music interview

Interview – Slaves of Dissonance. 24th July 2022

Posted on: July 24th, 2022 by Greg Jordan No Comments

– Greetings Slaves of Dissonance from Brisbane, Australia. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

Thanks for thinking of us for the interview. privilege to be here

– Congratulations on your new single ‘Involuntary Lobotomy’ from the forthcoming E.P. ‘Toxoplasmosis’ due for release on 12^th August 2022. For me it’s beautifully harsh and in your face. Great performance and production. The preview track ‘Failure’ also rocks. The drumming and vocals stand out immediately as forces of nature. Strong supportive bass lines with solid guitar that also has a real fluid feel, kind of effortless, weaving through the music.

Thanks a lot! They are both very fun to play. keen to share our whole EP to the viewers and the metal community.

– What does good mental health mean to you?

Good mental health can be challenging to maintain due to all the variables that are affecting our mental state. I think it’s near impossible to live day by day having “good” mental health. I think it’s all about being aware of how you are feeling and knowing your triggers. A good diet and exercise gets overlooked and also doing things that make you happy/healthy at the same time. If you’re after a fast dopamine kick in substance abuse, gambling or whatever it may be, it’ll decline your mental health in time. So, to sum it all up its to be aware of the healthy and unhealthy decisions you make and being aware of how they affect you before your mental state declines drastically.

– This is a question i would usually ask pre – pandemic, but gigs are back in most cities. How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or a big gig. Is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? Or after an inspiring recording session? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

We haven’t played any shows yet as “Slaves of Dissonance” but we are just starting to book shows this year. hopefully see us on the road soon. With recording it can certainly humble you, after playing the parts so often you think you can go to the studio and bang out the songs very easily, but the variables like the pressure of doing your parts to a professional standard that makes you start to second guess yourself. It’s all about the preparation of the mindset before you walk into studio and being aware that things might not go your way on the day.

-What motivates you? What keeps you going?

What motivates us is being able to write songs we enjoy and to show the people what we can create. Always a lot of hard work behind the scenes but it all makes it worthwhile

– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this?

We’ve all been through some very tough times whether it be losing a loved one, suffering with depression/anxiety or bad health. These tough times circulate in and out of our lives and when you’re consciously aware of a struggle you’re going through at the time, its about speaking up to your friends and loved ones with how you’re feeling to get that social support. I think it backfires on us if we try “weather the storm”. Can’t expect to engage in all of the self care and hobbies that make you happy when you feel this way, just have to give yourself time to heal during the tough times.

-Well said. Tough times do circulate in and out of our lives, but nothing’s permanent, especially if we ask for support. What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

Means a lot to all of us. Just busting our backs to write a good product and then sitting together as a group and listening to what we created is just the most amazing feeling. We do it to prove to ourselves what we can do with time and effort and showcase our skills on our instrument that we’ve spent years and years trying to master.

-Very cool. You can hear all that hard work in the songs. When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

John (guitar), Dylan (Bass/backing vox) and Alik (drums) have spent time time in our teens and early adult years in some bands. Alik has spent the most time out of all of us dedicating his time to music with his project in Europe where is also a multi-instrumentalist and other bands he played for in Spain etc.. Andrew our vocalist is new to playing in a band but he’s got so much knowledge with music that his contribution is as impactful as all of us. Finding a buried treasure for sure with Andrew, as he has been a close friend to a one of the members for a long time and he came from no where when he asked to join the project. Music is definitely an important puzzle of all of our lives.

-How did you put the lyrics and vocal lines together for the E.P? Do you have a whole lot of thoughts or ideas written down to draw upon, or do you wait to hear the music to get vocal ideas? I suppose it’s not difficult to find plenty to write about currently in Australia. What are some areas of life that are important to the band?

Andrew came up with all the vocal lines and lyrics. Some of us had some subjects for Andrew to touch on in the songs and he worded it all to suit the songs etc..

It was easy for Andrew and us to come with ideas especially with 2 of us working in social services (youth, family services,mental health/NDIS).

the lyrical content range from mental health disorders, government conspiracies, brainwashing media organisations and misleading and exploitative faith groups

-How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?

Very important for the bass and drums to be tight. Luckily Dylan and Alik have great chemistry and noodle around and have good jams together at practice. Usually guitars and drums laid out first and bass connects the drums and guitars together afterwards. And comes in naturally at the end. pretty straight forward process, it’s all about challenging ourselves to make the best product.

