interviews-serie "WIVES ov DOOM" (ATOLAH/ALUNAH/ICE DRAGON) pt 2

Here's the 2nd episode of the interviews-serie "WIVES ov DOOM"... Of course, I won't do an introduction each time, so if you have NOT read yet  the 1st chapter that explained   why I wanted to let speak wives/girlfriends of people deeply invested in one way or another in the scene, here's the LINK...

Now, let's go with the shared feelings of Sarah, Soph and Sam,  huge thanx to them ! Of course questions are the same, but, as you'll see, answers can be pretty much different from one woman to the other...

1) I wanted to know which are your feelings towards the passion of Mister for Doom and Heavy musics in general... Could they be slow and gloomy or fast and brutal, how do you enjoy these weird sounds ? Do you sometimes take vengeance and play crappy Pop stuff just to piss him off ?

2) Are you proud of what he's doing with his band/blog/Radioshow ?!! Do you think this is more rewarding to play in a respected but underground Doom band than playing shit in a wellknown band ? Do you think playing Doom is necessay to his equilibrium and maybe that only this kind of music can bring him what he needs or is looking for ?

3) Does he still have enough time for both houseworks and cuddles, or sometimes there's difficult choice to make between both ?!

4) When he's listening music with headphones, computering on the net, practising with his band, playing gigs far away... do you feel alone quickly or is it an opportunity for you to meet friends/parents, make some things you enjoy but can't do together, etc... ?

Sarah (Girlfriend of Pierre from ATOLAH)

1) I think Pierre knows that although I am supportive of his musical endeavours, I have never really appreciated the genre much in general! I think the weirdest thing for me is when he sings bass lines in the shower or gets a drum beat stuck in his head and taps it out on EVERYTHING! So yes, I definitely take my revenge with some pretty crappy pop whenever I can, to inject some melody into our lives!

2) I am very proud of Atolah's musical achievements! They have developed a pretty good (albeit small) cult following and I think they enjoy the respect of their Doom and Heavy peers! I think the whole band would prefer to be respected as musicians and songwriters than to have a shitty top 5 hit. Plus it is much easier to be supportive of weekends away jamming or recording when the motivation comes from the joy of playing and seeing what that means to him (even if I don't quite understand it!)

I definitely think that Pierre gets something from his music that nothing else can give him. It must speak to him somehow, but since you are asking this question, I guess it speaks to a lot of people.
 

3) Ha! Despite his attempts to cultivate his Doom Rock image, Pierre is pretty whipped! So actually as much as I am tempted, I can't really complain on this front! Even though I have been stood up on Valentine's Day a couple of times so that he could go jam!

4) Sometimes it can be isolating when he wants to go into his music world - but I agree it is a good opportunity for me to spend time on my hobbies and with my friends, family etc, - so I never feel too neglected! I think he strikes a pretty good balance.


Soph (Wife of Dave from ALUNAH, also member of the band as vocalist/guitarist)

1) For those that may not know I'm married to Dave the guitarist in Alunah, the band which I also sing and play guitar in, so luckily we are on a par music taste wise. However, saying that, there are a lot of bands which we strongly disagree on. For instance, Dave listens to a lot of thrash, grind and nwobhm which I can really do without. As well as doom, stoner, sludge etc I listen to more '60s psychedelia, motown and folk. I live for the melody in music whereas he lives for the riff, so we do have a lot of friendly disagreements on what bands are awesome... mainly him informing me that Iron Maiden are unbelievably amazing and me informing him they're shit! The majority of music we listen to we both love, we've been together for 13 years and have been married for just 4 months - I don't think I could have lasted that long with someone who didn't share my musical tastes. Neither of us will ever back down on the Iron Maiden front! If I ever wanted to piss him off all I've got to do is put Big Elf, Ghost or Ray Lamontagne on the stereo... all big loves of mine, he doesn't share my view!

