1. Hello! I am very happy to have the opportunity to ask you a few questions! Let us set the scene first. Where do we find you right now? Please describe your surroundings.
J.T.: Greetings. Right now I am sitting in my home office in Calgary, Canada where I do my recording and writing for Kasm.
2. What were the main challenges you faced in learning to play music and can you name some of the bands who you first really admired and helped shape your future in music?
J.T.: I started to venture into the music creation in the summer of 2020 as a way to maintain sanity over the Covid-19 lockdowns. When I started, I literally knew nothing - day 1 was learning what a DAW and interface was. Luckily, I have some very good friends that helped teach me and guide me on a technical level through set up to be able to begin tracking and recording from home.
Starting from knowing nothing, the recording, mixing, and song composing learning curve was insane. Over the last 3 years or so I wrote and scrapped at least 10 tracks as I would learn a new technique that would make me previous track not up to standard and began a vicious cycle. When I compare my music composition to my inspiration and music idols like Joseph Hawker, (Ethereal Shroud) Ayloss (Spectral Lore) and Jacob Buczarski (Mare Cognitum) I still feel like I am 1 step on the journey of 1000 miles. That feeling will likely never dissipate, I think the pursuit of constant improvement and growth is integral to your ego and understanding that your own personal standards will never be fulfilled.
With that said, I am extremelly happy with my first attempt at putting together a cohesive LP.
3. Could you describe the vision/hallucination that inspired the name "Kasm" and how it relates to the band's identity and music?
J.T.: Funny story about that - the original band name was VOID. Had a logo done up and everything to find out there was literally a cap set by Spotify that there was simply too many Artists named “VOID” in existence. “Kasm” was a name that was birthed by our vocalist Kyle Ball and myself derived from “Microcosm” which led to “Cosm” and then to “Kasm”.
4. What is the spiritual ideology or philosophy that drives you both as individuals and as a band? Do you think it can become a limit to your creativity?
K.B.: I can’t speak for everyone in the group, but I personally don’t subscribe to a single spiritual ideology or philosophy. I’m very agnostic in my beliefs and I consider myself somewhat of a spiritual and philosophical alchemist, pulling ideas from every and any corner of those realms that resonates with me.
5. Your debut EP, “Lux Obscurata,” deliver a powerful, massive, and atmospheric sound. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the songs and how it felt to release your music to the world?
J.T.: I have been a huge fan of cosmic and atmospheric black metal for a very, very long time. I think most of the inspiration for music writing comes from whatever I am listening too and really liking at the time. For example, when I was writing Exordium Illumination, I was really inspired by Wolves in the Throne Room at the time and I think that really shines through. Having a deep library of different sounds help drive creativity and explore new methods of writing.
6. Regarding your music, you´ve self called cosmic black metal. What messages or themes do you hope to convey through your artistic expression?
J.T.: I like the sensation of feeling really small and insignificant. My goal when writing these melodies and compositions is to be humbling. When I listen to a very grand display of music (another example would be Bell Witch) it is just so over cumbersome and I love that feeling and want others to feel the same from our music.
7. Can you give us a glimpse into the creative process behind your music? How do you typically approach songwriting and arranging?
J.T.: I typically get inspired by whatever I am listening too at the time and do. My own version of a riff or melody that really resonated with me. I find that I build out a good foundation first, and then build the rest of the song around that initial riff. And I like to mix up as well. I find that if I write the rhythm first, or the lead, I will get two very different results in sound.
8. Musicians often have a single favourite spot on each album they make. What would be your moment of joy on this particular EP?
J.T.: Interestingly enough, all three of us have a different favourite track. For me personally, my favourite moment on the album is the the last 3 minutes and 16 seconds of Exordium Illumination. It is the combination of a wall of sounds that have been building from the start of the track released in a violent surge, the inspiration of that song structure comes from the life and death of a star.
9. Tell us about the recording sessions, how did it go? Was it your first time in the studio? How long did it take you to finish everything?
K.B.: Recording was great. The guitar, drums, and synth was tracked/programmed at J.T.’s home studio and the bass and vocals were tracked at S.R.’s home studio. I believe the instrumentals began being written about a year and a half ago, and then after I had joined on vocals, it took about 6-8 months to complete the album. This wasn’t my first time in the studio, I’ve been playing music for the better half of 25 years and have been in the studio countless time.
10. As a band from Calgary, how has your local music scene influenced your development and growth as musicians?
K.B.: There isn’t a lot of black metal that comes from Calgary. Even though there has been a few black metal bands that have come and gone, and Calgary has a vibrant metal scene, I can’t say much has really influenced what Kasm is doing.
11. How do you define “underground” and where do you see yourself and your band in it?
K.B.: The Underground to me, is you, us, and everyone continuously releasing their art into the world with no confines or restrictions on what that art purveys. We live here, and it’s where the majority of great and truly inspirational art resides.
12. In your humblest opinion, do you favour streaming music digitally or prefer buying physical copies of cd’s, tapes and vinyls?
J.T.: I am a huge fan of both. Streaming helps share your music and art with anyone across the world which I think is super important for anyone to have access to a plethora of musical experiences. On the flip side - all three of us are avid record collectors. There is something special about holding, unwrapping, and listening to a new physical piece of art. nothing beats getting that square box in the mail.
13. Live performances are an integral part of the black metal experience. Does Kasm have any plans for live shows or touring in the future?
J.T.: As of now, no, Kasm does not have plans to do any live shows, but I would not rule out out in the future.
14. Before we wrap up this interview, I like to thank you for your time into doing this. Any final thoughts or words to the fans reading this?
J.T.: Thanks for taking the time. Final thoughts to any readers would simply be thank you and I hope you enjoy the music.
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