Surrender into Sound: An Interview with Steve Von Till
Endless Metal Podcast - We're constantly listening to metal in all its glorious forms !Show Notes
Steve Von Till is an American musician, songwriter, educator, and poet. He is best known as a singer and guitarist in the highly influential and genre defying collective, Neurosis, which has been credited with changing the face of heavy music over the last 35 years. Since 1999 Von Till has composed and recorded five solo albums of his unique style of sonic composition. Under the guise of his alter ego, Harvestman, Von Till has recorded several rural psych albums including the film score for the Italian thriller, H2Odio. He oversees the fiercely independent record label, Neurot Recordings, from a pole barn outside his home in the forests of North Idaho where he also teaches elementary school. Harvestman: 23 Untitled Poems and Collected Lyrics, released in 2020 is his first book of published poetry. Jeff and I had the privilege to speak with Steve on the heels of a European tour beginning in August. We speak to Steve about his touring band and plunge into an extended history of the present and past. In a very organic dialogue, we learn about his early years as a serious tape trader and zine owner. Focusing on his two favorite bands from the mid-80s, Neurosis and Christ on Parade, Steve tells us the story of how he met Dave Edwardson and joined his dream band in 1989. He shares many stories, and we soon realize we are all huge music nerds. We then have a fascinating discussion of the meaning of the drone and what Brian Eno recently described as the power of surrender in ambient music. Steve shares how surrender has long been central to his own creative process as part of Neurosis and his solo works. Along the way, we listen to music from Neurosis keyboards and electronics wizard, Noah Lands' new band Tension Span's incredible record "The Future Died Yesterday" released on Neurot Recordings in 2022. We also listen to "Trial" by Tribes of Neurot, a song with deep and profound meaning to Jeff. And end on a crescendo when Jeff asks Steve about the Hungarian cosmic sound geniuses, Galloping Corroners—a band that Jeff holds near and dear. Steve shares an unforgettable story recording with the Galloping Corroners vocalist, Attila Grandpierre, during a late night session after Neurosis played with the legendary band in Budapest.
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