DESTROYING ANGEL: Neofolk/chamber pop exploring deserts, forests, oceans, lakes, rivers

Are You a neofolk band?

Hi, this is Tony (Anthony) Cesa from Destroying Angel. I will answer these questions in a conversational fashion. So...I've never really wanted to call Destroying Angel a "neo folk" group. It's a term that I find limiting. The idea that some music is Folk and another is not seems senseless to me. All music is a music made by people and therefore you could consider all music Folk music. Neo folk as a genre tends to be defined by a single artist playing an acoustic guitar and singing in a monotone fashion. Anything that deviates from this formula ceases to be "neo-folk". I don't think Destroying Angel could ever be relegated to such a ghetto. Although there are many artists under that banner who I would consider big influences. And we certainly utilize many of the Neo folk trappings. Destroying Angel pulls from many musical influences from early psychedelic music of the 60's and 70's to punk, industrial,metal, avant garde. You could call our music "Chamber Pop".

Your ideas behind beautiful music?

The ideas and philosophy behind Destroying Angel are spiritual, personal and political. I've always found pleasure and comfort in nature. Ever since I was really young I've spent alot of time outside exploring deserts, forests, oceans, lakes, rivers etc. The time I've spent in silence in these settings have allowed me to get closer to myself and hear the voices that are always speaking to us through out our lives. My own personal politics are harder to define. I've always considered myself a Libertarian Anarchist. I don't speak for the rest of the members in Destroying Angel, each of us have our own convictions, but my convictions have always been about respect for each individuals autonomy and right to expression and livelihood. Over the years I've read many books and predominantly I prefer non-fiction. I've enjoyed reading the works of Monica Sjoo, Barbara Moore, Rianne Eisler, Terrence McKenna, Hakim Bey, J. Krishna Murtie, Genesis P. Orrige (among others).

What about releases?

Destroying Angel released a 7" last Nov in 2015. This was released on our own imprint called SUBCONSCIOUS. We have an Lp entitled "Conversations With Their Holy Guardian Angel" which will be released May 13th 2016 on No Just Religious Music (a label run by Tj Cowgill of King Dude). Both the 7" and the Lp have songs that come from 2 different recording sessions. 1 song from the 7" and 2 from the Lp were recorded with Sean Ragon (of the group Cult Of Youth) at Heaven Street studio in Brooklyn, NY. The rest of the tracks were recorded in a converted church called Philly Sound. The mixing was done by Kellzo and the mastering was done by Alex Nagel. David E. Williams (who is now a full time member of Destroying Angel) was able to record his piano parts on both the 7" and the Lp on a real Steinway grand piano!

Musical influences?

Destroying Angel's musical influences? So many! The list would be long if we all answered but my biggest influences would be Hawkwind, Amon Duul 2, Comus, Robert Calvert, Incredible String Band, Fad Gadget, Robert rental and Thomas Leer, Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, Poison Girls, Crass, Current 93, Death in June, Cult of Youth, OMD, Chrome, Mueran Humanos, Hot Guts, Void Vision ohhhhh....the list go's on and on! I'm an absolute music junkie!

Is neofolk becoming a trend?

I'm not sure if neo folk is becoming a trend or not. I certainly don't think it's a trend in the United States. I think it is and has been a very esoteric genre similar to Black Metal and even Black Metal is more popular and trendy amongst the "youth". As far as the ideology of neo folk, I'm not sure if I would consider myself any kind of authority on the subject. I know alot of people who enjoy the music and they all have their own ideas about the world and their place in it . I think neo folk is an offshoot of both punk and industrial music which as you may know both scenes have a pretty wide array of political ideology. Like I said, I don't really abide by any popular party line nor do I align Destroying Angel within any "neo folk ideology". Iam my own god and master!

You've been in Lithuania, but with another band.

I am from Philadelphia. I've been to Italy in 2008. I love it! I've also played a show in Kaunas Lithuania in 2012 with a band called SGNLS. One day I'd like to return.

SNLS has a few releases out. We began in 2009 and we broke up in 2015. We have an E.P. on Blind Prophet records and an Lp on FDH records and co-released in Germany on Ptrash records. Plus a self released 7", a couple cassette releases and a few compilation appearances. I think if you just Google SGNLSphilly, you should be able to find our stuff pretty easy. Thank you for the compliment, in SGNLS I played all analog synthesizers. A very big passion of mine.

Thank You.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/DESTROYINGANGEL76

http://destroyingangel.bandcamp.com/