The internet makes us equally connected and disconnected. Sometimes we forget that there is a real human being on the other side of the screen when we chat on message boards, social media websites...or 4chan. We never know what the domino effect of our words can be until they come into fruition in real life. That's what sparked the creation of Swiss-American musician Manuel Gagneux's latest project.
In an attempt to test his creativity, he asked fellow 4chan users to give him two musical genres to combine into a song. A gutsy troll told him to fuse black spiritual music and black metal together. He took the dare to heart and as a response, Zeal and Ardor was born.
Although it started with little substance, the project snowballed into a complex metaphor since then.
"At the end of the day, I don't really control what people make of it so it's kind of just silly to tell them 'well actually it means this and that and you're wrong' so whatever you think, dear viewer, is the right thing is correct," said Gagneax.
He agrees that his music has a specific personal symbolism but refused to share it because it isn't his responsibility to force his views upon listeners. He encourages everyone to find their own meaning in his music.
Despite his nonchalant, openminded perspective, listeners are very strong willed in their opinions on what the genre actually means. Some regard the music mashup has a statement of religion, race, politics, and a metaphor for inclusivity. Let me break it down:
Black metal - regarded as Satanic and originated in Norway (primarily).
African American spiritual music - centers around Christian values and created by African Americans in the age of slavery.
These are two polar opposite worlds that, when combined, seem like the ultimate form of musical rebellion. That's why it is shocking that internet trolls have refrained from referring to the band as cultural appropriation. He attributes their success to the intentions behind their art. "If you do what you do honestly, then it doesn't leave too much space for bite marks," says Gagneax.
Regardless of your viewpoint, their album Stranger Fruit is guaranteed to conjure up a conversation. Gagneax says the lyrical topics range from "disparity, hope, death, and overcoming growth."
You can watch the interview below to learn more about the band and their latest release!
Subscribe to youtube/torikravitz for more interviews coming soon.
Commentaires