Artistic vision is the backbone of any musician, artist or band. There is a certain integrity that must be upheld and sought to continually progress and adhere to the artist’s vision. This is the central precept of Profound Lore Records: integrity within artistic vision. The label’s dedication to artistic license and vision has helped establish Profound Lore Records as an uncompromising independent label willing to work with artists to fulfill their highest potential.
Founded in 2004, by Chris Bruni (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), Profound Lore Records is a label bound to the underground. Bruni searches for the extremes and eclectic in multiple genres and styles, but is always seeking to mold the label into a cohesive collective with a similar aesthetic. It is a collective based on provocative, enticing and often transcendent music that affects him directly. Whatever style a band works in, Bruni maintains that a band must truly believe in their overall aesthetic from album artwork to musical expanse. From one band to the next, Profound Lore Records presents a flowing roster of artists that resonates with Bruni.
As a label, three Indianapolis bands (The Gates of Slumber, Apostle of Solitude, and Coffinworm) have found a home on Profound Lore Records currently or with recent releases. The Gates of Slumber was the first band to work with the label when it released ‘Conqueror’ in 2008. Viewed by Bruni as a milestone for the label, ‘Conqueror’ gained widespread praise and recognition as a prominent release from the metal community. Due to its success, Profound Lore experienced greater exposure from the release of ‘Conqueror’, and it secured the label an exclusive U.S. distribution deal.
Profound Lore Records is an ever-evolving label with a fierce diversity of bands. Never settling for the middle ground, Bruni is intent on holding firm to the extreme recesses of music. The Cracked Skull spoke with Bruni recently about his label’s vision, integrity, continuing progression within his label’s aesthetic, and Profound Lore’s connection to Indianapolis.
There are bands on Profound Lore from all over the world. Do you think that any region or particular place(s) has their ear to the pulse of underground, eclectic, and extreme music?
I guess it depends on what kind of style. The west coast for example has a good sense of eclectic and unique formidable artists, each of whom are of a distinct nature, and overall have always had a cool creative surge. That’s a region I am quite fond of, especially since the atmosphere and overall vibe of the west coast is quite distinct. On the other hand, New York is another region stateside in which I am very fond of when it comes to the underground and its overall culture. As for overseas, I’m fond of Australia, since some of the most crazed and brutally extreme bands currently hail from there. There is a great creative surge happening in the U.K. and France as well.
Is there a preference for bands with a particular style over other perceived styles? Or is it more important for the band or artist to truly believe in the vision and scope of their music?
I guess it depends on what I want to bring to the fold. I mean, there’s no preference of style per se, even though it seems these days I lean a lot towards doom metal. I definitely want to build the death metal contingent of the label even more. Overall, I think the most important thing is for the band to truly believe in
the vision and scope of their music not matter the style.
What’s the overall aesthetic you’re trying to achieve for the label?
I guess something artistically potent no matter what the style I release, and for each artist and release to correlate with each other. Basically, it shouldn’t seem odd to see a band like Portal next Amber Asylum. It’s the aesthetic the links the two together. Of course the artwork and the way a release is presented also plays an important factor in helping shape the label’s aesthetic too. But essentially, the overall aesthetic should come across as alluring, provocative, transcendent, and enlightening at the same time.
Profound Lore as a label seeks a cohesive collective for its roster of bands and artists. How close do you think you have come to achieving this, or is this goal or notion an ongoing process?
It’s an ongoing process to keep this goal at least consistent and building. The main thing for me is that I release music that I can relate and resonate with like an extension of my personality. It’s basically a feeling within that has to trigger for me to decide if I want to include a specific artist amongst my roster. Even though I present many different styles within my releases, I think the roster seems very cohesive more so now than ever. Of course I go through certain mood shifts on what I like to present, but it’s cool to see people notice that I have maintained a cohesive collective with the different styles I present with my releases. Basically, there should be no such thing as “this seems weird or out of place to be on Profound Lore.”
There are three bands on Profound Lore from Indianapolis. Which band did you work with first, and did you approach them or the other way around?
