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?
Z: Zlortcht consists of myself (Phil Howlett). I handle the songwriting and recording all the music except for the manic lead guitar which is by Shayne Joseph.
Highly influenced by Celtic Frost with some extra emphasis on the doom. Also some Black Metal and Punk added into the mix.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
Z: I’m from Adelaide, South Australia & Shayne is from Melbourne, Victoria. My previous and current bands include Lucifer’s Fall, Solemn Ceremony, Caprahed and Rote Mare.
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?
Z: I love writing music so literally everything inspires me. Other music, reading, films, situations etc. Specific musical influences for Zlortcht are early Celtic Frost and Hellhammer. I would also mention Traditional Doom Metal such as Saint Vitus and Reverend Bizarre and Thrash like Destruction or Midnight. Also of course Motorhead. Lyrically a couple of songs are similar to Celtic Frost subject matter. Also some Lovecraftian horror and other fantastical subject matter, plus some anti religious and political lyrics.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
Z: Just to record what I like to record. I’ve been doing it too long to have any other real aspirations.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
Z: I guess being involved as vocalist and songwriter in the Lucifer’s Fall album III: From The Deep.
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?
Z: I don’t involve myself in it too much anymore apart from the standard self promotion on social media which has very little effect. I’ve decided to pretty much just enjoy what I’m doing and not worrying too much about that side of it. Doing things like this is about as involved as I get. ha ha. My main motivation is just to record and be creative. Not too hung up on expending all my energies on trying to get people to listen or like it.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
Z: Currently Zlortcht is not a live band.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
Z: Bandcamp is good because it works for and helps artists actually make money for themselves. I am on Spotify as an artist, but personally I’m not really a supporter of virtually free music for everyone except the artist unless the artist themselves wants to give it away. But whatever. That’s how things are and they’re unlikely to change. I’m a physical guy myself. I buy loads of cds and vinyl and try to support other artists with that.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
Z: That’s an impossible question as there are so many… ha ha Candlemass – Solitude, Rainbow – Stargazer, Deep Purple – Child In Time, Cirith Ungol – Finger Of Scorn, Celtic Frost – Dethroned Emperor. I could literally go on forever.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
Z: Just about everything that’s not the music itself. the main thing I guess would be to give artists a much bigger cut from the downloading industry. It’s fucking criminal at the moment.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
Z: The third Solemn Ceremony album (Traditional Doom Metal). Following this I’ll start work on the second Zlortcht album.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
https://zlrtcht.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-zl-rtchterhaus
https://witchesbrewthrashes.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-zl-rtchterhaus
https://www.facebook.com/Zlortcht
ZLÓRTCHT links:
Band/Artist location – Adelaide, Australia
Facebook – You Tube – Bandcamp –
– Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer –
Check our page for Zlortcht