-How was the recording process for ‘Toxoplasmosis’? Did you record it live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

We recorded at Pulpitation Studios with Chris Ross in Browns Plains Brisbane. Chris made the process really relaxed, he is very knowledgable and professional. Chris exceeded all expectations with the finished product, we are all very happy. We did one instrument at a time, Drums first, guitar second, bass third and vocals last.

-Agree re Chris. The sound quality is excellent. What are your plans? I know the E.P. is set for release soon. Some more touring, or any dates you can mention? Is the live scene back to full strength in Brisbane?

Because we were recording and writing the last few months we missed booking a lot of shows, we have only just started looking. We have one date booked at New years at the Backroom in Brisbane under Brewhouse productions. Hopefully we pick up a few more before then but. We are keen and ready to play shows.

-Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or finding life difficult at the moment?

Reach out to your family and loved ones. If it exceeds the level where you think your family and friends can help you, please go see a professional. Also, to focus on healthy hobbies and healthy routines in your life. Don’t neglect your health and diet.

-Agreed. It’s important to keep connected. Thanks Slaves of Dissonance for taking the time to talk with us.

Greg \MH/.

Band Music links:

https://linktr.ee/slavesofdissonance

Neorythm – Interview May 2019.

Posted on: May 24th, 2019 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Greetings friends. Hope you’re good.

The other day I caught up with groove metal duo Neorythm, currently based in Rovaniemi, Finland for a yak about mental health. The band was formed over 300 years ago, so i suspect these ‘temporary conductors of the eternal’ may have learnt a thing or two about mental health over the years. Read on……

– Hello Neorhythm! Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

Red1: Greetings!
Red2: Tekhae erruob!

– What does good mental health mean to you?

Red1: It is enough for me to feel that I am on the right way. If it is, then everything is fine with health.
Red2: The state corresponding to the healthy natural balance of the three-dimensional world, correlating with the full physical health, with all the included and well-functioning neural-psychological barriers and protective reactions. Thinking in the direction of creation and goodness.

– How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

Red1: We are always at home and at the same time always on the road. This is a very conditional division of concepts … The most important thing is how we perceive reality. Thus, we are always ready for any difficulties.

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

Red2: Understanding of our infinity and the omnipotence of our mind and strength. The desire not to lose this cosmic perfection, presented to us by nature, but constantly ruined by ourselves.
Red1: I am motivated by the fact that we do not know much about the world around us. Continuous thirst for knowledge and new horizons.

– Are you positive thinkers? How do you stay positive?

Red2: Certainly yes. Positive prolongs life (and there is nothing better than immortality!), and we have it for many centuries. Just everything is nothing. All – there are little things. And everything can please.
Red1: I can’t always be positive. The world is not perfect and often I experience negative emotions that I try to use for good. It helps me focus on a specific problem and write music about it. I would even say that I need negative emotions. But I can control it, so there are no problems.

– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.

Red2: Of course there were, we are not iron. But hard times are given to overcome and grow, and also so that they are erased like dust from the consciousness afterwards.

Red1: Times can’t be tough or easy. To any difficulties in life leads a certain chain of events. We try to foresee this.

– What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?

Red2: Great happiness. A surge of internal energy, giving life.

Red1: For me, music is life itself. If I could not make music, I would not. It is like the ability to talk or watch.

– I note the band formed over three hundred years ago, but when did you start making music individually? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did mak-ing music fit in with the rest of your life?

Red2: The music is infinite, it was always there, and before our birth, it is the breath of “god”. We are only temporary conductors of the eternal.

Red1: Yes, he said everything correctly. Is always.

– I have just been listening to Nanogods from your Facebook page. Some nifty right hand syncopation work on the guitar riffs. I also love Diatribe. Great song! ‘Gravediggers of the earth, you are like parasites, on mother’s body’. It’s a great lyric, and a necessary reminder of the damage being done to this planet in the name of greed. Do you do any other work in the area of conservation or social issues?

Red1: I have no purpose to write complex music. I just try to convey my thoughts on the strings. If syncopes sound good, they will be there. If not, I’ll remove it and play differently. These techniques are simply a way to convey the right musical atmosphere, a way to highlight something, and to put something in the background.
Red2: As for our poems, our message, for which I am responsible – I am a poet, my work is a word, so I try to change the world by that. Everyone has their own purpose, and who knows what is more important.

– How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see the guitars and voice fitting in the groove?

