EMQ’s with ALLUVION
EMQ’s with ALLUVION
Hi Everyone. Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Fredericksburg, Virginia based Post-Metal band Alluvion! Huge thanks to them for taking part!
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
John Harmon III – Lead Vocals, Layered Noise and Samples
Stephen Sullivan – Guitar and Vocals
Brian Carnes – Bass Guitar and Production
Andy Murray – Drums and Vocals
John: We got Alluvion off of the ground back in High School, around ‘98. The local/regional scene at that time was thriving and extremely diverse. We have always had a very DIY mentality and in the early 2000’s we would call a local community centre, or church and pose as a parent, or “respectable adult” and rent out these spaces for events like Birthday Parties and then we would book a few of our local favourite bands and a touring act to throw down with. Back then we had these super high tech things called dial-up internet and Angelfire.com free websites, which we would use to announce the date/time and cover charge (which was used to rent the space) pack 100 or so teenagers in there and lose our minds.
It’s very different now, with the evolution of social media and the access to information. We can and do book, curate and handle every aspect of all tour runs with no real middleman.
How did you come up with your band name?
John: Democratically. We took a few weeks way back in like 1998 and brainstormed on ideas for potential names. We came to practice with our lists and voted on Alluvion.
Alluvion is a legal term which describes the increase in the area of land due to accumulation of soil, clay or other material deposited by water. The added land belongs to the owner of the property to which it is added.
We thought that it spoke greatly to gradual change, through experience and constant, unseen, subliminal growth through the acquisition of memories and wisdom.
What country are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
John: We are all from the East Coast of USA. It’s very difficult to talk about the metal scene in America as one entity, because there are infinite smaller scenes, or movements steadily bubbling to the surface depending on what state, coast, region you are looking at.
It’s extremely fun and sometimes mind blowing to tour here, because it’s always a roll of the dice. Every city has its own scene, with its own identity and attitude. It kind of plays into our strengths, because we don’t really sound like any scene that we’ve been to, but at the same time we borrow from influences all across the musical spectrum and timeline enough that we fit in just enough at Punk shows, Rock shows, Metal shows, etc.
What is your latest release (Album, EP, Single, Video)?
John: Our latest release was a live recording of a show in our hometown which turned out great because it encapsulates the energy and flow of our live shows (which is where we really shine).
The last album that we put out was called “…Of The One Consciousness.”
But the upcoming album will release on 6th September and is titled “The Secret’s Out.”
Who have been your greatest influences?
John: They have and are constantly changing. I try to challenge myself to listen to music of all genres and eras subjectively, so that I can pull from any direction when writing. But a few that have stayed with me all these years are definitely the bands;
Acidbath and the vocal stylings of Dax Riggs
Janes Addiction and Perry Ferrell’s layered vocals
The Smiths because of the pairing of Morrissey and Johnny Marr
The Doors and Jim Morrison’s whole vibe
Skinny Puppy
David Bowie at every stage
Bauhaus
What first got you into music?
John: As long as I can remember, my parents had music playing at home almost 24/7. I especially remember every Saturday morning they would crank the stereo up enough to almost shake the walls and we would all clean the house and jam out. It left a huge impression on me and now my house is the same way for my 3 children.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Stephen: Death Grips. Yeah they’re just crazy and I’d love to get crazy with those dudes on some stuff.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Stephen: I would love to do like 10 shows in 2 days at SXSW. Just to see if we could pull it off mainly! I’m sure it would be exhausting but I’m pretty sure we could make it happen!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Stephen: I gotta weird painting one time.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
I love you. Thank you!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Stephen: Man that’s a tough question. We have lost so many. I guess I’d go with David Bowie.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Stephen: The creation of music. The whole process! I especially like it when certain songs take on a life of their own. It’s really cool! I guess I hate that there are not many record stores anymore. I really miss that.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Brian: Well, something I would change or maybe the biggest issue I have with the music industry is the loudness war. A lot of the music today sounds totally crushed and is void of dynamic range. And it’s all just to try to be louder, or as loud as the loudest song! But, all that is coming to an end hopefully because everyone is streaming music. Music sites put a cap on how loud the output of the music streaming from that particular site is. So it doesn’t matter how loud or soft the music is. So maybe we’ll start to have albums with more dynamics in the future.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Brian: My all-time favourite album is the self-titled Genesis album from 1983. It’s melodic, dark and has an incredible sound…and it has a 7 minute song about prostitutes that opens the album… so it has that going for it.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Brian: They all have their advantages (yes, even cassettes) so it’s hard to pick any one that’s better. But for today’s convenience downloads kill the competition. And if you’re an “audio-file” you download lossless and WAVs so you can keep the sound quality as good as possible.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Brian: That’s definitely hard to say. I love shows where the audience really gets the vibes that we’re putting out. And when they get it they give back to us in full force and there’s suddenly a shared electricity in the air! Any show where we can reach an audience like that is my favourite, and luckily Alluvion has had a lot of those.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Brian: I’d probably be driving a tractor/trailer over the road!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Andy: Lemmy, Nicholas Backstrom, Michelle Yeoh, John Ritter, Sheila E.
What’s next for the band?
Andy: To play out and support the record as much as possible; Get crazy with our live show and maybe throw in some writing sessions for the next record!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Andy: Alluvion on Bandcamp
https://officialalluvion.bandcamp.com/
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Andy: Biscake
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Andy: Just that we appreciate any and all support we get. We strive to reciprocate that gratitude through our live show.
The fact that people come out to have fun and be inspired; and that we love to perform as well as be inspired, leaves nothing but a good time!
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