LOMM: Can you give a little biographical and historical info; who is involved in the band, and how did you guys meet up?
Julia Bentley: All of Julia Bentleys in Night Goat met in Canton, Ohio through a hole in the wall BYOB venue called “Old Glory” in the early 2000s. Since then, all have been in bands and had shows together in and around Canton, and our home base is Buzzbin Art & Music Shop. Chris Bentley is lead guitarist and RAW-riff-maker deluxe. He has been in bands and toured since the early 90s and is a musical genius and mastermind. Mike Pavia is the second lead guitarist who adds technical ambiance and untamed energy to the table. Dalin Jones plays the grittiest, dirtiest & most grumbly bass tones that you can feel in your gut. Donnie Casey is a versatile, and technical and heavy hitter kind of drummer who plays his heart out at every show. I’m the “little ‘sis ” of the band….I got pissed off, needed an outlet and began to rage and focus my banshee cries into a voice that will not be silenced by anyone, and that turned into Night Goat lead vox.
LOMM: Pandemic has taken an emotional toll on everyone yet the arts have been hit especially hard. The musicians are vulnerable to financial upheaval. How have you guys have been holding up?
Julia Bentley: We are holding up together as a band and as a music community. We all work together in some capacity, through the music venue Buzzbin Art & Music Shop in Canton, OH. We all wear masks/socially distance etc at work and practice, and we have set our stages up to be socially distant from each other and audience while performing. Buzzbin is owned by Chris and Julia Bentey (husband/wife/bandmates), and all of Night Goat earnings go directly to the venue. This way we are all working towards something bigger than ourselves, it’s to help save the venue for every other music lover in NE Ohio.
LOMM: On the other hand you seem to have had a productive time. Is that right?
Julia Bentley: We have worked our butts off to keep music pumping through the streets. We have recorded a few new tunes and are on a split release as well. So yes, we have been productive!
LOMM: What does your genre means to you, why did you choose this genre?
Julia Bentley: Our genre is not something that defines us ever. I think noise rock is the genre that people put us in, because we can’t really be labelled under one genre…we are a bit too volatile for that and I believe it would stifle creativity to be labelled.
LOMM: How did the initial musical and thematic elements evolve?
Julia Bentley: Naturally and as a response to the world around us.
LOMM: Are you happy with your product? I mean, what aspects of it do you think you guys nailed, and what parts do you think you could improve upon?
Julia Bentley: As long as we do it, we are nailing it in my opinion. Improvements will happen as we explore and experiment with making sounds in non traditional ways.
LOMM: How has the overall reception been?
Julia Bentley: great, people are sick of pre-packaged music and are looking for new experiences for their earholes.
LOMM: Have you ever been on a tour? Given live performances? Is it tough for you not to be able to do so now?
Julia Bentley: We have gone on mini tours, like 2-3 shows on a weekend. We still play out at venues that allow live music and that accommodate social distancing. It’s tougher to find a babysitter than to do a live show. It’s really not that hard.
LOMM: What do you see for your future? How is it looking?
Julia Bentley: For our future, I think we will have another album ready within the year, and definitely looking forward to a tour!! Our music seems to have a following in Eastern European countries so we would love to go there!
LOMM: Could you tell us about the lyrics / themes /concepts you focus on or plan to focus on? How did the ideas come about, and how do they influence the writing process? Who is writing the lyrics?
Julia Bentley: The themes and concepts for the music we write comes from experiences we have had or witnessed. The ideas come to us as we experience life, or as life happens to us. The lyrics are written by Julia and Chris Bentley.
LOMM: Which is more exciting? Being on the road or studio?
Julia Bentley: To me being in the studio is more exciting. I love being able to manipulate sounds and make them into other sounds. I love taking odd things and recording the sound, then placing the sounds exactly where I hear a missing sound in the music; if that makes sense. Studio time gives so much opportunity for expanding depth of sound in general. I love being on the road as well though. Playing for an audience that is new, and has no expectations is exciting in itself. It gives you a freedom to be whatever you want to be that performance.
LOMM: Who is composing the songs?
Julia Bentley: the entire band composes the songs together, after someone brings a riff, rhythm or melody to the table.
LOMM: What bands do you draw your inspiration from?
Julia Bentley: The Jesus Lizard, Helmet, Melvins, Nirvana, Whores, Unsane, Danzig, Chelsea Wolfe, early Soundgarden, Skinny Puppy, Between the Buried and Me, Samhain, Sonic Youth
LOMM: What’s more important to you? Catering to the audience or music for its own sake?
Julia Bentley: Music for its own sake.
LOMM: When you look back your music career, what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Julia Bentley: My biggest accomplishment personally is this band Night Goat. I have had many firsts in this band, including first time releasing vinyl.
LOMM: Anything else you think your fans should know?
Julia Bentley: Come see Night Goat live when you can! The energy is untamable and you will be just as addicted as we are!
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