Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (https://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
Jörg: We’re a heavy blend of Stoner and Doom Metal, with roots deep in ’70s hard rock. Our sound is a gritty homage to the past, mixed with the immersive soundscapes of today’s metal scene. It’s about crafting tunes that hit hard and resonate deep, all while keeping that groove alive.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
Jörg: Originating from East Saxony, from the vibrant scenes of Upper Lusatia/Lausitz to Dresden, each member of SLOW GREEN THING brings a unique musical journey shaped by a deep-rooted love for rock and metal’s many forms. Our early twenties saw us in basements and makeshift studios, united by a passion for the raw energy of bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin,Metallica, Tool, Dozer and many many others. Before SGT, we’d each played in various bands, gathering years of experience that would ultimately fuel the formation of a group deeply connected to the Stoner/Doom/Metal scene here. This scene isn’t just our home; it’s the fire that ignites our creativity and commitment to the music we live to create. As members of this vibrant community, we’re dedicated to pushing its boundaries while staying true to the sounds that shaped us.
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?
Jörg: Inspiration for our music comes from a mix of legendary rock and metal influences—Black Sabbath’s depth, Led Zeppelin’s innovation, Tool’s introspection, the raw energy of Metallica, beauty of Alice In Chains and many other bands and factors. These musical giants guide our exploration into Stoner and Doom Metal, infusing our songs with a blend of personal and universal themes. Our lyrics navigate through introspection, life and love, and the quest for meaning, aiming to resonate with those who seek refuge in the heavy resonance of metal.
Our music is also shaped by the world around us, from nature’s tranquillity to urban chaos, reflecting the spectrum of human experience. We aim to create a sound that’s not only a nod to our influences but also a unique narrative journey for our listeners, touching on the complexities of life and the search for identity and purpose.
Ultimately, we strive for our music to challenge, comfort, and inspire, making a lasting impact on anyone who ventures into our sonic landscapes. It’s about connecting on a deep level, offering both solace and excitement through the power of our music.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
Jörg: To leave a sonic footprint that’s unmistakably ours. We aim to push the boundaries of our genre, explore new sonic territories, and, most importantly, connect with fans worldwide through our music.
Dave: We’re immensely proud of our new album in every aspect. It would be fantastic if more people within the stoner/doom scene globally could discover and enjoy our music, as we believe the new material truly deserves recognition. We’re eagerly anticipating the chance to perform these new tracks live. Therefore, attracting the attention of various stoner venues and festivals would be an incredible achievement for us, allowing us to share our latest work with a wider audience.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
Jörg: One of the standout moments that fills us with immense pride is having shared the stage with some of the titans of our genre. Supporting renowned bands like Crowbar, Elder, Church of Misery, Greenleaf and others was not only a tremendous honour but also a validation of our journey in the music world. Each performance has been a learning experience, a chance to connect with wider audiences, and an opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the greats in Stoner and Doom Metal. It’s a testament to our growth as a band and a reminder of the powerful bond we share with the music community.
Also, crafting and releasing our albums has been our crowning achievement. Especially ‘Wetterwarte/Waltherstrasse’, which symbolises our evolution and the challenges we’ve overcome, since we crafted this record entirely on our own terms.
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?
Jörg: It’s a jungle out there, but we’ve found our niche. Direct engagement through live gigs, Bandcamp, and social media has been key. It’s about building a community, not just a listener base.
Dave: Being in the music industry is both a curse and a blessing. On one hand, the sheer volume of bands out there means it’s easy to get lost in the vast jungle of artists, making it a real challenge to stand out and ascend to the next level. On the other hand, this saturation forces us to be more creative as artists, turning the situation into an opportunity. The most positive aspect, however, is our ability to promote and produce our music independently. This autonomy results in absolute freedom, both creatively and financially. No longer are artists bound to big record labels and their immense budgets, thanks to high-quality, affordable home studio gear.
We’re fortunate to be almost self-sufficient as a band. Jörg handles our media presence, Sven manages bookings and lyrics, Martin oversees merchandising, and I’m in charge of recording and mixing. We do seek a bit of outside help for cover artwork and appreciate online magazines like yours that help disseminate our music. However, securing support for booking larger live shows and festivals would be invaluable. So, if any promoters are out there, feel free to reach out to us.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
Jörg: Most of our gigs come through invitations, relying heavily on connections within the scene. Direct inquiries to clubs often don’t yield results, especially post-pandemic, as the market is quite saturated with bands. This means clubs have a wide selection to choose from, which is great for the scene’s growth but makes it challenging for bands to stand out and secure gigs. So far, we haven’t embarked on tours, largely due to work and family commitments making it difficult. Additionally, we currently don’t have a label or booking agent to handle this aspect of our career. That said, we’re actively looking for labels and bookers to partner with to help navigate these challenges and expand our live performance opportunities.As for upcoming performances, we’re always open to opportunities and hopeful to confirm more dates soon. The best way to stay updated on our shows is to follow us on our social media platforms and our website, where we’ll announce any new gigs or tour information as it becomes available.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
Jörg: While streaming platforms offer incredible reach, there’s a trade-off with artist compensation. We embrace these platforms for their ability to connect us with fans worldwide but advocate for direct support through Bandcamp and live show merch sales.
Dave: The fundamental concept behind streaming services is sound and serves as a logical response to the era of Napster. They offer an opportunity for artists to disseminate their music widely without needing a major record deal, making it accessible to everyone. However, the significant issues lie in how algorithms manage artist visibility and compensation. Small artists struggle to earn meaningful revenue and are often overlooked in playlists, while major artists reap most of the benefits. Thus, the core issue persists: major record labels continue to dominate and control the music industry. A significant step forward would be to adjust the payment model so that ALL artists are compensated based on the amount of time their music is listened to, rather than the number of clicks. This change could lead to a fairer distribution of revenue, recognizing the value of music in the time invested by listeners.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
Sven: If I could have written any song, it would be one that made me incredibly rich, ensuring I’d never have to work another day. However, I deeply love certain songs, and I often wonder if my affection would remain if I were their author. The world has seen many great artists whose songs have truly changed it. To answer directly with my top pick: “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak. This song is my all-time favourite, and having written it would make me immensely proud…and yes, also rich.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
Jörg: The struggle for fair artist compensation, especially in the digital age. We’d push for a model that supports artists more substantially, ensuring that creativity is sustainable.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
Jörg: Always brewing new material, we’re diving deep into the creative process, with new 
songs that continue to define and expand our sound. The journey never stops.
Dave: Our main focus is on promoting the new record, aiming to play as many live shows as possible, conducting interviews, and sharing our music across various platforms and social media. Additionally, we’re planning to create a new music video and develop some live visuals to enhance our performances. Songwriting for us is an ongoing process; we’re constantly coming up with new ideas and jamming, ensuring that creativity flows continuously within the band.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
Hit up our Bandcamp (https://slowgreenthing.bandcamp.com) for the full discography and merch. For everything else SLOW GREEN THING, our website (https://slowgreenthing.de) and social media channels are the places to be.
Slow Green Thing links:
Band/Artist location – Dresden Germany
Website – Facebook – You Tube – Soundcloud – Bandcamp – Merch –
Reverbnation – Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Deezer – Last Fm –
Check our page for Slow Green Thing
