nate is a longtime friend of mine, so when i started this webzine it was an unspoken rule that i would interview him at some point. this interview was conducted the night monday september 14th via instant messenger, and is unedited so what you see is what you get. enjoy...
1. First and foremost, your name, what band you're in, and what you do in the band..aka the typical opening questions:My name is Nathanael Carney, I yell and sing in At Half-Mast.
2. You just got off the road after being out for quite some time..what do you prefer more, writing a
nd recording or touring and playing out?
I think I personally enjoy myself when on the road, I feel fulfilled moreso than I do when I am at "home," whatever home is for me...the feeling of actually presenting what we have to offer is a time when I oftentimes feel a profound sense of self-actualization...of course I go back and forth on that, it all depends on my outlook on any given day but I'd say overall that's the case. For us writing is usually a fairly drawn-out process, but there have been exceptions to that. I definitely prefer taking our time in that regard, and I'm really, really excited about this next go-round of birthing our collective expressions, bringing those forth into the world. I absolutely love recording, but it can be an emotional rollercoaster.
3. Speaking of writing, you guys have through quite a few lineup changes in the years you have been a band, how do you feel about your band as a whole with your current lineup and how do you feel about your songwriting with this particular lineup? As a newfound frontman, do you still contribute on the musical aspects?
Things have changed in a number of ways since this band started. I think a lot of people in our situation may have tried to find a new identity, be that through a name change or a distinct musical change or intentional member changes, or whatever. When this band started the people in the band had never done anything significant in any band before...none of us really knew what we were doing to be honest. To be able to look back on those days and say, "yea, that was us, At Half-Mast, and here we are today" is something that I wouldn't have any other way. As frustrating as it may be to recall years-old performances, or the way we used to go about things, or listen to certain recordings sometimes, it is also extremely fulfilling...the fact that our band encompasses such a dichotomy...that is, our vast differences from when we started to where we are now...that's something I don't ever want to give up for the sake of "coming off" a certain way or making sure that our presentation to the world is exactly what we want it to be at the time. Our history made us who we are today. Everyone that's been in this band has done something to get us to where we are now-they may have held us back or they may have contributed, or both, but they shaped us nonetheless. That being said I am most certainly extremely confident in the individuals with which I have the privilege of doing this thing, we all played music together 5 years ago and here we are, full-circle, playing in an entirely different context but just knowing each other in a way that is extremely hard to find. It's awesome that I have full faith in the writing abilities of multiple people in this band right now, that's why it's going to be so awesome to be able to have an extended period of time to create with these guys. I don't just identify myself as the vocal expression of this entity...I'm heavily involved in musical ideas, songwriting, planning, lyricwriting...and every other member has the opportunity to contribute whatever they have to offer.
4. So in terms of musical influence right now, what do you personally think you bring to the table? This could be bands right now or lifetime favorites, anything...
Shit man, I don't really ever consciously have anything particular in mind when I write riffs or whatever. I usually am just randomly playing and will hit on something I think sounds good, record it through my shitty phone and play it back so I remember it and then present it to the guys when I have the opportunity...and whatever happens from there, happens. Definitely don't limit myself as far as a certain sound, I don't think. I take something from every musician I listen to...I, like all of us, am a product of what has been put into me. It's really unfortunate that that's the case, but that's humanity I suppose. Maybe some individuals are able to create spontaneously out of the ether, without precedent, but I don't give myself that much credit. If I hear a song or a band and it strikes me as good in general, I'm sure it will influence me. Rock, trance, punk, hardcore, metal, it's all influenced me. Lyrics...I have never considered myself a lyricist. Usually I'll get inspired by a book or something I've read or experienced that I find profound and moving and I'll attempt to put it into words. At least that's how it worked a year and a half, year ago...don't know how it will turn out next time. If this answer pisses you off and you demand that I name bands, I guess I could do that...if you really insist.
5. [Haha] Not at all, all these questions are meant to be pretty open-ended. I will ask for bands right now though, what other hardcore bands currently playing music are really impressing you?Um...there are a lot of bands out there I haven't really had the chance to explore...A lot of hardcore bands I really enjoyed broke up recently...but as far as playing now
...The Carrier puts on moving performances consistently, an attribute I admire...Legacies...I guess it all depends on how broad you want make hardcore...I am having trouble thinking of bands right now for some reason!
6. Its not a problem, its easy to get caught up and focus more on yourself and your band than to worry about what others are doing. I agree with the carrier wholeheartedly, hard to believe that they arent a fulltime touring band yet still play all over constantly.Yea, I'm looking forward to doing the full-time thing as soon as possible...
