Synthvvitch
Photo by, Synthvvitch
Meet Synthvvitch
It’s a genre match made in heaven. Synthvvitch blends black metal with synthpop, bringing a whole lotta texture and experimental noises to the table. We got to chit chat with this synthy vanguard and get the deets on all their witchcraft.
Below, we talk house plants, the Rochester scene, and have some excellent and helpful links to check out during these strange times.
A self-portrait by, Synthvvitch
Would You Rather
be stuck in an elevator with Susan Sarandon or Tilda Swinton?
Susan Sarandon hands down. Although I would completely lock up and nervously not want to make a fool of myself, only slightly murmuring "dammit Janet, I love you". As sweat would bead down my forehead and my eyes fixated on the wall ahead, i'm assuming she would feverishly beat the emergency button wanting this whole event to be over rather quickly.
Some questions with Synthvvitch
Your project bridges a gap between two pretty disparate genres of music. How do you navigate/balance that?
My personal musical taste is pretty wide. I could be enjoying yacht rock one second and switch right to grindcore, while maintaining the same amount of enjoyment between the genres. As far as my music goes, I just wanted to incorporate what I found interesting in music, genre be damned. Being able to transcend and not confined to one particular box can make an interesting or horrendous adventure for the listener and musician involved. Also I was diagnosed bipolar at an early age. So between the mood swings and mania, navigating one mental state to another is simply part of my nature, so I felt why shouldn't it reflect that musically?
Do you have any house plants? How are they doing?
My wife and myself have about 15 house plants. They are thriving due to her green thumb, however, if I am left alone with them they tend to suffer from my absentmindedness.
What is your take on the current metal scene in Rochester NY? Who are your favorite bands active right now?
I cannot honestly give a perception on the metal scene here in Rochester. I was more active for years in the punk scene, but what I've witnessed so far it seems to be thriving quite well. We have some brilliant venues that host many talented local and touring bands and there never seems to be an absence of shows to go see live (pre-quarantine that is). Favorite bands active as of now: Sulaco, the isotopes, aretheyyestheyare, the emersons, and Clockmen!
What's the most vivid dream or nightmare you had in 2019?
A reoccurring nightmare I have dealt with for the past four years or so is just simply me pushing my front teeth backwards until they pop right out, sending them sliding down my throat. Even aware that I am the one who is committing forcible dental extrusion I just cannot find the will inside to stop myself.
What is your least favorite chore?
Laundry. It always seems like you are washing so much and you only wear about 4 outfits. Somehow you keep washing stuff that has been sitting there for years untouched and unworn. You fold up the clothes in a neat little pile, only to find it sitting in the dirty clothes once again.
How would you describe the growth between your April Release “most of the time I am just flailing my limbs” and this most recent release “Destroyer”?
"most of the time I am just flailing my limbs" was an attempt to create music on my own again. It's been nearly a decade since I've done a solo project, so I fell into what the original sound was back then. Abrasive electronics. Destroyer I found myself taking a leap and trying something else. Rather than stick with the formulaic designs I have created for myself years ago, I had changed, I am honestly happy now. So I felt in necessary to meet that youthful angst and eternal sadness that plagued me for so many years, trying to audibly give it a proper voice/feel. Hindsight is truly a wonderful and damning thing. I can easily pick apart all the problems I had long ago and go through the motions without spiking anxiety now, so Destroyer was that. It was me being able to take the time to focus on the mixing/mastering (still learning and trying to perfect that) and not be so manic or upset that I couldn't take the time to polish the work.
Who designed the album artwork for “Destroyer”? What was the intention of the design?
I honestly spent alot of time trying to come up with a proper design that fit what I felt. I came across the artwork by Ogawa Kazumasa, who was a Japanese photographer and print artist in the late 1800s. Some of his artwork was featured in publicly owned arts (copyright free) such as the cover to destroyer. I fell in love. The way he captured the flowers in this series was one of beauty and sadness. Knowing those particular flowers used as the model like the artist had long been gone. This was the point that hit hard for me. Everything living one day shall be gone tomorrow. So destroyer was another attempt by myself to leave something lasting behind.
Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)
In these times of extreme isolation and social distancing you may find it hard to either understand the level of crisis a loved one may be living in, or rather find the help you may need desperately. Mental health issues can be rather crippling and when the world is completely shut off you can easily find a hole to settle into and often be overlooked.
I would love to be the hero and say if you need anything just send a message and I'll be there, but like most people I suffer from my own mental health issues, and fail quite often at being the person I hope I can be.
If you need to talk I can try to be there, but I am not a trained professional and 9/10 times that is what you will need to fully diagnose and find the tools to cope.
I’ve attached a few links for those going through a personal crisis or for those worried about another. Take care of yourselves and check in on your loved ones often.
You never know what a simple message or phone call could actually accomplish in the grand scheme of things.
MENTAL HEALTH:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/our-crisis-centers/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml
https://www.mhanational.org/finding-therapy
Domestic Violence:
https://www.thehotline.org/help/
LGBTQ+
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/