Interview: Art Of Burning Water
Kunal not only plays in one of the the most ferocious bands on the planet but also runs killer DIY label called Superfi Records which continues to churn out intense release after intense release. Here’s what he has to say for himself.
(((o))): Hi Kunal, how are you?
I am happy but knackered, had a couple of gigs at the weekend and was hosting some folks. On a personal level 2016 has been great to me, but terrible on a global scale.
(((o))): Between Life and Nowhere’ is absolutely fucking brutal, anything to say for yourself?
We are sorry. Not really sure how else to do it. We’ve recorded the next one anyway so we’ve already forgotten it.
(((o))): What are Art of Burning Water Songs actually about? Are they happy or sad?
You’d have to get Grief’s input for the full skinny but I’m pretty sure it’s about life, love and loss – the usual stuff.
(((o))): Superfi Records is going into it’s 17th year, you barely look 17. Did you expect it to last thing long?
Thanking you kindly, I certainly don’t feel 17. I absolutely cannot believe how long it has been but as long as there are bands that give me that rush of adrenaline, I’ll try and let the people know. But it is a ridiculous thing to be doing.
(((o))): Any releases lined up for next year?
Fuck yes.
Screen Wives – Husbandry LP
Beg – s/t EP
The Death Of Money – Ghost Pains LP
Containment / Art Of Burning Water – Split Tape
NASDAQ / Mother Trucker – Split LP
Atomck – Every Room In Britain LP
Crows / Beast As God – Split EP
Famine / Art Of Burning Water – Split EP
Stuntman / Art Of Burning Water – Split EP
Nothing Clean / Art Of Burning Water – Split EP
and hopefully stuff by Jotnarr, Gowl and Mangle.
(((o))): What was the best gig you played in 2016?
I liked the one we did at DIY Space For London in March as it was with a great bunch of bands in a lovely space and we hadn’t played in a while. The one we just did a few days ago with Backslider, Famine and the newly reformed Man Hands was killer too.
My other band Savage Realm did five gigs round the UK with Moloch, that was great, especially Manchester.
(((o))): Best gig you attended?
Stars Of The Lid at the Barbican. Absolutely not the usual kind of thing I see or the kind of place I go to. Utterly transcendant.
(((o))): Best festival?
I don’t like festivals. I did go to one day of Static Shock and caught Iron Lung, Impalers, Snob and Diat.
(((o))): What albums released in 2016 have you enjoyed?
There are loads of things I’ve not got round to, but here are some that I’ve dug so far.
The Wayward – Plutonic
Hebosagil – Lohtu
Backslider – Motherfucker
Drose – Boy Man Machine
40 Watt Sun – Wider That The Sky
Lone – Levitate
Surgeon – From Farthest Known Objects
Wrong – s/t
Blood Incantation – Starspawn
Northless – Cold Migration
Sievehead – Into The Blue
Intensive Care – Pay Pig
Famine – Razzin’
Vile Intent – Machine Into Flesh
Unyielding Love – The Sweat Of Augury
Oranssi Paazuzu – Varahtelija
Still caning Elder – Lore from last year too.
(((o))): What the hell are you up to next year?
More of the same! Playing some gigs, putting records out, travelling, seeing friends, talking shite.
