Smell The Smoke with Dear Banshee
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking again with California outlet Dear Banshee who just released their newest single "Smell The Smoke"
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking again with California outlet Dear Banshee who just released their newest single "Smell The Smoke.” Additionally we discussed white lies, television shows, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful to have Dear Banshee join them again at On The Shelf. How is everyone doing today?
Hey Mustard good to talk again. We are good. We are just exhausted from 2023 but looking forward to 2024!
2. When we last spoke you confirmed that "The Banshees of Inisherin" was the most depressing film of your life. Can you confirm if this is still the case?
That is still the case. Although I thought “Manifesto” was a close contender.
3. Artists such as Aphex Twin, Death Grips, and All Them Witches are some of your influences. What album by each do you consider essential listening?
I’ve been listening to Aphex Twins new album “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f” all year. I’m still waiting for Death Grips to release a new album but “The Money Store” is one of my favorites by them.
4. The last time we talked you were about to release your album "Wake of Modern Life." How does it feel to have this album out in the world? Could you share what it was like to put this album together?
We spent two years recording “Wake of Modern Life” and it was such a relief to finally share it with the world. The recording sessions were stressful but we are so happy to have it completed and have our hard work pay off.
5. As a condiment Mustard is curious about the daily life of a human. How would you describe modern life for humans right now? What changes would you make to society? Would you say modern life benefits humans or does it work against their interests?
I think the pandemic has changed life for all humans. 2023 felt like the first year we all really came back from the pandemic. A lot of people are struggling and I think people are really looking to the arts for therapeutic output. I think this current stage we are in, as humans, can be beneficial but also work against us. We’re all trying to figure out where we left off in March 2020 and I think 2024 will give everyone an idea about where we go after this long pause.
6. Mustard wonders if you are still fond of Larping?
We are! This song has become a staple in our live shows. Everyone loves going off for this one and we intend to keep it in our future setlists. The song was heavily influenced by the works of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher.
7. Dear Banshee gets invited to go Larping by your local organization. The theme for the Larping weekend is a fantasy world where a King has accumulated too much power. What kind of characters does Dear Banshee roleplay in this world?
We would rolepaly as the characters that encourage the people to seize the means of production.
8. Mustard is curious about white lies. When are white lies okay to use? How is lying viewed in human society? Has Dear Banshee ever lied?
I don’t think White Lies are generally good. The song is about how politicians typically use white lies to manipulate the people, which ultimately end up being bigger lies than white lies. It’s supposed to be ironic. I think Dear Banshee wouldn’t like to comment on whether we have lied or not.
9. When we spoke last you had mentioned the television program Westworld. What are some TV shows that Dear Banshee is currently watching? Do you have any recommendations?
Some of our favorite TV Shows:
West world
The Boys
Invincible
Euphoria
Squid Game
10. Additionally during our last conversation you were about to embark on your first tour of the Pacific Northwest. Could you share some highlights of that tour?
Unfortunately it got canceled due to losing some band members. That being said, we played four amazing shows last year. That was the most we played live since before the pandemic and we plan on playing more in 2024! Unfortunately Chelsea isn’t in the band anymore because she has an obligation to her own project Minor Birds, it was fun making music with her and we wish her well! We have some amazing new members now!
11. Mustard has observed that touring is a big investment for independent musicians. How did you prepare for the tour? What are your thoughts on venues who take merch cuts? Is there a way for independent artists to overcome titans such as Ticketmaster?
I think it is out of the artists hands at this point. It is unfortunate. Unless artists build a collision to have the ticket sales go directly to them I don’t see anything changing. I would like to see an artist union developed for independent musicians.
12. Mustard would like to wish you congratulations on your newest release "Smell The Smoke." Could you share more about your latest single?
Thank you. We recorded this during the WOML sessions. We thought it didn’t fit in with the songs on the album. It is, in some sense, a B side to Wake of Modern Life but we feel that diminishes the song because we still feel passionate about it. The studio recording is a little different than the live version we are preparing to perform in 2024.
13. As a condiment they are curious what does it mean to smell the smoke?
The song is about the brutal reality of war.
14. Mustard has observed that humans have a history of violence and war. Why do some humans respond to situations with violence? Was this single inspired by recent world events?
I wrote it during the invasion of Ukraine and it felt necessary to bring it back now considering everything going on with Israel and Palestine. I think the people of Palestine have endured so much gruesome loss for decades under Israel’s occupation.
15. What is on the horizon for Dear Banshee in 2024?
We have the “Smell the Smoke” single. We are going to be playing a lot of shows this year (more than four). We have been writing some new material and have been talking about covering an older song from our youth. We have also been talking about making another live in studio video like we did in 2021. It’s almost been three years since we streamed that live video! It’s still up on our YouTube channel! It has songs from our 2019 album “Viva Guernica” and an early version of “White Lies.”
16. Can readers still listen to your music on all platforms?
Yes! All of them! You name it we’re on there!