Lucid AfterLife spent some time touring through Canada in the summer of 2014 and were surprised to see how well their live shows were received. Building a name as one of the most amazing live bands in Canada is a serious goal for the Lucid boys and few to none who have seen a show will disagree that they are earning a name in the ranks. We chat with the band to find out how it all started for them, whilst discussing their new album ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’ in depth.
Who is answering the questions?
The whole crew is here to hang out, Thom Tuner (lead guitar), Miles Morrison (Bass), Matt Shearlaw (Drums) & our lead Singer Nat Jack.
Can you tell us about the formation of Lucid AfterLife?
Thom: Nat Jack was floating through the Aether in search of a way to express the truths that this existence affords us. During his time of questing he came across Matt, our drummer, and together they sojourned on. They began to flesh out the main vehicles of expression that would connect with all of us. Once the skeleton had been formed around the brain of LAL the muscles appeared in the form of myself (Thom) and our bassist Miles. Finally, as a whole being we began the work that is our purpose. Very similar to Voltron, but with humans and not robots.
How did you get to the band name Lucid AfterLife and what does it mean to you?
Nat: Just popped into my head one day when I was casually looking for the simplest way to communicate the infinite possibilities and boundlessness of our life here on earth. To me, it is like a password that when meditated on can link you to the “organic internet” of the mind. I feel that’s where the tunes are all coming from, the source. I often see all the stress going on in the world and feel the best way to feel good is to stop fearing death, while at the same time living your life to the fullest. To die every day and let all things in the past disintegrate while remaining in body, aware and vibrant. That my friend, is a Lucid AfterLife.
To an unfamiliar reader, how would you describe your sound?
Thom: We have adopted the moniker “Space Rock”. It is apt as our sound relies on atmosphere and drama to support the lyrics. If I had to pin it down, take equal parts Progressive Rock, Stoner Metal, Hip-Hop, Blues/Jazz and blend it together with a heavy dose of the theatrical. The being that would come forth would be very good friends with our music.
What bands have influenced you over the years, and why?
Matt: I love bands like Deftones, Converge, Meshugguh, Russian Circles, some old and some new but they are bands that are truly mesmerizing and the drummers are all incredible.
Miles: I love some of those prog metal bands. Guys like mastodon, and opeth, as well as some 90s industrial and grunge music. I take great influence from Paul Barker of ministry, and Troy Sanders of Mastodon, as well as a few jazz and funk players like Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, and Charles Mingus.
Thom: Oh man as a group bands like Black Sabbath, Minstry, Queen, Porcupine Tree, Wu Tang Clan, Dream Theater, Monster Magnet, Kansas, Graveyard, A Tribe Called Quest, Crowbar, Engineer, Genesis and Tool to name a few.
Nat: Micheal Jacksons heart, Freddy Mecureys poise, Iommi and Geezers connection to the music & David Bowie’s insightfulness
How did you get to the album title ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’ and what does it mean to you?
Nat: The album celebrates in different ways the unseen truths that may be a secret to some, so we chose the word Occult. I feel that our listeners are a unified collective of people around the world who expect substance, stories and passion to be at the forefront of their music so I used the word Mafia. The most powerful forces we humans have are constantly ridiculed or shamed by the mass stampede of sheeple. The feminine aspects of the psyche and the power of our unadulterated sexual energy are things not yet fully liberated so we use the word Mistress. The Occult Mafia Mistress is the woman who we find safe haven with, the woman the weirdos and saints come to kneel before. She is the inner love untampered by thought, here womb gives birth to a Lucid AfterLife.
Can you elaborate on some of the main themes and influences that run throughout ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’?
Thom: We are always interested in supporting the search for higher planes of being. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean like Astral Projection (Although it sometimes does) or something like that. We as people are constantly looking to progress our understanding of ourselves and the whole of existence. Now this can be achieved many ways. It can be done through meditation or intimacy or self-destruction or rebirth. That is what we are dealing with thematically. We also are not into leading the listener. If we write a song that is explicitly about sex, you better believe it isn’t actually about sex. It is through very simple metaphors that we attempt to get our point across.
What can you tell us about the recording process for ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’?
