Interview mit Clayton Cushman von The Flight Of Sleipnir

Although you’ve been creating music for quite some time now and you have already released several albums, some of our readers will most likely still be unfamiliar with you. So please give us a short introduction to your band THE FLIGHT OF SLEIPNIR.
David and I formed the band in late 2007 to have a project where we could explore different sounds apart from the black and death metal bands we had been in prior. We started as a mostly studio band, but gradually added live members and started playing out more and more. We have since become a four piece both live and in the studio.

Your music is really recognizable, a distinct mix of doom metal, stoner rock, folk and little bit black metal. What is it that you appreciate most about those specific genres?
We really just wanted a band where we could play music we wanted to hear and since we are fans of many of those generes, it fused together in a natural way. It’s hard to pinpoint a reason why we like those genres, but good music is good music.

Which bands and musicians have influenced you the most?
For me personally I would say Borknagar, Ulver, Absu, Pink Floyd, Richard D. James, Black Sabbath, Yes and Sonic Youth.

Since 2016 Justin Siegler (guitar) and Dave Borrusch (Bass) are not just part of the live line-up but full members of the band, right? Why are they now a permanent part of the band?
We are trying to bridge the gap between the studio and the live shows. They were always separate in the past, but I think there is some real power in trying to bring them together. It will make us more consistant. I’ve always considered them members, even if they didn’t record with us before we did „Skadi“.

Can you give us some insight into your songwriting process? Do your two new members also have an impact on it?
The songwriting still rests with David and I, but they have their input when we start arranging the songs, even so far as writing some fills and leads here and there. Most of the time David and I will either present full songs to the band or work together by trading riffs back and forth until we have something that works.

Your band is called THE FLIGHT OF SLEIPNIR, your latest album is „Skadi“. Obviously, you’ve been inspired by Nordic mythology. How did you first came across this subject and what fascinates you about it?
I first came across it as a young man in my own home, my parents were followers of general paganism – there were books about norse magic and mythology sitting on the bookshelves. Then, of course, I found a lot of those themes in the underground metal scene of the 90’s / 00’s which was interesting. David came up with the theme of the band, and I had no problem jumping on board. The biggest draw to that particular subject is the way they describe the natural world through metaphor and imagery – it seems well suited to the musical ideas we are trying to put across.

Is „Skadi“ meant to be a concept album? And if not, why did you choose to name the album after this Nordic hunting goddess?
„Skadi“ is not a concept album. We did most of the production during the winter months, and the name suited the mood of the album’s creation.

Is there a track on the album that is especially important to you and if so, which one and why?
I would say „Awaken“ has the most personal meaning for me. I wrote it as a reflection of my maternal grandfather’s struggle and eventual death due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Where do you spot the differences between your previous album „V.“ and „Skadi“?
Having Justin and Dave added a different dimension to the record, and I had a different guitar recording strategy this time around. I went for a more simplistic production technique. There are also fewer, longer songs.

It was said that for „Skadi“ you took inspiration from earlier releases. In which way and why?
If we did take inspiration from early THE FLIGHT OF SLEIPNIR, it wasn’t intentional. I could see this album being similar to something like „Algiz + Berkanan“ in terms of feel, but that is a view I hold after the fact. During the creation of album it was business as usual.

As you already mentioned, it seems to me that the album as a whole is a bit shorter while the tracks themselves are a little longer than your previous releases. Was this a conscious decision or rather a natural evolution?
It was 100 % natural. We will work on a song until it just feels complete.

„V.“ was released on Napalm records, „Skadi“, however, on Eisenwald Tonschmiede. Why did you switch labels and why did you settle for Eisenwald?
Napalm Records dropped us. They wanted more sales numbers. I can understand that from a business perspective, but honestly I only give a fuck about the music. Eisenwald aligns with us a little more in that respect. We were referred to them by our friends in Velnias, and so far we are very pleased with how things are going.

While you usually put out new material really quick, it took you three years to release „Skadi“. Why did it take so long this time?
A lot of time was wasted preparing for a trip to Europe that didn’t happen. We did some touring stateside and the album just took a little longer to develop. We had the album completed in the last quarter of 2016, but waited for a 2017 release for logistical reasons.

Do you think, the next record will follow sooner again?
It’s very possible, but there are a lot of other things going on this year for everyone personally. We don’t want to rush, nor do we want to waste any time – we already have several new songs written as of now so it is moving along.

Do you have plans for any live shows? Maybe even in Europe?
Playing in Europe is something we need to do. Right now, nothing is concrete. We will play some local shows this year, and there is always the possibility venturing out in the U.S. at some point.

We are now reaching the end of our interview. At last I’d like you to do our traditional Metal1.Info-Brainstorming with us:
Pillorian – „Obsidian Arc“: Haven’t heard it until just now – it sounds pretty decent.
Most interesting Nordic deity: I’m going with Hel – a lot of mystery surrounds her. Death without glory is a fate most people on this planet will find and it is something to reflect on.
Donald Trump: No comment.
All-time favorite album: Pink Floyd – „Obscured by Clouds“
Religion: The most effective tool of subjugation that mankind has created, and the cause of most suffering in the world.
THE FLIGHT OF SLEIPNIR in ten years: A lot can happen in 10 years. We can only wait and see.

Alright, thank you very much for this interview. The last words shall be yours:
I really appriciate your interest and support, it has been a pleasure speaking with you!

Publiziert am 22. April 2017 von Stephan Rajchl