2) I know for a fact that Dave would not play music that he didn't enjoy playing, regardless of the fame or the money. He's been in bands since he was 16, all very different styles which reflect his tastes at the time. He's got such diverse tastes that its not just about the doom, its about playing whatever he enjoys. His last 3 bands Sonic Lord, Godsize and Alunah all have doom elements but each one totally different. I'm proud of Dave for many things but music wise, a couple of years into our relationship Dave started a sludge band in Birmingham called Sonic Lord. I was in my late teens when they started gigging with such bands as Khang, Sloth, Mistress etc. I used to love seeing him up there on the stage playing with bands I loved... plus, if I'm honest I was also jealous as it was something I'd loved to have done. We actually met Jake, Alunah's drummer at a Sonic Lord gig, his girlfriend Liv and him were always cropping up at Sonic Lord shows. Unfortunately Sonic Lord split up a few years back but we're still selling vinyls now.
 Dave was also in Godsize who split up last year. When they went on their first big tour I was so proud and again, jealous! The tour was with Freebase in Metallica's 1999 tour bus! I've only heard half of what went on during that tour, and I think that's all I want to know! Being 20 years old and watching your boyfriend's band sell out venues was pretty special. I'm hoping that with our achievements over the past 6 years with Alunah, and me overcoming my absolute fear of singing, has made him proud.

3)  We try to make time for each other, both of us work full time, are busy with Alunah, run Catacomb Records and each have a million other projects going on. We don't live in each others pockets, we don't demand to know where the other one is every minute of the day or night and have the utmost respect and trust for each other. Dave's a lot better at cuddles than he is at housework... saying that though I reckon I am too! We've got a very 1950s outlook... I do the baking and he fixes my car! He is pretty good at washing up and cleaning the bathroom though!

4) Its not something I really notice that much as we're both really busy. When he's not on his guitar or fixing up a car, he's building computers or on the computer researching his latest project but that's what I love about him. Who wants an unmotivated couch potato who up to date on all the latest television? If there's ever a time when I want to take a break from my things and he's busy, I have family, friends and Johnny Depp films to keep me occupied!


Sam (Girlfriend of Ron from ICE DRAGON)

1) Mister doom’s passion and ambition are awe inspiring. He keeps me on my toes and I often feel I have to keep up with him with my own creative endeavors. I consider the “weird sounds” normal and enjoy a very eclectic musical variety. I love angry music, but also play a lot of gay music like The Smiths, etc. He makes fun of me a lot for that. 

2) We are both very unconventional people and somewhat pretentious. I have never liked the idea of making art with the thought of profiting from it. I don’t value mainstream music as much for that reason and respect Mister doom’s integrity whole heartedly. 

3) No competition, he knows where it’s at!!!!!

4) Currently we don’t have the internet at home and haven’t for quite some time, but I think this will change soon. The only reason being so we can listen to sick podcasts and watch porn. We have a place in our house called “the cave”. He spends a hell of a lot of time down there, but he makes time for kitchen talks and Star Trek. His band schedule certainly does not dictate my social life. I’m his number one fan and I’m front and center at every show. Also mediator/driver… Mister doom has a tendency to get rowdy.

How is it going in Holland Mr Pierre François ?! an int' with ATOLAH's head-thinking...

With just a 4 songs mini-album called "relics", the name of ATOLAH speaks already to quite many tasteful fans of stoner/sludge/doom who drool for bands like Acid King or early Electric Wizard. Founded a few years ago by Pierre François in Australia, this crushing instrumental trio is now relocated in The Netherlands... Things starting to move again musically, I thought it was time for Pierre to give us fresh news ...

* A few months after your move to Holland, how is life going there? After 5 years in Australia, did you have any special expectations to move for Holland ? Any other country you'd like to live in for the future or do you think you'll be more "steady" geographically ?!

Hey man…Life is very good over here. Things are slowly falling into place but it is a very slow process. I didn’t really have any expectations in particular before moving to the Netherlands. I’m originally not too far from here so it’s all good. I sort of knew what I was in for. I think I’ll stay put for a couple of years now but you never know… right?

 

* Is this taste for life experiences in foreign countries directly linked to your professional activities ? On a personnal point of view, you're now a lot more close to your native country and family, but do you think that being now in Holland could make things easier for Atolah (concerning gigs/touring especially...) ?

