EMQs with Urzah
EMQs with Urzah
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We’re Urzah, a post-metal/sludge band from Bristol. We describe our sound as ‘progressive sludge’, as it combines the abrasive elements of punk, doom and post-hardcore with atmospheric post-metal passages and soaring melodies. The band formed just before the pandemic hit. In spite of the challenging timing, we quickly released two self-titled Eps: ‘I’ in 2020, then ‘II’ in 2022. We poured our vision of ‘Earthen Heaviness’, combining oppressive darkness with moments of transcendence and cosmic awe, into our debut LP ‘The Scorching Gaze’. This album helped us get signed to APF Records, who released it in 2024.
How did you come up with your band name?
‘UrZah’ is of one of the Mystics in the Jim Henson film ‘The Dark Crystal’. We’re dark fantasy and horror fans, and those themes of cosmic awe and natural cycles of life, death and rebirth influence our music and writing.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We’re based in Bristol, which has a legendary and thriving underground metal scene. Having loads of great DIY spaces and music venues, and lots of cross-pollination between different metal and heavy scenes, means it’s an awesome city to be in a band.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
We’ve just released the second single ‘Hunter In The Veil’ from our upcoming album, ‘A Tranquil Void’ (out 5th June on APF Records). You can listen here: https://lnkfi.re/FxvLy4RJ
Who have been your greatest influences?
We’d all give different answers to this, but we admire a lot of post-metal and sludge bands who combine heaviness with a progressive or interesting twist: Neurosis, Mastodon, Elder, Russian Circles, Cult of Luna, Thou and Sumac.
What first got you into music?
Hearing The Offspring on the radio really sold the idea of distorted guitar music to me. I decided then that I wanted to play loud, abrasive music, and I’ve never looked back.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
My favourite singer is Radie Peat from Lankum. Her voice is so brilliantly unique and haunting; I think she could make a great contribution to any record.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
We’re all big fans of ArcTanGent. It’s just on our doorstep, so we’re regular attendees, and love the excellent heavy line-ups and friendly community atmosphere. Playing ATG is definitely on our bucket list.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
We’ve never received anything weird, but at our first headline show in Cardiff, a young chap gave me a Polaroid photo he’d taken of the show. It looks so cool, and I have it stuck up in my office.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for supporting underground music!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
It would have to be Brent Hinds. Mastodon have been a huge inspiration to our band, and it was a tragedy to lose such an iconic figure in that way.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Making music, travelling to new cities and playing shows, meeting other bands and chatting to fans afterwards; the creativity and connection of all of it is deeply fulfilling. Less fun is all the driving, carrying heavy amps during load in and going back to work on a Monday, feeling like the amazing shows of the previous weekend were all a dream.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Making sure musicians are paid fairly for their art. The high cost of touring combined with the low returns from album sales and streaming means that too much of the music industry ends up being ‘pay to play’, which limits the opportunities for artists working in niche spaces to get the support they need.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
‘Mariner’ by Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas. Looking forward to seeing it played in full at Arctangent festival this year!
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
Streaming is convenient, but you can’t beat physical media. For the special listening experience, have to go with vinyl (our new album will be out on vinyl too, so we’re extra excited).
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
We headlined a Bristol show in a crypt beneath a church that was unforgettable: atmospheric, crushing sound and a great crowd.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
We all have artistic interests outside of the band such as painting and writing, so probably more of that!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Probably the current 5 members of Neurosis so we could chat about their excellent new album.
What’s next for the band?
We’re excited to release our 2nd album ‘A Tranquil Void’ on 5th June with APF Records, then touring from mid to late June. Then we’re hosting an album launch party in Bristol Exchange on 25th July, with special guests Hundred Year Old Man, Mountainscape and Dead Space Chamber Orchestra.
What social media or website links do you use to get your music out to people?
People can find our social media, music and upcoming shows at our website: https://bio.site/urzah
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
It’s delicious, and that’s the most important thing. But it is also quite clearly a biscuit- sized and shaped cake.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
We’re looking forward to playing our new music on tour in June, so we hope to see everyone there. Tickets for our shows are available at our website: https://bio.site/urzah
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