What do you consider to be the darkest piece of music you’ve ever heard?
I’m sure I'll think of a bunch after I do this but off the top of my head there are two albums that come to mind. The idea of ‘dark’ can have some nuance to it so I’ll take two directions.
First is a good heartbreak record that was done by a solo project called The Wind-Up Bird. The album is called ‘Whips’. It’s guitar looping post rock - that somehow manages to reach a level of emotion that is very difficult to do. I feel it’s probably the earnestness in the record - it feels like it had to be made and possibly should have just stayed in the mind. It almost feels invasive listening to it. It’s been a favorite for years.
Another album that kinda reaches in another direction is by the one and only noise-rock heroes Brainbombs and their album ‘Obey’. I’m picking that one because it’s the most popular and the one I heard first. It’s dark in the sense of its complete submergence in the most hidden corners of the human condition. That music itself doesn’t hit darkness - but a lot of “dark” sounding music almost sounds corny. This sounds drug fueled in its noisy repetition. Every song just reaches a level of “should I be listening to this”.
How would you characterize your own music?
For Sutras I simply consider it punk rock. Having said that, I know that umbrella is huge and one review I read said we were just post-everything. We have a strong root in punk, hardcore and oi - but we are well engulfed in post-hardcore, post-punk, shoegaze and sludge. We have a long history with atmospheric, ambient and cinematic sounds and that finds its way in as well. It turns into something ugly, beautiful, catchy, angry and hopeful.
What are your musical aspirations?
I want to make a record that resonates with people in a way that I can feel good about. I tend to focus on topics relating to being working class, spiritual struggle and character defects. I’d like to get enough people to relate so we can all be in it together. I guess my aspiration is connection.
What are your main musical inspirations?
I’m just a punk rock fanatic so anything and everything in relation to that ends up being an inspiration. I get inspired by the culture and community. I get inspired by the freedom within what is sometimes a constraining scene (among the many sub genres). I think you can tell by listening to us - we don’t genre jump - we blend and do it in a way that is ours. I get inspired by bands and artists that put their hearts out there in an honest and open way - and build connections through that. Because that’s what I’m attracted to more than anything musical inspirations are far and wide.
Some random examples from many genres include:
Melodic Hardcore: Modern Life Is War, Have Heart, American Nightmare
Metallic Hardcore: 108, Converge
Post-Hardcore: Quicksand, Shelter
Shoegaze: My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain, Cocteau Twins
Post-Punk: High Vis, Joy Division
New Wave Oi: Syndrom 81, Cran, Bullshit Detector
Post Rock: GYBE. Mogwai
Sludge: EyeHateGod, Thou
Screamo: Pageninetynine, Majority Rule, City of Caterpillar
Hardcore Punk: Kid Dynamite, The Trouble, Youth of Today
That’s a lot and I already feel like I’m leaving out so much!!
What are your main goals in life?
To be OK just being OK.
What motivates you to create?
I often wonder this myself. I know it’s a desire for connection, I know it’s a need for expression and I sometimes think it’s a way to escape reality. That seems to make sense to me. Very rarely, if ever, do I actually think “I want to write a song” - that just happens to be the method I can reach towards the easiest.
Are you more of an early bird or a night owl?
I don’t really know - I just enjoy parts of the day where nobody expects something so therefore mornings and nights are both nice. But I truly hate waking up and I love going to sleep. But then I’ll procrastinate going to sleep… and be tired, grumpy and moody all day. If there is ever a day and night where I’m just “free” I’ll enjoy both equally - but there is a special energy in darkness and I’ll always prefer that.
Besides music, what other art forms would you like to explore?
I’m interested in all art forms - I’m just limited in time and ability. But video would be an aspect I’d love to explore and help get involved with. I definitely have lots of ideas for that.
Which is the very first record that had a big impact on you?
My sister made me a mixtape. Prior to that I had just heard radio music and really loved Aerosmith. But this mixtape had Operation Ivy, Rancid, The Ramones, The Misfits and Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers on it. I loved it all but Operation Ivy was my absolute favorite.
What is the best decade for music?
While I love nostalgia and can even fetish some era’s of the past that I didn’t personally experience (70’s NYC) - I’m a very current, forward looking person. So as a listener I’d say right now. Right now will always be the best. Even if music can only be pushed so far… I love the new energy someone else can bring to it.
As a musician… any other time than now!! If I were younger I’d love to tour and live on the road but I just can’t right now and that basically means music will forever be a money pit.
What do your future plans include?
Sutras is hoping to play one more show this year. We plan on recording more - that’s one thing I think we will always be consistent on.
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The Crisis of Existence is out now!
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Sutras
Photography by Fab Lopez
All questions answered by Tristan Welch
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