Red1: Oh, this is the question that always interests me. We used a large number of different recording techniques before we achieved the desired rhythm section sound. Guitar work usually goes a little easier. The voice in our songs is a complete instrument, just like a guitar or a snare drum. It requires some space in the mix. Now we have started sharing multitracks of our songs on the Patreon page. There you can study in more detail the sound of the instruments and production as a whole. https://www.patreon.com/neorhythm/

– How was the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

Red1: We use a common song recording scheme. First drums, then bass, guitars and at the very end we record vocals. There are only two participants in Neorythm, which is not enough for recording at one time.

– So what are your plans? I read you are recording a new album? How is that going? Some more touring or any dates you can mention?

Red1: Yes, now we are working on new songs. It will be a big, conceptual, unusual album. Currently four songs are ready. We really want to finish recording this summer and release an album this year. You can listen to the demos on the Patreon page, as well as some parts of new songs on Instagram.
Red2: Believe, our second album will be very interesting in its theme!

– Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

Red2: The most valuable is the secret.

Red1: At the moment we are on Earth, where many people live. Anyway, we communicate with earthlings and influence what is happening here. You can hear our work in other projects, but no one knows that this is our own work.

– Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

Red2: Know yourself!

Red1: Be yourself!

– Thank you Red 1 and Red 2 from Neorythm for taking the time to talk with us. All the best with the new album and future projects!

Greg \Mh/

Some links to the bands music below:

Red1 – music

Red2 – lyrics, messages

https://neorhythm.bandcamp.com/

https://www.patreon.com/neorhythm

LP Zetetic http://smarturl.it/zetetic

EP Meteoric Thoughts http://smarturl.it/meteoric_thoughts

https://www.facebook.com/neorhythmofficial/

Interview with Brazillian metal legends Melyra – February 2019

Posted on: March 2nd, 2019 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Ola friends. I just interviewed Brazillian heavy metal legends Melyra via email. Not only are they a brutal and musically skilled band, they are a delight to talk with. Read on –

– Ola Melyra! Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

– Firstly, congratulations for recently being recognised as number one band out of the top five female bands for the website O subsolo. Wow!

Fe: Thank you Greg! And Thanks a lot for having us for this interview, we are very happy about it!

– What does good mental health mean to you?

Fe: Good mental health for us is when you are happy with who you are. Even though we all have problems, when you are sure you’re in the right path and you’re sure about your beliefs you can rest your head on the pillow at night and wake up the other day ready to fight.

Fe: Well, all of us have other occupations beside music. So, for us, is easy to change from “musician mode” to “regular people” mode when we’re not playing because we do it often.

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

Fe: MUSIC! We’re passionate for music and we love what we do. To be at the stage and know that the songs we’ve created touched someone’s life is the best sensation ever!

– Are you all positive thinkers? How do you stay positive?

Fe: In general, yes we are. As I said before, we all have problems though. The beauty of being a band is that, when one of us is down, the other always help this one to cheer up again. We always see each other as family.

– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.

Fe: Everybody knows that we’re experiencing tough times here in Brazil. We all have been into financial crises during the past/current year. To overcome this we always rely on each other. In this band we see each others as sisters, we feel comfortable to talk about our issues and we help each others to solve them.

– What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

Fe: When we make music, we are the best version of ourselves. It’s how we express our feelings and feel free. We do it so we can spread our message to the world and, maybe, help other people to feel better about life and inspire them to find their better selves.

– I know the band formed in 2012, but when did you start making music individually? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

Fe: I always loved music, but I only started to play the guitar in my 20’s. Before Melyra, I had another band where I helped as a songwriter, but was still trying to find my way to do it. I think Melyra helped me to show my best to the world.

Nena: I come from a musicians family, my father was a guitar palyer and songwriter and I used to join him in rehearsals and saw him playing all the time. My house and my relatives’ houses were always full of music, so it was very natural to me.

Roberta: My family is also full of musicians and my mom is a songwriter so I live this life since I was young. I saw her making music, learned how she did it and it was automatically taking part of myself. I’ve improved it over time and keep improving it every day.

Verônica: I sing since I’m little girl at the church. Around 8 years ago I was at a Karaoke night with my friends and I met a maestro and two musicians there. Since that I started to sing professionally. I’ve played several different styles and made a lot of friends on that road. Nowadays I live for music!

