Interview mit Thomas Jefferson Cowgill von King Dude

Your new album is entitled „Music To Make War To“ – was the idea behind that title to change the phrase „Music To Make Love To“ in it’s opposite?
Yeah, basically. (laughs) It was a joke about that at first but then the concept of war took hold of the album and basically it progressed from there.

What are the lyrics about this time, is there a full concept?
Well, they aren’t so much about war as much a conflict between people that love each other yet also hate each other.

And how important are the lyrics for you?
Lyrics are very important to me, I’d say. I spend a lot of my time in song writing, trying to find just the right words that can project the meaning or meanings I want them to.

Does the artwork have a deeper meaning?
It was a collaborative effort between the photographer Angel Ceballos and Alex Eckman-Lawn, even though they’ve never met or spoke to each other. I did the art direction and layout for the album myself. I was going for a demented Harry Nilsson or Warren Zevon vibe, but it just ended up looking like it’s own thing. Alex’s collages are amazing. I was really happy to have him cut my face to pieces. And Angel is one of my favorite photographers, she shot the album covers for the Chelsea-Wolfe-split I put out and my album “Songs of Flesh & Blood – In The Key Of Light”.

How does it fit to the title?
I’m not sure if it fits the title or not exactly, there was no hidden meaning behind it as far as I’m concerned.

Musicwise, I think the album is more diverse but at the same time more coherent then all KING-DUDE-releases before. What did you focus on most when writing the album, what was the most important aspect in this album – the atmosphere of the album as an entity, or the single songs?
The coherent elements may be because of the recording method, this time the majority of the record was recorded in Seattle with my band live to 2”-tape. Analog tape. I think it gives it a certain sound that feels a lot more organic than my previous albums. I definitely tend to focus on the album as a whole, writing the songs in pairs typically and making sure that they all will work together in the end. I don’t know how well I succeed in that but to me, the album is at once eclectic and coherent.

How do you proceed in songwriting – where do you start, lyrics, a riff, a melody? And how does a typical KD-song evolve?
I most often write lyrics separately from the music. Meaning when I am inspired to write lyrics that’s when I do it and then I will develop music for those lyrics. Sometimes the music will come first, and then I have many notes of lyrics that I can refer to and sort of see what fits the song. Sometimes writing a song can take less than 24 hours, sometimes it can take two years. It really just depends on the song and what it calls for. “Velvet Rope” took me at least two years to write, slowly over time being methodical about what I wanted to happen and say in that song. To me, it still could be worked on. I think some songs just never feel done, no matter how long you spend on them.

Your music sounds very retrospective – which bands are your idols, which acts have influenced you?
So many. I love Billy Idol lately and I think you can hear a lot of influence from him on this album specifically Steve Stevens guitar playing on the first two Idol records. That was a huge influence on me. I also love Leonard Cohen’s “I’m Your Man” era stuff and I was definitely influenced by the production on that album for some of this stuff. Lately my work seems influenced a lot by Bowie, although I don’t hear it until after the songs are done. It seems that he was a big influence on me subconsciously.

You’re going on tour with that album soon – what can we expect from the shows? How many of the new songs will be played live, how long will your show be?
Well we have added a member to the band on guitar and vocal so now we are a five-piece. Her name is Josephine Olivia, she sings the duet with me on the track “Good & Bad”. She also sings back up on a few other tracks, she’s great. I expect to see more rock songs this time around. I plan on playing about half of the new record but we shall see, you never know!

Earlier this year, you were supposed to go on tour with the norwegian black metal act Taake in the US. First of all: Why? Who’s idea was it, that Taake and King Dude could be a well-fitting package for a common tour? Musicwise, but also regarding the fanbase and general approach, two bands could not be more different, I think …
I think the idea came from Taake whom I met Hoest at Hellfest a few years ago. Since I met him in person when the offer came through from their agent to mine it seemed like a fine idea.

You justified your refusal by saying that you were Luciferan and therefore could not support hate in any way. Taake play „True norwegian Black Metal – Anti-Human – Anti Life“ as they state it. What else then „hate“ did you expect?
I meant I couldn’t support hatred in real life conditions. Hate is fine in the realm of theatre and let’s be honest, black metal is theatrical art made up of real life human beings that aren’t purely hateful 100% of the time. I don’t believe any black metal bands would go out and commit acts of violence while on tour unless provoked. Now all of a sudden there was these groups of Antifa who take bands like Taake far too literally and cannot see them in the realm of theatre, making threats of violence and hate of their own literal brand. I simply didn’t want to subject any of my fans to be caught in the crossfire of that conflict.

In the end, the concrete reason for your cancellation was the „discussion“ started by the antifa criticizing Hoest for the „swastica-scandal“ which was actually 10 years ago. Do you think, that’s fair? What do you think about Taake and Black Metal in general?
The reason I cancelled is because I don’t have an opinion on this subject thus, I would not want to lower myself to taking a side in an argument I could care less for. Was it stupid to paint a swastika on your chest in Germany? Duh. Was it theatre? Maybe. Is Hoest a Nazi for doing it? I don’t think so. Do I think the majority of people in this debate are morons that I could live the rest of my life without thinking about? Abso-fucking-lutely.

On the other hand: What does it mean for you to be Luciferian? Could you give us some insights about your thoughts on religion, hate and love in general?
I don’t mind playing for people with hate in their hearts so long as they are calm, peaceful and respect others around them. It is in fact it’s my goal is to teach people an infinite and ever-present Light through my music. Hate will always be here and so will the ability to change peoples hearts. I believe we all can become bearers of Light in our way once we align with our Mystical Will and it is my intention to help as many people I can do that.

In which way influences this world view your music as KING DUDE?
In every way, always.

Thank you for the interview! Please let us do a short brainstorming in the end of this interview. What comes in your mind first reading the following terms:
Donald Trump: We, as a country do not often get what we want. We do however very often get what we deserve and unfortunately, we seem to deserve him. Perhaps I’m jaded, but I can’t imagine someone wanting a New York landlord to be making decisions for the entire country. Most landlords make awful decisions in my opinion.
Black Metal: Entertainment, nothing more. As evil as genre of music could purport to be, they simply cannot be. Take for example the recent black metal band who had a member that was arrested for child molestation. Shouldn’t that make them the most evil band in Black Metal? No. The reality of the horrible deed caused his label to drop him, his tour – canceled. This is the hypocrisy of Black Metal being taken literally as “evil” in any way other than one that is entertaining at best.
Satan: God. Our adversary who does the dirty work for Yahweh. The Demiurge’s little red companion.
War: Inevitable so get used to it. All paths lead towards war… so far.
Your favorite album at the moment: Ancient Methods “The Jericho Records”
KING DUDE in 10 years: Long gone.

Once again thanks for your time. The last words are yours – is there anything left you want to tell our readers?
Thanks to all your readers for all the support over the years, I look forward to seeing you all in Germany again very soon! Until then, may you be guided by the glorious hand of Lucifer!

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Publiziert am 6. September 2018 von Moritz Grütz