No, they have nothing to do with my moving around the place. It’s just that when I feel like moving I just follow my guts and do it. Being in the Netherlands is a very good spot to be indeed. I am not too familiar with the Dutch scene but it is pretty vibrant from what I have seen. You get to see so many bands, big names as well as locals. Atolah will definitely be touring as soon as we’re ready. Playing in different countries is finally affordable and feasible! I don’t have many contacts in Europe but I am sure we’ll come up with something.

  * As a musician and as a frenchie aged 25 to 30, which memories will remain the best from these 5 years in Australia ? Did you have to face any relational trouble considering France wasn't not that well considered by aussies at least some years ago with nuclear activites in the pacific especially ?

I am at the very high end of that age bracket actually…

Australia was tough on a personnal level man but it was also a magnificent place. I grew from this experience. I met incredible people over there, whether they were my bands mates, or guys from other bands.

 To be honest, I only heard a comment once. But you’re right, I know someone who when she was in high-school, her French teacher had her spelt “France” with a lower case “f” because of the stupid rainbow warrior thing hehe

* How do you give a name to your songs ? for example why giving a name like "el duce" or "weedy Gonzales" (maybe your nickname !?) ?

Well, THAT is a pretty legitimate question…why does one name song after all??...I dunno. It’s just the drive of the whole song I’d say. The imagery that comes to mind. From now on we’ll have lyrics though, not that you should expect any meaning from them.

  * Keeping the name of ATOLAH, you actually found a (dutch) guitarist and started to rehearse again ... any contact for a drummer ? Are you working directly on new songs with the guy or do you prefer him to learn the songs of "relics" before ? Could you speak a bit about new songs ?

I did indeed. Geert (guit) is a great guy and a really talented musician. He’s been involved in music for years and played bass for dutchy doomsters FAAL (www.myspace.com/faaldoom) when he wasn’t working on his black metal projects.. Playing in Atolah is probably different to what he is used to playing but from the two jams we had, I could not have found anyone better. We decided to start by writing new material before focusing on the old songs. We’ll deal with this later. I think it’s a better solution as it doesn’t put pressure on the new guy to have to learn someone else’s songs you know. When everyone is comfortable with the new songs, they’ll already have by then a feel of what Atolah is all about.

I have one drummer lined-up but we’re having logistics problems as he is from Amsterdam and has to travel to come jam with us. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll see what else we can do but we definitely want to try this guy first.

Well at this point I can only really talk about one song..which is far from being finished. It’s called “Post Cross and Yoke” and compared to Atolah’s other songs it is…yeah ….heavy(ier?)…As I said we only jammed twice but I’m starting to get a feel of what the whole thing will sound like. I am really psyched.

* Are you contractly attached to Psychedoomelic for your future release(s) ? is "relics" still easily available ? any T-shirt maybe ?

I’d love to work with PsycheDOOMelic again but no, we do not have an on-going contract with them. If Mark is interested, I am sure he’ll be in touch. Otherwise, we’ll try to find someone else I guess. I’m currently having a design done for a shirt. I haven’t seen the end result yet though.

I’m pretty sure “Relics” is an easy album to find yeah…It’s even on sale on some sites hahah. There are lots of distros out there doing their jobs, and the PsycheDOOMelic website of course. But if you want it from the band directly, I only have 2 copies left I think.

  * The cover of the album let suggest that ATOLAH has an occult dimmension, how do you think it is materialized in your music and identity ?

These goats… They can be so deceiving. The cover art is actually a picture my friend from Iceland took ages ago…it was just hanging out in a field, freezing its balls off. (!!!!)

I really have no idea about Atolah having an occult dimension though. The foundations of this genre of music were layed a long time ago. We’re just kind of playing by the rules while having our own spin on it you know. I am not too concerned about being occult or not to be honest haha

* Thanx Pierre, all the best to you in Holland and hope to see a new album released in 2012 ! anything to add ?

Cheers dude. Thanks for the interview. I really appreciate it. Keep on doing a great job and thanks for inducting us in the Temple of Perdition. Let us know if you ever come down  to our neck of the woods. 

http://www.psychedoomelic.com/
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