Drika: My father and almost all his family are musicians. My love for music comes from the childhood. Sundays were the best days, when my dad was at home, because he used to watch his jazz VHS and I was fascinated by the drummer’s brushes. I’ve started to play drums at 8 years old and it was all very natural. In 2002, the drummer of my father’s gospel band left the band and I said that I would replace him. I knew all the songs and watched all the rehearsals at the drummer’s side. I just loved it! And so it was. The first time I played, people liked it and I was the drummer for my father’s band for a while, until I had my own band.

– I have just been listening to your new album ‘Saving you from reality’ and some live performances on your website. Veronica, you are badass with such a great strong vocal tone. Lot’s of body and depth, and when you go high, it’s something else again! How do you look after your voice? I love the single ‘Dead light’ and the lyrics. ‘A black spot with dead light’. I can relate to that in times past!

Verônica: Thanks a lot for the compliment! I study a lot ! I’m very tough with myself. The voice is an instrument you can’t replace so it needs lots care and attention, avoiding things like cigarettes, alcohol, acid foods, etc. Besides that, I take lyrical singing lessons, that helps me to reach and sustain the notes, keep in tune and breathe better witch helps me to take care of my voice.

– Strong, blistering and precise guitar work from Fe and Roberta, and also from the solid grooving rhythm section.

Roberta: I love playing with Fernanda! We have an unexplainably perfect tuning. The way we connect helps a lot when it comes to writing guitar themes because we fill each others ideas. She inspires me this mutual feeling and we both understand the most important thing that is studying our instruments.

– Drika, I look forward to hearing you on the next record. How are you settling into the band?

Drika: It’s very easy to set into Melyra! I’ve just came across four women that know what they want and what they want to reach, with an amazing potential to get all of our goals. What fascinated me, besides the high standards in music, feeling, geniality and love for music, was exactly that. We don’t wait for things to happen, we make them happen. This, for me, is the magical element that will take us wherever we want to go.

– Nena, i note you play fingerstyle. Do you prefer the tone it gives, as opposed to a plectrum? You really drive it hard!

Nena: I like to play with my finger because it sounds wider and it fits me better. And the unique feeling of my fingers touching the strings fascinates me! Although I have no problem with the ones that choose to play with a pick, I’d rather use my fingers.

– Why do you all play and sing? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?

Fe: Our producer (Celo Oliveira) did an amazing job with the vocal section of the album. You can hear many different vocals recorded at the album. We really love them so we wanted to make our live performances as close as we can to the album. It costed us hours of rehearsal to make it happen, but we think it payed off in the end.

– Sim, the production and sound Celo and you all achieved on this record is astonishing. It’s a first rate performance and production. How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see the guitars and voice fitting in the groove?

Drika: To me, it seems like the drums without a bass guitar loses it’s magic. When we rehearse and Nena’s bass is too low I get nervous, trying to give more weight and feeling to the song but it simply DOESN’T HAPPEN! I need Nena to hold myself as a drummer. The bass guitar is the base of our kitchen and the guitars and voices are our special ingredients.

– How was the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

Fe: We’ve recorded the album at Kolera home studio, here in Rio, with Celo Oliveira as our producer. The album was recorded one instrument at a time at the studio. First drums, then rhythm guitars, bass guitars, guitar solos and at last the lead vocals and backing vocals. It was mixed and mastered by Celo Oliveira at Kolera studios too.

– So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention?

Fe: We are negotiating a few dates here in Brazil for the next months. And yes, we intend to tour and take our music as far as we can.

– Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

Verônica: I’m part of other two musical projects. Six years ago I’ve joined Biographia54, a pop rock/alternative band that plays brazilian 80’s music. I also sing at a lyrical group, called Chão de Folhas, that focus on the lyrical circuit events.

– Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

Fe: Keep strong! We know life ain’t easy sometimes and we have to face challenges all the time. Always talk to someone you trust, let them know how you feel and ask for support. Your life matters to us!

– Obrigada Melyra for taking the time to talk with us. I hope we see you in Australia sometime! Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the upcoming shows. Greg \Mh/.

Verônica: Our pleasure, Greg! We want to thank you for this great interview and for all your attention. We’re looking forward to show our music in Australia! We also want to invite everyone to follow our social media channels and to listen to our new album, “Saving you from reality”. We are at Facebook, Instagram, Youtube (look for @melyraband) and at your favorite streaming service too. Thanks a lot!

