A Dirty Dozen with DAVEY MUISE from HEMATITE – March 2023

According to a recent press release: “Today Hematite release “Run Devil Run,” the group’s final single before the long-awaited release of their debut EP Speak of the Devil on March 31, 2023. The duo, consisting of vocalist Davey Muise (Vanna, Trove) and guitarist/vocalist Andrew Gaultier (Big 50, To Speak of Wolves, He is Legend), are bringing their profound musical capabilities from the hard rock scene into the wild world of western music. The two unsuspecting genre influences meld together to showcase the masterful storytelling and lyrical imagery that envelopes Hematite’s multi-layered soundscapes. From the ashes of metal and heavy rock forged to create a new direction while taking pages out of timeless western and classic country, Hematite is doing twangy in their own eerie way. Like Tom Waits took a road trip with Nine Inch Nails and Johnny Cash was driving stoned. Hematite’s debut single “Big Bad Wolf” is now streaming everywhere and the boys have future plans to bring this gothic western party to us live.” We get Davey to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Hematite and this EP, Speak of the Devil is a unique blend of so much of the music that Andrew and I have written separately or been a part of in other bands over the years. We think it would grab any new fans right off the bat, however if you’re a fan of any of our past projects then yes, you can hear the vibes and understand why this isn’t your daddy’s western rock album. Unless of course your dad has neck tattoos.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

For me my mother was a singer, and grew up in the 60’s and 70’s so my whole life I’ve been listening to arguably the best music ever written. That in combo with some kind of weird knack for entertaining even as a small child kinda set my path early on in life. Every picture of me as a kid is with a microphone in my hand singing karaoke to my moms friends on a Sunday afternoon. Its kind of always been my thing that got me through everything. Still does.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Paul Simon’s Graceland was played daily in my house, moms minivan, you name it. I even got to see him when I was young and for some reason that guy and that record still till this day. Even when I was playing metal, I’d put that record on and truly drift away with it. There’s obviously been much more influence but I feel like this record deserves its own answer, Thanks Paul.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Hands down Chino Moreno. Listen it doesn’t matter the genre, dude creates a vibe like no other as soon as you hear that voice. Forget about how not one of his projects has ever missed. Deftones, Team Sleep, Crosses, Palms, like man can’t lose. But I also think he’d dig what we are doing over here ya know. Chino I’m in the PNW too hit me up chief.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m a photographer/videographer by trade and it’s really something I love to do as well as being a career of mine for the past few years. It’s something I get to do with my wife as she also has a passion for it and taking little trips and documenting them are our favorite. Even if no one but us sees them which is often the case. It’s mostly photos of my dog anyways.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I like to say it sounds like Johnny Cash and Trent Reznor took a road trip across the desert in a black drop top caddy and let Tom Waits drive while Depeche Mode got everyone high in the back seat. So far no one has said anything out of pocket. Everyone either says this should be the True Detective or SOA intro music or they wanna start watching True Blood again. Honestly both are compliments.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Idk if this applies here cuz cuz Andrew lives on the East Coast and I’m out west but we both are stoners. So I’m assuming we are both getting baked and cooking, getting some drinks in and playing a little guitar here and there.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’ve only been star struck once and it’s when Mike Herrera from MxPx was on warped tour one of the years Vanna was. I went and saw him play acoustic every day he was on the tour and I can’t remember if I showed him my MxPx tattoo but I’m sure I did. Idk, people are just people, man. Though I’m sure if I met an actor who I respected like I did Mike, I’d be a little uneasy about shaking their hand too.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I took a real healthy break from music for the last few years and it was amazing to step away from music being my main focus for the first time since I was 19. I learned so much more about myself as a person and not as a musician. As far as work I was able to really pour myself full time into visual arts and I really needed that focus for where my life was at. So to answer the first part of your question now, I think the best part is that no matter what I’ll always be a musician even if I’m not currently playing music. It doesn’t go away but you are allow to put space in between you and it. Very grateful for that.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I start with this. I got so bored of the “where did you band get its name from” over the years that I would make up a different insane answer every time but do it completely serious and wait to read yet another made up story about our name origin in a credible magazine haha. One time I was asked if we could play a show on any planet, what would it be and why. Like dead serious wanted to know. I said Tatooine because I have an aunt and uncle there and went very much over the interviewers head.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I would have protected my personal life and boundaries a lot more. The amount of “fan” overstepping that I allowed simply because I just wanted you to like my band, was insane. There’s this almost undiscussed amount of pain you’ll endure from people who might listen to your band which definitely for me stems from childhood trauma that I wasn’t able to identify until pretty recently in my life. If I had another swing, I’d keep my actual life much closer to my chest and not worry so much about other people.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I think I’d choose to be a fly on the wall during the making White Pony, not to talk about Chino/Deftones too much, but to know what struggles, what stories, what made that record. That would be dope. Maybe I’d be an intern or something and get to spin a dial for Frank or Stephen. Replace a drum head for Abe, hell, go get Chino a cup of coffee. I don’t know, it’s just a big album for me and I’d love to watch it be born.

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Category: Interviews