The Gates of Slumber were the first, and they approached me to help them get more ground within North America. The album I did with them, ‘Conqueror’, I see as a milestone for the label because not only is it a landmark release in metal, but it was the first release of mine to really get widespread exposure. It was the first release that my U.S. distributor took on when I officially went exclusive with them. And it is through The Gates of Slumber where I discovered other bands like Coffinworm and Apostle of Solitude; both are close confidants of the band. So I guess when Gates broke out, it gave me the opportunity to check out these other bands they are close with through their recommendations and close connections.
In terms of label direction, Profound Lore remains rooted firmly in the underground. With that in mind, what has it been like working with the three bands from Indianapolis? What was it about the bands that made you excited ad willing to work with them?
It’s great. These three bands are very appreciative, enthusiastic, and really cool individuals to work with. It’s cool because Indianapolis wasn’t really known to have any breakthrough metal bands, and with The Gates of Slumber helping to lead the charge, I think it will be good for bands like Apostle of Solitude and Coffinworm to help strengthen the metal scene in Indianapolis. I mean, not only is The Gates of Slumber a cool side of the doom metal coin that I enjoy, but they are one of the few real metal bands which I think should be one of the leaders in waving the flag of true metal today. And now with The Gates of Slumber signing with Rise Above, I’ve managed to fill that void with Apostle of Solitude. Again, it is through The Gates of Slumber which lead me to work with Apostle and Coffinworm.
What do you know about or rather, what do you think is going on in Indianapolis that seemingly produces sincere and dedicated heavy music?
I think with bands like The Gates of Slumber making a name for themselves and gaining recognition, through their sincerity and dedication to heavy music, on top of being some of the coolest and respectable guys in all of metal is a reflection of what is happening in Indianapolis. It’s their entire aura, dedication, and good attitude.
Could you see Profound Lore working with other Indianapolis bands in the future as well?
Since The Gates led me to work with Apostle and Coffinworm, who knows…? Maybe these two bands could lead me to working with other bands in Indianapolis through their connections since I trust these bands’ judgment and their knowledge on heavy music.
Is there any potential for a Profound Lore fest or showcase with a good sampling from the label’s roster?
Well, if this were to happen, it sure as hell won’t work in Toronto (essentially where the label is currently based or at least that closest major city where the label is based). But I don’t know. I guess something out on the west coast could work out or even a showcase at such events like South By Southwest would be a worthwhile venture to undertake.
For current releases, full band roster, band and label merchandise, upcoming releases, tours, band news, and label updates check http://www.profoundlorerecords.com and www.myspace.com/profoundlore .
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
upcoming shows of interest in indy in september...
there are still plenty of good shows coming up to finish off august, but it never hurts to plan early for next month's crop of shows.
*9/6/09, The Dockers (Indy), Deadmen (Indy), Fight Amp (New Jersey), and Millions (Chicago), at the Casa, 5 p.m., $6.
*9/12/09, Coffinworm (Indy), Sweet Cobra (Chicago), and Keelhaul, at the Melody Inn, 10 p.m., $8.
*9/18/09, Bulletwolf (Indy), Lord Mantis (Chicago), Sleepbringer (Indy), Tunguska (Indy), and Poor Bastards Revolt! (Michigan), at the Murphy Building, 7 p.m., $8.
*9/21/09, the Melvins, Down, Weedeater, at the Vogue, 8 p.m. $25.
*9/22/09, Slow Motion Enslavement (Indy), Weekend Nachos (Chicago), Hate (Chicago), and Sea of Shit (Chicago), at 1511 E. 49th Street, 7 p.m., $7.
*9/24/09, Apostle of Solitude (Indy), Hull (New York), Salome (Virginia), and Batillus (New York), at the Melody Inn, 8 p.m., $6.
*9/25/09, Deadmen (Indy), Devil To Pay (Indy), King Deuce (Indy), and The Cocaine Wolves, at the Melody Inn, $5, 10 p.m
*9/26/09, The Gates of Slumber (Indy), Lair of the Minotaur (Chicago), Bulletwolf (Indy), and Sleepbringer (Indy), TGoS CD release at the Emerson Theater, 6:30 p.m, $8.