Thom: The majority of the tracks were done in various studios around Vancouver BC. The process was very interesting. We are big on jamming. We love to go in and just go at it – see what comes out. But, most of the tracks on this record we had the main vocal and most of the arrangement almost done before we even really jammed it out. It was different for us but, we feel it added a whole other dimension to these songs over our last record “I Am”. Like sculptors we could see the finished piece but, we just needed to chisel it out. Nat would come at me (Thom) with a full verse or a full chorus and I would do an arrangement around that and he would fill in the rest and demo it. Send it to the other guys and then next practice it would be done.
What song means the most to you from ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’ at the moment, and why?
Miles: I would have to say ‘this is real’. I just had so much fun recording bass that I have to choose it.
Nat: the story I wrote for ‘In All That I See’ was an interesting process, it comes from a plethora of real life experiences and it was one of the first songs I wrote that took me a long time to manifest.
Matt: I would say ‘This is Real’, It’s very powerful and what I think to be the first song completed comprised from all of the current members.
So well written and feels so good to perform.
What songs are you really enjoying playing live from ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’ at the moment, and why?
Thom: ‘This Is Real’ is amazing live. We have four singers in the band. So naturally we all add it. During the choruses we get into this call and response ‘Queen’ thing along with all the riffs and it just gets so epic. People love it live and give us all this energy. That just takes our already visceral show to a whole other level.
Matt: I really love all of them but ‘This is Real’ is my favorite, it’s very powerful and emotional to play.
Miles: All of them, because this whole EP is killer.
What was the hardest part about putting ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’ together for you guys, and why?
Matt: Just starting new with new Lucid members, but Miles and Thom are so incredibly talented and gifted it was a very short transitional period.
Nat: We actually lost an entire track that was meant to be on this record due to a hard drive malfunction. It was rather unfortunate because it was so close to being finished, maybe we will bring it out on the next record.
What can you tell us about your latest single?
Nat: ‘Time Killaz’ is an experiment I wanted to try, mixing a rapper of the caliber of Merkules in with our Lucid squad and see how it turned out, it was unlike anything he has ever done. ‘Time Killaz’ is a testament to Lucid AfterLife’s desire to test the boundaries of genres and be open minded in order to blaze our way.
How did the artwork for ‘Occult Mafia Mistress’ come together, and what does it mean to you?
Nat: The photography was done by Fabrizio Belardetti, his work has always blown my mind and being able to get into his studio with the model was an awesome experience. The graphic work was done by our friend and potentially future Lucid muse Alethia Milan. I wanted the image of our Occult Mafia Mistress to personify the tantric phenomena that envelopes us when we allow ourselves to lose ourselves in the vibration of the moment and be exactly who we wish to be without limitation.
Touring wise, can you give us a couple of personal highlights from your time on the road?
Matt: For me playing out in Alberta was amazing. We jammed at this little Metal Bar out there. It was incredible. The place was packed and everyone was into it. Always a great feeling.
Miles: I could not ask for better guys to tour with. It’s all great except for when plans get de-railed.
How would you say the sound of Lucid AfterLife has grown/progressed over the years?
Miles: It’s been growing non stop despite line-up changes, living situation problems, and the chaos of creative people’s lives.
Matt: It’s simply just matured and become more deep and passionate, more complex but more simple allowing anyone the ability to listen and feel our vibes, this even more true with our live performances.
What sets you apart from any other band out there right now?
Nat: I don’t pay enough attention to what others are doing, or better yet, I don’t really put ourselves beside any other band at anytime. If I were to answer the question though I would do it by saying this – There is no band on this planet, no matter how talented or how much money they have for their stage show that could give an audience our one of a kind out of body, experience at a concert. We can do it without special FX it’s all from the heart and soul.
What is the music scene like in Vancouver B.C.?
Thom: It has a ton of promise. There are some awesome bands getting going. That said it can be a bit more “Bar Band” style than original music. It is not for lack of talent just lack of turn out. I suppose it is like that a lot of places these days.
Miles: Here are so many places to play and so many shows going on it can be hard to choose which show to go to. We’re lucky to have so many hard-working musicians in this city.
What else can we expect to see from LAL as we head towards 2017?
Matt: New material and shows near you wherever you are.
Thom: Tour, songs, psychic mind melding, emotional transference, more tours, Music Videos, Tasty Pies.
