Saturday, September 7, 2013

Transient Interview

 
1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
 

Krysta: Hi!  We’re working hard to book a US tour for October and November which will follow the release of our debut LP on Six Weeks Records, September 10th.  We’re screen printing a lot of our own merch for the tour and shopping for a new tour van since ours was totaled in GA on our last US tour.  All of that is keeping us very busy for the moment!
Jesse: We also a have an upcoming split 3” record with Hummingbird of Death coming out soon!!
 

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the full length and how it differs from your previous recordings?
 

Krysta:  This is our first recording with the current line-up and Stefan Thompson and Jesse Shreibman are giant!  They really bring a lot to the band.  This record has a lot of clarity and precision that our EP and splits don’t have and we stayed really true to our musical roots which are vast.  I think that comes through … it’s not just straight grind.
Jesse: We really made a point to focus on getting a clear, yet grimey recording for this record. We recorded almost all analog, and really took our time writing and recording the songs. This is definitely the best recording the band has ever released.
Adam: Yeah a lot of our early recordings were rushed, we spent more time adjusting tone and critiquing tracks than ever this time. To me this recording comes closest to capturing our live sound, while maintaining clarity and intelligibility. Another thing we were able to take advantage of with the line up change, other than the obvious radness of the new guys, is the ability to clean up and evolve our tone. I think that put us a lot closer to being able to capture what we wanted, along with Brandon Fitzsimons at the helm, at Soundhouse, which was quite the privilege. 
 
3.Over the years the band put out a lot of split's, out of all the bands you worked with on these split's which one did you enjoy the most?
 

Krysta:  My personal favorite is the split 7” that we did with an Arizona band called This Runs on Blood years back.  Their side was amazing!  The label, End Theory Records, also did an awesome job putting the package together.  They pressed clear blue vinyl and the covers were hand printed and hand sewn.  That record is really beautiful.  I wish we had some left.  
Jesse: I like the split 10” with The Communion the most. Even though I wasn’t on the recording., I think its the best sounding Transient recording and The Communion fucking rules!!
Adam: Its hard to choose, both those splits were fun, Superbad split was a rad one to do I thought. The split itself with Elitist was a bit tedious getting out, mainly due to artwork discrepancies, but the camaraderie with them during the release and the tour to follow was priceless. Stoked to do a 3” split with Hummingbird of Death, a fun excuse to do a 28 second recording. 
Stefan: Even though I’m not on the recording the split with Superbad is my favorite.
 

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
 

Krysta:  On this record I explore relationships between predator and prey.  I make a lot of allusions to ancient literature in my lyrics.  I’ve also referenced a few topical matters on this record, namely, the presence of the car company Scion in the musical world.  It’s recent presence has caused some debate in our community.  I can see both sides of the argument and there are a few songs that observe the issue...loosely.  I like people to draw their own conclusions with my writing.  I don’t push any agenda. 
Adam: I serious loves Krysta’s lyrics, its so nice to be in a band with lyrics that are so far from contrived, and make for such an interesting mental image when read.
 

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
 

Krysta:  Transient is synonymous with impermanence.  Our songs are short, fast bursts of sound.  Like each song, the drama of life and the human race is all very transient.  Here today, gone tomorrow.  As self important as humans can be … we’re just a blip in time; a wave of sound.
 
 
 

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
 

Krysta:  One of my favorite shows ever was in Portland, Or at Satyricon with Unholy Grave and Magrudergrind.  The show killed and then there was the annual naked bike ride going on outside.  So, when all the bands were unloading and the crowd was dispersing, we were surrounded by thousands of naked people.  It was pretty cool.
Jesse: My favorite show was the show with Pig Destroyer, Elitist, and A Storm Of Light. It was our first show back after our accident.  Krysta and Adam were both still in casts. We were all really nervous, but it turned out amazing, and the amount of support we got from our friends that night was absolutely amazing.
Adam: There’s been some epic ones, Pig Destroyer was quite memorable, the only show I've ever done a cast slide on the bass, AND OUR FRIENDS WERE AMAZING. We played a house show in LA after Discord Fest was shut down by the cops, with Magrudergrind and Theories. We just happened to be the three bands there, shared gear, and a good 100 or so people filled someones house. The spirit of everyone during the sets that night was insane, i'm sure it was rad to see a house show after being so discouraged by the fest being shut down, crowd piled us over, at one point I was leaned on someone and then a photographer was shielding me while we played.
Stefan: Yeah the LA house show with Magrudergrind is high on the list for me, also we just played Dead Fest in Oakland and the lineup was awesome. Another memorable one was with spaceghostpurrp in Portland. Definitely the most mixed bill I’ve been on.

7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
 

Krysta:  Yes, we’re planning a full US tour for October/ November 2013.  We’ll hit Southwest Terror Fest in Tucson, AZ on October 11th.  On November 8th and 9th we’ll be in Oakland, CA for Six Weeks’ 20th Anniversary show.  The rest of the tour should be announced very soon. 
 

8.The new album came out on Six Weeks Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
 

Krysta:  We were always fans of the label.  We showed them our recording and they got back to us saying they’d be down to put it out.  We’re really stoked to be working with Six Weeks … they’re awesome people.
Adam: It was pretty awesome to hear back from them, they were the only label we had contacted and were crossing our fingers a little longer before making more contacts.
9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new album by fans of grindcore?
 

Krysta:  We’ve previewed a couple of tracks.  We want to get overseas soon and play for an international crowd.  I’m excited to see what they think of the record once it’s released. 
 
 
 

10.Are there any other musical projects going on besides this band?
 

Krysta:  I started singing for Landmine Marathon in 2012.  Jesse (drummer) is in a punk band based out of Seattle called Murmurs and Stefan (guitar) is in a band called Shitty Weekend. 
Jesse: I’m also in another grind band called Black Hole of Calcutta. This project is actually how I met Transient and got to join this awesome band!
 

11.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
 

Krysta:  We’re getting more and more cohesive and I’m really excited to see what we generate for a follow up. 
Jesse: I’m really looking forward to exploring the vast influences of all our members. We have taken a little break waiting for the record to release, but this winter it’s on!!
Adam: I'm excited to write new material for sure, I think another full length (if 20 mins counts as one) is in our future, but splits are always fun. It seems like with the later songs we wrote on this record are the shape of some interesting things to come. I’m never worried that trying new things and letting in our most natural influences will compromise “our” sound, which can totally happen.
Stefan: It’s been a pleasure to collaborate and write with these guys. Every single member contributes riffs or structural ideas consistently, which is an aspect of the band that makes me really happy. Tons of different influences.
 

12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
 

Krysta:  I really like being active and outdoors.  I love exploring the Pacific Northwest as I’m native to Arizona.  I read and write and make visual art often. 
Jesse: I love camping, walking my dog, cooking, read as much as possible.
Adam: Bikes, Camping, Knives, Cooking various types of Flesh, woodworking, Hot sauce, Weed.
Stefan: Traveling, biking, reading, regrettably I’m kind of a news junkie. 
13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
 

Krysta:  Thanks to all the supporters.
Jesse: This band is a pleasure to be a part of. without all of our friends we wouldn’t have been able to make it this far. I can’t wait to see what people think about this record!!
Adam: Grind is family.
 
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