Dwell Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

    Since finishing Far Dark Helm, we've continued writing new material and playing shows locally, just trying to move forward as we always have. Tucker has decided to leave the country, so we've brought in our good friend Riley on drums. He's picking it up quickly and bringing his own personality to the sound, so we're excited to see Dwell continuing to evolve.

2.In May you had released a full album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from the demo you had released a year ago?

    The tracks we wrote for the demo were all about getting something down "on paper" and finding our sound, tonally and thematically. Once we had a concrete direction, we knew how we needed to fine tune everything from riff structure to vocals. Working with Noah Landis really gave us the opportunity to create the sound we had been envisioning all along in terms of tonal warmth and mixing quality.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics the band explores with the new album and also is there a concept going on with the songs?

    The Far Dark Helm refers to the seat of command from which an invisible, yet omnipresent forces directs and controls the lives of people who, to them, are faceless and ordinary. The lyrics are driven by reflection within this power struggle.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dwell'?
    

    To dwell is to exist with an acute self awareness, and to make sense of the reality that we occupy. The personal experience of dwelling within our personal and shared realities is what drives us to create music.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played in the last 2 years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

    My favorite times have been playing with Windhand at the Stork Club, and all the shows at Eli's Mile High Club, with bands like Shroud Eater, Orbweaver, Catapult the Dead, and Destroyer of Light. We try and have a mostly no-B.S. approach to our live performances using atmospheric interludes to fill the space between songs, but most of all just trying to have fun.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

    As long as we're still making music, we'll keep playing shows around the Bay. As far as touring goes, we've definitely discussed it, looking at either going up and down the west coast or through the southwest, and plan to do so when all the chips fall into place. We all work day jobs and have our own personal and financial struggles, so it's really just a matter of the right opportunity presenting itself at the right time.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom and post metal?
    

    It’s been incredible to see support for Dwell in places like the U.K. and Greece. It blows my mind that we have the capacity to self-produce an album and send it all over the world. When you’re talking about somewhat niche communities such as post-metal fans or doom-heads, its cool to see that we’re united more by our love for music than political borders.

8.Currently the band is unsigned, what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for the band?
    

    That's something that we’d have to file under “take it as it comes”.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
    

    We’re constantly trying to improve our music while letting it continue to evolve naturally as its always done. Now with Riley in the band, we’re writing new stuff that is definitely a bit different from Far Dark Helm, but still holds the spirit of Dwell.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
    

    Our biggest influences in terms of riffs and sound structure would definitely be Cult of Luna, Isis, Yob, Tool, Electric Wizard, Windhand, and many others. These days, I’ve been listening to a pretty wide variety of stuff from Marvin Gaye and Al Green, to Neil Young and the Grateful Dead, to Landmine Marathon and Primus.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
    

    We also brew beer as a band! Right now we’re working on perfecting our West Coast IPA, and bottle conditioning a Bavarian-style Hefeweizen. Also, living in the Bay Area, we spend a fair amount of time enjoying the vast amounts of natural beauty at our disposal. Riley and Chris are also artists in their own right working with watercolors, acrylic, and sculpture.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
    

    We’d just like say a huge THANK YOU to all our friends and family who have come out to our shows, helped us move equipment, and surrounded us with positivity. I really don’t know how we would have been able to last this long without them. We’d also like to thank Against PR and all the other bloggers who have given us media exposure. Nothing makes me happier than knowing that there’s people out there across the world digging our music. My final thought is that I’m humbled in the face of the doom / post-metal communities, and I just hope that we can keep doing this as long as possible.