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All Them Witches - I think if we take this opportunity to recognize the positive output, we can create in dark times that we will learn and grow together and climb out of this depressing difficult shit Aanbevolen

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All Them Witches - I think if we take this opportunity to recognize the positive output, we can create in dark times that we will learn and grow together and climb out of this depressing difficult shit

All Them Witches is a band you could never label. The Nashville-based formation has already delivered five albums in eight years, colorful pictures of all ingredients within ‘rock-country-alternative music’. All the more reason to take a closer look at this latest disc ‘Nothing As the ideal’. Since 2018, All Them Witches has become a trio after the departure of keyboardist Jonahtan Draper. Whether this affects the sound? The colorful remains, the furious too. This disc was recorded in the world famous Abbey Road Studio, so this is not a key to success. Yet. The combination of the band's versatile approach with the magical impact of that legendary studio creates a gem that exceeds perfection in many areas. We had a nice conversation about this release, and of course also about the further plans for the future, especially in these tough times.


It’s difficult to put a real music style on All Them Witches; what I like a lot about you guys, how would you describe you music yourself? Can you tell us a bit about your own musical background and how you got into playing?
I started playing drums when I was 15.  My dad had a drum kit and a guitar so my brother and I decided to spend our days learning how to play our instrument side by side.  No lessons and no guides other than the cds and videos we would obsess over.

How do you work as a band when it comes to writing, practice and recording?
We all bring our own angle to the process, sometimes things are living as a demo from one of us individually or a song has been lurking in the background for years waiting for its moment.  Other times its a sound check that turns musical or often times just us in a room fucking off in our respected corners with a machine armed and recording.

Since 2018, All Them Witches has become a trio after the departure of keyboardist Jonahtan Draper. Did that affect the sound of the band? How did you process and absorb that loss?
It was a band decision and not a loss.  It wasn’t the right move and it was based in fear. Allan was gone right before our tour supporting Primus and Mastodon.  We had no new material and all of our setlist required keyboards.  After those two tours with Draper we decided to trust ourselves and move on as we had planned before that support tour was available. 

The latest record was recorded in the world famous Abbey Road Studio, which has had a certain influence. Obviously it is not necessarily a key to success? Or does it?
It was awesome to be there and definitely kept a bit of a fire under our asses to play like our lives depended on it.  The vibes were great and it was absolutely inspiring to be there.  It wasn’t a key to success but it was a part of the transmission.

As for 'Nothing as the ideal'. Especially the versatile approach, deliberately coloring outside the lines were the main advantages for me. What is your opinion about this?
We pulled more from ourselves individually on this album than we had in the past.  Without a keyboardist we gave ourselves more options to experiment.  I had been playing with tapes and odd soundscapes for a while leading up to this session and I was happy to be able to color things with them.

How where the reactions about this record anyway?
What is your reaction? I think it has something for everyone leaving room for new fans as well.  We will see…

I suppose there been a lot plans postponed by this crisis where we live in. What plans did postponed in your case?
Touring in 2020.

How you deal with such a crisis as musician, band and also human?
I focused on a side project of mine called UVWAYS and put out an album called MOSES LYNX.  I took the demos I made for ATW that didn’t make the cut and turned them into something that can live on.  I also focused on creating music videos like Rats in Ruin and Children of Coyote Women and several others for the @UVWAYS project

Some bands promoting their music by streaming. Is this a solution to overcome this crisis as band?
We have two shows planned and are curious to see how it plays out.  It’s not a solution but I believe it will help us get through the remainder of the year.  We make our entire paycheck being on the road so having that taken away have been very difficult and a little frightening.  

What is your regular opinion about streaming music like Spotify and things anyway?
It’s a double sided blade. On one side it’s amazing to be able to listen to anything you want and have endless discoveries.  I use it often and I love it. Its kind of magical to just send a link and immediately people can discover your art.  The other side of it is cloudy with financial disappointments.  They pay very little and this is how most people listen nowadays.  If we had the physical sales of our streams we would have our own Led Zeppelin style transportation.

How do you think the music and art business will  overcome this crisis? Your personal opinion?
Art has always been a catalyst for change.  This lockdown has been hard for a lot of people and the artists who can change those feelings and ideas into something outside of themselves are helping the world cope and to see with new eyes.  I think if we take this opportunity to recognize the positive output we can create in dark times that we will learn and grow together and climb out of this depressing difficult shit.

Some bands feel the  pressure to release more music during the pandemic to keep fans engaged and increase streaming revenue? What is your opinion about this?
Do as the spirit moves.  We were lucky in a sense to have a complete new album right at the onset which gave us leeway to create more of our own music individually.  The space to breathe and stretch out without the pressure of “we better do something right now” - because we already did it.

In an interview I read ‘’The only reason we can still do this is because of touring. I do not want to sacrifice our live show. Our live show is everything.”’ I guess you miss the stage. How deal with that you can’t go on tour now?
Plan, expand, explore, wait. 

What are the future plans? In the near future? Is there any tour coming up?
2021 hopefully we can go hard.

After all this years you have  been everywhere, see a lot and been true difficult and pleasant times I guess. Is there still a ambition? Some ‘end goal’ or something?

Playing music is everything and nothing at the same time.  Somedays it’s the last thing I want to do but often it’s the only thing I want to do.  The end goal is to go as long as possible.  Go until my body fails.  Ambitious always.  Change the world through music and create connections and compassion with our art.

Thanks for this interview, I hope we can see each other soon when you guys can go on stage and come to Belgium. Deep regards.

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