SOURCE – Congratulations on your new record Mourning Asteri, I feel that this is perhaps your best record ever, how do you feel about this statement?
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – First of all thank you. We feel it’s our best record yet. We definitely have more to come. Mourning Asteri is the introduction to what we can become.
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – We feel we are just getting started. So we are excited to build off of this album to keep pushing ourselves to another level. This record has plenty of new ideas to build from, as it is the first time we explored newer ideas, such as our old punk and post-metal influences music. Being in just a doom-stoner band was not enough for us.
SOURCE – Over the years Negative Thirteen developed a style of its own which the fans cherish. How do you manage to find a way to meet their expectations and fulfill your own artistic ambitions at the same time?
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – I feel people who enjoy our music do so because they enjoy what we do, that we are not stuck into a formula, nor are we constantly repeating ourselves. We play what we like and what we feel is true to our individual selves. And those who have held onto our music for the past 20 years also feel that we are not a band that is defined by a single label or boundaries. I feel when I write music I’m writing music that we want to hear.
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – People are into what we do because we don’t set limitations on ourselves. We play and write because we need to. It’s a craving.
I love what we do. We are creating the music that we want to hear; music that we don’t feel others are playing. That’s why, funnily enough, we have a long label for what we do: “Post-punk infested stoner sludge doom-core.”
SOURCE – With the current sad state of the music industry, how do you determine expectations for an album?
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – I don’t think the music industry is in a bad place, especially in the world of metal. We are lucky to exist in a genre where fans are always looking for new artists and finding ways to keep their favorite artists afloat. Especially now with the internet, there are just so many ways to get your music out there.
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – With this record, we didn’t know what to expect because we hadn’t released music for nearly 20 years.
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – Regarding what Scott said, it’s true, this is a brave new world for us. So everything has been a breath of fresh air. Especially since it is much easier to reach a larger audience these days.
SOURCE – Did you film any videos for the album Mourning Asteri?
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – We did not. But we did film our first live show in 13 years, which features us debuting new songs. Here is the link:
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – Our drummer has asked us to, and we haven’t ruled it out. If we do a music video, I don’t want to appear in it. I want it to be a mini-concept film–a short film with our music on top of it. Maybe in the future? So far, it’s a no.
SOURCE – Bands are selling fewer CDs now, but the music is still finding its way into people’s hands via things like illegal downloads. Is that frustrating for you, or do you just want your music out there, regardless?
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – I’m fine with downloads. All I want is people to hear the music.
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – Like I mentioned earlier, it’s a new game with streaming. So bands rarely get paid on music alone, but I think if you like it and can connect to it, you should buy it.
SOURCE – Social media has made it extremely simple for bands to interact on different levels with their fans. When you interact with your fans on Twitter, Spotfiy, Facebook etc. do you use discretion as you would in an interview or is it an outlet for you to open up to your fans?
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – We use discretion. You don’t know who you are dealing with sometimes. Plus, we are a professional band. I consider this a business and we treat it as such. You have to be careful to not let yourself be taken advantage of either.
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – Haha, Scott handles social media. He’s better at this than I am!
SOURCE – There is also a big rise on crowdfunding, with many artists and bands choosing to get financial support directly from the fans. What’s your opinion on this way of financing, and have you as a band ever considered using it for a new album release?
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – No. We like to do things the old-fashioned way and earn revenue from gigs and merch. Plus, we are not as well known yet, so asking people to help us fund an album would be a bit much at this point. Plus, it always feels better when you work to that point of being able to finally discuss studio time to lay down new ideas.
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – I’m not against bands doing that if that it takes to keep the band moving. That’s what fans are for–to be fantaical! But right now, we have no need for it.
SOURCE – Is there anything else you have going on?
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – We are playing a handful of shows to finish out 2022 in our hometown of Pittsburgh, PA and continuing to write new music. We plan on recording and releasing a new album next year, and maybe some singles in between then.
Scott Fisher (Vocals) – Aside from new music we are planning out next year: Where we are going to play, what are we going to do. Mapping out the next few months. We will use the winter to continue writing. We are currently exploring where we want to record our next record and who with, and who to shop our new music to. Also, come spring time we will get back into playing live.
Edward Banchs (Guitars) – Hopefully next year we get to do a little touring too. 2022 was about re-introducing ourselves to music and performing after a 13 year break. So 2023 is about exposing our music to as many people as possible. And releasing the best album we possibly can!
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