An interview with Scott Connor(Malefic, of Xasthur)

[WeHuntKings]

brought to you by forestofnihilism and Philosopheme!

So, lately, forestofnihilism and myself have been talking with Scott Connor of Nocturnal Poisoning and ex-Xasthur. After talking for a while, we asked if we could get an interview from him. Since there haven’t been any interviews regarding Nocturnal Poisoning, we were sure his fans would love to hear what Scott has been cooking for these last few years. Forestofnihilism set up the interview, and we formed a couple of questions regarding Scott’s new project - just for you!

1). Well to start off, I have just one question concerning Xasthur; which was the most meaningful album for you? And if you don’t mind sharing, why?

Defective Epitaph, probably because I worked the hardest on that one, all the songs seemed really different from each other but also came together as a long piece; I knew that I did everything that I could have done. It was more like a time where the album title, a theme of sorts and idea came to mind early on while making it, so that gave the making of it a lot of fuel.

2). Now I know Xasthur got boring to you, but besides that, what really feeds the creation of Nocturnal Poisoning?

I would say discovering how many forms of other music I enjoy and enjoy trying to play, old and new. Over a few years ago, I started becoming fascinated with listening and playing blues, bluegrass, 60’s-70’s rock music, folk, gothic, a few older country songs, classical, ‘psychedelic’, doom and things like this. I refuse to use the word “influence” or name drop other bands to draw attention to my own. There are two colors that black metal bands paint with, gray and darker gray, but nowadays I’m feeling like I have a whole new box of colors, more to work with now, some of them ‘beautiful’, some of them ‘ugly’ to paint with, or, to paint a different picture with, with more contrasts between the dark and light, both setting each other up for bigger falls and drops and also bigger things rising. I think that I’m better at playing this sort of thing, acoustically, than I ever was at playing ‘black metal’.

3). I think this question is really intriguing for those that are really looking up to NP; will Nocturnal Poisoning always be a solo project, or will there be other members? If you intend on working with others, do you have anybody in mind?

At this moment, literally, I do worry that Nocturnal Poisoning might have to be a solo project, whether I like it or not. But yes, I have intentions of working with others, because it’s just getting too difficult and limiting in some areas to continue working on my own. I’m trying to get back to the place where I spent some time last winter because I have at least a second guitarist and a drummer there, a couple guys who play for a band called Gravesideservice. They are quite open minded and willing towards other music and you can tell by giving a few of their songs a chance.

4). Also, will Nocturnal Poisoning be a touring band?

That is definitely a big goal. I was not able to do that with the previous band for so many reasons. But I have to turn this into a live band or I will be up shit creek without a paddle. Making an album, only, doesn’t mean a damn thing anymore and does not do much for the band making it, it used to really be something, but today it’s not enough, not for the band and probably not for the listeners either.

5). You’ve been working on NP for quite some time now, you should let The Black Circle hear some of it, hahaha. No, but seriously; are your fans close to finally tasting this different side of Scott?

Maybe I should, probably I shouldn’t. When the time comes, I like people to listen to albums as a whole and not just a sample or two. Also, when I pressed the final Xasthur album myself, I finally did very well with it because there was no labels or “friends” to spoil it with free samples. I don’t trust anyone to have it until it’s on disc, for many reasons, actually. I’ve been burned several times with ‘leaked’ songs, maybe other musicians and bands can afford that, but I can’t. After the album comes out, I’m sure everyone will take the liberty of stealing it and ‘sharing’ it….but in the meantime, she’s mine. The album is getting close though, I have a problem with going too long without doing anything new and I won’t be able to run my mouth for very long.

6). Do you plan on including vocals on NP? And if so, will they be haunting and grim like we heard on Xasthur, or would you be using a clean vocalist? And if so, what lyrical themes do you wish to explore?

Having a vocalist is something I have just about given up on, it became so frustrating and also so many problems to deal with that I’m thinking of keeping it mainly an instrumental band. The more time that has gone by without finding a vocalist, the more I’ve made the songs complex enough to be good enough and listenable without vocals. If the right kind of vocalist falls into place someday, then great, but there’s no dire need for it. There were no plans of having any ‘haunting or grim’ vocals for this, by the way. If I were to explore any lyrical themes, I’m not really sure what they would be, I’d be open to many things, except writing about the same old shit I used to write about, I suppose. That was something else that needed to change but since I’m currently writing and recording everything myself, I was hoping to write ‘with’ someone, bounce some ideas back and forth, like get a little help in that area, but you see, now we’re back to the vocalist thing again, so fuck it.







so...new project from scott. on his facebook page he is describing it as acoustic guitar driven, very fingerpicky/folk inspired. very exciting.

[GardenoftheDead]

You see, I'm interested in this but I honestly think everything he made since Subliminal Genocide was garbage so I don't know if I can force myself to get excited.

[WeHuntKings]

well, its not going to be anything like xasthur, so i think it will be interesting at the very least.

[skullservant]

Interesting. He seems to be opening up a little, both in terms of music, as well as presence.

[retinal orbita]

I thought Defective Epitaph and All Reflections Drained were really great, as is a lot of his previous stuff. I don't think I give a cat's whiskers about fingerpicky acoustic stuff from this guy or whatever new direction he's going in.... 2012

[WeHuntKings]

fucking love defective epitaph...i dunno, the idea of fucked up folk music from this guy sounds so cool to me

[retinal orbita]

It's like... you ever read about Dead Raven Choir and think it sounds really interesting and then order a few of his CDs and then they all kind of suck? That's where I'm at with this....

[dase]

oh awesome, thanks for posting this. Will read at work tomorrow.

[GardenoftheDead]

...i dunno, the idea of fucked up folk music from this guy sounds so cool to me

I hope it ends up cool but who knows.

[Ashahalasin]

Keen as shit. Comes off as fanboyish, but there isn't anything this guy has done that I don't love. (So that may indeed make me a fanboy)

Great interview.

[skullservant]

It's like... you ever read about Dead Raven Choir and think it sounds really interesting and then order a few of his CDs and then they all kind of suck? That's where I'm at with this....

Ghad I love Dead Raven Chior. Its just... so disgusting and awful and painful in a good way