*9/28/09, The Dream is Dead (Indy), Slow Motion Enslavement (Indy), Livermortis (Indy),and Tombs, The Murphy Building, 7 p.m., $6.
*9/30/09, Monotonix (Israel), Thunders (Indy), and Turbo Fruits, at the Murphy Building, 7 p.m., $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
*9/6/09, The Dockers (Indy), Deadmen (Indy), Fight Amp (New Jersey), and Millions (Chicago), at the Casa, 5 p.m., $6.
*9/12/09, Coffinworm (Indy), Sweet Cobra (Chicago), and Keelhaul, at the Melody Inn, 10 p.m., $8.
*9/18/09, Bulletwolf (Indy), Lord Mantis (Chicago), Sleepbringer (Indy), Tunguska (Indy), and Poor Bastards Revolt! (Michigan), at the Murphy Building, 7 p.m., $8.
*9/21/09, the Melvins, Down, Weedeater, at the Vogue, 8 p.m. $25.
*9/22/09, Slow Motion Enslavement (Indy), Weekend Nachos (Chicago), Hate (Chicago), and Sea of Shit (Chicago), at 1511 E. 49th Street, 7 p.m., $7.
*9/24/09, Apostle of Solitude (Indy), Hull (New York), Salome (Virginia), and Batillus (New York), at the Melody Inn, 8 p.m., $6.
*9/25/09, Deadmen (Indy), Devil To Pay (Indy), King Deuce (Indy), and The Cocaine Wolves, at the Melody Inn, $5, 10 p.m
*9/26/09, The Gates of Slumber (Indy), Lair of the Minotaur (Chicago), Bulletwolf (Indy), and Sleepbringer (Indy), TGoS CD release at the Emerson Theater, 6:30 p.m, $8.
*9/28/09, The Dream is Dead (Indy), Slow Motion Enslavement (Indy), Livermortis (Indy),and Tombs, The Murphy Building, 7 p.m., $6.
*9/30/09, Monotonix (Israel), Thunders (Indy), and Turbo Fruits, at the Murphy Building, 7 p.m., $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sleepbringer Part II: practice video...
Bare with us as this is our first in, hopefully, a long line of video interviews with bands. The video is an informal discussion about Sleepbringer's arsenal of gear and in general practice space.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Never running from the Reaper...
Deadmen. It is a name that draws a swift conclusion. It is an acknowledgement of the final destination. It is urgent and direct. This is what the members of Indianapolis’ newest whiskey and beer soaked hell-raising five piece evoke. Urgency.
Veterans of a multitude of current and former bands, vocalist Nate Olp (Demiricous, Whiskeytits, Lair of the Minotaur), guitarist Garrett O’sha (Coffinworm, Salvation, Angelville), guitarist Carl Byers (Coffinworm, Salvation, The Retreads, The Dream Is Dead), bassist Bob Peele (Whiskeytits, Suicide Note), and drummer Patrick Driscoll (Red Shadows, Salvation, Angelville) came together in the summer of 2008. After the demise of Salvation, O’sha, Byers, and Driscoll still wanted to pursue a more aggressive musical path together. This formed the core of the band. Olp and Peele were soon asked to join and round out the lineup.
Summoning their collective powers, the band down stroke their way into a brand of metal that infuses hardcore and punk into a brutish malaise. This is urgent music fueled by the mutual love of metal and hardcore punk between friends to bring about a unified sound. It is meant to be loud and rowdy. If a party springs up along the way, then it makes life that much better.
Making no bones about it, Deadmen’s music is not the wheel reinvented. Rather, it is a direct boot to the head. It is a blast furnace turned up to melt faces and cause a ruckus. Like their song title suggests, ‘Been there, still there,’ Deadmen invoke their collective consciousness to come together in stamping out weak riffs with a steadfast resilience backed by experience. Carl Byers spoke with The Cracked Skull about motives, inspiration, being from Indianapolis, and running from the reaper.
