With one of the most mental names in metal, Planet Loud couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a chat to Ethan from Prosthetic Records very own Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire
Planet Loud – Hi, how are you doing? Could you introduce yourself/selves please?
CTTTOAFF – I am Ethan and I play guitar and vocals.
Planet Loud – Your second full-length ‘Songs Of Ill Hope And Desperation’ has been receiving a great reaction so far. How did you go about writing this record? Do you guys write collaboratively, or do one of you/a couple of you take the lead?
CTTTOAFF – We write collaboratively as well as on our own. Each one of us has at least one song that was written entirely on their own.
Planet Loud – How did you find your experience in the studio this time around? What led you to work with Dave Otero on this album?
CTTTOAFF – We have worked with Dave Otero since the first ep back in 2006. He is an amazing engineer and fun to work with. I am not sure that we would ever record with anyone else. I’m not saying it isn’t a possibility, but they would have to be as good as, if not better than him. Planet Loud – What would you say has influenced the style and tone of your new album?
CTTTOAFF – Each of us were going through some personal struggles during the writing and recording of this record. I think that this directly contributed to the tone and mood of the record. The style just comes from us putting all of things we like into a melting pot.
Planet Loud – Did you go into the album with any particular expectations or goals for what you’d like to achieve?
CTTTOAFF – We just wanted to write something that reflected how we were feeling at the time. We wanted it to be dark, heavy, open, and honest.
Planet Loud – I think it’s fair to say that much of your music is bleak in tone, as well as extremely abrasive. How did you guys come to settle on such an intense, unconventional style?
CTTTOAFF – Most of the heavy music that we listen to is really extreme. From the slowest most bleak doom to the fastest, heaviest most pissed off grind, to primitive black metal and bestial death metal. This isn’t to say none of us like anything else…but we all think that heavy music should be just that. Heavy. It is also a good way to channel all of the terrible things we feel inside that come from every day living.
Planet Loud – ‘Songs….’ is your first record to be released on Prosthetic Records, how did you get involved with the label, and how have you been finding life with them so far?
CTTTOAFF – We have known a few of the bands on prosthetic for several years as well as a few people working there. We spoke with them about putting us out and they agreed. That was it. We have very similar goals in mind so it has been working out splendidly.
Planet Loud – You played at South By Southwest a little while ago for the Prosthetic showcase; how did that go for you? Have there been any shows recently that have stood out for you, or places where you always enjoy playing?
CTTTOAFF – We had a fantastic time at SXSW. The showcase was killer and just the whole experience. Every time we play in Nashville, TN it is amazing. Same with Portland, Oregon and San Antonio, TX. We played all three places on our last west coast tour and they were better than ever.
Planet Loud – The cover art on ‘Songs Of Ill Hope And Desperation’ complements the album very well, could you tell us about how you came to use it?
CTTTOAFF – We have been using art from Alex Eckman-Lawn for about a year or 2 now. He has done numerous t-shirt designs for us and we had been talking to him about doing cover art for us. When the time came I ran some concepts by him, sent him some lyrics, and the inner photos that my friends Sean Ragan and Halie Kohler took. He kind of took it from there and really tied everything together. He is an awesome artist and we plan on using him for the next release.
Planet Loud – What are your plans for the rest of the year? Is touring internationally in the future a goal for you?
CTTTOAFF – We have a late October/Early November eastern United States tour planned as well as a European tour in June or July of 2011. We might also go out for a few dates in early to late spring.
Planet Loud – Could you recommend a few bands that you’ve come across, played with etc, and that people over here should be checking out?
CTTTOAFF – Archagathus from Canada, Kenmode from canada, Sacaea from Nashville, Ecocide from San Antonio, Burials, Ritual Necromancy, and WereGoat all from Portland, Death of Self from Denver, Dripfed from Denver, Withered from Atlanta (also on prosthetic), Three Faces of Eve from Richmond, Sea of Bones from Connecticut, Boars from Austin, Dead in the Dirt from Atlanta, Black Sleep of Kali from Denver, and many more that I don’t have time to type out.
Planet Loud – What keeps things fresh for you on the road, particularly given the demands of your music?
CTTTOAFF – The kinds of things that make us happy on the road are Shows were people are there to see the kind of music we are playing, playing with good bands, smoking reefer, drinking, and having enough gas money to keep going and maybe eat a meal here and there.
Planet Loud – If you could give a few words of advice to an aspiring musician in 2010, what would you say?
CTTTOAFF – Never expect ANYTHING, never give up, have fun, stay true to your expectations, and not those of others.
Planet Loud – Finally, anything else you’d like to say, promote, advise?
CTTTOAFF – We have started writing new material for the next release and it is the most dark and crushing yet.
Planet Loud – Cheers for your time, much appreciated. Hopefully see you on the road soon.
CTTTOAFF – Thank you for the interview. Keep it negative. Stay Downtrodden.
Interview by Matt Tilt
