As wine is poured into the chalice, the snow falls into the forest creating a shadow of the dark. The sounds from the forest mimics the music in celebration from this next band. We have gotten the chance to talk to Bleeding Raven and learn more about their music, their love and of course celebrating evil.
Here is the interview:
What is your inspiration to write your music? Is it your surroundings?
Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven: That’s a very broad question. So, first of all, obviously, it’s the need to have a creative outlet. Most of my music is ‘dark’ but not in the “I’m celebrating evil” dark. I like more somber and/or aggressive and abrasive sounds. I’m not much into the “happy pop…let’s boogie on the beach and be shallow” type sounds. My music sort of communicates this: “it’s not quite business as usual out there…” So, sonically, when you hear my music you’re more or less drawn into an experience that ranges from intense, to sad to full of rage. The topics I choose to write about more recently, are usually about the dark reality of the human struggle which looks at depression, addiction, disease, corruption, hatred, racism, oppression, violence against the innocent, homophobia, suicide etc. That said, I write in a certain way so that the listener can decide what it means to them—in other words—I resort to a poetic style that lends itself to mystery.
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven: Oh man. All sorts of stuff. My first “love affair” with music was KISS. I was a complete KISS nut! Posters all over my feckin walls. (before that though, I liked Elvis…still do) Then I discovered Gary Numan and that changed everything for me. He remains for me, one of the most interesting artists and one of the most unique. But, I have a whole slew of artists/bands I like. To name a few: Type O Negative, Black Sabbath and Ozzy, Bauhaus, Japan and David Sylvian, Bowie, some select extreme metal bands, Global Citizen, Fear Incorporated, Die Sektor, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, and I could go on forever. But in the end, on my TOTP is The Doors and Gary Numan. Those last two mean EVERYTHING to me as far as music goes!
Is there someone you looked up to as a hero?
Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven: Well, sort of I guess. Not big on that whole ‘hero’ thing. I don’t like our obsession with celebrities. I find that whole “star gazing-red carpet-entertainment world elitism” to be fickle and boring as hell. It says something about who we are that we put these mortals who have a few hit records or have been in movies or sports on pedestals like fucking deities. It’s sad. It’s shallow. BUT…real heroes? Yeah…the single mother who is struggling like hell to feed her family after the ‘man’ fucked off! It’s the health care people right now who are risking so much to attend to people during this pandemic. Finally, it’s the people who stand up to the truth, even when they are up against tyrannical sociopaths who have ushered in hatred and violence and depravity. (take that any way you like)
If you weren’t a musician, would you be doing today?
Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven: That’s the thing. I’m not a ‘big star’ and music is more or less a hobby that got me a few little label deals. For both my projects “BLEEDING RAVEN” and “GNOSTIC GORILLA”. (not bad for a hobby) As for my real career, I don’t share that within this milieu.
What advice do you have for our fans out there that want to create music?
Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven: Whatever you do, do it for the sheer creativity. Be true to yourself. Don’t dream of being a “star” but be who YOU ARE and create freely and without restraint. IF that brings you to the big spotlight…great! At the end of the day, if you’re true to yourself and your creative energy…it will be a beautiful and satisfying journey.