Why Deadmen? What’s the motives and inspiration behind the band and name?
The band name doesn’t have much intended meaning, but I think it’s as good as any other we could have picked. I was listening to the Dead Boys, and I was thinking about how snotty it sounded to call themselves ‘Boys.’ Dead Boys to men… Deadmen. The name isn’t exactly a nod to them, nor is the music specifically, but I thought it sounded cool. Everyone liked it enough to go with it. I think the main inspiration for me with name and approach to the band is to blend what we all love in the realms of heavy metal and hardcore—punk into one cohesive sound. It’s not anything new, but it ain’t broke so why fix it? I’d say that all of us in the band are aligned in that thought. To be more specific, regardless of how cliché this sounds, but it’s just friends making music together that we all like. Turn it up and party!
It would seem that the songs on the demo have a sense of urgency. Where is this urgency coming from, and are you all running from the reaper or what?
Haha! Not exactly, but that makes a good source of inspiration. I guess the best way to sum it up is that the majority of the riffs we come up with won’t sound good played at slower speeds. We slow it down from time to time, but usually it’s a down stroke picking, d-beat party.
What’s a typical writing session like for Deadmen? Does one person contribute more than another, or is it a collective effort?
Everyone contributes to the writing process, but generally the songs come together from riffs that Garrett and I bring to practice. We build from there. All of us put our two cents in though, and if a song seems even mildly weak we trash it.
As far as being straight out of Naptown, what do you think makes Indy’s collective heavy music scene so diverse and productive?
I think this city is easily one of the best examples of what an underground music scene should be. Granted, the outside community is generally not very supportive and the amount of people involved directly is on a smaller scale, but I like it that way. People can’t afford to get too cliquish, the hipster contingent is almost nonexistent, and people here are proud of what we have going on.
What other Indy bands at the moment are you all feeling?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say there are any that I’m personally not feeling, at least from the hardcore and metal scenes. Those scenes continue to produce great bands.
As a relatively new band with veteran members of numerous bands, what is on the agenda for Deadmen (recording, obviously shows, tour)?
Deadmen is strictly a fun thing for us. We have no plans to tour. Hopefully, we can make it out of state soon on some weekend warrior excursions to play with friends in surrounding cities, but that’s about as much as we want to do. Everyone in this band is busy with their other bands, jobs, or whatever. The shows we have coming up should be great. Our first show will be a Punk Rock Night at the Melody Inn on August 22. I can’t think of a better place to birth the band into a live setting. We also have two other shows booked in September. We may be playing a benefit show for the new collective DIY space, The Dojo, too. As for recording, I’m happy with the way the demo turned out. It was my first attempt at recording a full band. Not sure what we’ll do for anything after this, but eventually there will be a legit release of some kind. We’ve got six songs finished, and we’re currently writing at every practice. I’d really like to do a 7 inch if we can find a label to put it out. Regardless, we should have enough songs for a full length by the end of the year. We’ve talked about recording with Bob Fouts at Basement Rage Studios here in town if our schedules will allow, or possibly continuing to record further material ourselves. I’ve got some new recording gear on the way that should produce better results, so hopefully we can keep everything in-house.
Speaking of dead men, who are three that you would like to meet if you could raise their cold corpses from the ground and why?
I can only answer this question for myself, but if I had to pick three former living humans to resurrect and chat with over a beer it would have to be Nicola Tesla (to hear all the great ideas he probably had that were never brought to fruition), Phil Lynott (probably the best storyteller in rock ‘n’ roll history and never toppled from that throne in my opinion), and Thomas ‘Pig Champion’ Roberts (for obvious reasons).
What does a group of dead men drink to stave off the grave or get that much closer?
