In our next Band Spotlight, we chat to Conchúir O’ Drona of From The Bogs Of Aughiska to talk about the band’s new record, ‘Minimal Bearing Veins’, and current inspirations.
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S] How has your sound changed and developed over the last few years?
I would say FTBOA’s sound has progressed towards a darker and more experimental territory over the last few years, which has always been my goal. Originally all the music was written by me using samplers and basic computer software, whereas on ‘Mineral Bearing Veins’ it’s the first time I’ve worked with other musicians. Finding the right musicians to help achieve my vision has taken some time but I’m very lucky to have found them.
S] What things outside of music are inspiring you, think specific people, places and movies?
I’m currently reading ’Blood On The Banner’ by Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc which tells the story of County Clare’s republicans from the start of the twentieth century to the end of the War of Independence. It’s a topic I want to explore with music in the future. Also, after a 12 year absence I started playing Gaelic Football again, strangely enough for a Swedish team (Stockholm Gaels), and I’m finding playing this traditional Irish game quite inspiring.
S] How does ‘Mineral Bearing Veins’ push you in new directions as artists?
On ’Mineral Bearing Veins’ we’ve pushed our dark atmospheric sound into a more black metal territory while also having the Seanchaí (a traditional Gaelic storyteller/historian) vibe going through the record. The album flows like a journey and I feel it’s the most complete FTBOA album to date.
S] To what extent does ‘Poll An Eidhneain’ represent the tone and overall vibe of the record?
’Poll An Eidhneain’ is quite cinematic and mixes sub bass tones and dark ambient keyboards with field recordings (recorded in Doolin Cave) before blasting into savage black metal. I think it’s the perfect example of how we managed to combine dark atmospheres with black metal and gives you an idea of the overall vibe of the album.
S] How has your attitude to live performance progressed and developed as well?
For me the main focus of FTBOA is playing live and giving the audience a whole audio visual experience. The visuals we project at our shows feature bleak images of graveyards, landscapes and wildlife and are a very important part of of our overall live experience. We’ve recently completed a UK tour to see how the whole band set up would work together as the four of us had never played together up until last month and despite some technical difficulties at some of the shows, I would consider it as an overall success. In the future my aim is to be playing more special venues that will help the audience to fully lose themselves in our music.
S] At this point in your career, what would you like the band’s legacy to be?
As FTBOA approaches its 10 years anniversary next year, I think ‘Mineral Bearing Veins’ is the finest piece of music we have released to date and if I were to die tomorrow I’d be happy for that to be the band’s legacy.
