Interview: Void Collapse

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What got you into music and if you hadn’t gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I’ve listened to music since I can remember. I’ve consumed every record I could get my hands on. Around 10-11 I started playing guitar and at 15 started playing in bands. I’ve always wanted to do a death metal band, and up through the years started teaching myself how to record. I’ve always worked full time, so music has always been a hobby, which is fine. But, I do everything I want in my life, and music is a part of many things, so it’s a win win. I don’t know if I would really want it as a full time job, cause I would probably get sick of it. Doing it around work keeps it inspiring. I get to plan things, then work them out when I get the time.

What do you like to do when you’re not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I illustrate and do flat art. I work in a classical renaissance style. I was really active about 10-15 years ago, but that’s when I started recording music, and that took over. I’m starting to get back into it, and want to do it more. It’s really another thing I love, and have been drawing since I could walk. My subject matter is medieval style portraits, or classical standards with my own spin on them.

How long has your band been around?

I was working with a different drummer around 2012, and we did a demo. Shane and I got together a little while after that, and started what’s going on now. Our current form.

Where are you based out of and how does that influence your music?

I’m from Saginaw Michigan, and Shane is from San Antonio Texas. Personally I don’t know that it has. I’ve always listened to death metal, and am always in my own little world. But, I’ve never really noticed a correlation between where I’m living and my music too much.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

My friend Brian were jamming for awhile. We were trying to come with band names, and after two or three weeks were coming up with nothing. One night I was watching Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. There is a part where Indy falls into quicksand, and mentions a Void Collapse. I thought it sounded good, so I texted Brian. He sanctioned it, and here we are. He never ended up joining the band, but helped pick the name.

Tell me about the best and worst show you’ve ever played. 

We haven’t ever played, or probably ever will. We live in different states, have full time jobs, and I don’t think I could ever get over the anxiety. Plus I’m 42, lol, being on stage is a young thing. If I started young that would be different. But, it’s not happening. Lol

If you could play a show with anyone on the lineup who would be on the ticket?

Since we don’t play out, I’ll just say that I’d love to work with Kurt Ballou, or Erik Rutan. I would love for them to produce a Void Collapse album.

What is some advice that you would give to someone just getting into playing in a band?

Do what works for you, or when you find a better way to work pursue it. I’m a control freak, and I like putting things together by myself. I do ask other people’s opinions, but working side by isn’t my thing. I was working with a different drummer in another country when we started, and we both were trying to write to each other’s music, so we spent months sending things back and forth. I knew deep down it’s not how I wanted to be working, so I started looking around for a session drummer. When I found Shane, I was like “look, I just need some drums” and that was pretty much that. We go over speed and styles, but he just does his thing, and then I go over to my corner and do mine.

If you could go back in time and give advice to yourself, what would it be?

Good grief…lol, life just does what it wants, you’re not going to change it. You could make yourself better in one regard, and end up short stringing yourself in another. It’s like that chapter in Ecclesiastics that the Byrds turned into that song Turn. There is a time and place for everything. Advice isn’t going to change it.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

The Cross Eyed Dove means the most. It was the first song I recorded for our latest album Gwenda. It was the first time I sat down and everything just clicked and came out exactly how I wanted it to. Musicians usually get better skill wise over time, but they have serendipitous moments throughout their career where their skill level doesn’t matter. Just what they’re trying to convey comes through, and it’s ends up being a perfect song or album. That’s how I feel about that song.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Honestly they’re not. Lol, we’re at a pretty infant stage where we are just trying to get people to listen

What’s the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write music?

Basically Shane records drums in 2-3 minute songs, and he mixes them. They’re all done when the get to me. I don’t tell him any arrangements or anything, I just let him go and do what he wants. I give him like a tempo, and maybe a style, but his style or how he plays is what I’m after. Then I’ll go through those songs one a time, and write and record. Once I’ve finished a song, I move on to the next one. I’ll practice and write. When I do record I try to get everything in one take. I think it gives the guitars a sway to them, and an unpolished feel. It makes you feel like you’re listening to a live band almost. I purposefully try to leave mistakes in (not major ones) and have it feel not perfect. As for inspiration, movies, art. Our newest album Gwenda is the first in a four album concept about each of the four queens of the tarot. Basically I’m just writing a story for each of them, and they each get their own album.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in you music? 

I don’t know if there are specific messages. I usually start with artwork, and then get the song titles. I sort of attach what the meaning of the song is after the fact. I also like to keep the meaning, and lyrics abstract, so the listener can kind of make it up for themselves. The mood of the music, melody, and art kind of paint the picture. As far as specific messages though? Not really, listening is like you’re going into a haunted castle, and I’m trying to make you feel like you’re in a haunted castle.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Not with Shane no. We pretty much have everything worked out. When I’m almost out of drums I let him know what I’m trying to do next, and he does his thing. I’m not trying to micromanage him. He does the drums, and then its predominantly my project. At this point in my life a band situation wouldn’t work schedule or otherwise. Nothing would get done, I found that out when I tried to work with the last drummer I was working with. It’s pretty much just me steering the ship for the most part. If I had the time and was younger maybe, but you know.

What are your plans for the future, and do you want to spotlight anything that’s coming up?

Lots of things! We have a split with Before the Storm We Flourished coming up soon. A Guns N Roses cover, and we just started our third album. I just received the drums from Shane this morning actually. We post about everything we’re doing on the Instagram, so that’s the place. Our music is available on every platform so give us a whirl if you are into death metal, or extreme music.