The thought of it started somewhere about four years ago after a at the time very tragic and unexpected life event. While being in the depths of that event I started to feel that this just had to be put into musical terms. I kept thinking "what would the soundtrack of something like this sound like?". Apparently the sound of such events are melodic death metal I found out.
2.In March you had released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
If I pick up a guitar and just strum randomly a melancholic melody of some kind always emerges. So I figured since this is my strength why not play on that strength? I've also during the last years worked a lot with my growling vocals - switching from a more high-pitched tone to a lower one and I wanted to get this on tape too. This in conjunction with always have been a fan of death metal lead to the natural conclusion of recording melodic death metal. The aim was to write songs that had lots of ambient parts, melancholic soaring melodies and hopefully well made compositions. Songs I personally liked - so if no one else found them interesting at least one individual enjoyed them.
3.I have also read that you worked on this ep for 3 years, can you tell us a little bit more about it?
This stems from a mix of an otherwise hectic life and perfectionism. It was written and recorded in bursts. I early settled on not putting out anything I did not like or thought was mediocre. Better to let things take time than to compromise. At first I wrote 5 songs which took about a year (with a huge number of outtakes or dead-ends). Then I had to research and get good at recording myself which took another year. Then realizing that 3 out of the 5 songs were sub-par and had to be completly redone which took about another year. Recording all instruments and everything that goes into it is in itself a very time-consuming process.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?
They are all connected to the feeling of loss that started this project in the first place. I didn't realize it at the time but I guess it's kind of a concept EP since things revolve around the same event and topic.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Aesthetics of A Loss'?
The inspiration is partly me liking the word loss and the letter Æ which is so visually pleasing. The name also had to carry some meaning as to why I write music in the first place - it's largely driven by the feeling of loss and sorrow. So the songs are the literal æsthetic output or representation of a loss - hence the fitting name.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover/
It ties in with the lyrical theme and origins of the project.
7.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with a full band or do you prefer to remain solo?
I've been in several bands before and have written most of the music in those bands so this was actually a change to go solo. I like playing with others but for this project it probably wouldn't be possible or have come out the same way if it was done with others. The possibility to tinker, re-arrange and re-record when something didn't feel right would probably have driven others insane and the output would have to be more of a compromise. It's the quantity vs quality thing. Being all solo means things can take as long time as they have. So you trade some of the raw energy and creative input from playing with others for the possibility to wait until things come out right. I prefer to remain solo on this project but am open to doing other projects with others. It depends on the focus of the project at hand.
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Not received any interest and haven't been on a label so far so I don't know what it means to be. A goal has been to make the music accessible to many - which labels can help, but also to make it as free (or cheap) as possible. I'm not doing this for any kind of money so I don't know what a label would think of that. If there's enough interest a kickstarter campaign of some kind would be an option.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic death metal?
Tiny but mostly positive. My mom said she liked it.
10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?
Well, good news is that the melodies keep pounding away in my thick skull so there's more material to write. The bad news is I tend to keep myself busy enough to find it hard to get time to record stuff (the same bursts that made it take 3 years to get the EP done). But I dunno, if there's enough interest it might be bumped higher on the prio-list.
As a musician I love to throw wrenches in the gears to mix songs up. Clean vocals were added to the last two songs two keep the writing interesting and not get into a rut. I recon this trend will continue with more experimental parts will be mixed in with the backdrop of the melancholic melodic death metal. Rest assured however that it will probably never be so experimental that saxophones will be added.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I borrow ideas a lot from others and you can probably trace some influences on whatever I was listening to at the time when writing that particular song. I borrow a lot from Daylight Dies. I've also borrowed heavily from Rivers of Nihil, Misery Signals and Solace (Canada).
Nowadays I've just got a vinyl player set up at home so I'm rocking early 90-ies death metal on vinyl. On top of that the new Amorphis, Dimmu Borgir and Watain has gotten a lot of airplay.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
I'm a part-time father of two children. I'm also into programming computers and doing improvisational theater.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
To this day it still amazes me how genuine and authentic metal heads usually are. There is little to no money to be made and yet metal heads are some of the most loyal and engaged fans there is. This must stem from a pure love for the music and art in itself. It's just a very cool thing to witness and be part of. Makes you feel at home, y'know? So thanks for making this blog and thanks for reading this.
Also: you can find all of the songs on the EP for free at these streaming sites:Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0xFF3nfOZrpymR0qQOrakm
Bandcamp:
https://aestheticsofaloss.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/aestheticsofaloss/sets/legoisme
You can keep up with any news (at a galcial tempo at this time) or get in contact here:
https://www.facebook.com/aestheticsofaloss/
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