Post-metal flag bearers Pelican have a brilliant new album out Forever Becoming (Southern Lord) that once again has them at the forefront of modern heavy music. Ghost Cult’s Raymond Westland caught up with Larry Herweg and Dallas Thomas to discuss the process of making this masterpiece, changing dynamics within the band, changing record labels playing the Roadburn festival, and the upcoming touring plans of the band.
Congrats on releasing such a strong and focused album as Forever Becoming. Are you happy the way it turned out?
Dallas: I am super stoked on how it turned out, Seemed like everything clicked into place right before the tape started rolling…
Can you take us through the motions of writing and recording Forever Becoming? What were you guys aiming for?
Dallas: Bryan, Trevor, and Larry had most of the material mapped out via some rehearsals and swapping files via email before I came in on the tail end of the writing process just subtly adding to what was laid down. This worked out well because the main aim was to keep it continuation of Pelican, even with Laurent being absent. We all knew it was never going be the same but I feel that a lot of liberties were taken to make sure this album wasn’t a crazy departure musically from the rest the Pelican back catalog.
Last year guitarist and founding member Laurent Schroeder–Lebec left the band. How did this change the dynamics and the creative process within the band?
Larry: Bryan and Trevor had been writing more songs ever since “City of Echoes”. Trevor was responsible for “Far From Fields” and “A Delicate Sense of Balance”and Bryan “Winds With Hands” . When “WWACTN” came out in 2009, Bryan had been playing guitar more and worked out “An Inch Above Sand”, “Final Breath” and “Strung Up From the Sky”. So when Laurent, stepped out of the band, it just made Bryan and Trevor start working together more. Their chemistry is apparent on “Forever Becoming”. We had some time off and there wasn’t too much pressure for deadlines when they started crafting the songs.
In 2012 you guys played at the Roadburn Festival. How you look back on the whole experience and would you like to play there again?
Dallas: Roadburn last year was a highlight of my musical career for sure. It was truly an awesome experience, the only down side was we were on tour and could not stay for the whole festival… Of course we would play there again!
Larry: For sure! That was our second time there. Let’s go for a third!
If you had the chance to curate the Roadburn festival, which bands would you pick and why?
Dallas: Most of the bands that I am thinking of have already played Roadburn, but regardless mine would be Neurosis, Swans, Bolt Thrower, Goat, Atlas Moth, Russian Circles, Bloodiest, Electric Hawk, Godflesh, Carcass, High on Fire etc.... I could go on forever because all these bands rule!
Larry: Quicksand (because they wrote “Slip”), Soundgarden (“4th of July” enough said), Clutch (early material still rules), Mogwai (kill it live), Palms (Isis/deftones members, duh).
Pelican is often cited as one of the leading bands within the post rock and metal genres. What’s your opinion on that?
Larry: I’m glad people like us and we’ve had such great opportunities and some success! We’ve always tried to do our own thing and play by our own rules. I hope we can continue to be seen that way after this new album debuts.
Pelican is signed to Southern Lord, a reputable label known for releasing high quality releases. How does it feel to be on their roster and how things going so far between the band and the label?
Larry: Greg’s been really good to us thus far! I was working with Greg back in 2003-2006 when I was in Lair of the Minotaur. So I knew what to expect when he signed Pelican. Its a great label and a “taste maker” in the heavy music scene. He has a loyal following and we are in good company!
Previously the band was signed to Hydrahead Records, which folded sadly last year. What are your thoughts on Hydrahead’s sad demise?
Larry: “All good things must come to an end”, or “Nothing good lasts forever”. But I am glad they are keeping their back catalog in print! Botch, Cave In, etc!
What touring plans do you have in support of Forever Becoming?
Dallas: We are going to do some record release shows in the US this fall. Then hopefully as much as possible in 2014 depending on what everyone’s hectic schedules will allow.
Larry: East Coast (USA) in Fall, West Coast (USA) in Spring. Hope to go back to Japan and Australia in 2014
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Raymond Westland
