BARONESS Talk DARK MOFO, Creative Evolution And The Power of Mystery

Interview by Angela Croudace
American heavyweights Baroness are headed to Tasmania this month
for the famously atmospheric and provocative Dark Mofo festival —
and for the band, it was precisely that mystique that made them say
yes.
"It was a pretty interesting offer to fly 20 to 30 hours around the
globe to play one show," they laughed. "But the vibe of the
festival fits us."
It won't be their first time in Australia, but it will mark their
long-awaited return to the island state. Reflecting on a previous
visit to Tasmania in 2012, vocalist John Dyer Baizley recalled a
surreal show where the audience had reportedly been dosed with LSD
— "It was weird. But fun."
Their set promises to be just as memorable this time around,
featuring new material and even some deep cuts that haven't been
played in over a decade. "We're excited. It's very likely we'll
play some songs we've never played in Tasmania — or anywhere in a
long time."
Known for their evolving sound and richly illustrated album art,
Baroness have always pushed sonic and visual boundaries. "We've
given ourselves not just the right, but the obligation to push
forward," they explained. "We build on what we've done, but we
don't stand still."
The band's iconic colour-themed albums were a deliberate early
concept, though they've since moved on from it. As for the
relationship between their music and artwork? "Typically, the
artwork is a reflection of the music — and sometimes the lyrics.
Though for newer albums like Stone, the music came first."
Baroness are also mindful of the personal cost and discipline it
takes to endure as musicians. Staying grounded and creatively
fuelled comes down to "frustration" — and exercise. "To perform the
way we want to, we have to align mind, body and spirit," they said.
"We work out a lot more than people think. "On stage, they thrive
on energy exchange. "We're not just playing songs — we're playing
the audience. The show depends on them."
Despite their openness, the band values maintaining some mystery.
"In the era of oversharing, we think it's important for artists to
preserve something for the listener to discover on their own."
Don't expect them to give too much away in the way of
behind-the-scenes tour vlogs, as seems to be the trend with artists
these days; the band believes in leaving a little mystery to their
fans.
Be sure to catch Baroness as they bring their signature intensity
and introspective edge to Dark Mofo this June — a performance
perfectly at home in the festival's dark and immersive
atmosphere.
For more information on Dark Mofo follow this link:
https://darkmofo.net.au/


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