ΣΥΝΕΝΤΕΥΞΗ ΜΕ ΤΟΥΣ «BLACK HEART PROSSESION : THE WORLD IS INSANE…»
Συνέντευξη:Αγγελική Κερπιτσοπούλου
Formed in late 1997 in San Diego, the Black Heart Procession have been described as beautifully bleak and brooding indie rock with a dark side. Lyrically touching on the melancholy side of human nature, the five-piece band is appropriately named given its themes of isolation, depression, and heartache.
The core members of Pall Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel (Three Mile Pilot) also collaborate on-stage and in the studio with various musicians whose instruments include guitar, piano, percussion, and even saw.
This uniqueness led to a 1998 record deal with Cargo Records, which released their first album, 1. The Black Heart Procession then toured the United States and Europe with A Minor Forest, and the group’s follow-up, 2, was released through Touch & Go Records in 1999. The final piece to the trilogy, 3, arrived in 2000. Joe Plummer (the Magic Magicians, Modest Mouse) and violinist Matt Resovich (the Album Leaf) were added to the Black Heart Procession lineup for the recording of the group’s fourth effort, 2002’s Amore del Tropico. This cinematic songbook of love and deception was an exploration of lounge and blues, making it an epic set for the band. Two years later, the Black Heart Procession scaled back their usual sinister presentation for In the Fishtank, Vol. 11, a co-release with Dutch prog rockers Solbakken for KonKurrent’s celebrated album series. Bassist Jimmy LaValle, who also plays with the Album Leaf, joined in 2005; The dramatic, torrid love affair that is The Spell followed in May 2006. The haunting set was recorded and produced at the Black Heart Procession’s own SDRL studio in their hometown of San Diego.
The group hit a lull as members pursued their other projects. After three years, in 2009, the band released Six. Blood Bunny/Black Rabbit, a mini-album of prodominantly remixed material followed a year later. In 2013 the band went on indefinite hiatus, with Jenkins citing the toil of «years of touring and traveling and focusing on music» as the impetus. In 2017 the group came out of hibernation and embarked on a European and North American tour, in support of the deluxe reissue of their eponymous 1998 debut album.
What is the relationship between love and politics and how does each sector of the above inspire you?
There is as little relation as possible. In our times love is beautiful and most politics is evil. I feel thinking smaller and more local . Concerning your own garden and family is most wise.
Is love light or darkness? How do these two ever coexist in one concept?
Love holds all the feelings and moods it’s how you choose to navigate this that creates your story in this world.
Is music a new form of philosophy more democratized?
Music is transcendent of all things and can tell a story or convey an emotion . It’s can say a lot or very little.
For us who are half European and half Balkan, America seems like a distant and extremely charming dream place. How do you see a Mediterranean country like ours both socially and humanely?
I think it is the same like a dream. With world carries us all . Enjoying our differences is an amazing gift from the world.
We live in a time of rapid social developments, how does this affect your creative side?
The world is insane and constantly inspired me in many ways . There is always feedback to give. No one has the answers. It’s devastating to search.
Under what condition does a song come out? Is it a group or individual work?
We wrote in several was . Some times together and sometimes apart and only when the idea is ready to reveal it’s self.
What are your future plans?
We hope to make a new record in 2025 and tour more extensively.
Συνέντευξη:Αγγελική Κερπιτσοπούλου
Η Αγγελική Κερπιτσοπούλου γεννήθηκε στην Θεσσαλονίκη.
Σπούδασε Θεωρητικός & Ιστορικός της τέχνης στην Ανώτατη Σχολή Καλών Τεχνών Αθήνας και το πρώτο μεταπτυχιακό της στην Ψηφιακή Κουλτούρα & Νέα Μέσα στο Πανεπιστήμιο της Ουτρέχτης.
Πρόσφατα απέκτησε το δεύτερο Μεταπτυχιακο της Δίπλωμα στη Μουσειολογία & Διαχείριση Πολιτισμού του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης.
Κύρια ερευνητικά της ενδιαφέροντα είναι τόσο η κοινωνική αλλαγή μέσα από την τέχνη, όσο και αλληλεπίδραση των νέων τεχνολογιών σε αυτή και στο Νέο Μουσείο.
