Svart Artist Beastmilk Interview is up...







1. Beastmilk has such an 80's Post Punk vibe aka Killing Joke, Joy Division or Nick Cave thing going on was this what you were set out to present to the world?

No, ofcourse not. I make the songs, Kvohst writes the lyrics and arranges the vocals, and that's how the songs turn out. It's not a conscious choice to sound like this or that. It's the sum of its parts. I think it sounds fresh and interesting.


2. Svart label is such a diverse collection of artist how did you come to work with them?? How has the partnership been so far?

We sent our demo to Svart, it was the only label we sent it to. We didn't hear from them at first, so we thought they weren't interested. I guess it got lost in the mail or something. When they eventually heard it they really liked it and wanted to re-release it on vinyl as well as release a new 7" which was Use Your Deluge.
I think it's working out good with them, they are really putting the effort for the album. It's also very nice to have a label you can talk to in person and not be too official about it.
3. This there a running them on Climax as its seems to have a very organic and eco feel to it or am I just hearing this?

I would say that the overlying theme is the juxtaposition of love and death. The one existing in relation to the other. We wanted to keep the production organic and wild, it that's what you're referring to.
4. Whats a live show like for Beastmilk . Is it something the band likes to do or prefer to be  studio project?

Originally we weren't supposed to play live at all. We haven't played many shows yet but we are getting more comfortable on stage all the time. We want the audience to feel the same excitement and joie de vivre during the live performance as we felt while writing the songs.


5. Whats your thoughts on the digital age ( Social Media, Digital albums, Pr and Internet radio) Do you miss the days of old or is this the new underground where any thing can happen?

I enjoyed the tape trading in the 90's. I like how cassettes feel and sound. It feels that there were less bands around back then too, so you really could dig deep and find something nice in a release that you probably wouldn't spend much time with nowadays. I think the relationship with the listening experience was more indulging back then, that's a good thing. The bad thing was  that, at the same time, you were stuck with whatever releases you could get your hands on. Now you can find pretty much everything online so it's easy to find new things which is very exciting to me atleast. I don't think there's such a thing as underground anymore. If you can find it on google, it's not underground.


6. If someone before hearing Beastmilk and asked you what the bands sounds like how would to describe it to them and why that way?

I would advice them just to listen to it and make their mind up. Maybe they like it, maybe they don't like it, that's all that matters for the listener, semantics are irrelevant. I would describe that it sounds like Beastmilk.
7.  The music is catchy and haunting all at the same time. Are the songs created with music in mind 1st or do the vocals come 1st and then music is the emotion over the prose???

I make the music first, then Kvohst adds the vocals. I think our subconscious dialogue is very strong yet consists of very few words, he is able to extend and solidify the atmostphere of the music with his vocals exactly the way only he is capable of. For me songs aren't about riffs, it's about energies and harmonies. If i'm excited about the song when i'm composing it, then the feeling usually transmits over to Kvohst and it turns out into a proper track.


8. What are the members of Beastmilk listening to currently anything that would surprise us? Are there any new stand outs in the music world you like to tell us about?

I don't know what the other guys are listening to. I'm listening to a lot of Danny Brown and French electro at the moment. I also got introduced to black midi music which I'm really excited about. It's basically midi songs with millions of notes in them, it's amazing. ( http://youtu.be/K_DUFVqQkS4 )


9. Ive read Beastmilk is more of a side/ pet project? This that still the case as its one of the more powerful and interesting bands out there today?

Thanks for your compliment! Kvohst has Hexvessel and I have Rainbowlicker, and they occupy us to certain extents. I think it's a question of trying to fit schedules that benefit everyone as much as possible. I'm not sure if it's optimal to do only one thing at time, it can get boring and too serious.


10. I ask this of many bands from Finland as the music from there seem so other worldly and distant is that just something that is special about your nation as band like Skepticism, Dolorian, This Empty Flow, Amorphis and labels like  Some place else its just the visions we get?

Skepticism's Aes and Magenta Skycode's "IIIII" (later band of Jori Sjöroos from This Empty Flow) are very important albums for me. I think the finnish sound is a projection of finnish mentality and physical surroundings. It can get very dark and cold here both mentally and physically so you need something to warm you up.


11. If you were to create a visual companion to the Climax album what it look like and how would you present it?

I'm not sure i quite understand the question, sorry?


12. With http://beastmilk.me and your social media side on the net does this really feel the best way to get your band out to the world many band see social meda is the way…

I think we are a bit lazy when it comes to that stuff, reason probably being that we are not out to *push* our music upon anyone. Ofcourse there needs to be a presence that enables someone who's interested to find and listen to what they are looking for. Some bands really go to whorish lengths with the social media stuff, which then again might suit their crowd, so that's really up to them on making that decision. It's also a nice way to present the band to the listeners and provide them with a bit of inside look of what goes on behind the scenes. Ofcourse back in the days it was cool to just read xerox zines and build your whole perception of the band and their mentality on a couple of random interviews.


13. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here

Thanks for the interview buddy, best of luck with your zine. Be sure to check out Climax once it's out by the end of November.
-Juho Goatspeed

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