The simple answer is whatever adult beverage you put in front of us. Whiskey and beer make the good times even better, and when it’s free…
First chance to see the Deadmen: 8/22/09, The Melody Inn, $5, 10 p.m.
www.myspace.com/deadmencomesripping
Veterans of a multitude of current and former bands, vocalist Nate Olp (Demiricous, Whiskeytits, Lair of the Minotaur), guitarist Garrett O’sha (Coffinworm, Salvation, Angelville), guitarist Carl Byers (Coffinworm, Salvation, The Retreads, The Dream Is Dead), bassist Bob Peele (Whiskeytits, Suicide Note), and drummer Patrick Driscoll (Red Shadows, Salvation, Angelville) came together in the summer of 2008. After the demise of Salvation, O’sha, Byers, and Driscoll still wanted to pursue a more aggressive musical path together. This formed the core of the band. Olp and Peele were soon asked to join and round out the lineup.
Summoning their collective powers, the band down stroke their way into a brand of metal that infuses hardcore and punk into a brutish malaise. This is urgent music fueled by the mutual love of metal and hardcore punk between friends to bring about a unified sound. It is meant to be loud and rowdy. If a party springs up along the way, then it makes life that much better.
Making no bones about it, Deadmen’s music is not the wheel reinvented. Rather, it is a direct boot to the head. It is a blast furnace turned up to melt faces and cause a ruckus. Like their song title suggests, ‘Been there, still there,’ Deadmen invoke their collective consciousness to come together in stamping out weak riffs with a steadfast resilience backed by experience. Carl Byers spoke with The Cracked Skull about motives, inspiration, being from Indianapolis, and running from the reaper.
Why Deadmen? What’s the motives and inspiration behind the band and name?
The band name doesn’t have much intended meaning, but I think it’s as good as any other we could have picked. I was listening to the Dead Boys, and I was thinking about how snotty it sounded to call themselves ‘Boys.’ Dead Boys to men… Deadmen. The name isn’t exactly a nod to them, nor is the music specifically, but I thought it sounded cool. Everyone liked it enough to go with it. I think the main inspiration for me with name and approach to the band is to blend what we all love in the realms of heavy metal and hardcore—punk into one cohesive sound. It’s not anything new, but it ain’t broke so why fix it? I’d say that all of us in the band are aligned in that thought. To be more specific, regardless of how cliché this sounds, but it’s just friends making music together that we all like. Turn it up and party!
It would seem that the songs on the demo have a sense of urgency. Where is this urgency coming from, and are you all running from the reaper or what?
Haha! Not exactly, but that makes a good source of inspiration. I guess the best way to sum it up is that the majority of the riffs we come up with won’t sound good played at slower speeds. We slow it down from time to time, but usually it’s a down stroke picking, d-beat party.
What’s a typical writing session like for Deadmen? Does one person contribute more than another, or is it a collective effort?
Everyone contributes to the writing process, but generally the songs come together from riffs that Garrett and I bring to practice. We build from there. All of us put our two cents in though, and if a song seems even mildly weak we trash it.
As far as being straight out of Naptown, what do you think makes Indy’s collective heavy music scene so diverse and productive?
I think this city is easily one of the best examples of what an underground music scene should be. Granted, the outside community is generally not very supportive and the amount of people involved directly is on a smaller scale, but I like it that way. People can’t afford to get too cliquish, the hipster contingent is almost nonexistent, and people here are proud of what we have going on.
What other Indy bands at the moment are you all feeling?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say there are any that I’m personally not feeling, at least from the hardcore and metal scenes. Those scenes continue to produce great bands.
As a relatively new band with veteran members of numerous bands, what is on the agenda for Deadmen (recording, obviously shows, tour)?
Deadmen is strictly a fun thing for us. We have no plans to tour. Hopefully, we can make it out of state soon on some weekend warrior excursions to play with friends in surrounding cities, but that’s about as much as we want to do. Everyone in this band is busy with their other bands, jobs, or whatever. The shows we have coming up should be great. Our first show will be a Punk Rock Night at the Melody Inn on August 22. I can’t think of a better place to birth the band into a live setting. We also have two other shows booked in September. We may be playing a benefit show for the new collective DIY space, The Dojo, too. As for recording, I’m happy with the way the demo turned out. It was my first attempt at recording a full band. Not sure what we’ll do for anything after this, but eventually there will be a legit release of some kind. We’ve got six songs finished, and we’re currently writing at every practice. I’d really like to do a 7 inch if we can find a label to put it out. Regardless, we should have enough songs for a full length by the end of the year. We’ve talked about recording with Bob Fouts at Basement Rage Studios here in town if our schedules will allow, or possibly continuing to record further material ourselves. I’ve got some new recording gear on the way that should produce better results, so hopefully we can keep everything in-house.
