Exclusive Q and A: Converge Talk Creativity, Lunar Cycles, And Hanging With Hydra Head

posted in: Exclusive Interviews • Features • Rock

Hardcore heroes Converge should have the right to rest on their laurels. After putting in years developing their sound in the ’90s and then releasing a string of albums during the last decade that culminated in a shower of critical praise, one might think that the band would rest and take stock of their achievements. Lucky for us, Converge are still hungry. Early this October, they released their latest album, All We Love We Leave Behind, another ferocious burst of the band’s unique blend of punk, metal, and hardcore. We recently caught up with vocalist Jacob Bannon to talk about the economics of creativity, the passage of time, and his surprising fondness for Tina Turner.

OS: The cycles of the moon appear on the album art for All We Love We Leave Behind, and the moon is also the first thing that appears in the Aimless Arrow video. What is the importance of that image for the band?

Jacob Bannon: When Max Moore (director of the video) started work on the piece, I sent him a variety of visuals intended for use in the album, along with the storyline of the song itself. He did a fantastic job at capturing the energy of my work and his interpretation of the lyrical content through his own eyes. The use of the moon in the beginning of the piece is a great example of that. The cycles of the moon represent a passing of time, age, wisdom, but at the same time, an unknowingness of the future and a cloudiness of the past.

OS: The album title is very straightforward, but it seems like there is more meaning buried there. Could you please expand on the title’s significance, or what it means to you in particular?

JB: It is a phrase that I wrote the weighed heavy on me when I wrote it. It is taken from the song of the same name that is on the album. The song itself is an open letter to the things that I have loved and left behind in my life.

OS: Kurt has mentioned that Converge’s older records feel like they were made by somebody else, as everybody changes somehow as time progresses. Do you feel similarly about the band’s old material?

JB: I can see where his observation comes from, but I personally don’t feel a disconnect that is that complete. Recorded music are monuments to moments in time in a way. The subject matter covered in previous records was the most relevant at that point in time for me. That logic can be applied throughout viewing a creative person’s work in a linear way. For example, you may have a diary that you wrote in for your teen years. Reading back at 30 years old, some of it may be embarrassing but some of it may also be enlightening. There is emotional value in all of it.

OS: You are an incredibly hard worker, balancing a lot of different entrepreneurial projects in addition to Converge. Were there ever times that you felt like giving up, like when you were working 50-60 hour weeks with no pay to establish Deathwish?  What got you through those times?

JB: It’s all about survival. If I gave up there would be very real repercussions within my life. For example, I woke up this morning and was working on a painting within 10 minutes of being out of bed. I worked on it for a few hours before heading out to Deathwish for the rest of the day. Some of that is dictated by having a love for creating, but it is also dictated by economics and responsibility. I need to work to live.

OS: What has been the most fulfilling or enjoyable of those projects outside of Converge for you? How does it give you a way of being creative that is different than playing in a band?

JB: It all comes from the same place for me, so I find all of these efforts fulfilling.

OS: Converge released a few albums on the recently defunct Hydra Head Records (and you’ve mentioned being friends with Aaron and Mark as well). Do you have any particular fond memories or good stories about working with them?

JB: We’ve all been friends since the mid 90’s. Mark used to be a cook at a restaurant on my old block, and he lived in the apartment building next to me for years. Aaron I’ve been friends with since he moved to Boston in the mid-90’s from New Mexico. I believe I met him at a Neurosis and La Gritona show back then. We were part of a few that were left in a room as Neurosis’ set morphed into a Tribes of Neurot style dirge, and we loved every minute of it.

OS: You guys recently shared this cool clip of footage from Blade Runner set to your music. If you could choose to have your songs accompany one movie, which would it be?

JB: We get listener submitted videos all the time, and sometimes they are really impressive feats in editing. I’d like to see someone attempt to work us into AntiChrist or maybe Police Academy 3.

OS: What is a style of music or a band that you enjoy, but which people might not expect you to like?

JB: I have a varied base of what I like. For me, music has to have heart and soul to connect with me, regardless of genre. Today for example I’ve listened to old Tina Turner, The O’Jays, Unsane, GBH, and Mercyful Fate. A varied mix for sure. Thanks for the interview.

Pick up All We Love We Leave Behind now, catch Converge on tour until mid-November, and check out the video for “Aimless Arrow” below.

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