Interviews
Drew Goddard
Karnivool

Q.  What is the songwriting process for the band?
As lead singer does Ian write all the songs or is it a
collective product? Do you write the lyrics and
music together or one first and then the other?

There's no set method we use for songwriting. If anyone knows any tried and proven methods please let us know. Lyrics usually always come last, Ian and Jon write the lyrics mainly, Jon more so recently. The only song we've completely as a unit is Fade - written in a couple of nights in a rehearsal room.

Q.  I've seen you guys play in front of a bunch of high school students once (Busselton, 2002), do you enjoy putting on small little sets like that or would you rather the bigger glamour and spectacle of say, a Big Day Out?

Open air festival shows are cool for different reasons, as are smaller venue shows. There's a totally different atmosphere at both. We haven't played main stage big day out, as amazing as that would be I think I would always prefer the intensity and intimacy of a smallish club filled with 500 sweaty bodies. There's nothing quite like it!

Q. Perth is not really known for its production of metal bands. Where do you guys see yourselves in relation to the Perth music scene?

I guess we're just considered a part of the 'metal' scene in Perth, but more of the Heavy Weight Champ, Headshot Subtruck etc. collective. I don't know if any Australian city in particular is known for it's metal bands, but there's a lot of quality metal in this city, so here's to hoping that ourselves and the others can maybe put Perth on the map?

Q. You guys have had a very long break recently. Do you just want to get back out there on that stage and start doing your thing again or has this time off been good for the band?

The time off for the band has been very beneficial. Mainly for the reason that we can devote our time more on songwriting and recording for the new album. But our craving for the stage is stronger than ever before, we'll come back refreshed as ever and ready to put on a kick arse show.

Q.  You've listed Deftones and Tool as influential bands, who are your favourite bands at the moment from Perth and from elsewhere?

Not so much the Deftones these days I don't think, Tool has always been a big influence on us. At the risk of name dropping, here's a few Perth bands that are really doing it for me/us at the moment... HWC, Subtruck, Headshot, Head Filled Attraction, End of Fashion, Mr Sandman, Dave Mann Collective, Rollerskates, Josivac, Civilised. (To name a few). As far as elsewhere, Devin Townsend has by far been the most influential figure on me in the last two years, not to mention ever. Other recent influences worth a mention are Meshuggah and Cog.

Q. What is your favourite live music venue in Perth?

The Rosemount!

Q. How was the transition for Jon and Ray into the band? Was it an instant thing where it all just seemed right or did it take a while to settle?

Straight after the first gig with those two I knew we'd done the right thing, it clicked pretty much straight away.

Q. The name 'Karnivool' is obviously taken from the event of fun and good times. What is the real reason behind it?

No idea to be honest!

Q. It's quite obvious that local Perth rock bands such as Sleepy Jackson, End Of Fashion. Jebediah and Eskimo Joe all are very close personally. Is this the same for the metal scene? If so, which other local metal bands do you associate with?

It's a very close scene in general, the guys in HWC and Headshot are some of our closest friends, but being the gig pigs we are, we've become quite close to bands in a variety of genres. It's a very friendly music scene.

Q. So what is on the agenda for Karnivool for the rest of the year and into 2004?

We're going to continue writing and recording for the full length (it's getting there, slowly). Towards the end of the year we'll play some shows and debut a whole bunch of new songs, and maybe a second guitarist! 2004 will be a big year, lots of shows, touring and fun.

Q. What can we expect from the new album?

Something very different. A big eclectic mix. Everything from disturbing filthy music to lush aqua watery music. But still very Karnivool.

Interview by Kane

For more information visit Karnivool's official site.