James Fogarty

Posted on Oct 23, 2005

by Anders

When I received the music from the British band Ewigkeit, it took quite some while for me to listen to it... For the first record I got "Radio Ixtlan" it took about a year, I actually listened to Ewigkeit's new album "Conspiritus" before the prior one. I was so to say blown away by "Conspiritus" and became rather quick fond of "Radio Ixtlan" as well. That was the perfectly example of not approaching everything with an open mind and be prejudiced against certain things. The music of Ewgikeit is very tough to explain, as well as the ideas behind, so do yourself the favor and read this interview to get the knowledge you need to decipher the messages from Fog and his army of instruments and ideas.

 

Hi there, how are things in Britain as we speak and how is the condition of the British metal scene?

Hi - I don't know how things are in the British "scene" because I have nothing to do with it, or any of the other bands (maybe that is some indication of how the "scene" is?). Sorry I can't be of any help there!

Will you please start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you have Ewigkeit?

Okay, my name is James Fogarty and I write, record and produce music for this strange solo-project that started off doing death/black metal and has evolved into what may be categorized as ambient electronic metal.

Why and how did you start Ewigkeit?

I started Ewigkeit because bands suck and all band members want to do is get wasted and pretend they are rock-stars. I created Ewigkeit to bypass that bullshit and create music.

What do you want to accomplish with the band?

I would like to be known for making challenging and interesting music - some money would be nice too, but maybe I'm in the wrong business...

Where do you find inspiration for your music?

I find inspiration from (among other things); books, films, adverts, magazines, people, the shopping centre and socks.

How do you work when you make music?

I start by turning on my computer, picking up my guitar and turning off the outside world. Whatever happens from there on in is pure chaos…

The compositions are aerial paintings of many facets, how do you get it all pieced together and still keep the structure, it must demand a lot of work?

Yes - it takes a hell of a lot of work - reviewers and listeners in general cannot even begin to contemplate how much. Anyway, it's not about the process, but about the result!

We are served a lot of great prog rock elements in some of the tracks and moments worthy of Pink Floyd, how do you decide which elements fits in where and which instruments to use, as for instance the Hammond organ, the folk elements and ethnic sounds?

I just try different stuff and use what sounds the best. There are no rules, so you can do nothing wrong. The worse thing you can do is piss someone off, but they probably take things too seriously anyway and it's their problem.

Can you mention 3 songs and 3 bands/artists that have meant the world to the way you write music and the sound of Ewigkeit?

Hmm – that's actually quite a tough question... I will instead give you 5 albums that have, amongst others, been important to my progress as a musician; Black Sabbath "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", Emperor "In The Nightside Eclipse", Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here", KLF "Chill Out" and Anathema "Alternative 4".

You are right now ready with your new album "Conspiritus", how do you feel about the album?

I think it is both the best and the worst music ever written by a human being.

How has it so far been received?

The album "Conspiritus" has been received very well by critics, apart from a few specifically in England - but we can forget about those anyway...

What do you expect from the album?

I expect that people can buy the CD, and that they will at some time or another listen to it with their un-divided attention. I then expect some sort of royalties - but life can oft disappoint.

What are your thoughts behind the album title and what do you want it to symbolize?

The album is about the huge global conspiracy that exists to enslave mankind in a futile existence of war, pain and suffering. How real that conspiracy is, is up to you to research for yourself and make your own informed decision.

I can ask the same about the awesome cover artwork, what is the idea behind that?

The artwork shows people who have woken to the truth of the global conspiracy attacking the centre of its power-base. It lies in the heart of a dark city of the future, and the head-quarters it's an enormous 2-mile high pyramidal office-building which is being attacked from below and from above (by an unknown power not of this earth) The eye of "god" looks down on all this happening... (no, I'm not a christian).

What do the different elements on the artwork symbolize?

The pyramid symbolises both the Masonic imagery of the conspirators and also the strictly compartmentalised pyramidal social structure that the conspirators have constructed to enable the few at the top to control the mass at the bottom.

Do you care to initiate us into your lyrical universe… where do you find inspiration for your lyrics?

I find inspiration for lyrics from reading and talking to other people about this stuff. It's a deep deep subject that is often ridiculed by the ignorant and scorned at by the people in power. There lies the reason to investigate!

Do you have a message you would like to get through to the listeners?

Yes - I would ideally like someone who has no prior knowledge of the possibility of a global system to control society to look at the evidence with an open mind. They could start with very recent history by asking themselves why there is no photographic evidence of a plane hitting the pentagon of 911, and then follow the trail all the way back to 1776 and beyond...

You seems much focused on the thoughts of the individual… how do you look upon today's society?

I think society is sick. Everyone lusts after earthly possessions, totally ignoring the real reason why we are here in the first place. Once you enter into that frame of mind, there is no hope for you. When you examining the fraud that is banking (look up "fractional reserve banking" on Google) you start to question why on earth this is being done...

If you could change anything, what would that be?

I would go back in time and film the controlled demolition of the World Trade Centre for all to witness.

Do you believe you can change anything through music?

No - but I think you can provoke people to think for themselves, and then maybe they can change the world around them. It's not reality...

Do you think you can raise awareness and make some people think for themselves through your music and lyrics?

Hopefully, yes!

What is the new world order?

The New World Order is a goal of the "elite" to centralise all power on the planet and establish a global fascistic/communist dictatorship. To do this you would need a global law-system, a global bank, a global army and a global currency. If you look at it like that, we are 3/4 there already (time to stand up and be counted!)

You seem like a busy man with a lot on your heart, in the last 3 years, you have released 3 full length albums, will you keep up that pace?

"Land Of Fog" was recorded in 2001, but only released in 2003. "Radio Ixtlan" was recorded in 2003, but was released by Earache in 2004. "Conspiritus" (late 04/early05) was actually the longest time I spent writing and recording an album. The next one must be better or I won’t ever have it heard. At the moment I have been thinking over some ideas, but who knows what will happen next...

Do you have music ready for your next release, do you have some song titles, lyrical themes etc… to share?

No - I have a few rudimentary ideas for the next step, but there are some other things I want to do before I get to that. I'm not telling anything to anyone...

Will the next release you put out be a full length album, or are you working on something else?

I'm not saying yet! You can keep up to date by visiting www.deathtomusic.com.

Have you ever thought of getting a band together, so you can play live with Ewigkeit?

Yes and I have done it with 3 different "live" line-ups. Each failed due to my inability to cope with the negativity it creates when you have 3 other people, frustrated by playing music they didn't write - they start to resent and get bitter... Every now and then I have to form a band to remind myself why I hate bands in the first place; you are always condemned to repeat every scene of Spinal Tap in real life, and that is fucking sad and a waste of time in my opinion...

Why did you choose the moniker Ewigkeit for the band… do you represent the sounds of eternity?

Yes and no. There is an explanation behind that at the website. I refuse to answer that question ever again.

How do you look upon the future of the band?

I look forwards to being able to carry one getting my music heard by people all over the world and challenging them with some more musical ideas and concepts.

Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!

You can hear Ewigkeit at; www.myspace.com/ewigkeit23. You can read news about Ewigkeit at; www.deathtomusic.com. You can buy Ewigkeit's albums at; www.earache.com.

Thanks for your positivity and support.