Lenax – Interview

Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)

PD:  How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?

L: As a band I describe my music as black metal. As an artist I am more diverse, and my music will likely reflect that as well. In other words not every song will sound the same, the album as a whole will be a journey of sounds.

PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.

L: I’m from the US, and had a very early start in music. My uncle used to play his guitar at family gatherings, and actually tuned a toy guitar for me when I was very young. I discovered metal at a young age, and actually made a quite horrible four song recording of just guitars and vocals at about 14. For better or worse that cassette tape has been in a landfill for many years.

PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?

L: I like writing about life experiences. Dark aesthetics turn me on, which can be everything from occult themes to science fiction. A lot of what I write is metaphorical, and leaves room for interpretation by the listener.

PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?

L: I love music, and I love the creative process. Having a thought in your mind manifest into reality, in any creative medium, is a magical process. In the short term, that is what I am doing, getting my ideas recorded in a listenable form. The secondary form is to share that art with others. I don’t need to quit my day job, but if people like my music, I will feel that is a success.

PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?

L: By far, the release of this new song “Of Greater Forces”. I brought in a guest vocalist (Imperator Mortem) who absolutely slayed the vocal track. Also the B-side to the single is a cover of the Immortal song Tyrants. The video for that song I feel is a shining moment for me, as it is the first time I have sang on a recording.

PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?

L: I get about an hour a day between a busy work schedule and spending time with my girlfriend. I am extremely lucky to have a partner that supports my love for music creation. On top of that between the community of people I have interacted with between my collaborative musicians, other bands on social media, and a huge thanks for my promotion team, it is going a lot better than I ever thought possible.

PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?

L: At the moment my intention is to be a studio band, though I really want to do a live show for my album release. If that goes well I may do a few festival shows next year, and would love to play Metal Devastation Festival. After all, it was this event in 2022 that ignited me to get busy!

PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?

L: At this point it’s a necessary evil. It’s tough because if I am at a local show, I have been guilty of not buying CD’s because I know the band is on streaming. I do try my best to buy other band merch like shirts and especially vinyl. If a band doesn’t have either, I will buy a CD, but without a player in my car I am literally doing so only to support the band.

PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?

L: Through Eyes of Stone by 1349. This song absolutely shreds. It has the despair emotional quality that you expect out of Black Metal with some muted thrash guitar elements that speak to my earlier influences. Easily one of my fabvorite bands.

PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?

L: There are too many closed avenues that essentially create a pay for play environment. I am talking about tour booking, celestial radio play, and soundtrack placement. Yes there should be quality control, but certain promoters get to be on the inside track. When I ran a label years ago there were avenues even closed to me unless I paid thousands of dollars to get in the door.

PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?

L: I am laying vocals next week on a track called Inner Dimensions. It’s a song about astral travel and meditation, with a very dark twist in the third act.

PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?

L: linktr.ee/LenaxMetal will be the go to starting point. You can find us on facebook, instagram, youtube, and bandcamp with the user name “LenaxMetal”. Stop by and say hi!

Lenax links:
Band/Artist location – Nashville, TN
Facebook – You Tube – Bandcamp – 
Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Deezer – LinkTree –
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