Musical based project has a story line with a comic book intertwined within it called September Mourning. Frontwomen Emily Lazar the creative force and singer song writer for the band took some time to discuss with me the band's history, most recent release, and what exactly this whole little project is truly all about.
1. So you said that your musical project is based upon a story line that has a comic book intertwined with it can you explain this whole thing to me?
Emily Lazar: September Mourning is the creation of a universe. It is not a band, it is a story... a fantasy with a musical element intertwined within its world. Created by Marc Silvestri/ Top Cow Comics and I, the project was previewed on stages with the legendary Marilyn Manson, only months after its inception in 2009. Performances with The Birthday Massacre, I Am Ghost, Hanzel Und Gretyl, and Dommin followed as well as radio play across the country. In 2011 at Comic Con in San Diego, SM announced a partnership with MTV that will further the development of the character and the world in which she dwells. Top Cow also announced the unveiling of the graphic novel of the same name in 2012.... There was always a story at the core of the universe of this project. Everything about the project is made to tell the story.
2. Tell me the origins of the band's name September Mourning where does a name like that come from and what does it symbolize for the band?
Emily Lazar: In the graphic novel. September is a reaper... she was once a girl who was suppose to have her soul taken by a reaper but instead that reaper sacrificed his power to her to keep her alive, at least halfway. She walks in both the world of the living and the world of the dead. Her power is the power to take souls and bring them to the afterlife or take them and give them a second chance in another host.
3. How did you come together?
Emily Lazar: The band started with Chris and I in New York. We were brought together by Melissa Cross, my vocal teacher. We started writing and brought in one of my friends, James. He brought in a friend.... it just was built through a network of people we all knew. The lineup has changed but it all comes down to working with people you like who you know can add something to the mix.
4. Where are you guys from originally?
Emily Lazar: Some of us are east coast, some west coast and Steve is from the middle. haha
5. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Emily Lazar: The album, "Melancholia" embodies our very first songs that we did as a band over 2 years ago. I had a vision to bring the story line to life and wanted to use this album as part of that even from the very beginning. I had been constantly writing lyrics in the vein of this story for years in its conception… The songs developed from those words and emotions and direction of the story.This album depicts the emotions of the specific souls September takes… the next album will be even more of a concept album integrating and following more specifics in the story line.6. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Emily Lazar: Yes we do.... I'm a lyricist and I come up with the melodies as well. My band collectively creates the sound. Our sound has found it's own direction, heading more into the hard rock/ arena rock direction. The conceptualization of the songs, as in the stories they tell, stem from the story of September. Each song feeds the story. They work in tandem with each other.
7. What was the inspiration for the album name Melancholia?
Emily Lazar: Melancholia by definition is severe depressive state that manifests itself, on occasion, with hallucinations .. September's job in the story line is that of a reaper, who takes the souls of the living... She takes on all of their emotional toil in doing so, and has visions of their lives... it seemed like a fitting word to coincide with the story and it also lends itself to the "mourning" in name of the band.
Emily Lazar: It kind of picked itself... I was asked for a song by TNA wrestling on Spike TV for their commercial for their PPV in August. "Before the Fall" was written before they asked but it seemed appropriate enough in the subject matter to fit into the commercial. They loved it and so we released it in tandem with the commercial coming out. It has garnered over 30000 views in the past month on YouTube and has gotten an amazing response from the fans.
9. Where did you get the music video for that song?
Emily Lazar: We filmed the performance part of the video in the middle of the desert outside LA, called Palmdale. The terrain was all sandy and the video shoot went to 2am. All 3 of the production cars got stuck in the sand and the whole team didn't get home till noon the next day. It was a loooooong night.
10. You guys have a unique sound, which bands would you saw influence you the most?
Emily Lazar: Of course we are very influenced by theatrical bands, from the greats.. Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson... in our stage presence and energy. We have a pop sensibility to our writing on top of hard rock / metal riffs, so any band from Dillinger Escape Plan to Slayer to U2 could be cited as an influence. Each one of us has a broad musical background. it's what keeps us unique and gives the music its color.
11. Have you recorded any previous CDs or posted any audio files on the Internet?
Emily Lazar: "Melancholia" was the first CD we did and it was only for Europe... we will be releasing something in the states as our first release next year sometime... until then we have "before the Fall", our single, on Itunes.
12. What type of recording process did you use? Who produced your recording?
Emily Lazar: We produced "Melancholia" ourselves... we are really proud of that. Those songs were the first songs ever written in this band. They hold a special place in each one of us. Dave Ogilvie (Marilyn Manson/ NIN) and Kurt Mass mixed and mastered the album. The single "Before the Fall" was produced by Sahaj Tic (RA). Both were recorded in studios. The album primarily in New York City and the single here in LA.
13. How did you sell your CD’s/Audio Files?
Emily Lazar: We have a label in Europe that is selling Melancholia in stores over there and it is now available on Amazon.com as an import and iTunes carries the single.
Emily Lazar: Deep and dark. Just like its writers. ;)
15. How do you describe your music to people?
Emily Lazar: Dark alternative rock!
16. What else can we expect to see from you guys between now and the end of the year?
Emily Lazar: We are opening up Saturday at Rock Vegas for Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson and others.. that's pretty exciting, not gonna lie. We also have the comic book coming up and a collaboration with MTV Geek for a live action of that!
17. Anything else you want to add or say to your fans?
Emily Lazar: I just want to say thank you. Thank you for all of you for being so amazing. We couldn't do this without you... seriously, Your love and support means everything to us.
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