Josh from Wovenwar Interview
9th September 2016AATR managed to grab Josh from Wovenwar for a sneeky interview & what a thorughly nice chap he was too.
We see that you are going on tour with Soilwork, Unearth and Battlecross are you looking forward to this?
Absolutely! We’ve played shows with all three of these bands and gotten to know them very well over the years. Should be a great time
We hear that Wovenwar has got a new album coming out soon can you tell us a little about this?
We do! The album is called Honor is Dead and will be released October 21st. we self-produced and recorded this one, and it was mixed by Nolly Getgood of Periphery.
Obviously we all know you guys had a great run up until 2013 with As I Lay Dying, then your new project Wovenwar evolved from the embers, how have you guys coped with this roller coaster journey?
We coped with it by continually setting goals for ourselves. When you’re faced with something so life-changing, you have to keep busy and continue moving forward. We chose to immerse ourselves in the music and everything sort of fell into place to do a record, and now a second record.
How did you guys decide on a vocalist after Tim got incarcerated?
We’d all known Shane for a while. Nick played in a band with him over a decade ago that had played shows with As I Lay Dying in its early stages. When Nick brought him up, we flew him out and the chemistry was pretty immediate. We knew we wanted to explore territory we hadn’t before musically, and his voice seemed to fit the vibe that was revealing itself in the demos.
So how did you guys come up with the name Wovenwar?
The name can be broken down pretty simply. We’re not born with hate, judgement, or prejudices. They’re woven into our mind and hearts by the environment and people around us. The “war” part of the name basically illustrates the struggle to ultimately break free of those preconceived notions and live free of those chains.
Who came up with the image it stands out and works so well for the band?
Ryan Clark of Invisible Creature (and the band Demon Hunter) created the logo for us in about 45 minutes. When we gave him the band name, he immediately had the thought to have interlocking W’s and it turned out amazing first try!
Did all you guys have an input into writing and recording the new album & how do you write. Is it all together, acoustically?
On this record, the writing was very fragmented. We wrote a lot individually, as well as getting together a few times for a week or so hashing things out. For some songs, we were still finalizing drums the day before we tracked. Being so far apart geographically made it a bit of a challenge at times, but I’m convinced that it led to a more “spontaneous” sounding record.
You guys have gone from being a 2 guitar to a 3 guitar band, how has that worked out for you?
Well, technically we were never a 2 guitar band, even with AILD. There are times on those records where up to 5 tracks of guitars are going simultaneously, and even more on some Wovenwar songs. You just choose which parts are the most important to play live! It just so happened with Wovenwar that we were able to pull off more than the typical 2 guitar assault live with Shane being such an accomplished player. Nowadays, Shane has been playing less and less. Maybe 2 songs per set.
When looking back on all the band has achieved, what has been your proudest moment?
I think just being able to pick up the pieces and move forward – playing shows across the world after wondering whether or not we’d get that chance again.
Do you have any regrets when looking back on how ‘As I Lay Dying’ ended?
Sadly, I don’t think there’s much any of us could have done about that situation. We did our best to remain civil in a situation that was anything but.
What are you most looking forward to, getting out and touring again, or getting out there and touring your new material or is it a bit of both?
Both! We’ve been off touring for a quite a bit writing this record so I think we are all itching to play these new songs live, and to see the friends we’ve made across the world. Oh, and to sample the local beers.
Speaking of touring, who has the most annoying habit?
Haha. Everyone can become annoying when you’re in a metal tube for a month straight. Luckily I’d say the most annoying things have to do with offensive scents/bodily functions within confined spaces.
Any pre-show/stage rituals?
Shane and I usually warm up together. Just take it easy, have a beer, warm up the vocal cords harmonizing to some record we both love, drink a Red Bull, etc.
Cheers Josh, it’s been an absouute joy to speak to you.
Thank so much for your support, we look forward to seeing you in 2016/2017!
