Tragic Black Interview

TRAGIC BLACK, a goth/deathrock/electronic band from Salt Lake City known for their unique/eclectic sound, dark aesthetic, decadence & high-energy performances. Created in 2000, the band is now in their 16th years and has created 6 full length albums and 3 ep's with an evolving line up that's toured in Europe, Mexico & across the United States. Between live performances, the band has finished recording new album "NOSTALGIA" (out May 13 2016 on Danse Macabre Records), video new song "Nostalgia" is on youtube.

TB's music has evolved in many ways since the inception in 2000, with each release lyrically and musically centric to a different element. Debut album, "The Decadent Requiem" (2006) is related to the element of Fire, while their subsequent album, "The Cold Caress"(2007) is related to the element of Water (which is a conceptual album based on the novel "In the Cold Caress" by vISION). These were followed by a limited edition 7'' Vinyl Single on Record format, "The Dead Fall" (2010), which is related to the element of Air. "The Eternal Now" (2013.) is related to the element of Earth. As "The Cold Caress" was more melodic & guitar driven than its aggressive, more electronic predecessor "The Decadent Requiem", T.E.N. is very much a guitar driven album, heavier, bigger & more complex. Nostalgia (2016) harkens to a dark old school sound that inspired the band to form in the first place. Deeper, darker, dancier, an indulgence of the larger goth parasol. Nostalgia represents a completion of earthly elements and the opening of the crown chakra.

In the beginning of 2014, vISION began writing new lyrics & music for "Nostalgia" (comprised of keyboard, sample & drum sequences) on his own and with Vyle, leading the band to back it's goth roots. Subsequently changing line up change to the trio that TB (vISION, Vyle & Stich) which lasted a few months until Shadow Windhawk offered his talents in both writing/recording guitars for Nostalgia, who soon after officially joined the band.

The new album Nostalgia was recorded at Basslab studio by Starbass & was released Friday May 13th on Danse Macabre Records in Germany.

While the current line up is a recent change, Tragic Black, under various line up changes, with vISION & Vyle at the core, TRAGIC BLACK has released several albums with record labels, self released cd's and toured across the United States, Europe & Mexico over the last 16 years.

DISCOGRAPHY:

Albums: "Articulate Lacerations" self-released ltd edition 2002 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Keys & Toni -Bass, Guitar & Programming)

"Burnt Black" (live) self-released ltd edition 2005 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Keyboards, Hex - Bass, Ashe - Guitar & Seputus - Programming & Production/Mixing)

"The Decadent Requiem" Strobelight Records, 2006 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Keyboards, Hex - Bass, Ashe - Guitar & Seputus - Drums, Programming & Production/Mixing)

"The Cold Caress" Strobelight Records & Shadowplay Records 2007 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Bass, Hex - Guitar, Jesse James - Guitar & Seputus - Drums, Programming & Production/Mixing)

"The Eternal Now" Danse Macabre Records Feb 2013 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Bass, Johno - Guitar, Kyle Leary - Guitar, Stich - Guitar, Seputus - Drums, Programming/Production & Mixing)

"Nostalgia" Danse Macabre Records May 13 2016 (vISION - Vocal, Lyrics & Programming, Vyle - Bass & Programming, Stich - Guitar & Shadow Windhawk - Guitar)

EP's & Singles: "Vatican Demonica" self-released ltd edition 2002 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Keys & Toni -Bass, Guitar & Programming)

"The Sixx Premonitions" self-released ltd edition 2004 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Keys & Stich -Bass, Seputus - Programming/Production & Mixing)

"The Dead Fall" 7" Vinyl Record, Catastrophe Ballet Records, ltd edition 2010 (vISION - Vocal, Vyle - Bass & Stich - Guitar & Vocal, Jesse James - Guitar & Vocal, Seputus - Programming/Production & Mixing) 1.How did you come to be in the goth scene or culture?

vISION: As a teenager in the mid nineties I broke away from regular society who I’d grown to hate, and found a sense of wonder, belonging, and mystery in goth music. I began going to a goth club called Confetti’s at age 15 & loved it. Music was what made it so fascinating. The album Catastrophe Ballet by Christian Death that I randomly bought used, without ever listening to it, really blew my mind.

2. How long have you been doing this?

vISION: The 1st Tragic Black show was on Halloween in the year 2000 & have been continuing to do TB ever since. I was into goth music & the scene before that, around 95 or 96.

3.How did you come to form a band together?

vISION: Started our as an idea. Inspired to create something dark, anti-religious. Being a fan of and inspired by a bunch of goth, rock, industrial, punk, electronic & even blackmetal bands made me want to form this band & once Vyle & I became close friends we began working on TB.

4.Where are you currently located ? vISION: I’m responding to these questions from a brewery called Redrock. We are located and have always been based from Salt Lake City Utah.

5.What is each of you favorite song (or song to perform)?

vISION: “Aparicion” from our 2007 album “The Cold Caress” is probably the one, it’s fun to perform & have our fans sing/scream along.

