Spiritual Awakening

It has truly been an epic year for my friends from NJ in the mighty Windfaerer on numerous levels. Signing to Avantgarde, a killer tour and string of festival dates and the release of their 3rd full length “Alma” makes for a successful 2018. The entire band contributed to the interview that follows. Guitarist/Vocalist Mike Gonçalves (MG), Violinist Ben Karas (BK), guitarist Itay Keren (IK), bassist Michael Munoz (MM) and Drummer James Applegate (JA) answered questions regarding the new album, the label, the touring and their favorite music from 2018… check it out…

From the Soul

Congrats once again on your new album “Alma”, how has been the feedback regarding it been so far?
MG: “Thank you, Jeff! We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback on the new album.”
BK: “It has been thrilling to see the reach it has made not only in the US but around the world.”

What is the meaning of “Alma” for the album title and how did you arrive at this as the title?
MG: “Alma” means “soul” in Spanish. Every record sort of takes a life of its own, with the last one (“Tenebrosum”) centered around darkness and melancholic wandering, this one is more about having a determined cosmic path illuminated by a spiritual awakening. This version of Windfaerer, with new contributing members (Itay Keren, Michael Munoz, and James Applegate) also brought a different feel to songwriting and performing the music. It felt as if the name “Alma” was dictated to me by an other-worldly force. After listening to the tracks, it made sense.”

Comfortable

From a songwriting perspective, what did you want to do with this album that was different than previous releases if at all?
MG: “This album was destined to be different from the previous records (“Tribus”, “Solar”, and “Tenebrosum”) because of input from the new lineup. I wanted everyone to contribute. It was the next step to take with Windfaerer. We created demos of the songs, but before going to the studio to track the album, we made sure we were comfortable playing these songs live. In that process, new ideas emerged that otherwise wouldn’t have been tracked if we simply re-recorded the demos we had.”
BK: “Having a full band work on the entire recording as opposed to only three members as we did on the previous releases made a huge difference as Mike said. It certainly allowed more of an opportunity to feel the songs out for space to add nuance. The recording was also done completely over the course of about a week and a half which helped to keep the energy up and forced us to just go for it without second guessing as compared to tracking a day or two a week over the course of a couple of months.”

Style

Are you a black metal band with a violinist or a super heavy folk metal band? Do you find your sound hard to put into a category?
MG: “Our influences come from all over the music spectrum. Black metal (along with all of its offshoots) is definitely a primary influence on our sound, but so are melodic death metal, doom, and classic heavy metal. We also allow ourselves to be influenced by shoegaze, grunge, jazz, and of course folk music, among other things. I don’t think we fit neatly into a specific category and I enjoy that.”
BK: “My playing is certainly more influenced by black and death metal. Most of the music I listened to for pleasure growing up was guitar based which has shaped the way I approach the violin. To categorize our sound would be subjective to the listener.”
IK: “We love folk metal, but don’t allow that love to limit our other influences—especially when it comes to tone-shaping.”

You were recently signed to the epic Avantgarde label, how did this come about? Was this prior to work starting on the album?
MG: “The work on the album was happening regardless whether we had a deal or not. We didn’t know exactly how it was going to be released. While we were in the middle of mixing, I sent an early version of the album to Avantgarde Music and they responded with enthusiasm. It’s an honor to be working with them and to be part of such a strong pedigree of bands.”

Has the stability of the lineup altered your sound at all? Is everyone involved in the writing process at this point?
MG: “I don’t think the sound has been altered dramatically. The sound has definitely evolved though. It’s still the same vibes and channeling the same emotions, but the lineup embellishes more than alters the sound. It feels like a natural progression. All of us are involved in the songwriting now which adds different perspectives.”
BK: “It’s a nice change having five full time members and it has certainly added depth to the music. A major factor is having more ears and opinions for constructive criticism, crafting the demos into what the final product has become.”

