Hailing from Denver, Colorado, The Drood combines the creative forces of Nathan Jamiel (Vocals, Electric Guitar, Keyboards) and Daniel Watts (Drums, Keys). This powerful duo infuses aspects of Electronic-Rock, Post-Rock, Psychedelic, Shoegaze, and Industrial to form their mesmerizing and otherworldly sound.
They bring an intensity to their recordings as well as their live performances, transporting listeners to another dimension. This experimental group creates similar sonic realms to bands such as The Legendary Pink Dots (who they have opened for), Hawkwind, and Saint Vitus.
In their latest release, “It Must Needs Wither,” The Drood draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Othello, creating a grief-stricken aural effigy that reflects upon the darkness and loss that has occurred throughout the last few years of the global pandemic. The intricate and complex single was recorded in Lafayette, CO, in September 2021, initially in live, improvised takes, fully capturing the raw emotion of the song for the listener.
Throughout “It Must Needs Wither,” The Drood has created a metaphysical, dream-like atmosphere for the listener to sink into. They contrast this soundscape with dark, heavier elements that pull you in, adding to the melancholic, sonically rich environment. Droning synths and guitars meet powerful, booming percussive elements. Jamiel’s warm, layered vocals cry out throughout the track, sinking perfectly into the thick backing the duo has crafted.
Prepare to be swept away into the dark, intense, dream-like land The Drood have created with their latest release, “It Must Needs Wither,” available on all streaming platforms.
Welcome to BuzzMusic The Drood. We are so happy you could join us today! As we entered into your world with "Psychic Institute," we could sense it was really well thought out. How long did it take to complete this song, and how was it like creating it?
NATHAN: Thanks for having us! I started writing this song way back in February of 2021, so over a year? It changed a lot along the way. It started as a dance song, but as I added bass and guitar, more and more I wanted to “take the piss” out of it a little. Once in Daniel’s hands it totally transformed into something else as he re-engineered it and added drums and more textures. We performed it live (pre-release) on a local Colorado radio station KGNU, which went great! But after that show I realized it needed more gritty harmonics on the guitar. In fact we had it mastered twice due to wanting to flesh it out further.
The song "Psychic Institute" is so versatile and so unique, you mentioned that it's a cautionary tale. Could you elaborate on that statement?
NATHAN: I had a couple of people close to me die during the time this song was created. I was trying to console myself by writing a self-indulgent dance song, and thought “I can write something upbeat and positive!” which ultimately led to an emotional spiral as I was not being honest, like I was participating in some sort of toxic positivity. I was forcing some false sentimental narrative to comfort myself. That then organically became the message of the song. If you force a positive narrative rooted in sentimentality, you’re most likely not facing the truth and also projecting a superficiality which is easily seen through. Gotta be miserable sometimes to get to a better place. Don’t fake it.
As a collective, what advice would you give to the younger artist wanting to form a successful yet confident band?
NATHAN: DON’T STOP. Respectively, Daniel and I have been making music since we were teenagers. Played with lots of people and lots of bands, most of whom no longer make music or art. Stay in touch with those people because inevitably they will sell you their gear on the cheap as it is just “taking up space”. Also, abandon ideas of fame. Make EXACTLY what YOU want to hear. If you catch yourself making music or art with the intent of appealing to a specific audience it might be time to re-evaluate why you’re making music. Be selfish, make the music that appeals to you and if you mean it other people will sense that and maybe appreciate it. But the goal shouldn’t be for them to appreciate it.
As "Psychic Institute" flows through our speakers, we would like to know your future plans for the song and how you plan to show it off to the rest of the world?
NATHAN: We are VERY excited for the next few releases which will be coming out over the course of 2022 as singles. We’ve been filming some strange stuff to accompany the songs. Also we have a very special show upcoming in November which we’ll be announcing soon!
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