There are plenty of bands out there in the underground making music and creating a sound all their own. When I stumbled upon Feasting I was drawn into a world of Dungeon Synth and Black Metal, two genres I thourghly enjoy. I reached out to the man behind the band Ian Farms and he was happy to conduct this interview for The Metal Wanderlust. I would like to thank him for taking the time to answer these questions for us.
In a few short words tell the readers about yourself
My name is Ian, I am the composer behind the Dungeon Synth, Folk Black Metal project “Feasting”.
You have released both Dungeon Synth albums and Black Metal ones, what is it about Dungeon Synth that draws you in?
I enjoy the mystical aspects and nature elements of it. It can be a very personal genre. I tend to lean more towards melancholy, otherworldly music as well. It’s a great genre for fantasy, mysticism and medieval elements.
What brought on the idea of forming a band and playing music?
I actually got really into music with Black Sabbath, The Doors, Vivaldi, etc. I’ve previously been in bands, so when those bands didn’t work out, I learned how to play the instruments myself and decided I’d do it alone, or with guest musicians. Creating is what I enjoy and at this point, at my age, I’m sure I’m going to keep doing it with or without what I think it’s worth.
Do you have a creative process when writing new music?
I was intrigued by the lack of regular song structure in the BM genre, so I tend to keep it hook free. Sometimes I’ll throw in a repeating part, but it’s rare. The BM portion of the songs are built like old classical works. It’s a guide, it’s visual and not so much meant for popular tastes. Some people don’t get it, but most of them do, which is good. I like to have a visual in my mind as well when I go to record, or if I have a feeling to base the whole album off of, I will go with that. For the DS parts it is pretty similar to the BM parts, but obviously not as dirty and violent. The goal is to bring something new, but similar to the table. My view of the world, spirituality and my personal beliefs as well.
What are your thoughts on the internet and today’s music scene?
I think the internet is a terrible place, but a great tool for artists and labels. Yin and yang. The thing that bothers me about scenes is that they tend to come with certain ideals of how to create music. A lot of people leave themselves out of the music and just go with the main objective of creating what is expected and I believe that that is the worst thing you could do to yourself as an artist. It’s a split scene. Some might not think so, but it’s obvious.
Are you open to working with a label if the opportunity arose or would you like to keep it DIY?
I work with labels to release cassettes and CDs, but I never sign to them. Not that I don’t like them, but it is part of my income and right now I enjoy the freedom of working with others and taking this journey to hell knows where. If an opportunity ever came to where I could progress with this project I can’t say that I wouldn’t take it, but it would have to be worth it.
Are there any albums or artists you are listening to now worth mentioning?
Definitely. Erythrite Throne is a current obsession, Lunar Womb – The Sleeping Green, Barbarity – The Wish to Bleed, Drug Darkness, Hedge Wizard, Nazgûl, Frostveil, Mirkwood, Mightiest. I could go on and on.
Who are some of your influences in music or outside of the scene?
Death, Emperor, Ulver, Mightiest, Vivaldi, Crow (Japan), Tchaikovsky. There’s a ton more that I love too and that have influenced my music over the years having nothing to do with Metal, but not sure if I count that as direct.
Do you enjoy any other hobbies outside of music?
I like being out in nature, history, occultism, learning in general. A lot of things fascinate me.
What are your plans for the future?
Probably just the immediate plans of releasing music and getting more product out. I have an outcome in mind, but I also kind of take it day by day.
The Metal Wanderlust 