Interview w/ Summer of BARONESS

Now ive been listening to BARONESS non-stop over the past couple of months. I wouldnt say its easily digestible to the masses but what i would say is that anyone whos been an avid listener of the popular hard rock/punk/metal will definitely find some element in your music thats thoroughly enjoyable. Was that the aim to provide a cohesive balance of your influences from song to song?

Summer: "Everyone in the band has a very different set of influences. Balancing these is a difficult task, but one that we strive to, and feel like, we achieve.   During the writing process our influences come out in various ways.  I think we are lucky, in that we know each other so well, and are able to apply our personal tastes to the song writing in a way that is cohesive and makes sense. "

Now lets go back to your influences and personally I found elements of stoner rock, blues, grindcore, punk and even the odd acoustic guitars reminiscent of early led zeppelin. With this style youve developed how would you say you were initially received by your audience when you first started playing live?

Summer: "We were received well by our peers.  We took our time and made sure that we were ready mentally and technically to play live.  We actually traveled nine hours away from where we lived to play our first few shows. Our sound then was much simpler and more aggressive then the music we are creating today.  We started touring on a very DIY level with other punk and hardcore bands and that was our fan base for a long time.  I think when we put out Red Album we inevitably lost some of those fans, but we also gained new ones.  Making that switch from a DIY underground band to being on a notable label can be tough on bands.  I think it is necessary for the underground scene to thrive though.  If you didn't have bands leaving the underground, then there would not be room for the new up and coming bands to have a place to start.  You need young  highly opinionated people to support underground bands, and hate on labels.  It gives fuel to a lot of bands. It drives  people.  However there is a time when its okay to move on.  When you feel it is necessary for the growth of you as an individual, or as a Band."

Would you say that bands like Pig Destroyer, Kylesa, Isis and Mastodon (who are in a similar to yourselves musically) have helped pave the way for a band like BARONESS to make the experimental metal scene more accessible?

Summer: "In a way yes.  I think Kylesa had a major impact on us starting out.  We learned a lot from them.   All of these bands you mentioned have toured relentlessly over the past 10 years.  I think steady touring is crucial to building a solid foundation and fan base.  Of course myspace and youtube help bands out, but if you don't actually get off you butt and get out there and cry a little, nothing real will ever come of what you do."

How has  joining the ranks of RELAPSE records helped with the exposure of the band?

Summer: "Relapse is able to promote our records, and distribute them around the world. They have been extremely supportive of us over the past two and a half years.  In return we have done our best to tour as much as possible.  You can have all the promotion and magazines hyping you up, but if you do not get on stage every night and deliver the goods then you are doomed.  Its all about touring and playing to real live people. When the label is working hard and you as a band are working hard great things can happen."

What really impresses me more than anything is how you guys design your own artwork for your albums. Did this start as a means to save money or more to continue on with that form of artistic expression?

Summer: "John has always done the art work.  From the very beginning.  We were in a band in high school together.  He did the art for that.  I dont think there was ever a question in anyones mind about who would do the art work for the band.  I think art a music go hand in hand with John and with Baroness.  In my mind they are one in the same.  I could not imagine a Baroness record with artwork done by someone else."

And with the Artwork should a potentional BARONESS listener judge a book by its cover in this case? Is it there more of a representation of the music for each "said" album?

Summer: "I think the art is to be taken as the viewer sees fit.  I know people that collect our records and prints not because they love the music but because they love the art.  That said i personally think that the art directly represents the music, but everyone sees it a little different.  Thats what is fascinating about art, about music.   It is  all subjective.  One person might pick up the record and feel happy while another may feel disturbed, or sad.  I think as long as music and art evokes a true emotion in its listener viewer, then it is doing its job correctly."

Soundwave 2010... Alot of major players - Anthrax, Placebo, Meshuggah, Isis, Jane's Addiction. Who do you plan to watch at this event?

Summer: "I must say that I am very interested in seeing Mike Patton perform."

Is this the first time for Baroness to touch down in Australia?

Summer: "Yes it is.  We are all very excited about it too.  I would really like to see a Thylacine, and hold a Koala bear."

As a final note and a chance to promote your band and upcoming tour on soundwave  give us 5 reasons to go watch Baroness over any other band?

Summer: "Highfives, Stagedives, Hugs and nugs, emotional fun."

Visit www.myspace.com/baroness