Interview with Golem Dance Cult

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? 

Charles Why: when I was 8 years old i studied saxophone formally for a few years. However, I’m self-taught on guitar and bass, which is my main instrument. As per the producing aspect, during my tenure with all my previous band, I was the one staying behind in the studio working with producers, assimilating and learning while watching. I was lucky enough to befriended an amazing sound engineer from the “Maison de la Radio” (main French radio) who took me under his wings and teach me how to navigate a recording facility.

Laur : I took drum lessons for a few years when I was a teenager since I’m originally a drummer. I’ve always written lyrics though and one day about 13 years ago my Vague Scare bandmate Frederic told me I should try and sing my lyrics instead of having other people singing them… I started home recording with Frederic in 2014, self-taught as well.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

 Charles Why:I am an avid reader and TM practitioner 

Laur: I read books, watch films and series and go out for a drink or two! :)

How long has your band been around? 

Charles Why: Laur and I are both from a small French town. We met as teenagers and started our first band together. Then life separated us musically but we kept in touch as friends. Fast forward to 2021, during the lock-down, I was in the UK and Laur in France, I sent him some idea I had for a new musical project, the ball started rolling and Golem Dance Cult was born.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Charles Why: I’m based in Australia and Laur is based in France. This situation influenced fact that it is quite difficult to tour, however, distance can be a Coll creative buffer, where we have time to let idea matured before being shared.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Both: The name kind of popped up in our head quite early. Myth of the Golem is quite interesting.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

 Charles Why: I really love the “Laiterie” in Strasbourg I would love to play in a Church converted as a club for the atmosphere and the sound.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Charles Why:a festival with Jane’s addiction, Manic Street Preachers and  Ministry would be top cool!

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Charles Why: makes music for yourself. 

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

Laur: Wow! That would be very difficult to anwer. I guess I would have a different answer every day!

Charles Why: Very difficult question indeed! The songs are like our children so it is almost impossible to have a favourite one. What is really cool is that while Golem Dance Cult is mainly a duo, for our new album, “Shamanic Faultlines”, we invited several of our musicians friends to collaborate: Dick Dens from  “The Irradiates” played guitar on two tracks, Loki Lockwood (from Velatine and founder of Spooky Records) played synth on one, Boris Boublil (Mu and Emilie Loizeau) Moog and organ, Jean-Philippe Feiss played Cello,  Inga Liljestrom lent us her amazing voice on a few songs, Peter Miller played Theremin, Blair Manie Oud, Alex Zillon on vocals…. Super talented folks, each bringing their own sensibility to the song they collaborate on.

What is the creative process like for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

 Charles Why: During composition and recording phase, we try to keep the intention spontaneous and sometimes let mistakes guided us in order to never feel safe with our material. The main approach to our composition is that we favour vibe over perfection.

Laur: Charles usually has an idea, a theme and a song title and I let my imagination and inspiration do the rest.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

 Charles Why:not really, we know each other since forever so we know how to discuss things.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Both: our new album “Shamanic Faultlines” is now out on vinyl (Black and limited edition of Splatter), CD and digital!