Rosetta west is back with their most audacious album to date titled God of the Dead. This promising new album takes blues rock in bold new directions blending psychedelic sounds, world folk, raw punk, and subtle acoustics. Far beyond what they had done previously under the title Gravity Sessions, this Illinois-based act delves into profound spiritual and mystical topics with 15 songs that are as mysterious as they are powerful.
The group revolves around the lead singer Joseph Demagore who has a hard-edged deep voice, plays his guitar with a lot of fierceness and his piano playing is emotional. He collaborates with a long time bass player Orpheus Jones and ever-changing drummers Mike Weaver and Nathan Q. Scratch to create music that is both shocking and effective. Additional textures are added by special guest musicians on such stand out tracks as Midnight and Boneyard Blues to make the album a full musical experience.
God of the Dead is far more than a compilation of songs, it is a complete listening experience. The album explores the ideas of life, death, faith and intense personal searching, but it is also boldly experimental and original. By creating exceptional songs like Chain Smoke, My Life, and Inferno, Rosetta West once again proves that they are not afraid to experiment and push boundaries as to what rock music can be.
The band demonstrates their determination to artistic development as they do not want to remain in the safe areas, preferring to experiment with new sounds and significant material that can make them as well as their listeners think.
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Congratulations on the release of “God of the Dead,” Rosetta. That’s a powerful and striking title. What inspired you to choose this name for your latest single?
I have personally have had many near-death experiences recently and I have also had a strange number of encounters with murders, suicides and heart attacks simply while walking my dog in what is considered a safe and fairly sedate town. That naturally gave rise to a lot of thought about death.
The title suggests themes of mythology, power, or perhaps mortality. Can you tell us what story or message you’re exploring in this song?
It’s pure existentialism, I suppose. Trying very hard to find meaning in life, to understand the nature of God, and especially if a personal relationship with God is possible.
How would you describe the sound and atmosphere of “God of the Dead”? What musical elements did you use to create the mood you were aiming for?
Well it’s a very diverse album, which I’m proud of, but again, I think an overall existential crisis shoots through all of it. As far as musical elements, I suppose the most important factor is my voice – how I use it, and what I say in the lyrics.
Walk us through your creative process for this track. Did the concept come first, or did the music lead you to this darker, more intense theme?
Certainly my life experiences informed the themes. They inform what I come up with on my instruments too, of course.
Are there any specific mythological references or cultural influences that shaped the direction of “God of the Dead”?
I’m a lifelong student of religion and mythology so the reference points are too numerous to mention. I think in my free moments, I revert to a more mystical, pagan worldview. But in other times I feel trapped by the Judeo-Christian aspects of my upbringing. And there’s definitely a rebellion to that, but also a confusion and a feeling of betrayal. It’s not a healthy inheritance.
How does this single compare to your previous work? Are you exploring new musical territory or building on themes you’ve touched on before?
Mostly building on what I’ve done before, to be honest. Going forward, I want to feature piano much more prominently. I had a dream about that and I’m trying to follow it.
What was the recording and production process like for this song? Did you work with any collaborators to bring this vision to life?
Most of the collaborators on “God of the Dead” were long-time friends, so it was very comfortable. But on “Boneyard Blues,” the sound engineer I had meet that day at the studio played drums, and it was wonderful. I thought he did a good job.
What emotions or thoughts do you hope listeners experience when they hear “God of the Dead” for the first time?
I hope they find a reflection and and an expression of their own feelings and thoughts in the music, and are comforted by that.
Are you planning any visual elements, like a music video or special artwork, to accompany this release? How important is the visual aspect to this particular song?
Yes there will be several videos. I try to make some interesting clips on my own, and there is now someone helping me with some of the videos. It helps spread the word.
Is “God of the Dead” a standalone single or part of a larger project? What can fans expect from Rosetta West in the coming months?
I hope to have another release out this year, and as I said, I hope there is a prominent piano piece. I’m working on it, but who knows what will happen in the end.
