Vancouver
Stoner Rockers – We Hunt Buffalo – are about to release their
superb new full length record – Living Ghosts – on September 25th
via Fuzzorama Records which is owned by the current kings of
Fuzz/Desert Rock – Truckfighters.
Living
Ghosts is very different to earlier releases as it's less Fuzz Rock
and more heavier. The album still contains a high amount of fuzz it
just sees the band experimenting with their sound to create possibly
their finest record yet.
Our
reviewer – Bill Bensen – said this about the album.
“Fans
of their early work will find this outing less fuzzy, but not lacking
any of their signature riffs or vocal power. This Vancouver power
trio delivers the goods and isn’t afraid to grow. The production on
this album really lets the band showcase their song writing. Drums
are deep, bass is a feeling, guitars are spaced nicely and the vocals
are stellar. If they come to a club near you, go! Buy their merch,
have them sign your body parts and maybe even buy them a round of
drinks!”
I've
been given the chance to interview Ryan Forsythe (Vocals/Guitar) from
We Hunt Buffalo. So lets go hunting!!!
1
– Hi Ryan. Thanks for doing this. How are things with you all
today.
No
problem. Thanks for the interest in the band. We're doing good. Just
about two weeks to album release, getting pretty stoked.
2
– How did the band come about. Can you give a brief description on
how you all met, how the band formed and where it is today.
We
all met each other about ten years ago in a small town just outside
of Vancouer, Canada. Being a small town, all the musicians got to
know each other pretty quick. We started out under a different band
name... In 2010 we decided to take a different path, sonically, and
this WHB was born.
3
– Your new album – Living Ghosts – is about to be released. So
are you all excited about the release.
For
sure! It's been a long time coming. We recorded the album in January
2015, so by the time it comes out, that's about 10 months of sitting
on these tunes.
4
– What can people expect from the album if they haven't read any
reviews of course.
We
feel it's our most dynamic record to date with everything from heavy
fuzzy tunes to moody, melodic deep cuts. It combines the best aspects
of our first LP and EP. What you get it an album with a lot of
variety.
5
– Why did you choose Living Ghosts for the name of the album.
It
is a lyric line from the song 'Looking Glass'. Lyrically, this album
is very much a concept album, that deals with apocalyptic themes.
Living Ghosts kinda sums it up perfectly because with all the damage
done to the planet, we may as well be the walking dead!
6
– Living Ghosts is very different to your earlier releases. It's
heavier with a more distinctive style. Was it an easy decision to
make to go with this new sound. Or do you feel this is just a natural
progression of the We Hunt Buffalo sound.
I
think that this album is a natural progression. We didn't necessarily
set out to make it sound a certain way. We knew that Jesse Gander was
a great producer/engineer and had faith right from the get-go that
the sounds he would get would fit us well. Every step of the way is a
learning process, and I think we've learned what works and what
doesn't from our first two releases.
7
– Was it an easy or hard album to write and record for.
It
was easy because there was no pressure. We weren't singed to any
record labels at the time of recording, so it was just a natural time
to record a new record. We hope that moving forward, non of our
records will be forced. You can't really force good creative songs!
8
– What did you do differently when making this album compared to
your other records.
Our
past records have either been free studio time, or graveyard shifts.
So we kinda had to work around other peoples schedules. 'Living
Ghosts' was done properly, where we booked the studio time, and were
able to go in there for a good seven day run. It keeps you in the
right creative head space. Before, we would record one day, take a
week off, then go back in.
9
– You're now signed to Fuzzorama Records. How did you hook up with
those guys. Were you excited to work with Truckfighters members on
your new album. Great guys who run a fantastic label. And I suppose
their band isn't half bad too.
Truckfighters
have been one of our favorite bands for many years now. We were so
stoked when they used one of our tunes in their Fuzzomentary, years
ago (The Hitchhiker - Instrumental). When it came time to pitch the
new record to labels, we made sure Fuzzorama got a copy. They came
back at us really stoked on the record! For the type of music we're
playing, Fuzzorama seems like the perfect home, so we are really
thankful to be on their label.
10
– Did you have any other offers from other labels to release the
new album.
Yes,
we also signed with the Canadian label 'New Damage' to release the
album in Canada, while Fuzzorama handles the rest of the world.
11
– You're from Vancouver, Canada. Canada's Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal
scene seems to be thriving now with bands such as Chron Goblin,
Sierra, Hawkeyes, Shooting Guns and yourselves making a name for
themselves. How is the Hard Rock/Metal scene perceived by people in
Canada. Is it thriving. So you get to perform gigs in your home-town
or do you have to travel further afield.
We
are good pals with a few of the bands you mentioned there! Yes, the
heavy scene in Canada is quite good. It's funny though, because it
really doesn't get a lot of support from radio. It consists of a lot
of hard working bands and fans who love heavy music. Because of the
internet and word of mouth, a heavy band can do quite well with a
good touring mentality. We lately have had to pull back from playing
our hometown (Vancouver) so much. We used to play every other weekend
locally. So yes, the main focus is touring everywhere else!
12
– The album cover for Living Ghosts is superb. Who designed the
cover. And what does the cover mean to you as a band and for the
album in general.
It
was designed by Maarten Donders from The Netherlands. We found his
portfolio online and sent him a note. We were very excited when he
agreed to do the project. In the image, the buffalo is a symbol of
the apocalypse, and the ghostly figures amplify the title, 'Living
Ghosts'. Thus far we have had a buffalo on every album cover, so it's
fun to keep that alive.
13
– What's the song-writing dynamic within the band. Is it a group
collective or down to one individual.
On
our first record it was myself doing the bulk of the writing. This
record however, has a pretty good three-way split. Brendan sings lead
on a few of the tunes, and Carter always brings good ideas to the
song arrangement. We basically write songs by one person bringing an
idea to the jam room. Then we jam it out, record it, listen back and
figure out the best direction for the song.
14
– What have been people's reaction to your music. Good or bad
reactions.
So
far the feedback has been pretty positive. I think the people
checking us out love heavy music, so it's sits right at home for
them. It's not for everyone and I wouldn't expect pop and country
music fans to like it at all, haha.
15
– How do you deal with negative reactions to your music. Do you
take suggestions or criticisms on board or do you focus on your own
thing.
Like
I said, not everyone is going to like it. I wouldn't be too upset
with negative reviews. If someone has some criticism we will
definitely listen with open ears. We're always looking to improve,
and after all, this is a learning experience.
16
– Which bands and artists inspired you to become musicians. Any
particular albums that stand out.
Red
Fang, QOTSA, Nirvana, Sleep, Tool, Truckfighters, Kyuss, Neil Young,
JJ Cale.... The list is endless really. Anyone playing music and
making a living off of it is inspiring. We all got into music for
different reasons, the other guys in the band I can't comment on, but
for myself it was because my parents sent me to an arts school. I
started out playing the saxophone at age ten, then finally picked up
the guitar around age 16.
17
– Thanks for doing this interview. All the best with your new
album.
Thanks
guys, appreciate it!
Words
by Steve Howe and Ryan Forsythe (We Hunt Buffalo)
Thanks
to Ryan for taking the time out to talking to me. Thanks to Oskar at
Fuzzorama Records for arranging this interview. We Hunt Buffalo will
be out to buy on CD/DD from Fuzzorama Records (Rest Of World) and NewDamage Records (Canada) from September 25th 2015.
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