on the road. Who is the smelliest, least desirable bunk mate in your crew? Can you tell him to shower please? Can you tell him to bring generous amounts of deodorant?
Jordan: We shower together to oversee each other’s cleanliness! You’ve got no problem there! However, it can be a bit of a Russian roulette when it comes to who’s snoring loudest! Sorry!
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