Cult
Of The Lost Cause came to my attention back in October 2013 when they
released their self-titled debut album. It showed a band with a lot
of promise as they created highly intelligent instrumental
Post-Rock/Post-Metal music.
Now
2.5 years later and the band return with their truly stunning new
album – Contritions - which we will be reviewing very soon.
Contritions is a much darker and more progressive album and sees the
band play some heavy riffs that evoke memories of Pelican, Russian
Circles and even Neurosis at times.
I
recently caught up with Mhyk Monroe (Guitarist) from this highly
talented band to see what the new album has in store for people.
Hi
Mhyk. How are things with you today.
Great,
thank you! We appreciate this!
So
why did you choose the name CULT OF THE LOST CAUSE for your band. Any
specific meaning or what is the THE LOST CAUSE to you as a band.
We
actually had a song named “Cult of the Lost Cause”, and decided
it was better than the band name we had at the time.
There
wasn’t any particular thing that inspired that, but we came to like
the idea of how hard people work to chase things that are bad for
them, and how much they’ll dedicate to pursuits that are clearly
disruptive and unhealthy. That emotional turmoil is something that
plays out in our songs.
How
did the band get together? Did you all know each other before forming
the band.
We
actually met off of Craigslist. Thom and I were in a band together
(from a Craigslist ad), and when that band broke up, we put out
another add and met Mike. We started writing and were having a blast
immediately.
For
a first time listener looking to discover your band - How would you
describe your music.
We
call ourselves heavy instrumental rock. Not quite post- stuff, not
quite metal, but heavy, loud, and angular, nonetheless.
Your
new album – Contritions – is an excellent album packed full of
great progressive sounds and bleak based riffs. What can people
expect from the record.
Thank
you, we appreciate the kind words! The record is, intentionally, a
lot darker than our first record. We were really trying to explore
different emotive ground, and I think that shows in the songs.
They’re more panicked, more dissonant, and with less hopeful
moments than what’s found on the first record.
Your
new album has a different sound to your debut album. It's heavier and
way more progressive. Was that an easy decision to do something
different with your sound. Or was it because the band's sound has
moved on from then.
It
was both, I think, a very natural step. We really wanted to explore
darker territory and, simultaneously, wanted to write songs that were
more challenging to play and to listen to. As we wrote, we tried to
be more deliberate about doing things we hadn’t done before. That’s
going to continue as we start writing the next album.
Was
recording Contritions an easy or hard process to complete.
Recording
was pretty easy. It was writing that was the challenge. As far as
recording, we had the privilege of working with Dave Otero (Cattle
Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage), and he is a fantastic professional
as well as a great all around guy. He made every part of the
recording process efficient and fun.
I
think the primary challenge of recording was putting ourselves under
the microscope and realizing, despite our best efforts, that some
parts of our songs or our individual parts had to change for the song
to work. That’s never easy, even if it’s expected.
How
hard is it being a band in today's world. What are the most difficult
aspects in being in a band.
I
can’t speak for all of us, but for myself personally, I think the
most challenging thing is making sure we’re staying true to
ourselves and doing this on our terms. It’s easy to get taken
advantage of, even in little ways, if we don’t pay attention to
what’s going on.
We’re
lucky that we’re part of a great, supportive scene here in Denver
with a lot of stand-up individuals, but it’s still something that
can happen from time to time.
What
is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it a group collective or
down to one individual.
We
write collectively, most definitely. We don’t usually write each
others instrument parts outside of suggesting a “try making this
sound” or “try it here” or “try adding this or that”,
however.
A
song will usually start with a seed from one person, usually Thom or
I, and get tackled part by part as a group. At first, whosoever idea
it was may only have one part or may even have 90% of a song, but we
all get to contribute to the final product in some way.
Usually
the person whose initial idea started that song gets to name the
song. Not having a vocalist, the titles are very important to convey
the themes and ideas we’re seeking to illustrate, musically.
What
inspired you to become a musician? Any particular album, band or
life-changing event that told you – Yeah, that's what I want to
do....
Oh,
man, so many…. Personally, The Cure was a huge influence in getting
me interested in playing music.
Then
Faith No More, Smashing Pumpkins, Bikini Kill, Helmet, Nine Inch
Nails, Botch, Sleater-Kinney…those were all artists that, for me
personally, changed what I thought was possible in music and
simultaneously made it seem accessible, something I could be a part
of. That was always the thing that I sought to re-create, that sense
of community and urgency I found in those bands and their music.
Will
you be touring this record heavily. If so what dates are you
performing and what can people expect from the live CULT OF THE LOST
CAUSE experience.
No
heavy tour plans, right now. We’re going to be playing in Colorado,
and then trying to participate in some festivals around the area.
For
now, the best time to catch us is going to be 27 February at Hi-Dive
in Denver for the release party. We’re planning on going totally
ape-shit at that show; and with our friends Muscle Beach, Abrams, and
Necropanther on the bill, it’s going to be one of the best shows of
the year.
Before
you go, do you have anything to say to your fans.
Just
that we cannot be more grateful that people are listening to us and
responding to what we do. We’re truly grateful, and we encourage
people to hit us up online and say “hello”!
Well
guys, thanks for doing this. All the best with the new album. It's a
stunning record.
Thank
you! We appreciate the chance to talk to you!
Words
by Steve Howe and Mhyk Monroe
Thanks to
Dave at US/THEM Group for arranging the interview and for Mhyk for
taking the time out into talking to me. Contritions will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Sailor Records from February
26th 2016.
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