Interview: D. Smolken
April 22 2008 at 09:43:49 AM
D. Smolken is a patient man. Just don't accuse him of playing cello. The following is an interview conducted via e-mail over a year ago. Please disregard the rust.
What is your earliest memory of music? Why do you think it has stayed with you?
Hmm – traditional children's songs in preschool which accompanied games there. Those melodies sure ain’t difficult to remember!
Did this experience compel you to become involved in music? What were some of your first experiences like with instrumentation?
My grandfather bought a piano for my parents so I could learn but I never took to it. He thought that it would be a good skill to have because as a musician I could always get by when there was a famine. All I remember about the piano is that my younger brother would bang enthusiastically on the keys, it was used to store (illegal) distilling equipment and I got a huge bruise on my shin once jumping off a bed and smashing into a leg on the piano.
I didn't take much of an interest in playing music until I was about fifteen or sixteen. Then I started messing around with a guitar which we'd bought for 25 cents and glued back together. After about a year I upgraded to a Harmony classical guitar which my brother found leaning against a dumpster. And I just sort of kept going....
When and why did you make the move from classical guitar to bass? What was it about its sound that interested you?
I moved from classical guitar to electric first; don't really remember exactly how that came about. Probably also involved something recovered from the trash. When I was about 20 or 21 my brother bought a Soviet copy of a Fender Jazz bass so that was laying around the house as well. I started playing it for a very practical reason - because a lot more people need a bassist than a guitarist. Along the way I also picked up mandolin, four-string banjo and just about anything else that has strings, frets and is tuned in fifths. And then I got the bass fiddle. Moving across the ocean I only kept two basses.
I suppose the bowed bass translates despondency a bit more than a plucked one can? It does have an inherent forlornness to it, doesn't it?
It can express a lot of different things. Being able to sustain notes longer and control dynamics during a long note helps be more expressive, as does producing a lot more upper harmonics.
Are you self-taught or classically trained?
Both. When I got serious about seven or eight years ago I bought Simandl's bass method books.
What prompted the move to Texas and back?
That's a big question. I was a teenager when my parents moved out of Poland - basically the government didn't want us there and my mother was having a hard time dealing with the stress of my father's political activities. We went through a refugee camp in Italy and ended up in Texas because the US was a shorter wait for visas than other countries which were taking Polish refugees at the time and we were randomly chosen by a charity organization in Dallas which would help us get through the first few months and get on our feet. As for moving back, I liked living in Texas but decided it was time to go home. Then house prices in Poland started going up faster than I was saving money in Texas so there was really no reason to stick around there.
What sort of "political activities" was your father involved in? Is this something that's influenced your worldview?
Solidarity. Sure, it was an influence. The most basic lesson is that life is often a struggle against much more powerful forces - but the struggle is a worthwhile and honorable duty. Also the house was always full of banned books and tapes - I read way too much George Orwell and stuff like that before I was ten years old. Music like Jacek Kaczmarski and PrzemysBaw Gintrowski got very grim, too. Not only songs directly about political systems but also about things like the destruction of Pompeii, a fire in an insane asylum, lice in concentration camps... all that sure left a mark.
My father's father was an official in the Communist party but they always seemed to get along. I never understood that until I was in college and my grandfather was long dead.
What did you come away with from your experience in the American West?
I spent most of my life in Texas so I came away a completely different person. Also came away with a bass fiddle, some boots and some savings which I used to buy a house here.
The bass fiddle is hardly a common instrument. What attracted you to it?
I was mostly playing bass guitar since that's an instrument people actually need played but it bothered me that it could not be bowed. I guess the fondness for bowed bass comes from traditional Polish music - we're probably the only country where basses in folk music are bowed more often than plucked. So I eventually got an electric upright bass, really got serious about music and started disciplined daily practice from a classical method book. I got the "real" bass fiddle about a year later. Coincidentally the guy who made it (Otto Rubner) went on to hang himself because he did not take well to Communism.
Was this your first experience with "Redneck" culture?
I've got plenty of relatives who have small farms in the hills here which at least is a rural culture. I became a redneck gradually over the years in Texas. A lot of it may have had to do with work - the "higher-ups" were all city folk from other states. The regular people - engineers, janitors, whatever - were locals from small Texas towns. Of course I wanted nothing to do with the bosses so all my friends were locals and more or less rednecks.
And how have both Poland and Texas contributed to your musical vision?
It all adds up and contributes to my vision of the world and of music. I sure as hell ain't one of those people who hears Darkthrone, wants to sound like that and does. I absorb a very broad range of stuff.
