SWTF Interview: Cult Leader

Published: October 14, 2015

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Violent Resonance: In doing some background research (thanks Google rabbit hole), it seems that you guys have gone through a lot the past few years. What advice do you have for other bands that may be facing something difficult? What helped get you through to be where you are now?

Cult Leader (Anthony): There’s no magic formula to finding your way through shit situations, cut ties with the poisonous people in your lives, don’t be afraid to start over, do what you feel is right and fucking work hard. Things will either work out or they won’t.

VR: Cult Leader is a heavy-duty band name, it conjures up a lot of imagery. Cult leaders have always had a way of fascinating the masses. What made you land on such a powerful name?

Anthony: I think when you hear the words it immediately brings heavy and interesting imagery to mind and it can go in many different directions, I really dig that. Also the fact that it wasn’t already taken was a big plus.

VR: What are you all involved with outside of Cult Leader? Hobbies? Jobs? Is it hard to balance the band and your personal lives?

Anthony: We all have to work regular jobs to get by, I do a lot of drawing, Sam plays in a bunch of other projects, Casey pretty much keeps the band on track and Mike builds things. It’s always been difficult to balance real life and band life, I suspect it always will be hopefully less so someday.

VR: What’s it been like working with Deathwish Inc.? Any other releases from the label you’re really excited about that you’d recommend checking out?

Anthony: Deathwish is great to us, it’s good knowing they’ve got our back. Personally I’m really into the new Coliseum and woven and records.

VR: What was playing in your houses growing up? Did anything your parents/siblings listen to stick with you today? Any guilty pleasures you’d like to be loud and proud about?

Anthony: I can’t really speak for the other guys on this but my dad was always listening to old country. I would steal my older sisters CDs and discovered bands like Ween and Nine Inch Nails and the early Victory Records catalog. She also gave me a huge Dischord Records compilation. She deserves a lot a of credit for the musical path I’m on. I don’t feel too guilty about anything I listen to.

VR: If you could put out a split record with any band, active or inactive which band/artist would you choose and why?

Anthony: Neurosis, because they’re Neurosis.

VR: There’s a lot of anger in your sound. (Which is a good thing). Is playing your music an outlet for you guys? Someone once told me playing music, for them, is a form of therapy. Do you feel that way?

Anthony: I do. Playing music is unquestionably cathartic. It’s the best way to burn off all the anger and negativity that builds up over time. Making day to day life slightly more tolerable.

VR: Lightless Walk is coming out just in time for Terror Fest weekend. Can you tell us more about the record and what went into writing it? Will it be available for purchase at the fest?

Anthony: Lightless Walk came together pretty quickly. We write really well together as a group and I feel like the record as a whole is the darkest most intense and well written thing we’ve ever done together and every song has a real purpose and reason for existing. We will have the album with us, can’t say if we’ll have vinyl or not though, the pressing plants are a mess.

VR: Who are you most looking forward to checking out at Southwest Terror Fest this year? Anyone you haven’t seen before that you’re really stoked on?

Anthony: I’m not sure we’ll be there in time to witness it but I would love to see Thou and The Body do their thing.

VR: What does the future hold for Cult Leader? Provide us with any links where we can check out your music, purchase physical copies of your music, or just read more about the band.

Anthony: We are going to tour a lot. Check out Deathwish Inc’s website to pick up our records and find links to the tunes.

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