Make time for passion

How are you able to balance Windfaerer with your other musical obligations, personal life, etc? Are you extremely organized in general?
MG: “I wouldn’t call myself organized. Honestly, I feel like I’m always catching up. It can get stressful, but I can’t imagine NOT doing it. Earlier this year, my other band Replicant also released an album. Both my bands are keeping active and playing shows, so I always have plans every month!”
BK: “Windfaerer is a project stemming from passion which we plan to take as far as we possibly can. It can be challenging to balance playing with my other band, Thank You Scientist which tours fairly often but working freelance allows me to make time for both as needed. Working with people who support me in all of my creative and work endeavors is something I am extremely fortunate of.”
IK: “As Ben said, we pour our souls into the band because we love it – it’s in our blood. We all have combinations of full-time job/family/baby, but we sacrifice and also make time for our passion of music. Most times we have no choice but to compose/practice mid-week late at night, then wake up 2 hours later and go to work! But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am extremely grateful for my wife’s support – couldn’t have done it without her.”

You have some fests and a tour coming up…..could you give us a quick idea of what you have planned?
MG: “We just did a short tour hitting some spots on the east coast and midwest. It was our first proper tour with Windfaerer and it turned out to be a great experience. A few months back we performed at Shadow Woods Metal Fest (Maryland) and Metal Punk Death Fest (Brooklyn, NY) and both of those were excellent experiences. Now we’re working on recording some tracks before the end of the year.”

Avantgarde

With the signing to Avantgarde it begs the question(s), will you be touring with some of your label mates soon? What about heading over to Europe and other parts of the world?
MG: “We would love that. When it becomes feasible we will fly across to the Atlantic and play. As of now, there are no plans, but we are open to play anywhere.”

Have your obligations changed now being on a label as opposed to being an independent act or will how you do things remain the same?
MG: “Avantgarde Music has helped us tremendously in exposure and distribution. Our obligations are generally unaltered though. We still operate in the same fashion. We play as often as our schedules permit, book our own shows when we need to, and design/order our own merch. The deal with Avantgarde Music has given us the platform to reach more folks in Europe (especially in Italy) and a chance to have the record on vinyl, which has been an artistic goal of ours. At home, everything still operates in a grassroots fashion.”

You recorded the album at Backroom Studios….. what is it about this studio that you find works for you?
MG: “This was actually our first time in Backroom Studios. Itay had previously worked with Kevin at Backroom on another project and he recommended we record there. We were impressed with the sound and repertoire and decided to try a new place.”
IK: “Kevin produced one of my shoegaze releases (both – “Bridges”) and it was an amazing experience. He has an impeccable ear and unique taste. When Windfaerer decided to come to Backroom, I knew it would sound incredible. This was also our first time working with Scot Moriarty, and every day recording with Scot was a blast! Can’t wait to work with these guys again.”

Favorite music from 2018 so far?
MG:
Vanhelga – “Fredagsmys”
Archgoat – “The Luciferian Crown”
Clandestine Blaze – “Tranquility of Death”
Vermilia – “Kätkyt”
Trna – “Earthcult”
Panphage – “Jord”
Ulvesang – “The Hunt”
Vallendusk – “Fortress of Primal Grace”
Soul Dissolution – “Stardust”
Outer Heaven – “Realms of Eternal Decay”
Sargeist – “Unbound”

BK:
Svartmalm – “Svartmalm”
Altars of Grief – “Iris”
Wilt – “Ruin”
Glacial Tomb – “Glacial Tomb”
Délétère – “De Horae Leprae”
Replicant – “Negative Life”

MM:
Harms Way – “Posthuman”
Rivers of Nihil – “Where Owls Know My Name”
Timecop1983 – “Night Drive”
Vein – “Errorzone”
Altars of Grief – “Iris”
Behemoth – “I Loved You
At Your Darkest”
Wilt – “Ruin”
Jesus Piece – “Only Self”

IK:
Haken – “Vector”
Beach House – “7”
Slugdge – “Esoteric Malacology”
Krigsgrav – “Leave No Path to Follow”
Beyond Creation – “Algorythm”
The Summer Kills – “Last Night We Became Swans”

JA:
Rivers of Nihil – “Where Owls Know My Name”
Haken – “Vector”
Hate Eternal – “Upon Desolate Sands”
John Coltrane – “Both Directions at Once”
Chick Corea/Steve Gadd – “Chinese Butterfly”

Closing thoughts?
MG: Thank you for the thoughtful questions and for your support all these years.

By: Jeff