Why the fascination with wolves and ravens? Is this more zoological or literary? Have you ever encountered either in the flesh?
Wolves are a very powerful image in Western culture. The literary image has basic zoological roots because wolves were a real danger to peoples' livelihoods. Bears or wild boars may be more dangerous to people but those cases are more of a rare and accidental occurrence. If a bear mangles a sheep, that's just one sheep lost. Wolves can kill your whole herd.
I remember a class trip to the zoo in elementary school. Well, the only thing I remember was that I didn't get to see the wolves because welders were working on the cages. I don't remember being disappointed - just telling other kids that these must be werewolves. I thought it was funny.
With ravens it's a strictly zoological reason. Sure, it's another very powerful image, but they only live in Poland in the winter when they fly south from Scandinavia. But they are the world's largest species of songbird. If you're going to name your band a choir of dead birds you might as well go for the largest songbird with the most Black Metal voice. Sure, I've encountered both in the flesh, but no wolves in the wild.
What prompted the Wolfmangler name? What exactly does it mean? Or does it mean anything at all?
It means something or someone which mangles wolves. It sounds much darker, more mysterious and more dangerous than any of the hundreds of bands with "pro-wolf" names.
Is it a Polish word, or did you coin the term in English?
In English. I had "sheep mangled by wolves" somewhere on my long list of album titles to use someday - that's where the idea came from.
Are you interested in other animals or insects? What about, say, horses or honey bees?
I have no special attachment to other species except dogs. I eat horse sausage fairly often - maybe two-three times a month. Honey bees are good for honey. I'd like to raise goats but don't have enough land. I may try raising pigeons once I'm finished renovating my house and have some free time. Not because of any particular interest in that animal, they're just practical to raise in my situation and it's difficult to buy their meat.
We are kindred carnivores. One of the many things that I loathe about American culture is its bogus approach to meat; chicken is sold in Styrofoam packages; beef is ground and wrapped in cellophane; rarely can one find a store or butcher that sells offal. What do you think about people that eat chicken breast meat every other day, but would never so much as try a chicken liver, gizzard or heart? What do you think about vegetarianism?
I actually eat a lot of chicken breast these days and not that much variety meats because I'm trying to eat as much protein as possible and put some meat on my bones. With my metabolism it ain't easy. I've always had a strong dislike of squeamish people and picky eaters, whether vegetarians or people who are disgusted by aged cheeses.
I have a very omnivorous approach to food: try to eat as many species of both animals and plants as is feasible. That oughta get you a very balanced diet. Of course right now that's affected by trying to gain mass, and in the summer I eat a lot of grapes and apples because I've got a few apple trees and a big grapevine... but it's a very general principle. It's probably much more balanced than trying to eat a "balanced diet" by keeping track of food groups, calories and nutrients.
The songs of both Dead Raven Choir and Wolfmangler are littered with literary allusions, and (a)historical characters. How do you accumulate the imagery for your lyrics? Do they determine the music or is the music composed beforehand?
I read a lot of poetry and never write lyrics. I’ll occasionally assemble lyrics from outside sources such as Mike Tyson quotes or reviews of Wolfmangler but I've never written anything of my own. I'll read stuff, come up with some music, and try to make a good match of the two. I don't remember ever writing music with a specific poem in mind, I'll always come up with a basic concept, find a poem which fits, and organize the structure around the poem.
Incredibly interesting… So, you have more of a pastiche, montage approach - almost like the Burroughs/Gysin cutups? Do you keep journals for accumulating these phrases or do you just jot them down on whatever is available? Do you ever think you'll compose your own lyrics?
I've only done a few of these montages - three that I can think of right now. I don't keep journals, I just notice potential in something which for whatever reason cannot be used as is (like Mike Tyson's interviews in their entirety), collect materials quickly and then edit away. Maybe someday I'll write my own lyrics. I'd need to think that I can come up with something really worthwhile. For the time I even quit writing music – the next Dead Raven Choir and Wolfmangler albums will be all cover material from traditional folk to jazz standards. I’m taking a break from writing songs to figure out what makes really good songs really good.
What interests you about Tyson in particular? I remember growing up around his boxing career; most of the fights were on cable and were over in minutes. He was dangerous, almost feral. And then he'd speak and sound like some Queens street urchin.
Yeah, I remember him being an absolutely awesome beast when I was young. It's difficult to explain to anybody who doesn't remember just how much better than everyone else he seemed. Though he's not really the type of boxer I admire most, you know? I think someone with less talent and more willpower is much more admirable.
