EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: We're "Bleeding Black" with Industrial Rock Group The Dark's New Music Video
When I first heard of Brandon Ashley it was because I was interviewing his spouse for their other project Corlyx. That being said, it would only be a matter of time before I got more intimate with Brandon in another interview to get to know him and his band The Dark. And that time is now. I got a chance to chat with Brandon about all things relating to The Dark, including support from a member of Depeche Mode as well as their upcoming debut album! But, the real kicker here is that we are premiering The Dark's newest music video for their single 'Bleeding Black'! Click that play button, watch the video, and enjoy!
Hey Brandon! Since I've already interviewed your other half for Corlyx, I suppose it's only right to get to know you and your band The Dark more. How has everything been going for you since Corlyx's release?
Brandon: It’s been a time of big changes and intense artistic work. After we released the Corlyx debut EP it was time for me to shape the sound of my other creature The Dark. Meanwhile I shot a music video for the new single ‘Bleeding Black’. Since I’m still in the process of finishing the debut record, I wanted to release the first single to offer the fans a cool preview of what is coming next.
I’ve been recently doing lots of traveling, so I decided to shoot this music video in different places: Las Vegas, Hollywood, Prague and the HR Giger Museum in Switzerland among them. On top of that, I’ve just moved to Berlin in Germany and I couldn’t be more happier.
The Dark was formed in 2012 after you moved to LA. Did the move to LA bring you inspiration to start a new group? And, if so, how did the city inspire you?
I feel like ’NF82’ was the mothership of The Dark. Then I met Jonny Coffin, owner of Coffin Case. He was one of the first persons in Hollywood to support me and my music. He helped me find other musicians and we started rehearsing at the Coffin Case head quarters in North Hollywood.
The first show with The Dark at Bar Sinister was a sold out show, but unfortunately we weren’t able to keep momentum since it seemed impossible to get everyone on the same page. LA is full of musicians, yet everyone’s too busy and it’s hard to commit. It became very frustrating, and I started losing faith in myself. When you lose faith in yourself, you can easily lose focus. It was during those crazy times of my life that I found my creativity again. I got my shit together and started writing the material for the new album. At the same time, I felt like it was the right moment for a change. The city took away a lot from me throughout those years of total darkness, and yet gave so much to talk about in my music once I found myself again. I consider it a fair price for getting my artistic self back on track. That’s when I decided to move to Berlin, in the heart of Europe.
I've seen about three other members in photos of the dark. I'm not quite sure of the current line-up, but who are the members, how did you meet them, and what instruments do each of them play?
At the same time I feel very grateful towards my former band mates Darren Roberts (bass), Sarah Elisabeth Graves (guitars) and Kyle Cunningham (drums). We played very cool shows together and we are still good friends. You never know, maybe we will share the stage again in the future…
Now, I have described the sound of The Dark as industrial rock, but I see it also labeled as Dance Metal. Is that just for marketing or do you believe there is truth in calling The Dark's sound Dance Metal?
You do have an EP out and a couple of singles. Where can these songs be found? How did they help you develop your sound into what it is now?
My first solo EP Nightmare Factory 82 Digipack Limited Edition can be ordered through The Dark Website. I consider it the mothership of The Dark, so I suggest to have a listen if you are interested in knowing where this project comes from.
The Dark first single “Teenage Angst” is available on YouTube at this link. I was lucky enough to have Glen Sobel from Alice Cooper playing the drums and legendary producer Tim Palmer mixing the final track.
The second single “To Be Destroyed” was chosen to be the soundtrack for a Virgin Blak commercial also featuring a few scenes where I’m performing. You can check it out here.
I've seen that you performed with the likes of Peter Murphy and Orgy. How was that experience? Did it help get your name out to a larger crowd?
Brandon: Getting my name attached, even for just one night, with two of the artists that inspired me a lot during my teenage years was definitely one of the hottest experiences in my life. We opened for Orgy in Santa Ana in front of a very receptive crowd. Jay is always fun to be around, he’s very encouraging and has lots of energy. What to say about the Gothfather? Well, he walked on stage while we were about to soundcheck and came to say hi. I must confess I felt nervous and excited at the same time, especially when he told me he liked our music. Then I asked him if he was going to perform “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” and he winked at me saying, ”You will see!”
Your debut album Live, Create, Destroy is currently being recorded and worked on. Can we get any details on that? Tracklist, album art? What will it sound like?
Some of the track names are: 'Bleeding Black', 'Product', 'Black Flag', 'Last Day We Kissed', 'Shed My Skin', 'In The End', 'Try To Sleep', 'Falling
Live, Create, Destroy is a title that defines the metamorphosis that you go through in life. It particularly describes the six years I’ve spent in Los Angeles. It also talks about the inability of being happy and destroying the things that you love the most in order to move on and create again. It’s a vicious cycle that makes you insatiable. No matter how much you drink, eat or fuck…you always want more and more. You try to deal with it knowing that nothing makes sense and no matter how hard you try you know you’re gonna end up hurting yet starting all over again.
I see that you have Christian Eigner of Depeche Mode joining as a guest drummer on the album. How did that collaboration come along? Did you ever meet Eigner?
I'm not sure how much of the album you have completed, but with what you have done at the moment, what are your thoughts on it? Are you liking the sound?
Do you have any live shows planned at the moment? And, if so, where can we find the information? Also, following the release of your debut album, will you be touring at all?
And what else do you have planned for the future of The Dark if anything at all?
Lastly, I would like to thank you for your time and wish you the best of luck! The space below is yours!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity of talking about The Dark and for premiering 'Bleeding Black' music video today. Brutal Resonance rocks! The single is available for purchase at our Bandcamp. Follow us on the social network at @thedarkmusik. There’s much much more to come soon.
Steven Gullotta
info@brutalresonance.comI've been writing for Brutal Resonance since November of 2012 and now serve as the editor-in-chief. I love the dark electronic underground and usually have too much to listen to at once but I love it. I am also an editor at Aggressive Deprivation, a digital/physical magazine since March of 2016. I support the scene as much as I can from my humble laptop.
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