Speaking of dead men, who are three that you would like to meet if you could raise their cold corpses from the ground and why?
I can only answer this question for myself, but if I had to pick three former living humans to resurrect and chat with over a beer it would have to be Nicola Tesla (to hear all the great ideas he probably had that were never brought to fruition), Phil Lynott (probably the best storyteller in rock ‘n’ roll history and never toppled from that throne in my opinion), and Thomas ‘Pig Champion’ Roberts (for obvious reasons).
What does a group of dead men drink to stave off the grave or get that much closer?
The simple answer is whatever adult beverage you put in front of us. Whiskey and beer make the good times even better, and when it’s free…
First chance to see the Deadmen: 8/22/09, The Melody Inn, $5, 10 p.m.
www.myspace.com/deadmencomesripping
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
upcoming shows of interest in indy in august...
Here is a quick list of a few shows that are going down in Indy. These all have the makings for a good bit of ear ringing and face melting.
August:
*8/7/09, Bloody Panda (Brooklyn, NY), Black Arrows of Filth & Impurity (Indy), and Tunguska (Indy), $6, 7 p.m., at the Casa (if you don't know, you better ask somebody).
*8/14/09, The Gates of Slumber (Indy), Demiricous (Indy), Apostle of Solitude (Indy), Coffinworm (Indy), Zoroaster (Georgia), and Serpentcult (Belgium), $10, 6 p.m., Emerson Theater.
*8/15/09, Devil To Pay (CD release show), The Cocaine Wolves, Lopan (Columbus, OH), and Chapstik (Detroit, MI), 9 p.m., Zanies Too
*8/22/09, Deadmen (Indy, first show), Punchups, Typos, Pigtail Crooks, $5, 10 p.m., the Melody Inn.
*8/22/09, Yuki (Indy, shoegaze EP release show), Dark Halo Matters (Indy), Red Light Driver (Indy), and Tiger Spirit (Chicago), $5, 9 p.m., Locals Only.
*8/23/09, Slow Motion Enslavement (Indy), Dead Issue (Milwaukee), Bored Straight (Milwaukee), $5, 7 p.m., The Dojo.
*8/28/09, Drogas (Indy, first show), Summon the Destroyer, Spero, and Lorenguard, $5, 7 p.m., The Murphy Building--studio eight.
August:
*8/7/09, Bloody Panda (Brooklyn, NY), Black Arrows of Filth & Impurity (Indy), and Tunguska (Indy), $6, 7 p.m., at the Casa (if you don't know, you better ask somebody).
*8/14/09, The Gates of Slumber (Indy), Demiricous (Indy), Apostle of Solitude (Indy), Coffinworm (Indy), Zoroaster (Georgia), and Serpentcult (Belgium), $10, 6 p.m., Emerson Theater.
*8/15/09, Devil To Pay (CD release show), The Cocaine Wolves, Lopan (Columbus, OH), and Chapstik (Detroit, MI), 9 p.m., Zanies Too
*8/22/09, Deadmen (Indy, first show), Punchups, Typos, Pigtail Crooks, $5, 10 p.m., the Melody Inn.
*8/22/09, Yuki (Indy, shoegaze EP release show), Dark Halo Matters (Indy), Red Light Driver (Indy), and Tiger Spirit (Chicago), $5, 9 p.m., Locals Only.
*8/23/09, Slow Motion Enslavement (Indy), Dead Issue (Milwaukee), Bored Straight (Milwaukee), $5, 7 p.m., The Dojo.
*8/28/09, Drogas (Indy, first show), Summon the Destroyer, Spero, and Lorenguard, $5, 7 p.m., The Murphy Building--studio eight.
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