Where did you find the Tyson interviews?
A few years ago some of my student workers were reading selected quotes from them on a slow day at work.
Who are some of your favorite poets, and why?
Rainer Maria Rilke, Hillaire Belloc, Krzysztof Kamil BaczyDski, and for non-serious poetry G.K. Chesterton, A.A. Milne and Christian Morgenstern. As to why - I haven't thought about that much. I read stuff by them and often think it is good. It makes me react in some way - laugh or think or in some cases disagree with the ideas presented but grudgingly admit that it's one hell of a piece of writing. I often have the latter reaction to Baudelaire.
It could be argued that traditional country music is just as big an influence on Wolfmangler and Dead Raven Choir as is Black Metal, or classical chamber music for that matter. Do you find this apropos, and, if so, what is your connection to country music?
Sure, country is a big influence. I didn't really get into country until I was in my mid-20s but I love that stuff. Living in Texas it was always around and I guess I eventually learned to appreciate it. I still don't like modern Nashville country and I don't think I ever will but I do like a lot of modern country - Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett, also some younger singers like Neko Case or Charlie Robison... Country and traditional folk music (mainly Polish and British) are the biggest influences aside from metal. Psychedelic folk, some singer-songwriters and folk-rock (Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span etc.) are also important. I never listened to classical or jazz but I've spent some time playing them so that's made its way into what I do as well. Then there's some influences from pop, rock and whatever else I've been exposed to... well, except maybe bossa nova. I've played some but can't find the slightest bit of relevance to anything on my albums.
How does this figure in with Black Metal, and more importantly, the chamber-like organization of Wolfmangler’s composition?
It all figures in (except those bossa novas!) On a basic level it's a very simple process: I'll hear, say, a Townes Van Zandt song, imagine how a Black Metal version of it could sound, then make that a reality. But my idea of what Black Metal should be has formed over the years with bits taken from various sources.
The organization of Wolfmangler’s music has little do with chamber music other than we sometimes happened to have violin and a couple of woodwinds available. But it really came about from practical considerations – I've been talking for years about possibly recording something with a certain guy who was ridiculously busy. So I decided we should do something which will take minimal time – free-improv. That was GARLIC YARG. After four sessions and CD-R albums I figured I'd reorganize things somewhat, have as many bass instruments as possible and play slow and grim since that's what turned out best. To help things sound more coherent we started improvising arrangements around themes instead of improvising freely – in other words, playing noisy doom metal but internally functioning like a jazz combo.
Your singing voice is part Black Metal rasp and symbolist poet recitation. How did you decide to relay your lyrics in such a manner? Are you influenced by any particular vocalists?
I don't have much of a voice so I decided to work within my limitations rather than work to improve it. Sure, that's a noble goal and would also improve my ear and other musical skills, but with a full-time job and other interests it's hard enough to just make progress on bass. I guess it's my attempt to merge the best qualities of a good Black Metal rasp and the whisper-to-scream intensity of guys like Vladimir Vysotsky or Kan Mikami.
Explain your connections and/or opinions on the following people, places and things:
HUNTING
I love venison. Hunting in Poland is a hideously expensive hobby, though, only for the rich elites or foreign tourists. Well, unless you have a job in wildlife management. That just ain't right.
FRANK SINATRA
He was a very good performer but I never listened to him much. I have learned many songs from his reportoire but from charts and fake books, not from his recordings.
HANK WILLIAMS, JR
Not bad but hardly my favorite. "Country Boy Can Survive" is a great song, though. Much of the lyrics reflect my views on life.
BRAM STOKER
All I know is that he wrote "Dracula" which I've never read.
DARK BEER
Most of the beer I drink is Polish porter, at least when it's not summer. I don't care much for the typical German dark lager though for example Schwarzbier is a good style. I do like many British and Belgian styles of dark ales - Imperial stout etc. If I had to pick a favorite beer I'd go with La Terrible - a very dark Belgian-style brewed by Unibroue in Quebec. Though the best beer I've ever brewed was a stock ale - no dark malts there.
Imperial Stout is a favorite, too. For some reason, I remember reading you talking about a beer that you add butter to; is this right?
Yes. Pretty much any strong beer can be double-boiled and drank warm. Some beers (like stouts and Baltic porters) you can also drink with butter or an egg added to make it thicker. This is great in the winter when you come in from the cold.
THE OCCULT
I read some about it when younger, never tried actively practicing anything.