Thanks mi amiga’s! Check out this amazing band at sites mentioned above, and also at links below –

Facebook –

https://www.facebook.com/melyraband/

You tube channel –

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru4VH4C0mBQwKryu72DGjg

Interview with Stuart Wood from the Giants. March 2018

Posted on: March 14th, 2018 by Greg Jordan 2 Comments

Today i had the pleasure of interviewing Giants lead singer Stuart Wood. Stu is an Australian music legend and is about to embark on a tour of the north of Australia with the Repeat Offenders.

– G’day Stu. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

– What does good mental health mean to you?

I guess just being able to cope with everyday life and all it throws at you both good and bad .

– How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Espe-cially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

There is always a come down period after touring, especially re adjusting to home after touring overseas. Friends and family are the best asset we have in this case.

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

My love of music has always kept me going, I knew from a very early age that I was different, growing up in a country town where everything revolved around sport, I tried to conform and played footy and basketball but I knew deep inside that my heart just wasn’t in it , music however could take me to that special place where only I and other like minded musicians could go, and still does to this day!

– Are you a positive thinker? How do you stay positive?

Most definitely a positive thinker lol , in my line of work you have to be! Mainly because my band has existed for 36 years, made 16 Albums, 4 DVDs , spent 5 years touring the USA, 15 years touring Europe and all of this was created by me personally, no agents, no publicists, no management at all, and its still that way to this day !

– That’s an incredible track record!

Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/how did you get through this.

Ha ha I could write a book about tough times lol , born illegitimate the day after my mothers 18th birthday , mistreated by my stepfather , taken away from my mother for my own safety and raised by my grand parents ! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg lol .Music played a very big role in my early teenage years and looking back probably saved me from a life of crime lol, I joined an outlaw motor-cycle club for 9 years as a substitute for family, but music took me away from that cos of its stronger pull. Lucky for me! Lol. As I said I could write a book on tough times but in the end you have to just be tough and work through it.

– What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

Music is my life, I cant imagine living without it, the places it has taken me and the friends I have made because of it is just awesome.

– When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

Started out playing covers like most people do , then Wayne Burt (ex Daddy Cool , Jo Jo Zep , Black Sorrows) joined my band and he already was a renowned songwriter , he showed me the way in my learning curve about expressing myself thru songwriting. When we became an original band writing our own songs the world opened its doors for us .

– How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?

The hardest thing to find in Australia is a rhythm section that works together lol , in the USA especially in Nashville Tn , where incidently we had the main street Broadway shut down so we could perform there , the drums and bass are like one holding the groove of the song together . The secret of the Nashville sound was revealed to me from Bruce Bossert (Nashville PA and Stage) when he told me in a live mix situation the hi-hats and and Acoustic guitar sits dead centre in the the mix and everything works off them! For me a song is a story , guitar solos compliment the story for a short time , but its all about the story and how well the singer puts it across.

– Some great insight right there. How was the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

Lol we just finished one recorded in my garage put down basically live.

– Cool! Look forward to hearing it. So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention? I know you’re about to tour with the Repeat Offenders. You and the fans must be looking forward to that!

We go north every year to the NT , to get outa Melbournes winter lol and yes we look forward to that

– Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

Not really. Australia is just full on tribute band country now and I want to travel back to europe again to catch up with my musical mates there before I get too old lol, maybe next year!

– Ok, last question! What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

My brother Bruce took his own life 12 years ago, I lived 5 mins from him, he didn’t call for help, destroyed my mother and his family, he was gone, only left pain, broken hearts and sadness and anger behind, so TALK TO SOMEONE !!

– Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Stu. Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the upcoming shows. Greg \Mh/.

Look out for Stu’s latest album ‘Songs from Mataranka homestead 2.

Links to band http://www.thegiants.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/The-Giants-86734061377/

Heavy metal is good for our mental health

Posted on: February 23rd, 2018 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Greetings everyone,

We know metal is good for us, and here’s a news story from Australia’s ABC news supporting this. Well done to Liam Frost-Camilleri for organising the Beyond black gig in Ballarat, Australia which saw bands raise money for the mental health organisation Beyond blue. Here’s the link to the story – Greg \MH/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-19/heavy-metal-helps-soothe-the-soul/9450576

Welcome 2018!

Posted on: February 12th, 2018 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Hello reader. Happy new year! I hope it’s a healthy one for ya. Some quotes from a couple of artists to kick things off…..

