Kult of the Wizard
Interview conducted on December 21, 2020
By Dan Locke
Kult of The Wizard is a collection of human beings that set forth to bring different forms of Mother Nature to light. In each form, a wizard presents itself and reigns down with all their force. Shaking mountains and bringing oceans to unrest, Kult of the Wizard carves a path of destruction and life in hopes to bring favor to the powers divine.
The album was release December 18, 2020 via Interstellar Smoke Records.
Kult Of The Wizard is –
Mahle Roth – Vocals
Aaron Hodgson – Guitars / Organs / Piano
Ryan Janssen – Bass / Synths
Jake Anderson – Drums
Guest vocals on Into The Void –
Jake Quittschreiber
What is your upbringing?
Oddly enough we all have roughly the same upbringing of rural America, 3 of us are from Iowa and 1 from Minnesota. I will let the world figure out who’s who.
How did you discover music?
I started taking piano lessons when I was 4 or 5 and continued learning classical music until I was about 18 from there rock and roll took hold.
How did you start to write music?
It just rather happened; you hear things in your head and put them on paper or plunk the melody out on a piano or guitar.
Describe your music.
Stream of consciousness. It does not always make sense but the longer the idea resonant the clearer and more detailed it becomes.
How did you form the band?
Looked around and found the best musicians’ money can buy. Really, just dumb luck. I found talented musicians who I got along with and everything else just fell into place.
How your band did gets its name?
Much like the name “Foo Fighters”, it was a band inside joke that just went on too long and then became too late.
What was your first performance at like?
Polished. Complete. Magical……we are all trained musicians so the performance was just a gig, it came it went, and was watched by next to no one.
What makes a good songwriter?
I would not say that I am. I think a good story is not told by one person, it is the amalgamation of other tellers over time.
What is the process of writing your music?
Most of the ideas start out as a melody or progression on guitar and we typically drone those parts until movements naturally emerge. A beautiful part of this group is our ability to read each other in the middle of a jam to know where to go next or what sorts of moves to make. Oftentimes that creates the song, just knowing where someone feels to go next.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Nope.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
As a singular person – no idea what the title would have been, but I’m sure it’s recorded on a cassette tape somewhere. As Kult Of The Wizard, that song was Destroyer of Worlds off the Red Wizard
Tell me about your new album “Gold” which just was released on December 18, 2020 on Interstellar Smoke Records?
Aside from what’s been said already, I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun. It’s always far more interesting to learn what people extract from your music on their own. Music can be a visceral connection to someone’s deepest thoughts and who am I to tell you those feelings aren’t what the song is about. So why don’t you tell me what it meant to you?
Why were there different versions of “Mother Nature”?
She’s a beautifully violent force. A creator, a destroyer. You have to tell her whole story.
Why did you get Jake Quittschreiber as guest vocals on “The Void”?
Jake’s a good friend and I’ve recorded his band Circadian Ritual many times. When we needed that sonic element for Into The Void, he was my first thought. He did those vocal parts sick as a dog and I can never thank him enough for taking the time.
What is your favorite track on the album?
They all have their moments, but it’s probably Queen of Life and Death. That was the first track written for this record and it was the most raw to record and experience.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
Easy – we don’t tour.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
Necessary evil in some aspects – just make sure you’re supporting the band the right way.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I’ve always been a vinyl guy. Love the experience of putting the needle down, interacting with the physical medium and all that cheesy stuff.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
None really – I tend move on once songs are recorded and released into the wild.
Both Pfizer and BioNTech have conclude Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the vaccine, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?
I think the rest of the world will do better than the US in terms of vaccinating.
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Of course, it will, just not sure for how long. We lost a number of venues in our town both with the George Floyd riots and with COVID. There is not many left, especially those willing to cater to local bands. Now, will we get any new venues? Only time will tell. I do think there will be a pent-up energy for people wanting to see live music again that will benefit any band who’s been keeping at it and ready to go once the time comes.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Writing blues and folk music.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I’ve taken up drawing, nothing to write home about though.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
Don’t really stream that much but I’m always a sucker for HBO shows.
With the streaming services (Disney (50+ new shows/movies Lizzie McGuire, The Sandlot, Beauty and the Beast prequel, Moana, Cars, Soul, Raya and the Last Dragon, Sister Act 3, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Wendy, all future Star Wars and Marvel movies and shows) and HOB Max ( including Wonder Woman 2, Godzilla vs Kong, Top Gun: Maverick, Mortal Kombat, Tom and Jerry, The Many Saints of Newark, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, In the Heights, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, Dune, The Matrix 4) planning to pull all the upcoming movies from next year and put them on their streaming service. How will that affect the entertainment industry?
I think it’s an interesting idea to stream at the same time as the theater. Just as some people prefer to see live music and others prefer to experience it from their home. The theater is a destination – an experience. It doesn’t have to be the only way to see a movie. So what if the share of the profits isn’t as great because of streaming – the entertainment industry has been shorting musicians like that since the dawn of time.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] this will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
First of all social media sucks. Their sole purpose is to make money off you and your data, your content. So of course, they want to introduce licensing – they want to use your content too. Secondly, this is just a wave, it will come, and it will go. The next thing will evolve and come into place so there is no real reason to fret. Sadly, this is just part of the necessary evil we have to be involved in. Communities for music will always exist, and word of mouth will always exist. If people continue to share what they think is cool, then there will always be viable ways to connect with bands.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Get creative – if you’re going to use social media, then interact with your fans, do covers, hold contests, make things different. Try anything and everything, something is bound to stick and the community will take over.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I don’t pay to play and I won’t. If that’s your thing….neat.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That sounds like a party. I’d sign up for that in a heartbeat.
If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
Competing in mini tractor pulls
What is your happy place?
…..ooh too private to share. Second best – a good glass of whiskey.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I am forever grateful to the fans of KOTW, Jack at Interstellar Smoke, Johan at Reflections, the band, and the music industry people that have helped us find our place. Never thought anyone would care about this little project and I am in awe of the amazing (and sometimes not so amazing) words, feelings, and interactions I’ve shared with you all on this journey. Thank you all.
