Conjurist Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

1. This is a project I started so I could do the things I wanted to do with metal and extreme music. Ive been in dozens of different types of bands in the Nashville area for many years and it was time to bring my ideas to life that were either not understood or didn’t fit in with what other people were trying to achieve musically and lyrically. I had built up an overflow of ideas and I needed a passion project to contain them and then decide if I needed to release them. Once I got about three songs in I knew it was something I was interested in pursuing. 

2. So far you have released one full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

2. It started with tons of guitar riffs and as I put them together I realized it had its own style even though it was a mixture of several genres. The goal was clear to keep the project metal so I still needed to stay within the realm of it but I allowed myself to use any subgengre of metal to capture the feeling from song to song. I knew that I wanted the subject matter to be paranormal, otherworldly and tap into ideas of conspiracy theory. These types of ideas can be uncomfortable when working with other people so this was the perfect opportunity to do so. This gave the project a direction and purpose. Instead of just being a catch all for my creative ideas it became something with a clear vision at least for the debut album. There’s still room for growth and evolution but I plan to keep it musically metal and lyrically in the same area as what Ive done with I am the Earth. 

3.You also have a background playing other types of extreme  metal, do you feel this has helped you become a better musician?

3. Ive been in many different bands in the Nashville area for a long time as I mentioned before mainly as lead vocalist. I can list a couple of the metal bands. Animality- a tech death project I helped start and stayed with for a few years as lead vocalist. I wrote and recorded the lyrics and vocals for two albums with them. Three of the guys from that band are in the Conjurist music video for Solace for the Shaman. I plan on continuing to work with them and they have shown a lot of support and interest in Conjurist. CreekDevil- a southern metal and rock band I am currently in as lead singer. It was created by the guitarist and myself after I left the rhythm guitar/backing vocals position of a band we were in together called Of Serpents- a blackened melodic death and metalcore band I played in for a few years after leaving the band I created and started with S.O.M.A. sounds of mental anguish- a metalcore/nu-metal/post hardcore band I was the lead singer and main songwriter for. There’s a lot of people who I have been involved with in the Nashville metal scene who are either still active or have made a name for themselves in metal that have definitely helped me as an artist fine tune my craft. 

4.A lot of your lyrics cover mysticism, ancient history and conspiracy theories, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics and which aspects of these subjects do you bring out in your songwriting?

4. I’ve been interested in that stuff for a very long time. The fear of the unknown. I’ve had my own experiences with it and I’ve made sure to stay updated and aware of what’s going on in those areas. In my father’s free time he was a paranormal investigator and enthusiast of the subject. A lot of crazy stuff is going on right now regarding disclosure in America and whether it’s the full truth or just a distraction as some people think and it has now made everyone a conspiracy theorist. We just don’t know what the future holds and it’s scary but exciting. This is a perfect time for Conjurist. 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Conjurist'?

5. The name Conjurist is something I came up with years ago when I left Animality. I wanted to do another project with a few of the guys and it just didn’t happen. Whenever I started working on the material for I am the Earth I remembered that name and thought it would be perfect for the project. It sounds scary which is fitting for metal and the subject matter of the project but it also means something to me about manifesting my thoughts into reality. Bringing my ideas to life. It’s difficult to come up with a good one word band name nowadays. It seems like everything has been taken so when I came up with it I thought it would be best to come up with a word that doesn’t exist so I was happy to see that it was still available. 

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

6. The album artwork was done by my son when he was in 2nd grade art class. He was not very proud of it but I loved it as soon as I saw it. It fit for the album because it looks like it could be some ancient cave drawings. I thought this is perfect for I am the Earth. lol! 

7.With this project you record everything by yourself but have experience working with other musicians in previous bands, do you prefer to work solo?

7. Ive always loved producing myself and have recorded and produced some of the other bands I was in and even a couple of friends bands and music. Ive had terrible experiences with other people producing my work but there has been a few producers I worked with that made my job a lot easier and did a way better job than I could have for certain projects. I guess it just depends on who is doing it but if you don’t have the right person you end up wasting a lot of time and money. I don’t mind putting in the work because it can be very rewarding and sometimes fun. I always learn something new and I must spend my time and money wisely if I’m going to make the most of it. 

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

8. We’ll see what happens. If it makes sense and helps the project then I’d be interested. 

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of extrme metal?

9. So far the reactions have been great. It’s still a new project so there’s a lot of people who have not had a chance to hear it. 

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

10. I plan on staying focused and getting more music done. I’m currently finishing the writing for the next album which will have at least another 10 songs and will be in production soon. I have several live musicians ready to get some shows done but all in due time. Promoting this album and getting it heard will determine what happens next. It takes a lot of planning and money to hit the road. The live production starting out will need to be as visually interesting as the music to give fans the full experience of what this project is and will become. 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

11. The bands who have influenced the sound of this project are what’s been listed before. Meshuggah, Alcest, Converge, Gojira, Mastadon, Pallbearer, Fallujah, Acid Bath. I’m a huge fan of Meshuggah and have been since 1998 when I was just a kid so there’s a few of the djent bands and definitely mathcore bands I like. The shoegaze type influences would be from bands like HUM and My Bloody Valentine. 90s bands were a big influence like NIN and Smashing Pumpkins. I’m a huge Mike Patton fan so blending genres and being experimental is nothing new to me. A band I’ve loved more recently is Imperial Triumphant. Another great album that was recently remastered is Nasum Inhale/Exhale. I find myself naturally gravitating towards Swedish metal bands. Meshuggah, At the Gates, In Flames, Nasum, Dissection, Vildhjarta, Opeth, Katatonia, Humanity’s Last Breath, Thrown. I don’t know what’s in the water over there but they’ve given the world a lot of great bands I absolutely love. 

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?  

12. I’m excited about the future of this project. There were a lot of things that happened in my life over the years that have given me my story, experience and opportunities to finally make something like this happen. I’m eager to share this music with the world and push the boundaries of extreme music in this form to merge chaos and dissonance with melody and emotion paired with experimental vocals and lyrics that question our origins, current narratives and bring light to the terrifying reality that there’s more to this world than what we’ve been allowed to see.

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