RACISM
When I was a kid you'd only see a black guy every few years because Poland was a fairly closed country. Of course that's changed since. Over the years I've known good people of various ethnicities. Though I do think some cultures are seriously dysfunctional and do a lot of harm both to their members and to other cultures who interact with them. And I think ultimately everyone should hold the interests of their own nation to be more important than those of other nations.
THE ENVIRONMENT
I'm for the responsible and sustainable management of resources - I want my (hypothetical) grandchildren to enjoy things like wild boar meat or halibut without having to pay out the ass.
BOOTS
I appreciate well-made durable boots. I mostly wear work-boots but have some nicer cowboy and cavalry boots as well. I have not worn shoes in well over a year. I have one pair of shoes which I bought for job interviews but then I decided that boots are better for those too.
Let's get into brands... Timberlands? Red Wing?
When you started work on an occult/metal zine did you ever think you'd be asking about brands of footwear? My best boots are a pair of Black Jack stingray cowboy boots and cavalry boots made by a Mexican shoemaker. Other than that what I have is Frye, Larry Mahan and Wolverine. My boots probably cost 3-4 times as much as all my clothes put together.
SAM PECKINPAH
I'm gonna guess that is or was a person, either real or fictional. In other words, no clue.
He's an American film director, one of the finest in my opinion. You must see all of his westerns, including The Wild Bunch.Another favorite is Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. His movies are hideously violent.
No wonder I had no clue. Most of the movies I've seen have been on MST3K. I'm no film buff. Hell, I don't even have a TV.
SADOMASOCHISM
I definitely enjoy it.
Not surprised. To me, Wolfmangler has an inherent ritualistic sound that could/would make it apropos music for bondage and other activities. Am I projecting to much here…?
Probably... people can use it for whatever activities they want but to me it's all about hearing a certain sound in my head and making it a reality.
This is intriguing to me. After you've made that "head" sound a reality, how do you find it compares with your initial idea(s)?
I try to get as close as possible but it will probably take me a few more decades to really be able to pull it off. I think that's the only right way to play music. So far the closest I've been able to come is the song “Favorite,” a Neko Case cover which will be on the next DEAD RAVEN CHOIR album.
HEMINGWAY
I haven't read as many of his writings as I probably should have, just some short stories.
FETISHISM
Not too much other than the already mentioned S&M. Well, I'm often attracted to women taller than me, but I'm not sure if that's much of a fetish.
FISHING
I love to eat fish but I am way too hyperactive for fishing. Sitting still for hours might be some peoples' idea of a relaxing time but I can't stand it.
You should try fly-fishing; it's much more active, not to mention that it's hard as hell to land a fish on a fly-line. It took me forever just to learn how to cast. Besides, from your music, I would think that you would be a very patient person...
To be honest I've only been fishing once. Fly-fishing might be better. I've also thought saltwater fishing might be my style - but I live way too far from any sea. I'm more determined than patient - I can bow a note for 30 seconds because that takes immense effort and concentration but sitting and waiting is definitely a huge weakness of mine. A few weeks ago I performed Vivaldi's concerto for four violins in Bb with some prepubescent girls and the hardest part was counting the rests.
GREEK TRAGEDY
Still some of the greatest literature ever written.
Why? I don't disagree, but what is it about the tragedies that makes you say that? Are you a fan of Aeschylus?
It's not just the tragedies - Homer's epics and Greek lyric poetry are also among the earliest surviving literature which explore the basic themes of our existence and culture which are still very relevant today. Hell, Atreus asking Thyestes "Do you recognize your sons?" has never been equalled when it comes to being a cold evil bastard. Aeschylus rocks, simple as that.
ISENGARD
The band? Good but inconsistent. Could have been much better.
TOM WAITS
I never liked his music and seeing him on "Austin City Limits" he just seemed fucking annoying and obnoxious. I got the idea he doesn't like being white.
LEONARD COHEN
A very good songwriter and performer who makes great use of his limited voice.
PAUL VERLAINE
So far I've only used his poems for only one EP but there could be more in the future.
SHOTGUNS
Great fun! Unfortunately in Poland firearms are another very expensive hobby. I'll stick to axes. Those are cheap and I get to use them a lot more often.
Do you hunt with axes?!
That would be something... but hell no! I chop wood with axes.
One final question: Why the name D. Smolken?
In Roger Corman's movie "The Undead" there is an insane but musical gravedigger named Smolken. I borrowed a few of his songs back in the day and thought I'd grab the name as well.
Is your "given" name Piotr Klima?
I'm taking the fifth.
[Stewart Voegtlin]
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