Introduction by James Ballinger
Interview by Dustin Carroll
In their 22 years as a band, Converge has seen several shifts in the dynamic of “heavy” music. Bands grow, bands change, bands experiment, etc. Rarely do bands stay at the forefront of the shift, somehow navigating their own path, bringing everything else along with it. Without a doubt, Converge has maintained to consistently be just that; innovative in a genre they practically helped build. Now on their 8th official studio release “All We Love We Leave Behind”, the band is as potent and relevant as ever. Recently, Seattle Passive Aggressive writer Dustin Carroll had a chance to ask vocalist, artist, and Deathwish, Inc. founder Jacob Bannon some questions while on the road.
Seattle Passive Aggressive: First off, regarding the new album: Is there a central methodology to it? A theme if you will, be it lyrically, musically, or atmospherically? I know you’ve mentioned in past interviews that your work tends to generally be thematic.
Jacob Bannon: All of our songs are personal songs, so they are thematic in that respect. Each song carries its own story and message.
Seattle PA: Being in the spotlight of the hardcore scene, and having each sequential album that Converge releases be more and more anticipated, does it help or hinder the bands creative process? In a sense, does trying to consistently stay a step ahead drive your passion further, or is there ever stress that makes high ambition difficult?
J Bannon: We don’t pay attention to those kinds of external pressures, never have. The longer you make art and music the more introverted that part of the creative process becomes. The only real goal we have is to push ourselves to create the best kind of music that we can create together. That in itself is always a challenge, and the only thing that matters to us.
Seattle PA: What one of your life experiences has been the biggest driving force behind why you make music and perform?
J Bannon: Who knows. That’s likely for a psychologist to decide. Personally I use creativity to express myself in a variety of ways. For me, it’s about being felt, not necessarily being seen. It’s not about ego or spotlight; it’s about taking on challenging subject matter, and coming out a better person for facing it head on.
Seattle PA: How has Converge maintained their creativity and longevity in the face of non-music life’s more mundane, yet no less important, problems and obstacles? Obviously each of you have personal lives, yet you’ve managed to create a successful band that has lasted two decades – not a small feat by any means.
J Bannon: Good way to describe it. I also don’t see things that are non-musical as any less important than what we do. I think it takes just as much strength and dedication to do other positive things in life. I just see this path as one that worked for each of us for our own individual reasons. Personally the band and making music is an outlet for me for the pressure cooker that is the outside world. The more I live and the more life throws at me, the more inspired I am to create things.
Seattle PA: How has your solo musical work (Wear Your Wounds) been coming along? Any plans for it past the Revelator split? Any chance of a W.Y.W. full tour?
J Bannon: I have recorded a lot of material in the last bunch of years. I can’t believe it as I type this, but the first Wear Your Wounds release, a split with Revelator, is in manufacturing now. An album as well as an additional EP are both recorded as well, and they will be released soon. I’ve thought about assembling a full band at some point for sure. We will see what the future holds.
Seattle PA: Two decades ago when Converge began, how high were your eyes aimed to? Was there ever a thought about world tours and huge festivals, or was it just something that sort of happened and you adapted to it?
J Bannon: I’ve never aimed for anything. I’ve only wanted to write and play music with people, and share it with others. There has never been any lofty ideas of self congratulatory goals. That way of thinking just isn’t in the cards for me.
Seattle PA: Anything coming up from Deathwish that you’re particularly excited for?
J Bannon: Deathwish is always exciting to me, as I feel that we release the most important and relevant “heavy” music. Code Orange Kids, Loma Prieta, Touche Amore, and Oathbreaker are all doing fantastic things. The new Heiress album that we have coming out is incredibly powerful to me. We’ve been expanding into distribution as well with Deathwish Direct. I am real excited about how that has been going as well.
Seattle PA: The split with Napalm Death was a refreshing surprise in a land of LP’s. Any plans on future split single releases with anyone?
J Bannon: Possibly, we just do what feels right. If something like that comes along and makes sense for us, we will go for it.
Seattle PA: In closing, what does the future hold for Converge beyond this tour? Should fans expect another album within the next couple years, or will the focus be switched to each of your various other projects/lives for a bit?
J Bannon: Aside from the touring that we have planned, I have no idea what the future holds and I like it that way. We may write an album in three months, or in fifty years. All I know is that I’m grateful to have the opportunity regardless. Thanks for your time.
Seattle PA: Thanks again for opening up to us. I wish you well on the road.
Press Photo by Thomas Sweertvaegher