6.What's the biggest challenge for you touring? What's your favorite part about touring?

vISION: Due to being an obscure and underground band band in an already small underground scene, it costs too much for us to be able to go on tour very often. We have done a European tour that is one of the best times of my life, as well as performing three times (2006, 2008 & 2016) at Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig Germany.

7. Where do you draw inspiration from in your writing /peformance?

vISION: Too many to name, as we’ve been performing live for 17+ years. Lyrics come from so many places, including from my inner or higher self. It’s strange, a lot of what I wear live comes to me randomly. I pretty much wear something different at every show & for the most part make/paint on and customize the shirts I wear.

8. Briefly describe everyone's main role or any other roles in the band?

vISION: I am the lead vocalist, I write my own lyrics. On our latest cd “Nostalgia” I also programmed the drum beats and a lot of keyboards. I also set up a lot of our shows, make things like merch happen. Vyle also programs keyboards and is the bass player, and Stich is the guitarist, both also do backing vocals.

9.What is the last album you listened to? What bands/artists are you listening to currently? Which artists or bands have infuenced you the most musically?

vISION: I listen to music everyday, all kinds of bands and styles. While TB is a goth/deathrock/electronic industrial band, a lot of what I listen to alone, is blackmetal. I’m also a goth dj at a club (Area 51) in SLC and play all kinds of goth music.. I have been listening to the “Devoid of Light” album by UADA. Incredible.

10.What do you like to do for fun or what are some personal hobbies you have your fans might not know?

vISION: In addition to djing my goth night (Obsession), Tragic Black, I am also the singer of blackmetal/extreme metal band “SUBSTAINED”, singer thrash/stoner metal band “Precariat” and singer of goth/deathrock/post punk recording project with a friend from Leipzig Germany called “Spectre Theatre”. In addition to music related hobbies I love to draw pictures and paint.

11.What do you think about the new breeding underground goth scene and the future of it all and the effects it will have on music?

vISION: I have hope for it. But I also really feel it needs to improve, that people in this scene need to be more about music, going to shows, going to goth club nights and making real connections, as opposed to just liking the fashion.

12. Any comments on current events, announcements or about life in general?

vISION: Tragic Black recently covered Play For Today by The Cure and made a music video for that, we are proud of how it turned out. Check it out on YouTube! 🦇

13.What new and exciting things can we expect from Tragic Black in 2018?

vISION: We very well may be adding a former member back to our line up and will write new music, if all goes well, record and go play some shows.

14. Describe Tragick Black or (each band member) using only three words.

vISION: Fiendishly delicious! Cloudy with a chance of rain.

15. What is it like being Vision?

vISION: Inspired, driven, anxious and morbid. I am happy with my life, the focus of it is being happily married to an amazing woman (Ailyn 🖤) for almost 6 years & have an incredibly cute cat too.

16. What is the best thing that has ever happened to you while being apart of the band?

vISION: The connections we’ve made with people, fans, other bands & random people we meet while on tour. Lots of life affirming conversations & spiritually eye opening realizations. The connection we have as band mates is the most important thing I value from doing this, and the resulting music we create is the soundtrack to this experience.

17.What can we expect from vISION in the near future?

vISION: who? What? I am sensing a vegan diet, satanic social presence and a great taste in fine wine...

18. Any announcements events etc?

vISION: Most of our music is available on iTunes, iMusic, Spotify & other places, give us a listen. Each release has a sound of its own. We are inspired to keep going and create more, so if you’re just joining us, there’s a lot to listen to while you await new TB music.

19. What is the meaning behind the name Tragic Black where did it come from?

vISION: I thought of the band name while driving around with a bunch of goth friends, talking about what we be a good goth band name & I came up with Tragic Black. It’s a double negative name, many bands have polarity (Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Christian Death). I didn’t want light and dark, I wanted dark and dark, opposing the mundane, something that other dark ones might find. It’s in darkness that the inner light can spark, be found and seen.

20. How did you come to meet?

vISION: I met Vyle and Stich at a goth club (Confetti’s), years before we all played together. We have similar tastes in music, so that helped, but once we became friends we became like brothers.

21.What is the goth culture like in your area? How is it unique or different?

vISION: SLC has a lot going on for goth and industrial people, the issue is whether we make it out. A lot of us have been doing this 20+ years, have more responsibility & less time to go out as much as we’d like me to. SLC has an amazing history in goth that would deserve an interview of its own to do it justice. I’ll just say that I feel lucky to be part of it.

22.What is your favorite TB song if you can only pick 1?

vISION: The song we have yet to write, is usually how I feel to a question such as this. That’s what makes it fun to keep going after 17+ years, the unwritten music of the disincarnate. But, for now probably “Ripe For Decay” from our latest album NOSTALGIA.

23.Touring plans for future? Is there any where you have not toured you wiuld like to tour or dream of touring?

vISION: To perform in the UK, England, Ireland, Scotland. And while we have performed in Norway, I would LOVE to play there again and in Sweden and other parts of Scandinavia..