Q&A WITH DONN DONNI & VESPERIAN SORROW

Formed in 1996 in Austin, Texas (USA). Its members are:

• Chris – Drums, Keyboards
• Will – Guitars
• Ray – Guitars
• Matthew – Keyboards
• Tim – Bass
• Donn Donni – Vocals

In describing the musical style of Vesperian Sorrow as being purgatorial, do you mean that in the illustrative / Latin sense of cleansing or the traditional version of suffering via the Roman Catholic’s designated place of condition and remorse?

What I meant was that our music is neither here, nor there. We don’t feel that our music falls under just one category. We do create extreme metal music, but it runs the gambit of metal styles. As well, when you listen to our music you may perhaps imagine a sense of suffering, or punishment. I’ve had people tell me that our music takes them to another place, or that they lose all sense of reality for a while.

 

Many define the band as black metal, and yet there is such a beautiful, almost celestial quality to your music that one would not associate with that traditional genre of music, was that a conscious decision or a natural progression from your creative souls?

We are influenced by black metal, but we do not consider ourselves to be a black metal band. We are also influenced by all forms of metal, rock, punk, classical, techno, trance – you name it. We are all individuals who have very diverse backgrounds, and we do not limit ourselves to just one genre. We are an extreme metal band, but we would rather others to classify our music how they wish. Our creations sort of stem from our moniker Vesperian Sorrow – sadness in the evening hours.

Where does the intensity and sheer power that drives you to create these unbelievable works of art come from?

It is from and honest and determined passion, and love of music. There is no other thing in life that I would rather do. I can say the same for other members in the band. Being a musician is a lifestyle that I did not choose, it chose me. It is an outlet for everything inside myself that haunts or angers me. At the same time it is everything that I love about life, and yearn for. We are always looking to be the best out there, so we are always striving to create the best works of art possible.

Your vocals are extreme and one has to really listen to hear your message, is that your intent or do you just prefer that style of singing?

I agree that it’s kinda hard to understand what I’m singing about, but that is the way I choose to sing. It really is the only style that fits with such an extreme brand of music. I’ve always been into aggressive music, and I always wanted to create some of the heaviest music out there. I’m always wanting to take it to the next level. I don’t want to send a message. I just write stories that I envision, and then I scream, yell, growl, and snarl the words into a microphone.

Displeased Records out of Holland is the label Vesperian Sorrow is signed to, why were they given the honor of supporting your creative endeavors as opposed to other labels?

Well, we actually only had a few other offers at the time, and Displeased was the biggest, and most well connected in the metal scene for us. We also felt that signing with a European label would be better for us, since our style of music is better accepted, and circulated in Europe. We had all bought and listened to artist on Displeased, so we already had respect for the label. They have been real cool to us, but now it is time to move up to the next level. We have some bigger labels interested in us right now, so we’ll see what the future holds for us.

Vesperian Sorrow is hailed as “The Most Elite American Metal Band Today” how does such praise affect you and the band creatively, does it inspire or hinder by causing pressure to have an expectation to live up to?

We have heard that said about us, and it is quite an honor. We are extremely flattered, and grateful that someone would feel that way about us. It definitely inspires us, and motivates us to keep getting better and more intricate, and creative with our music. We want to not only give people some killer tunes, but we want to outdo ourselves every time. We are always pushing ourselves to achieve greatness. We will never settle for just “good enough”. What we create has to bring out the best in us or we are not satisfied. Actually now, our goal is to be known as “The Most Elite Band Today”.

 

Many artist’s today are quite disgusted with the American music scene, and how they no longer make decisions based on the quality of the music, or the integrity of the artist, but the almighty dollar, how do you and the band feel about this unfortunate trend?

Well we are not at all disgusted with the American scene, but we are disappointed with it. I mean, we are a part of the American scene, so we need to try and help push it forward, and open peoples eyes to bands like us. American people need to realize that the music they hear on the radio, and see on TV, is not the only thing out there for them to get into. There are a lot of talented musicians in the underground music scene, who deserve the credit they are due.

As a matter of fact, some of the most talented musicians in the world are in the underground, and the general public in America, and elsewhere are totally oblivious to it. What artist feel about the scene being controlled by the almighty dollar is exactly true. It’s unfortunate and unfair, but that’s the way it is. I tell you what, if I was a millionaire and had unlimited funds, Vesperian Sorrow would have been the biggest band in the world a long time ago. As for us though, we are not into it for the big bucks, just the sheer enjoyment of creating and playing music!