Next month A Storm of Light (Storm) will embark on another long European tour, including Roadburn Festival and Temples Festival. Bruce Cowie fired some questions to guitarist/singer Josh Graham over the internet to find out more.
(((o))): Your recent release, Nations to Flames, seems - to this listener’s ears anyway - a tad snappier, less ‘sludgy’ than previous Storm albums. Was this a conscious decision or natural evolution?
Josh: It was a combination of both. We were bored playing the slower stuff and we wanted to do something more challenging for us. Once we made the decision on how to move forward, it became more deliberate to edit and push ourselves.
(((o))): As ever, though, the album concerns itself with the damage and destruction of the environment. What does Storm think about those who deny man-made climate change? Do they have a valid argument, or are they mistaken/misinformed? Or are there hidden motives?
Josh: People that don't accept the fact that humanity is playing an active roll in climate change are either: uniformed, blind, selfish, or more simply put, morons. While it's true the earth temperatures tend to cycle over time, the amount of damage we've done is undeniable. No, there is no valid argument against fact. As far as motives to deny, well those are endless. The industrialized corporate world would be far better off without anyone paying attention to cause and effect.
(((o))): Cats or dogs?
Josh: Raptors. Domesticated animals are boring.
(((o))): The first time I saw Storm, in a tiny, sweaty room in Glasgow, you were only three. You were terrifyingly loud and, frankly, awesome. Each time thereafter, with Sleep and with Converge, you were four. Still awesome. Why did you feel it necessary to add the second guitar, and what led you to the young lady in question?
Josh: Josh Holt will be disappointed to find out he's a young lady. Actually we cycle through friends being able to tour with us, so we have different people out with us depending on the tour and circumstance. Drea is busy with other things and Josh is joining us for a while. We added 2nd guitar because we wanted the live show to reflect the two-guitar approach we used on the last two records. It's fuller and more sonically interesting…at least it is to us.
(((o))): Whilst on the subject of tiny, sweaty rooms, you’re playing at Audio in Glasgow this time – again, not the most generous of spaces. Is this through choice – i.e. you like playing in tiny rooms as much as I like seeing bands in tiny rooms – or do you feel that you’d not manage to fill a bigger space?
Josh: We've actually never played in Audio…unless I’m having a serious memory lapse…which isn't entirely out of the question. We've played Captains Rest, Classic Grand and The Arches. I personally love small rooms; they are my favorite place to see a show too. Intimate and loud. If we get to the level of playing larger rooms it will be interesting, but we're not in a rush.
(((o))): Playstation or Xbox?
Josh: Chess. I have never owned Playstation or Xbox.
(((o))): Another – sort of – venue related question. When touring bands like yourselves come to Scotland, it’s very rare for them to play outside of Glasgow. Is there a reason for this? Is it logistics? Have you ever considered playing Edinburgh, for example?
Josh: I have always wanted to play in Edinburgh, as long as I have been touring. I guess it's probably more up to the promoters though. I imagine that they believe people will come to Glasgow from other parts of Scotland, and adding more shows may make less sense that having one focused show.
(((o))): The Beatles or The Stones?
Josh: Blah. Pink Floyd…or 2nd Led Zeppelin.
(((o))): Some years ago – 2010, if I recall – you were booked to play in Glasgow with the mighty Minsk, but had to cancel. Is there any possibility of this happening in the future, given that Minsk appear to be working again? Please say yes. Also, was the gig cancelled because ISIS chose – rather rudely, I thought – to book a Glasgow gig on exactly the same day?
Josh: Haha. Yes, our show was indeed cancelled because of the ISIS show. We hoped to combine but just didn't work out. I'll complain to Mike about that during this tour. Haha. Minsk rules, and if we ever play with them again, it will be awesome.
(((o))): OK, the cliché questions – let’s get them out of the way…First, what’s Storm listening to for pleasure these days? And second, what’s next for Storm?
Josh: I'm in a midlife crisis and listening to a lot of 80's and 90's shit. Black Flag, Discharge, Jane’s Addiction, Ministry, Hair and Skin Trading Company. I revel in the days of taking lots of acid and listening to intense music, and melting (mentally and physically) in the Arizona heat. Other than that…Woven Hand, Fever Ray, Meshuggah, True Detective soundtrack. If anyone is following me on Spotify they are probably thoroughly confused or disappointed.
(((o))): Finally, as I’m guessing you’re on friendly terms with the lads in Neurosis, can you please do me a favour and, when you see them at the Temples thing in Bristol, ask them to play a gig in Scotland? I am prepared to beg.
Josh: Yep we are on great terms. I begged for Scotland for 12 years to no avail. haha. They just need the right circumstance and I am sure it'll happen, and they can finally level the city.
European tour dates with Welsh power trio Hark and M.G.R (aka Mike Gallagher from ISIS):
11.04.14 Belgium, TBA
12.04.14 Netherlands, Tilburg (Roadburn Festival)
13.04.14 Germany, Berlin (Cassiopeia)
14.04.14 Czech Republic, Prague (.007)
15.04.14 Germany, Leipzig (Conne Island)
16.04.14 Germany, Hamburg (Hafenklang)
17.04.14 Denmark, Copenhagen (Underwerket)
18.04.14 Norway, Oslo (Inferno Festival w/o Hark)
19.04.14 Day Off
20.04.14 Germany, Frankfurt (Elfer)
21.04.14 Germany, München (Backstage)
22.04.14 Italy, Bologna (Freakout Club)
23.04.14 Italy, Rome (Traffic)
24.04.14 Italy, Milano (Lo Fi)
25.04.14 France, Clermont-Ferrand (Raymond)
26.04.14 Switzerland, Martigny (Les Caves du Manoir)
27.04.14 Switzerland, Luzern (Schüür)
28.04.14 Germany, Stuttgart (Juha West)
29.04.14 Germany, Köln (Gebäude 9)
30.04.14 Belgium, Liege (La Zone)
01.05.14 UK, London (Birthday's)
02.05.14 UK, Glasgow (Audio)
03.05.14 UK, Bristol (Temples Fest w/o Hark)
