Interview Weeping Kin

Weeping Kin began in 2021, stemming from a long-standing passion for Doom. The project evolved as I delved deeper into music, crafting emotive, coherent compositions that blend heaviness with melody.

1. Can you tell us about the origins of WEEPING KIN? How did the project come into existence, and what were your initial inspirations?

Weeping Kin started in 2021, however the idea to set up such a project is much, much older. I was always drawn to Doom and tried to incorporate it into my music, so I don’t rightly know why it took that long to form Weeping Kin! Mostly I was too busy with other projects, and I generally lacked the time, so, when I quit my old band Emperdia, I could finally concentrate on WK and other stuff. Also, I wanted to do everything myself, because it is such a personal project, so I felt for the longest time I simply needed more experience.

2. our music is often described as melancholic doom metal. What draws you to this particular genre, and how do you approach blending heaviness with melody?

Albums like “Turn Loose The Swans” by My Dying Bride ooze despair, and I think there is a very special emotion that I connect with this kind of music. It’s therapeutic and soothing, in a weird way. And I think melody is extremely important to a good song; in metal, too. There are people who can do without it and can settle with mostly rhythmic music, but I’m not one of them!

3. "Gnawing" and "Waterbound" are two distinct albums in terms of themes and atmospheres. Could you walk us through the creative process behind each album and the evolution of WEEPING KIN's sound?

I was in different stages in my life, so there’s that. I think “Gnawing” is rawer and more unfiltered, whilst “Waterbound” is more melodic and accessible. When I wrote "Gnawing", I was frustrated with a lot of things, wrote most of the lyrics in a fit of rage or melancholy, and then, somehow, the songs were created. With "Waterbound", I spend quite a lot of time working on a lyrical concept, developed some motifs and so on. Even though not much time has passed between the albums, I think you can notice how much has happened in my life through the music. Maybe.

4. Your compositions are known for their epic length and intricate structures. How do you maintain a sense of coherence and engagement throughout such expansive tracks?

Repetition is key. I think there needs to be some kind of throughline in a song, be it a chorus, a melody, or theme; rough transitions or jarring key changes should only happen for a good reason, in my opinion. Of course, sometimes a general mood, atmosphere or idea is enough to make a song feel coherent - but that is less tangible and hard to explain. Also a matter of opinion, but that goes without saying...

5. What role do lyrics play in your music? How do you ensure that the lyrical themes align with the overall mood and message of your songs?

Lyrics are immensely important to me. I am aware that Weeping Kin’s lyrics may be cryptic to some people, but I dedicate a lot of time to say exactly what I want the song to say, and I hope people can derive some kind of meaning from them. Even if that meaning is completely different from my original intent! Art lies in the eye of the beholder, after all. Also, the lyrics dictate the mood and structure of the song, they are the foundation upon which the song is built.

6. WEEPING KIN draws inspiration from bands like My Dying Bride and Swallow the Sun. How do you balance paying homage to your influences while forging a unique identity for the band?

Well, to be honest I don’t really try to pay homage to the greats with my music. If something sounds alike, mostly it’s subconscious. One is the product of his influences.

7. As the main songwriter and producer for WEEPING KIN, what challenges do you face in translating your musical vision into a finished product?

None. Everything goes smoothly all the time and nothing ever goes wrong! In all seriousness, the hardest thing is probably something I already rambled about... make a song feel coherent. I tend to overthink things, with lyrics, too, so getting to the stage where I'm content with the song can be a lengthy process.

8. Could you share some insights into your creative process? Do you have any rituals or specific approaches that help you tap into the emotive core of your music?

I love to take walks in the park while I write lyrics. I also write with pen and paper, not with my phone or on my PC or something like that - on digital devices, it simply feels different and you have too many distractions that pull you out of the "zone" if that makes any sense. But there is another important thing: I know the "suffering artist" is an old cliché, but for me, whenever I'm depressed, lonely or something worse, it helps a great deal to play guitar and churn out some riffs or write some lines. Being creative helps me get through hard times.

9. How has your experience with Rosebud Music Studios influenced your approach to recording and production, particularly for WEEPING KIN's music?

Producing your own music and knowing what to do in the studio certainly makes everything easier. There is less time spent with discussing tones, plugins, or microphones, since I generally know what I need through the experience I've accumulated. This way, there is more time for the actual music. However, sometimes I have to try hard not to fall back on "Ol' Reliable" and get too comfortable with my settings or equipment.

10. Can you tell us about your upcoming progressive metal project? How does it differ from WEEPING KIN, and what can fans expect from this new endeavor?

It's practically a successor to my old band Emperdia. I still have a lot of music lying around that doesn't fit Weeping Kin, and I still love Prog Metal with all my heart, so there is a strong desire to put it out as soon as possible. It will still carry some Doom influences, but less than Weeping Kin of course. I plan to write more "direct" and coherent stories with the lyrics.

11. In the realm of underground music, what do you think sets WEEPING KIN apart from other bands in the genre? What do you hope listeners take away from your music?

Well, I think the most glaring difference between Weeping Kin and other bands in the "melancholic" Doom genre is the prevalent use of clean vocals. Other than that, WK has a more "punchy" and modern and less atmospheric sound, mostly.

12. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for WEEPING KIN? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're excited about?

Put out more music of course! There will be an EP in some time, which is a first for me. Maybe I'll bring Weeping Kin to the stage one day, who knows. I would need a lot of good session musicians for that, and I don't want to bother to organize this just now. Working with Maxime on "Waterbound" was a blast, so I'd love to collaborate with her again, and maybe with some other friends of mine.

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