EMQs With Art of Attrition
EMQ’s With ART OF ATTRITION
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Canadian Blackened Technical Deathcore band, Art Of Attrition. Huge thanks to their Vocalist, Josh Hahn, 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?
Howdy! My name is Josh Hahn and I sing.
Jack and Johnny formed Art of Attrition a few years back. In 2020, they picked up the phenomenally talented Greg Smith on the drums. In 2021 Diego Fernandez (Oracle Studios) mentioned to me that there was a new Deathcore band forming in Red Deer (I live in Edmonton), and they were on the hunt for a vocalist. I recorded a demo to a track titled “something.” Obviously, this was not the final name we decided on, it was “Under the Weight of Apathy.” They liked it, and sent me the remaining demos to what would eventually become “The Void Eternal.” At the time, I was working a 14 on 14 off shift at a coal mine water treatment plant construction job. Most of the lyrics featured in “the Void Eternal” were actually written on the bus that transported me to and from the site.
How did you come up with your band name?
The name actually comes from a fairly iconic YouTube clip. In a shirtless backyard lightsaber duel, one Jedi hopeful exclaims, “This is a war of attrition!” I wasn’t informed of our name’s derivative until fairly recently. Fortunately, I think it is a funny and cute reference. I have a lot of nostalgia for the early days of Youtube in which everyone was just getting their buddies together and making some fun videos. To me, that is a bit of what it feels like to be in a band.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
I grew up in the Skeena region of northern BC. There is a bit of a local Rock scene, but it is a little bit more folky. There are some really excellent folk festivals up there that have remained completely untainted by any form or commercial activity, it’s a rare thing.
Unfortunately there is not too much in the way of Metal. However it does exist, and I have friends up there that I used jam with frequently. I think the population is too small to support a large scene in a niche interest such as Metal music.
What is your latest release?
Our latest release was our single “Vitriol,” and its respective music video. I believe it is our strongest work to date and I am incredibly proud of the work we put into it.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Probably Gord Downie. Turtlenecks rule. Violently Canadian things rule. Being true and honest with your music, also rules.
For whatever reason, he also reminds me to keep the singing in the screaming. I believe that although harsh/brutal vocals come across as violent and severe, a sense of musicality is still very important and beneficial.
What first got you into music?
I actually started off playing Jazz trombone, and tuba in a concert band. My band teacher said I had “a lot of hot air.” I should let her know I sing in a Metal band now, she might find that funny. Around the end of high school I was introduced to Slipknot and Lamb of God. Naturally, I traded my trombone in for a bass guitar. I also picked up a acoustic guitar and started singing folk, but I often had troubles with pitch and found it didnt quite click for me. Eventually, I stumbled onto some heavier Metal (Cattle Decapitation, Misery Signals, the Black Dahlia Murder) and discovered a love for singing Death Metal.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Creed. If Scott Stap falls off the wagon again I would be happy to settle for Nickelback.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Kispiox Valley Music Festival. There is zero chance of a Metal band playing there, I would just be genuinely curious to see how an array of Folk enjoyers would respond to Metal band.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I haven’t really been given any strange gifts from fans, but I was offered hash in Saskatoon. I had never smoked hash but I figured it would be rude to say no…
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
DM me on insta @gooftree if you want to play Runescape sometime.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Gord Downie.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I think my favorite part would be writing. I absolutely love watching how a song comes together, especially when the chemistry is good.
My least favourite part is trying not to sh*t my pants on a long drive between shows, after eating questionable food.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change a thing. The industry is a complex and always evolving ecosystem. Every day we are writing history, whether we are aware of it or not. I am just happy to be involved.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Swell” by Tiny Moving Parts.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I was born in 1996 and the first few trucks I owned all had CD players. So, due to that nostalgia, probably CDs. However, I would like to pick up a vinyl player as I feel as though it is a more engaging (and cozy?) experience to sit on the couch and listen to a record. I must say I have an appreciation for streaming. I understand a lot of people dislike the lack of revenue to the artists, but it has connected musicians everywhere. To me, it is amazing that music from anywhere, to anywhere, is so simple. If I enjoy the music I will typically support the artist through buying merch and CDs anyways.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Loud as Hell 2023.
We got on the bill about 2 weeks before the festival and WOW. That night will live in my head for the rest of my life. It was pouring rain, and there was thunder and lightning in the distance. Despite this, people were lined up at the partition waiting to see us. It felt truly special to see people so excited to see us perform. The energy was incredibly high, and it was a magical experience.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I am a welder by trade and an avid disc golfer. I would probably work more and maybe dabble in some disc golf tournaments. My enjoyment of music is so thorough that I haven’t really considered what I’d do without it.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Scott Cressman, because he is the best.
Anthony Bourdain, to cook. If he starts making “live laugh love” adjacent quotes, he will be asked to leave.
Gordon Ramsay, because we know Anthony Bourdain can’t help himself and I can’t have a dinner party without food.
Pro disc golfer Matty Orum. He seems like a super fun guy to have a beer with. Perhaps he would be interested in playing a quick 18 after dinner.
Dua Lipa. So I could ask her out on a date right as the food is being served, making things incredibly awkward.
What’s next for the band?
A new EP, “…And It Will All End Forever.” July 26th!
And shows, shows, shows!!
“The Cascadian Carnage Tour”
July 19th Vancouver, BC, BULLY’S STUDIOS
July 20th Seattle, WA, FUNHOUSE
July 21st Spokane, WA, CRUISER’S
.
July 26th Winnipeg, MB, THE HANDSOME DAUGHTER
July 27th Saskatoon, SK, BLACK CAT TAVERN
SUPPORTING @angelmakerband AND @ideclarewarband
August 2nd Edmonton, AB, THE STARLITE ROOM
August 3rd Regina, SK, THE EXCHANGE
August 6th Calgary, AB, DICKENS
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We are most active on Instagram @artofattrition.
We also have a website full of merch, media, and other goodies:
Artofattrition.com | Facebook.com/ArtofAttrition | Youtube.com/@artofattritionband | Instagram.com/artofattrition
Artofattrition.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify
EP Pre-order – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/artofattrition/and-it-will-all-end-forever
Music Video – Vitriol – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_07sY_7A95A
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
Well, given that an English muffin is a round piece of bread, I’m going to guess muffin.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Hit up my DM @gooftree if you wanna play Runescape (OSRS ONLY, SORRY). Let’s get together and play Castle Wars!
