Before they support doom metal giants Pallbearer in Melbourne, we spend a couple of minutes with Merchant and find out what’s new.
Describe your music in five words or less.
Fumes off the tar pit.
What’s going on in the world of Merchant?
Oh boy we have heaps of stuff coming up! Just last week we were anounced to take part in one of the Melbourne legs of the Pallbearer tour, which is a huge acheivement for us. We definitley look up to those guys an their music alot, so it feels awesome tocnsidered worthy enough to join them in the bill. Otherwise, we have been lining up shows for the rest of the year, which is always exciting. Even more exciting is that after this Pallbearer gig, we will be diving back into the writing, to conjure up some more crushing riffs for all the boys and girls.
What motivates you to make music?
I guess the main thing is spending time working with some of your closest and oldest friends. But other than that, I guess it’s just because we love to play and write! To try and follow in the footsteps of our idols and torch bearers of the scene, both locally and overseas. Personally, I just love playing shows, to see everyone having an awesome time rocking out to your music, it’s a pretty humbling feeling.
What have been the high and low points of your musical experiences so far?
Oh man, there have been plenty of highs and lows. I can really only speak for myself here, but there have been times when I’ve been stuck in bands where trying to make music is like trying to draw blood from a stone. That was probably the lowest point for me musically, we all wanted to write and play, but not making any headway eventually led to commitment and perseverance levels to drop into unfortunate disbandment, but what can you do really? Music has to come naturally, to paraphrase a quote from Mike Sheidt of Yob. If writing is becoming something that you have to force, there is no point trying to write, as it’s not going to be genuine. That being said, there have been heaps of good times too, having the chance to record in a brewery, also playing a fundraiser for the Sea Shepard crew was pretty awesome too. But again, for me, its all about the rush of live performance.
What music are you listening to at the moment?
As much as we all have our similar tastes in music, mostly metal, but our tastes are rather broad at the same time. But for me, I am currently spining some new releases from local bands such as Watchtower and Horsehunter. But, just by going through my iTunes ‘recently added’ there are bands like Torche, Thou, Kogn and the Wounded Kings. But my go-to’s would be Conan, Cough, High on Fire, Sleep, Windhand, Elder, Bongripper, Electric Wizard and Yob, just to name a few.
If you were stranded on a desert island, which member of the band would get eaten first?
I couldn’t say exactly, but it would either be myself or Mirgy. Being that Nick is a builder so he is most useful, Wilson makes beer so he would be next in line for necessity. But then there is me, who works in a guitar factory, and Mirgy who installs fridge systems, so I guess it would be me, as Mirgy can run faster.
Here’s an opportunity to bitch about something, whether music related or not. What really pisses you off?
So we have all worked in bars before, and I think the unanimous decision between us and every single bartender everywhere, is people who put their money in the puddle of beer on the bar top, instead of putting into your open and waiting hand. I mean, how much of a dickhead are you? I’ve been working for 11 hours straight and now I have to grovel for your money. Jeez.
You’re putting together your perfect gig featuring Australian artists. Who would you get to play and where? Feel free to include acts/DJs/bands/venues that no longer exist.
The venue would definitely have to be the Metro/Palace Theater (RIP). The acts would probably be, Horsehunter, Watchtower, Grim Rhythm, Quiet Child and Matt Sonic and the High Times. Sick.
Merchant join Horsehunter in support of Pallbearer at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on June 19. Tickets on sale now from lifeisnoise.com.
