Interview with Zander Ness of Høst

["Autumn 2007" by Chelsey Dahlstrom via MySpace]

Two hard years have gone by since Høst (formerly known as Hennes Siste Høst) began supporting their critically-acclaimed debut album Høst, and frontman Zander Ness has always known that it wouldn’t be an easy journey. It’s no easy task for a band from North Dakota to make a living on the national stage, especially when that band is the sole purveyor of a new take on one of the most feared and misunderstood musical styles on the planet. Prior to Høst’s August 19th tour stop at the Uptown Bar, Culture Bully’s Ryan Buege sat down with Ness to ask him about the struggles of taking the band to the next level and to learn what inspirations fuel the blackest and most bewildering band from Fargo.

Ryan Buege: Hey Zander, how’s the tour been going so far?

Zander Ness: Actually, this tour has been quite a disappointment. We have had some good shows, but mostly bad in terms of promotion and therefore turn-outs, merchandise sales, etc. I have places where I have personal friends putting the shows together (Wichita, Chicago, Minneapolis, etc.) so I can always count on them, but as far as the new places (California, the South-West), it is really all just trusting strangers to do their jobs. I like touring and playing new places, but it is hard to afford driving and playing new places when there is no way to know if it will be successful. It is all part of the ladder up, and I never look at it as a waste of time or energy, but overall, this particular tour has been very disappointing excluding the Midwest.

RB: Despite being the largest city in North Dakota, Fargo’s not really that big. What has life been like for you and Høst there?

ZN: Well, surprisingly we have a fairly decent music scene there as far as bands go. But unfortunately, there is a lack of venues, and the crowds are very unstable. All ages shows are very hit-and-miss, and the 21+ bar shows are not really in my main interest though they tend to do a bit better than the all ages shows. We try not to play in Fargo very often so that people do not get burned out on us and so we don’t get burned out on the venues and the seemingly non-beneficial shows. I would much rather concentrate on larger, more diverse scenes like Minneapolis, where we go home satisfied and feel more appreciated.

["Zander | 06/29/2008 | Portland, OR" by Veleda via MySpace]

RB: In an interview with Decibel Magazine last year, you said that your basic intention with Høst was to “combine your two favorite genres of music—grunge rock and black metal.” What originally initiated your loves for these styles?

ZN: I have loved Nirvana’s raw energy and honesty since I was very young, and have always admired the attitude of both their music, and their live performance/demeanor. As a teenager, I got into black metal and really liked the familiar rawness and honesty, but also was immediately drawn to the guitar sounds from most of the bands I was listening to (Darkthrone, Emperor, Ulver, and later Shining, Taake, Koldbrann). I was never very interested in the typical and outdated aesthetics of black metal, however. I never wanted to have the usual attitude and appearance of a black metal band with Høst. Now, I honestly do not listen to very much black metal (or metal of any kind, really) anymore; I’m mostly listening to weird rock bands like Slint and music that has more heart behind it than metal. That will definitely show through in the next album.

RB: The Høst album has had an exceedingly positive reaction from most everyone who has heard it. I’m curious, what state of mind were you in? What was driving the sound and lyrics that you created?

ZN: My intent was to create a sound that was original and appealing to several types of listeners, not only black metal fans, or punks, or anybody in particular. I wanted it to be open ended so that we did not immediately remind anybody of an existing band. My main interest at the time of writing the first album was to be original and not hold back on anything I felt. Lyrically, I was honestly not thinking about it too hard; I have received some criticism about the lyrics, and in my opinion, that is just. I am looking forward to the next album to show that the lyrics can be better.

RB: The riffs on Høst are incredibly superb. It’s clear that you come from a much different state of mind than your peers. What are your greatest inspirations as a guitar player?

ZN: Thank you. Well, I definitely have a much different style of playing and writing than most of my peers, and I think that just comes naturally with my background. I always try to focus on a good song or album; I just write and how it ends up is usually what I keep. I write based on mood, and I think that reflects in the music.

["Zander & Evan | 01/13/2008 | Fargo, ND" by Chelsey Dahlstrom via MySpace]

RB: Have you ever considered working any cover songs into the live Høst set?

ZN: I have considered re-working a lesser-known Nirvana song or something like that, but I have never really enjoyed hearing or seeing covers performed. I would much rather focus on originality than be remembered for playing somebody else’s song.

RB: Over the last couple of years, the USBM community seems to be open to progression more than ever before. Even so, has Høst caught any backlash from any purists?

ZN: I have gotten some criticism from the elitist-type black metal fans/bands, mainly because I refuse the use of blast beats and Satanic propaganda with Høst. It is not so much that I don’t like blast beats, but it seems to me that too many bands are relying on them to make their music intense or energetic. I would rather have people be listening to the guitar parts than how fast the drummer is playing, not to mention that I don’t think the guitar parts I write call for blast beats. Regarding Satanism, fashion, provocation and other typical black metal trends/stereotypes, I do not want to promote anything that I do not believe in. I do not support any religions, and simply do not care what we dress like. I am not going to spend an hour putting on face paint and spiked armbands before every show; I would rather play well and impress people with the music, not distract them with stage aesthetics and propaganda.

["Zander | 06/29/2008 | Portland, OR" by Veleda via MySpace]

RB: I get the picture that Høst is essentially your sole vision. Would you say this is true, and if so what do you enjoy most about your “band’s” arrangement?

ZN: Yes, I write and create everything from the music and lyrics, to the artwork, to the tour booking/promotion, and about every other end of it. I like having it open to point that if the drummer quits, it does not mean the band is over. Or if I want to relocate and the others don’t, I can restart with new members wherever I go. I like the security in that, but don’t get me wrong; I like keeping a solid live line-up for as long as possible. Evan, the live guitar player for Høst, is irreplaceable in my opinion. He is one of my closest friends and is the best guitar player I could ask for.

RB: How did the relationship with Init Records begin? Will you continue with them for the future?

ZN: Init contacted me and asked if I would do a 7″ just to see how it go over for both of us, and that turned into a full length CD instead, which we have done very well with. There are obviously a lot of details, but basically, Steven of Init contacted me, I was interested in his D.I.Y. ethics, and we put out an album together; no contracts or unnecessary arrangements, simply friends helping friends. As far as the future, I have been negotiating with bigger labels for the release of the second album, but I know both Steven and I would like to do vinyl versions of releases together no matter what. So we will see, I know Steven and I are both interested in doing more together, but if a bigger opportunity comes my way, of course I will consider that.

RB: It’s been nearly two years since your debut LP Høst (released under the band name Hennes Siste Høst) began to turn heads in the metal underground. What is your plan for Høst heading into the end of the year?

ZN: It has been a long time since the first release; we have stayed busy with live performances, but I have also been writing the second full length album over the last year. As of now, the plan is to record in October 2009 and hopefully release it before the end of the year. I am very anxious and excited for the release of the new album. I feel it has a much more mature sound, is darker, more dynamic, and will boast that Høst is unpredictable. I am honestly done with the first album; I believe it is time for something new. One thing I want to say is to not expect an album like the first one; expect a new sound and an improved sense of individuality.

Purchase | MySpace

Also: Høst, Ambassador Gun, Desolate Void, Said The Shotgun To The Head & Vernal Pool @ Hex