Interview: Trick Casket (Written)

Industrial music from the void, Trick Casket continue to be as busy as possible, working on new music and expanding their reach. In this interview, we get to know them a little better.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

Thanks for talking with us! My name is Connor, and I’m the frontman of the industrial metal band Trick Casket! After years and years of failed bands, or musical projects never leaving the ground, I decided to make my own project in 2018, leading to releasing the first album ‘Misery’ in early 2019!

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

This is always a hard question. I would say if Trent Reznor, and Ohgr from Skinny Puppy, started the band KoRn, that would equate to the sound we are going for.

3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?

We are always planning, and working on, what comes next. We are focused on working on the singles we have written and applying some sort of visual element for them. We have a list of at least 4 singles in the pipeline. Eventually, I would like to see the singles we have released, along with the singles that have yet to release, come out as a consolidated album, but have it make sense with a narrative, you know? So to answer your question… Yes hahaha.

4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?

Like for the band? This period has been such an educational time for us, well for myself, anyway. Trying to move through the ever changing music industry is tough enough, but the current line-up we have is fantastic. Joey, our drummer, is amazing with the business side of things, as well as creating our website from scratch through his company ‘Be Loud Media’, but also Evan and Brendan have been pretty inspiring with song writing, and approach to playing live. Everyone gets along, and we all hype each other up. I have learned a lot from the guys in this band, and the friends and connections we have made.

5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.

I like this question, and I will be real here; It’s been a lot of hard work. On top of all of us working day jobs, we still find a way to squeeze in music. That might be like rehearsal, writing, PR, prepping for shows, etc. It’s hard at times, but I find it very rewarding. Even in the worst of days, weather its a bad time in life, lack of sleep, political climate, whatever it may be, Music is always my haven, and my solace. Just being able to write and create, it’s very rewarding on the soul.

6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?

Music has been a healing part of myself for over 20 years. I always listened to music to escape, or heal, from the hardships of life, whatever that might be. Being able to create and write music has been a blessing. Creating and writing music has given me an outlet to constructively let go of any baggage or bad emotions I may experience in life. It’s better to create, than to destroy, or hurt someone.

 

 

7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?

It’s extremely challenging. Trying to navigate the streaming era, and what works and what doesn’t, has been challenging… to put it lightly. I understand the music business evolves very frequently, but it seems to evolve monthly at this point. You have to be a musician, a videographer, an AR rep, a social media influencer, among a ton of other things. A huge challenging aspect for me is, you gotta blow up and go viral, that’s it. I don’t say that to mean other artists don’t work hard, I’m saying it as you gotta write something that hits people really hard, that a 15 – 20 sec vertical promo video, can capture someone’s attention, and peak their interest. We haven’t hit that viral level yet so… who knows? We have really learned a lot about what streaming means, and the business behind it, especially our drummer Joey, who’s a business guru, so I feel we have a handle on it now. It is still very difficult though.

8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?

I feel like I lightly ranted about this a little on the previous question haha. The online aspect is difficult, however, I don’t feel its much different than the era before social media. I know that might spike some anger and frustration in some people, and that’s okay. Think of this; being a band in the 90’s, printing fliers by the hundreds and posting them anywhere you could, HOPING someone would show up to your show, or standing on the corner of a busy city block, handing out posters, and demo CD’s/cassettes. It’s the same as posting online frequently, posting your shows, linking your bandcamp, or spotify, etc. It’s just modernized. It sucks, so do it for the love of the game.

Putting out content constantly is extremely difficult than someone might expect. I hate calling it “content”. I make music, not “content”. Every song you might release, you gotta do a music video, 30+ promo vertical style videos that fit the reel scenario for tiktok and youtube. I don’t want to put a song out every 6 weeks, just cause, you know?

Have you written a song in 6 weeks? Like written, recorded, mixed, mastered, and sent to distribution, in 6 weeks? I know its the “norm” of the industry, but its not realistic, but when has the music business ever been realistic? hahaha.

 

 

9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?

I always have periods of time where I feel lackluster, and writers block. Sometimes life just hits you in a way that artistic endeavours are a challenge. I always try to find the reason I do this, whatever that means/looks like. Sometimes, you need an old playlist from 10-15 years ago to the colourful outlook you had, or maybe go on a trip and be inspired by other cultures. Whatever it might be, for each person, I know I’m a sucker for nostalgia! I love ing old times, and ing the creative hunger, and colourful sense of wonder I once had. I’ll throw on a playlist of songs I was listening to back when i felt so strongly about doing this, when i was young and naive, and when i hear that era of time, i “oh, if that young me, met this me, he’d be over the moon”, so i feel inspired to keep going.

10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help you?

Check us out on streaming sites like Spotify, Youtube Music, iTunes, etc. It’s crazy, but you don’t understand how important those numbers mean to us. Seeing first hand how many listeners tune into our music every week is so inspiring, and makes all the negative bullsh** worth it! However, IF you would like to us financially, because we love to eat sometimes haha, then snag our music on Bandcamp, or cop some merch on our website that our drummer made! Or better yet, come watch us play a show! You can grab merch, or if you can’t afford merch, just come chat with us! We are all introverts, but LOVE chatting with folks at shows!

11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?

I can’t speak for the other guys, but I’m a big video game guy. My favorite games are anything Halo, or DOOM. I’m not a big online player, I just love a good story. I also love to read comics, typically before bed, and yes, I am a huge Marvel and DC fan, so bring on the films!!!

12. Where can people find you?

You can find us on any social network! Facebook, Instagram, tiktok, etc! Also check out our website! I’ll provide some links below!

Bandcamp | Website | Spotify | Instagram