“Stupidity can win for a moment, but it can never really succeed because the nature of humans is to seek freedom. Rulers can delay that freedom, but they cannot stop it.”
Ai Weiwei
“I was always doing my own things. I always wondered why there are books, with photographs of all the artists of that period, and I was only in one! I thought: where was I? But I never was there. I was somewhere else.”
Cy Twombly
“I tell young people that the greatest paintings in museums are made with minerals mixed in oil schmeared on cloth with the hair from the back of a pig’s ear. It’s that simple.”
James Rosenquist

Take it easy out there. Greg \MH/

Interview with Adam Agius of Levitation Hex. September 2017

Posted on: September 13th, 2017 by Greg Jordan 2 Comments

Greetings friends. Hope you’re good.

I went to Australia’s capital Canberra on Sunday September 3rd and met with local metal music legend Adam Argius. Adam was very generous to give me his time especially on such short notice. He was front man for Aussie metal band Alchemist, and now fronts Levitation Hex. Follow the link below to the podcast of our chat. Take it easy. Greg \MH/

The Levitation Hex Music page links:

http://levitationhex.net

https://www.facebook.com/The-Levitation-Hex-170038509738897/

Interview – Within These Walls. June 2017.

Posted on: June 29th, 2017 by Greg Jordan 1 Comment

Greetings reader. I had a nice yap to Within these Walls from Tasmania, Australia earlier today. See below –

METAL HEALTH INTERVIEW with Within these Walls. June 2017.

– Hello Kelly, vocalist from Australian band Within these Walls, Welcome to Metal health and thanks for being here.

“Hey Greg, glad to be here, thank you for taking the time to chat.”

– What does good mental health mean to you?

“Good mental health means a lot to both myself and the band. We have all had ups and downs in our lives, (as have a lot of people) so we really understand the importance of hanging onto that good mindset, or mentality. Remembering that it can often be hard at times, yes. But also remembering that with the right people around you and the right mindset, you can overcome almost any obstacle.”

“I think its always hard coming out of a show and sitting back down to work or study. And that doesn’t really just apply for travel sometimes. even after a local show we will all be really hyped up for the afternoon and we will hang out and what not, but then that first day back at work/study afterwards is so daunting. Mainly because you just wish you were out there doing it again!”

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

“For a lot of us in the band i feel its the enjoyment of it all. When we play we all have fun, we all enjoy being in the studio and we all love getting together for practice all for that one reason. We enjoy it. And i think it’s that passion for music we all share that really holds the band together.”

– Are you a positive thinker? How do you stay positive?

“I’d like to think that i am a positive sort of guy, yeah. And i guess the way i do it is by attempting to hold onto the little things that keep you smiling, and i mean that could be anything. It could even change from day to day, but there is always something there to swing me into a good mood!”

– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.

“Yeah of course, all of us in the band at some stage have experienced some rough times. Be that loss of loved ones or loss of self value. However we all managed to overcome that by keeping our heads up, finding a family member or friend and remember that things get better. Always”

– What does making music mean for you? Why do you do it?

“For me personally its both Therapeutic and enjoyable, being able to create stories lyrically or lay my thoughts out on paper is great and hearing it come together in a mix is even better. But i know for all of us it is just a great feeling to look at, and listen to something that you and 4 of your best mates created. Its always a great time.”

– I Enjoyed listening to the track ‘Conformity’, from your upcoming album ‘Life’. A real solid straight ahead track, and loved your vocals. How was the recording process for this record (and album)? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

“Thanks, Greg. Glad you enjoyed the track! Well, for Conformity, myself and our Guitarist Stephan, tracked all the guitar, bass and vocal parts to the drum file that our Drummer, Malikye, had programmed. After this I took it away and began mixing until I arrived at the product you hear today! As far as the LP goes, however, we will be re-tracking mixing and mastering that track when we reach it in the studio.”

So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention? I see on your FB page you have a launch on July 20th at the Royal Oak in Launceston for ‘Conformity’. Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

“Outside of the upcoming Oak show, we are currently hoping to win a support slot for a show with Deez Nuts, Alpha Wolf and Majula, which we are all really excited about. And we have a few other things brewing behind the scenes in regards to live shows. We are also hoping to release another single from our upcoming LP which we have been working on in the background. So keep an eye out for those!”

– Ok, last question! What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

“It gets better. Just remember that no matter how bad things get, there is always someone out there who loves you and is willing to help you through what you are dealing with. And with their support and your strong mind you will make the best of this life, we all can”

– Thanks Kelly for taking the time to talk with us. Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the album. Greg \Mh/.

“Thank you very much for having us, Greg. It was a pleasure”

Thanks again to the Kelly and the band. below are some links to the bands music. Enjoy!

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WithinTheseWallsTas/

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