7. Now as a band starting out in the southeast, where hardcore and punk do anything but prevail, do you think that humbles you as well as your band more in comparison to other scenes where hardcore and just an alternative scene in general is more accessible?I am humbled, and I am so greatful that I had the opportunity to do something in an area where there weren't really any "heroes" to look up to as far as in the music scene in general. I can only hope that it has led to more honest music. Having never been a part of a big city or whatever throughout my life, I think I am able to reflect so much on certain aspects that a lot of times people just think are the norm, or accepted...I don't know. To think that someone invested time and effort to get this band to play our songs in a state I had never been in prior to this band going there to play those songs is a mindblowing concept I don't think I'll ever be able to grasp.
8. It seems hardcore is in a certain trend right now of "fuck God, fuck religion, etc." as a Christian, how do you feel about this? It seems more than ever, Christian or just religious-based hardcore in general is being shit on.
I really don't know what is trendy right now or what isn't to be honest with you. And I don't know if bands with religion as their foundation get shit on or not...if they do, that's a fairly stupid reason to get down on a band. I don't know that the word "Christian" really connotes the life I live or my outlook on things. I was raised that way, and my thoughts and perspectives have continually been shaped and molded as my life has progressed. I have never outright rejected Christianity, but it does not offend me if someone else chooses to do so. I know just as much about what happens when we die as you do, or anyone else does. Is that what religion is founded upon? Preparing for the afterlife? Or is it a way to ensure a rich and fulfilling life in this dimension, right here, right now? That depends on who you ask. The only thing I know is that it will never be resolved by human beings. I really have nothing to say about bands that do found themselves on a concept of God or the people that don't approve of such bands. I fall into neither category.
9. I see. As a seasonal resident of both, which Carolina do you prefer? This can be for any reason..personally I say NC wins purely because of Cookout.....
Haha well, my concept of North Carolina is the Univerity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and my concept of South Carolina is Myrtle Beach, more or less. So it depends on whether I feel like communicating with somewhat intelligent beings [?] that can foster a sense of growth and provoke my thoughts, while at the same time having to put up with the negatives of the college atmosphere such as hours of isolation and 20-somethings that still get giddy over the mention of alcohol, or instead spending time amongst family and friends and playing music but dealing with a typically less than academic learning environment...right now I kinda just want to hang out with my brothers. I love both at times and am discouraged by both at times. Gotta go with South Carolina.
10. Okay now a broader favorite, you've toured and played a good portion of the world. Where is a place you consistently cannot wait to go back to and play again?Well both times in Europe have been amazing for similar and completely separate reasons, I can't wait to go back. Also, anywhere we haven't been, I want to go there. In this country, Tallahassee is awesome every time, and I love the Midwest and West. Iowa is such a great place to play [at least the two times we have played there] and our first time in Reno, Salt Lake, and Boise blew me away as well.
11. Iowa, huh? Cornfield mosh? Tell me about this 7" you're putting out at some point. Is 
a label putting it out?
Cornfields and me go way back. This 7" has been delayed in various stages and it's somewhat frustrating but not as if I expect any different. We recorded it going on 9 months ago, but it took a couple months to be mixed, a couple months to be mastered, and since then we're figuring out if a label's going to do it or if we're going to put it out ourselves eventually, I don't really know. Hopefully I'll know very soon. It's weird to me we haven't put anything out in 14 months, it feels like so much longer, actually...I just don't want this handful of songs we last recorded to not get the exposure I want them to...it would be nice for people to hear them.
12. What else does the future hold for At Half-Mast? Any plans?
Just enjoy what it is we're doing while it lasts and make it mean something to ourselves and maybe someone else. Continue to appreciate the vast experiences and opportunities we have been provided through doing what we love to do. To have my mind opened by people we meet along the way. To share myself with people we meet along the way. To realize that when it's all said and done we're just a bunch of friends and brothers slamming on skins and strings to create a cacophony of what passes for music in some people's minds, and that it's beautiful and the closest I've ever been to living.
13. Any comments on that Hatebreed covers record? Judge cover is bangin'
No, I have no idea about it whatsoever.
14. I'm disappointed in you [haha]. Anything else you want to say? I guess a sort of closing comments sort of deal? Drop some knowledge on me.
I don't know that I have much knowledge to offer...but really Ian, keep it up with Overlooked, let's play together soon, and thanks for at least putting on a ruse of giving a damn about anything I do!
http://www.myspace.com/athalfmasthc-ian
